Specs, fluids & service · 1982–1991
Mitsubishi Pajero / Montero (First Generation) specs, fluids and service intervals
The numbers you need in the garage, on one page: spec sheet, capacities and service intervals, wheels and tires, and the parts to order. Sourced from owners, specialists and the factory; tags marked confirm in manual haven't been checked against a factory source yet.
Spec sheet
| CHASSIS | L040 / L140 (L041G–L149G) |
|---|---|
| ON SALE | May 1982 – January 1991 (Japan) |
| US NAMES | Mitsubishi Montero · Dodge Raider (1987–1989) |
| UK NAME | Mitsubishi Shogun |
| ASSEMBLY | Pajero Manufacturing Co., Sakahogi, Gifu |
| ENGINES (US) | 2.6 G54B I4 · 3.0 6G72 V6 |
| OUTPUT (US) | 109 hp / 142 lb-ft (2.6) · 143 hp / 168 lb-ft (V6) |
| DRIVE | Part-time 4WD, two-speed transfer case |
| FRONT SUSPENSION | Double wishbones, torsion bars |
| WHEELBASE | 92.5 in SWB / 106.1 in LWB |
| LENGTH | 157.3 in SWB / 183.1 in LWB |
| DAKAR | Class win 1983 · 3rd overall 1984 · overall win 1985 (prototype) |
By year
| YEARS | PLATFORM | ENGINE | OUTPUT | NOTES |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1982–1991 | L040 (4G54 / G54B) | 2.6 L SOHC I4 | US: 109 hp / 142 lb-ft | The US engine; 103 PS in European trim. Starion-derived turbo versions powered the 1984–85 Dakar cars. |
| From 1982 | L040 (4G63) | 2.0 L I4 (turbo in some markets) | — | Japanese and other markets. 'Turbo' badging on some LWB trucks. |
| 1982–1986 | L040/L140 (4D55) | 2.3 L diesel / turbo-diesel I4 | 75 PS JIS (NA) · 80 hp SAE (turbo) | Early turbo-diesel option, unusual for a 4x4 at launch. |
| 1986–1991 | L040/L140 (4D56) | 2.5 L turbo-diesel I4 | 62 kW (84 PS); 70 kW (95 PS) intercooled | Intercooler added in 1988. Timing belt. |
| 1988–1991 | L040/L140 (6G72) | 3.0 L SOHC V6 | US: 143 hp / 168 lb-ft | Raider V6 from 1988. Australia's NF Superwagon V6 got rear disc brakes. |
| 1987–1989 (US) | Dodge Raider | 2.6 I4 · 3.0 V6 | As Montero | Three-door only, sold by Dodge dealers. Base MSRP $12,830 in 1989. |
Fluids, capacities & service intervals
These trucks are now 35–44 years old, so do everything. On the US 2.6 four that means oil, the timing chains if they rattle, a fresh fuel system and every gear oil, including the transfer case and the limited-slip rear if fitted. Capacities are AMSOIL's lookup figures for a US 1989 Montero 2.6; V6 and diesel trucks differ. The automatic-transmission figure and the oil and brake-fluid intervals come from Liqui Moly's lookup, which uses Mitsubishi's European data.
| ITEM | SPEC / CAPACITY | INTERVAL | NOTES & PARTS |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine oil & filter | 5W-30 or 10W-30 grades listed by temperature · ≈5.5 US qt with filter (2.6) | Mitsubishi's European schedule: every 10,000 km (≈6,000 mi) or 6 months, or 5,000 km (≈3,000 mi) in severe use (Liqui Moly lookup) · US schedule confirm in manual | AMSOIL lists a WIX 51381 filter for the 2.6.Engine parts (oil filters), 1989 Montero 2.6 · RockAuto ↗ |
| Timing drive | 4G54 2.6: chains (timing and balance shaft) · 4D56 2.5 TD: belt | Inspect for rattle now; belt engines on the receipt or now confirm in manual | On a diesel import with no records, assume the belt is due.Engine parts, 1989 Montero 2.6 · RockAuto ↗ |
| Ignition: plugs, cap, rotor and wires | confirm in manual | Now | One BaT seller listed a new distributor cap and ignition wires in recent work.Ignition parts, 1989 Montero 2.6 · RockAuto ↗ |
| Fuel filter, pump & hoses | confirm in manual | Now | Old rubber fuel hose is a fire risk; replace it with fuel-rated hose.Fuel and air parts, 1989 Montero 2.6 · RockAuto ↗ |
| Coolant | ≈8.5 US qt system capacity (2.6) | Flush now | Replace old hoses and the thermostat at the same time.Cooling system parts, 1989 Montero 2.6 · RockAuto ↗ |
| Manual transmission (V5M21) | GL-4 75W-85 or 80W · 5.3 US pints | Change now | Manual transmission parts, 1989 Montero 2.6 · RockAuto ↗ |
| Automatic transmission | Dexron-III-type ATF (Liqui Moly lists its ATF III) · ≈7.2 L (7.6 US qt) for the European 2.6 and 3.0 V6 automatics (Liqui Moly lookup; AMSOIL gives no data for the US 1989 2.6 automatic) | Drain and refill now | Automatic transmission parts, 1989 Montero 2.6 · RockAuto ↗ |
| Transfer case | GL-4 · 4.6 US pints | Change now | Drivetrain parts, 1989 Montero 2.6 · RockAuto ↗ |
| Front differential | GL-5 80W-90 · 2.3 US pints | Change now | Drivetrain parts, 1989 Montero 3.0 V6 · RockAuto ↗ |
| Rear differential | GL-5 80W-90 · 3.8 US pints | Change now | A limited-slip rear needs LSD-rated oil; AMSOIL quotes Mitsubishi P/N 8149630EX or equivalent.Drivetrain parts, 1989 Montero 2.6 · RockAuto ↗ |
| Brake fluid | DOT 3 | Flush now, then every 2 years or 30,000 km (Mitsubishi's European schedule, Liqui Moly lookup) | Inspect the rear wheel cylinders and flexible hoses.Brake and wheel hub parts, 1989 Montero 2.6 · RockAuto ↗ |
| Power steering fluid | Dexron-II-type ATF | Change now | One BaT Raider seller replaced the power-steering lines and belt.Steering parts, 1989 Montero 2.6 · RockAuto ↗ |
| Steering linkage & ball-joint boots | Molybdenum-disulfide chassis grease; relay-rod nuts 44 N·m (Mitsubishi) | Inspect now; Mitsubishi recommends new boots every 5 years | See Mitsubishi's pitman-arm procedure under Repairs.Steering parts, 1989 Montero 3.0 V6 · RockAuto ↗ |
| Front hubs & wheel bearings | Wheel-bearing grease; new seals | Now | Service the automatic locking hubs at the same time.Brake and wheel hub parts, 1989 Montero 3.0 V6 · RockAuto ↗ |
Capability
| Wheelbase | 2,350 mm (92.5 in) SWB · 2,695 mm (106.1 in) LWB |
|---|---|
| Length | 3,995 mm (157.3 in) SWB · 4,650 mm (183.1 in) LWB |
| Height | 1,849 mm (72.8 in) SWB · 1,890 mm (74.4 in) LWB |
| Seats | Up to 7 in the LWB with the folding third row |
Wheels & tires
| Factory tire | 15-inch steel or optional alloy wheels on US Monteros and Raiders (BaT listings) |
|---|
Open the Pajero / Montero (First Generation) in the tire fitment tool →
Common Pajero / Montero (First Generation) repairs
- Inspect the pitman-arm ball joint and steering bootsDIFFICULTY 2 / 5
- Timing and balance-shaft chains (2.6 4G54)DIFFICULTY 4 / 5
- Fuel pump, filter and the 'won't stay running' fixDIFFICULTY 2 / 5
- Set the front ride height at the torsion barsDIFFICULTY 2 / 5
- Rear drum brakes and wheel cylindersDIFFICULTY 2 / 5
- Check the automatic locking hubs and part-time 4WDDIFFICULTY 2 / 5
- Fix oil leaks: valve covers, intake gasket and oil-pressure senderDIFFICULTY 2 / 5
- Rust repair: windshield frame, roof and floorsDIFFICULTY 4 / 5
Always confirm torque figures, fluids and capacities against the factory service manual for your VIN. See the disclaimer; some parts links are affiliate links.