Junior's story

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helijohn
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Most of you probably know I have had a Pajero 2.5TD for my daily drive for 15 years.  However, I like to have a standby motor and have always had one since the 1980s when I broke my RS2000 in the snow.  That led me to get a Landy to use in the winter. It was followed by a succession of 4x4 motors during which time I swapped to having the 4x4 as the main ride.  Then 4 years ago when I sold my 1990 auto Vitara.  It was the stupidest thing I ever did but in many ways it had to go.

Since then I have searched for a sutable replacement and have had LWB Vitara, Jimny, 2xRav4, and a Pinin. Enter the Junior. Here it is in its state as it arrived off the transporter. Two previous keepers both women so that's a recipe for disaster.

 No oil in the engine to speak of and we even let it idle on the drive after dropping it off the flatbed!!blush  A later inspection tells me it is rusty all over but as rusty  as the least rusty parts of the Pinin.  5 years older with more miles and 2nd degree rust whereas Pinin had lots of 3rd degree rust (rot in short).  Driving position was awful and felt like I was on the road, not on a seat.  Layers of tree sap and moss. Ashtray full of cig ends. Grimy seats and interior.

Off came the roof bars - no key so I just ripped the cover off to access the adjustments - wind deflectors and rear seats.  It weighs a lot less now, the roof bars are a good weight.  I'd guess overall about the weight of a small person.  

Talking of weight, the sump guard is ¾  the size of the Pinin one yet weighs twice as much.  Really good item, well pleased with that.

Cleaned it up and gave it a coat of Hammerite underseal with Waxoyl.

Also thought I'd copy the system on the Pinin where the rear bolts can stay on the chassis so I opened the holes to make slots.

Gave it a good pressure washing and it started to look better.

Whipped out the front seats and the other half gave them a good seeing to with upholstery cleaner and a scrubbing brush.  Driver seat is well sagging.  I had some seat brackets from one of my Rav4 cars so with a bit of fettling they went in, not pretty cos I had to butcher them and add some quickly made ones for the rear bolts but hey, I like to see over the bonnet.  I shall come back to them later

Next was to try a wheel or two.  I have the Piinin existing wheels in the back yard so I opted to try one of those on the driver side rear wheel.  OMG the state of the alloy wheel that was on, really naff,  but the ex Pinin wheels fitted fine.  Came the time to try the FTO wheels, took one off the Pinin and it fits!!  I tried  it on the front to check for clearance issues.

 

 

 

They won't be fitted yet though as I have a lot to do before then.  

 

Compare the Pinin hub with the Junior hub.

 

While I had the back wheel off I ripped off the cover to the fuel filler pipe.

 

 

When I bought the Junior she said the speedo was not working.  Here's why, what am I going to do with this?

 

Just found out it has remote central locking.  Just needed a new battery in the key.  Saves me a job possibly cos I usually fit a combined alarm/RCLbut I bet I'll be fitting one anyway as I only have one key for the OE set up'

 

Painted the bash plate with Hammerite Waxoyl underseal - will add pics tomorrow.

I decided to remove the foglamp surround.

 

Also took the ash tray /cig lighter unit off so I could wire in a 3 way cig lighter extension/USB.  The ash is everywhere!frown

Before (ashtray still there!

 

 

After.

 

Turned my attention to the rusty floor from the back door to the seat mounting bolts. It was a lot rustier than the Pinin.  Thing is that where the Pinin was rusty, it was rotten with it.  So I estimate about 40% of the steel has gone.  I tried removing the rear exhaust box for better acces but couldn't get it off so worked around it....nightmare.  The bumper came of without fighting but the bumper support was well manky so I trimmed it down to a small bracket.

Here you can see the rust and that I had made a start on the fix.

 

So the speedo cable came today and it was time to tackle the job.  When I took off the Heath Robinson attachment I found this.

I am guessing but it looks like at some time a speedo cable end broke off leaving a rod in the slot.  Is it no surprise when you see where the cable factory positioning is!  You can see the bit I mean in this pic; this is the old cable I just took off..

 

It looks to me like someone could not get out the broke shaft so made up an awful adapter.  I managed to remove it by using a gas soldering iron with a blowtorch attachment which gave me a pencil flame accurate enough to get on to just the shaft.  After three attempts it pulled out.  Had I known this I could have saved myself 50GBP and just connected the old cable once the broken bit was off!!!  

 

Also the thread on the speedo gear housing was very corroded and needed a Dremel wire brushing to clean up the threads before the new one would get anywhere near going on.

Took it up the street today and whooopeeee, speedo is working. Lordy Lordy.

Getting back to the rust work, I have chipguarded the rear floor now and moved on to the driver's side wheel arch area and chassis coming round to the sills (already done) and the driver's floor at the rear.  The exposed portion of the fuel tank had some surface rust so have done that too.

I've wire brushed, derusted with Aquasteel and applied Waxoyl underseal from back to front,

A front arch - work in progress,.

 

Coated

 

 

Still have a few spots to sort out but it is 95% done.

Next was the rear floor.  I lined it with ply then dropped a carpet on it.

 

 

I returned to the dash and decided to cut out the bottom part and add a shelf for one of my GPS gizmos.

 

Somewhere along the line - possibly on import - someone had used one of the reverse lights (OS) as a rear fog lamp (obligatory in the UK since the 1980's) and also put in a red bulb..  I wanted to restore that reverse lamp so Junior still has both (nearside and OS) working.  This meant I would have had no foglight so I contoures and accessory lamp to fit to the rear bumper.  It may not look as pretty.

 

Also the remote central locking combineds alarm unit is fitted.  The siren is under the bonnet and the hard part of connecting to the existing central locking was made really simple as the  leads were located at the module; the module is just to the right of the glove box.

Here the module is detached for access.

 

Here the wires are attached, held in place with cable ties  and the module is back in its place - to the right of the glove box..

 

I fitted the centre console's armrest today.  It is my usual approach as folks will have seen on the long departed Pinin.  I fit the armrest into the centre console

and it sits in the rearmost receptacle.  This time I made a mould of the slot.  Possibly easier to show than explain. This is upside down and when the right way up forms a base for the armrest to be screwed to.

So I end up with this.

Decided to tart up the brake calipers as they were manky - like most of the other underparts.  Pity the backing plate is so grotty.

 

Got another little job done today.  As I mentioned the speedo was in KPH but there was some sort of manky adapter held on with cable ties to make it reaqd MPH but broken with it.  So for a while I have been reading KPH since replacing the cable.  Today I took the speedo unit apart, removed the glass and stuck one of these on the actual dial (not the glass) 

 

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/291504423939?_trksid=p2057872.m2749.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT

 

and it looks like this now.  It was a pain to get the ring in the right place but it is near enough.

 

 

A bit more on the rust front, literally.

Here's a sight you don't see much online.  Junior with the front bumper removed.  Took me three hours and that's because I have no manual to work from and first the grille had to come off, then the little finisher panel plus several stupid self tappers, clips and so on.

 

It surprised me how good the condition was as my Pinin was in a dreadful state so I was expecting Mitsubishi rot. lol

The bolts holding the finisher panel had  snapped off on the driver side so I had to drill out the stubs and rethread.

Then I treated all the rusty bits with Jenolite and finally gave it all a coating of Hammerite Underseal with added Waxoyl.

I tend to leave good metal alone as it acts as a rust barometer for the future but even if it is good if it is in a vulnerable position it gets a coat!!

Also I injected  Waxoyl into the front chassis while I had access.

 

The bumper support got the same treatment but no "after" pics just yet as it is late now.

 

 

Finally got an "after" pic

I broke the Mitsy traingle badge on the grille so transplanted a spare I had taken from the spare wheel carrier.  It is a bit bigger but hey ho, it does the trick and is chromed.

So next I needed to get teh passenger side arch cover secured to stop it from flapping about and came up with this. Two minutes with a drill and a spare couple (one for each side) of arch cover retainer clips and job done.

 

 

Here's an easy job albeit very very fiddly.  It may be a little late to fit a sunstrip but the low flying sun over the last month or so has really been bugging me. I cut the sunstrip down as it is a small screen but I maybe ought to have left it at 10cm.Time will tell if I need to get another and fit it with no cutting.

Before

After

 

Something I hadn't really spotted was that the front plate was off centre so I decided it was time to get a "square" one (11"x9" actually) to show off more of my red painted grille mesh.

 

but I am not too sure if I like it.frown

 

I have done a bit more. The driver carpet had a heel hole in it right through the soundproofing to the metal. I always use an accessory mat but clearly the early owners did not. So I filled the hole in the soundproofing with high density foam then cut an old rear floor mat to size. I glued it in place with Copydex and viola. Ignore the chalk marks I used for placement.wink

 

An issue I have had since acquiring this motor has been the engine temperature. The gauge needle never left the cold sector and in the winter I had to look carefully to see if any movement had taken place. I suspected the sender so changed it and it made no difference. I checked the gauge and it was working fine.   I had considered removing the engine fan or blanking of the radiator. Thinking maybe the thermostat was stuck open I did a bit of research just recently and found there are two stats fitted, 82° and 88°.  I made the decision to go to 88°as we are a cool climate country.  I found the Minica stat is the same reference number and sells a little cheaper so I decided to try it. The one in the car is 82°but I tested it in a pan of water which I know is not under pressure and it was fully open at 62°. It's like having no stat in there. Got no info on the torq for the housing bolts but the Jimny is 10ft/lbs and I went with that which is actually more than I would had given it freehand. So I fired her up and watched the needle head into the "normal" range for the first time ever. It got to halfway and I was beginning to get concened. Just then the top hose went from cold to hot; the stat had opened, the needle fell to about ⅓ normal and stayed there.  Superb. Should get a better heater and better mpg.

Finally I managed to get a towbar. It amazes me how so many dealerships treat the Pajero iO (Shogun Pinin) as an actual Junior.  You will see adverts stating Pajero Junior 2000 - 2005 or whatever.  As a result I ordered a towbar for a Junior only to find it was really for a Pinin and boy did I have trouble with the sellers, 

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Towbar-for-Mitsubishi-Pajero-Junior-2000-2007-Flange-Tow-Bar-/280854222394?

I then found Watling Engineering who do off the shelf bespoke/tailor made towbars.  Even this didn't go without a hitch because I placed the order and they forgot to process it!!

It finally came (with a towball thrown in as a sweetener) and so it began.  You have seen earlier that I had the bummper off so with a matter of a few clips and about 10 little bolts the bumper (skin) was off. Otherwise it will be a long job.

First step is to remove the towing eye on the left and replace it with a drop bracket but of course the holes didn't align. This is a thick heavy steel droplate so getting the holes fettled is not a job for just a file unless you have all day.

 

Once that plate was on the right hand plate needed fitting and this needed trimming to clear as well as the holes fettling.  Again files........forget it. Get the grinder out.

Once the two plates are on the towbar is just offered up and bolted in place BUT there is a centre mount which is supposed to align with a hole in the box section body. I expect it is because the body on my Junior is not central that had to be reworked.  There is also a bolt hole to be drilled in the chassis. Both these last to fittings have a bolt welded to a rod to facilitate getting the bolt into place. That all went reasonably well. Essentially the towbar is central to the chassis which is fine.  The electrics took another half day. I had to remove the side panels to access certain wires and a take a feed from left side flasher to the socket's wiring.  The picture doesn't show the socket; I'll add that later. 

 

TBC.....................

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Work in progress on my just acquired delapidated  2003 Vivo 11 Junior in need of TLC    

Do it right, use Hammerite.

Why simpify when it is simpler to complicate.

 

helijohn
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Some pics to  update, compare

Some pics to  update, compare the Pinin.

 

 

s.

Work in progress on my just acquired delapidated  2003 Vivo 11 Junior in need of TLC    

Do it right, use Hammerite.

Why simpify when it is simpler to complicate.

 

bob_oz
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so good!!

that looks awesome man!!!

 

.

helijohn
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Cheers

bob_oz wrote:

that looks awesome man!!!

 

Thanks Bob, nice of you to say that.

Had my first part from Amayama t'other day and it was quick delivery.

I am starting to like the little pocket rocket.

While checking oils today I could assess the rustiness better and it is way more solid than the Pinin.  

Took me ages to get the oil filter off, has Japanese writing all over it so I wondered if it was the original.

The bash plate goes back tomoz when dry.  It's a strong bit of kit.

Work in progress on my just acquired delapidated  2003 Vivo 11 Junior in need of TLC    

Do it right, use Hammerite.

Why simpify when it is simpler to complicate.

 

helijohn
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Full frontal??

bob_oz wrote:

that looks awesome man!!!

 

Some full frontals (almost).

Work in progress on my just acquired delapidated  2003 Vivo 11 Junior in need of TLC    

Do it right, use Hammerite.

Why simpify when it is simpler to complicate.

 

helijohn
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Moving on

Added a few more pics to the Story.

Work in progress on my just acquired delapidated  2003 Vivo 11 Junior in need of TLC    

Do it right, use Hammerite.

Why simpify when it is simpler to complicate.

 

helijohn
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Upwards and onwards

Added a pic with some more progress.  I have not met this sort of rust before; underneath the flakey rust lies a layer of salt residue and it is the very devil to shift.devilangry  At least there is room under the bumper to install a big horn.surprise

Work in progress on my just acquired delapidated  2003 Vivo 11 Junior in need of TLC    

Do it right, use Hammerite.

Why simpify when it is simpler to complicate.

 

helijohn
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Speedometer

Now done the speedo.  Finally after 6 weeks with no speedo I have fitted the cable.  See the original post above.

Work in progress on my just acquired delapidated  2003 Vivo 11 Junior in need of TLC    

Do it right, use Hammerite.

Why simpify when it is simpler to complicate.

 

bob_oz
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junior flares on a pinin?

recon the junior wheel arch flares would attach to an io?

.

helijohn
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Should fit

bob_oz wrote:

reckon the junior wheel arch flares would attach to an io?

You should have asked me that before I got shut of my iO Bob.wink

I would say it stands a good chance - anyway most arch extensions can be made to fit.yes

Work in progress on my just acquired delapidated  2003 Vivo 11 Junior in need of TLC    

Do it right, use Hammerite.

Why simpify when it is simpler to complicate.

 

Luis
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I can see you have this
I can see you have this cars:
 
Mitsubishi Pajero
 
Mitsubishi Pajero Pinin
 
Mitsubishi Pajero Junior 
 
Amazing colection!
 
I didnt know of Pajero Junior .
 
Looks good this car.
 
Happy IO
helijohn
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Full range

Luis wrote:

I can see you have this cars:
 
Mitsubishi Pajero
 
Mitsubishi Pajero Pinin
 
Mitsubishi Pajero Junior 
 
Amazing colection!
 
I didnt know of Pajero Junior .
 
Looks good this car.
 
Happy IO

You should check out the Junior - superb motor.

 

The Junior is ideal if you want a car the size of the Jimny.

 

I got rid of the Pinin (iO), it was just too much of a lemon.

 

The Pajero is the one to get if you want only one "Pajero" so to speak.

Work in progress on my just acquired delapidated  2003 Vivo 11 Junior in need of TLC    

Do it right, use Hammerite.

Why simpify when it is simpler to complicate.

 

helijohn
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Very pleased.

Wahay, the Junior passed its MoT test.

Work in progress on my just acquired delapidated  2003 Vivo 11 Junior in need of TLC    

Do it right, use Hammerite.

Why simpify when it is simpler to complicate.

 

helijohn
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And there's more

I have added a few pics of the new number plate.

Work in progress on my just acquired delapidated  2003 Vivo 11 Junior in need of TLC    

Do it right, use Hammerite.

Why simpify when it is simpler to complicate.

 

Claude io
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number plate

Not too sure either ! Can't you get something half the height of this square one ?

Happy io

helijohn
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I agree but........................

Claude io wrote:

Not too sure either ! Can't you get something half the height of this square one ?

Happy io

Not half height no.  It is 9" tall and the smaller size is 7"  which is not 50%.  Also the 7" is narrower too at 9" (compared to 11").  This will expose some of the factory fixing holes which look ugly and will only just about enable the screws to be fitted (8.75" apart).

So in short the available smaller one may be counter productive. 

To go to 50% means using the existing plate.

Here you can see what would be exposed.

Work in progress on my just acquired delapidated  2003 Vivo 11 Junior in need of TLC    

Do it right, use Hammerite.

Why simpify when it is simpler to complicate.

 

helijohn
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Finally got round to fitting

Finally got round to fitting two new rear shox.  Sorted out the no charging issue.

The original wheels have been refurbished and refitted.  I needed the FTOs for my Freelander.smiley

 

Work in progress on my just acquired delapidated  2003 Vivo 11 Junior in need of TLC    

Do it right, use Hammerite.

Why simpify when it is simpler to complicate.

 

helijohn
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towbar

Next job is to fit a towbar so watch this space.

 

I have been a bit distracted recently as I had a freelander then swapped it out for a Suzuki Celerio.

Work in progress on my just acquired delapidated  2003 Vivo 11 Junior in need of TLC    

Do it right, use Hammerite.

Why simpify when it is simpler to complicate.

 

helijohn
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More work

Finally got round to having the timing belt changed and decided to have all the other belts replaced with new ones.  Also had the exhaust manifold changed - got the last one in the country.

Work in progress on my just acquired delapidated  2003 Vivo 11 Junior in need of TLC    

Do it right, use Hammerite.

Why simpify when it is simpler to complicate.

 

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