Rocky Mountain Pajero

[bbisset]

Hello all! Been a lurker for many months but decided to intro myself as I took possession of my '95 Pajero LWB 2800TD last week. Drove it from the docks in New Westminster home for what I am assuming would be the longest single trip it's ever made (+1200km). Fuel economy was pretty much as expected... about 12.5L/100km. Not great, but I tend to be heavy-footed, with several long stretches at 130km/hr. Ran like a top.

I still also have a RHD diesel Toyota Surf and the difference was jaw-dropping in terms of power and the pure "fun-of-driving" factor. Mind you, the day was amazing... blue, blue skies and average temp of -10°C. The altimeter worked flawlessly on top of the Salmo-Creston pass... 1775m above sea level (Tsawwassen) where I set it.

Very happy indeed.

Brian

[mararmeisto]

Congrats and welcome to the group. Another Pajero - yeah!

You obviously took #3 Hwy to get home - I did that in a 2500 cc Delica, always wondered what it was like in the slightly bigger 2800 cc. I don't suppose there'll be much of a fair comparison in my 5600 cc Titan, but that is a pretty pass just the same.

The fuel economy you cited is pretty much bang-on. You really only get better than that going downhill with a wind behind you, but overall (city and hwy combined) 12.5 is about right. The real unfortunate thing is that diesel is more expensive than gasoline. I get worse fuel economy in my new truck, but I'm paying less for fuel (overall) - how messed up is that?

[delichris]

I'm a lurker too. Glad to know there are more East kootenay members out here.
-Chris

[bbisset]

The fuel economy you cited is pretty much bang-on. You really only get better than that going downhill with a wind behind you, but overall (city and hwy combined) 12.5 is about right. The real unfortunate thing is that diesel is more expensive than gasoline. I get worse fuel economy in my new truck, but I'm paying less for fuel (overall) - how messed up is that?

Yeah, I have never understood why the winter formula diesel is so much more. From Wikipedia, "In Northern America gas stations offer two types of diesel fuel - according to ASTM D975[5] these are named No.1 and No.2 fuel. No.1 fuel (kerosene) has a natural CFPP of -40 °C but it is more expensive than No.2 fuel. Adding No.1 fuel will lower the CFPP of No.2 fuel - adding 10% will lower the CFPP temperature by about 5 degrees."

I think there are at least (lol) 3 or 4 months where we get the "summer" (no. 2) diesel, and it is usually cheaper than regular gasoline.

Chris, I used to live in Cranbrook for a time. The smoky RHD 'Yota Surf running around town was me

[SquamSquatch]

Hey Brian - welcome and congrats on the new ride, seems like a perfect vehicle for getting around in the East Koots!

I know Elkford quite well, my in-laws live there and we travel there every summer to hang out and spend time at Koocanusa Lake. Gorgeous part of the province. I'll keep my eyes peeled next time I'm up there.

[bbisset]

Koocanusa Lake is a wonderful place to hang during the summer (still freakin cold to swim in though).

My company provides vehicles to travel to and from work and I drive the Dodgey van from Elkford up to our mine site. Once in a while the weather dumps a crapload of snow on us and the company van won't make it, so we may have to take a day off until the roads are cleared. I am waiting (impatiently, lol) until the day I round everybody up in the Mitsu and take them on up regardless of the conditions

("up" being the operative word. Elkford is about 1350m and our general offices at 1550m... though I have a project which the top bench is around 2250m which I have to drive up to inspect once in a while)

Brian