Specs, fluids & service · 1991–1999
Mitsubishi Pajero / Montero (Second 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 | V20 series (V21W–V26W, V43W–V46W) · V55W Evolution |
|---|---|
| PRODUCTION | January 1991 – 1999 (Japan) |
| US MODEL YEARS | 1992–2000 (Montero) |
| ASSEMBLY | Pajero Manufacturing Co., Sakahogi, Gifu |
| ENGINES | 6G72 3.0 V6 · 6G74 3.5 V6 · 4D56 2.5 TD · 4M40 2.8 TD |
| OUTPUT (US) | 177 hp (3.0 24v) · 215 hp (3.5 DOHC) · 200 hp (3.5 SOHC) |
| DRIVE | Super Select 4WD: 2H / 4H / 4HLc / 4LLc |
| LOCKER | Pneumatic rear (optional) |
| WHEELBASE | 95.3 in SWB / 107.3 in LWB |
| LENGTH | 163.0 in SWB · 185.2–186.6 in LWB |
| WHEEL BOLT PATTERN | 6 x 139.7 mm, M12 x 1.5 |
| SALES | ≈1.15 million in 8 years 7 months (Mitsubishi design team) |
By year
| YEARS | PLATFORM | ENGINE | OUTPUT | NOTES |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1991–1996 | V20/V40 (6G72) | 3.0 L SOHC 12v V6 | Up to 109 kW / 235 Nm | Launch petrol engine. US Montero from the 1992 model year. |
| 1991–1999 | V20/V40 (4D56) | 2.5 L intercooled turbo-diesel I4 | 73 kW (99 PS) | Top-mounted intercooler fed by hidden grille scoops. Timing belt. Not sold new in the US. |
| 1993–1996 (US SR 1994) | V40 (6G74 DOHC) | 3.5 L DOHC 24v V6 | 153 kW (208 PS); US SR 215 hp / 228 lb-ft | Added July 1993 with a larger transmission and transfer case. |
| 1993–1999 | V40 (4M40) | 2.8 L intercooled turbo-diesel I4 | 92 kW / 294 Nm | Timing chain. Not sold new in the US. |
| 1996–1999 | V20/V40 (6G72 24v) | 3.0 L SOHC 24v V6 | 132–133 kW; US 177 hp / 188 lb-ft | Coil-pack ignition replaced the distributor. |
| 1997–2000 (US to MY2000) | V40 (6G74 SOHC) | 3.5 L SOHC 24v V6 | Up to 139 kW / 306 Nm; US 200 hp / 228 lb-ft | Australian NL. Japan's Wide models also offered a 3.5 GDI from May 1997. |
| 1997–1999 | V55W Evolution | 3.5 L DOHC MIVEC V6 (6G74) | 280 PS | Homologation special: IRS, wide tracks, aluminium bonnet. About 2,693 built. |
Fluids, capacities & service intervals
Assume nothing has been done without receipts. On a 3.0 or 3.5 V6 the big item is the timing belt with its idlers and water pump. Then do every gear oil, because the transfer case, both diffs and any factory limited-slip are rarely serviced. Capacities below are AMSOIL's lookup figures for US 1993 3.0 and 1997 3.5 Monteros; Liqui Moly's lookup gives matching diff and transfer-case figures for the 3.5, and supplies the oil and brake-fluid intervals. Confirm them for your engine and gearbox, especially on diesel imports.
| ITEM | SPEC / CAPACITY | INTERVAL | NOTES & PARTS |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine oil & filter | SAE 5W-30 preferred (10W-30 above −18 °C) · ≈5.2 US qt with filter (US 3.0 and 3.5) | Every 7,500 mi or 12 months, or every 3,000 mi or 3 months in severe use (US Montero 3.5, Liqui Moly lookup). Mitsubishi's European schedule for the 3.0 and 3.5 is 15,000 km or 12 months. | AMSOIL lists a WIX 51334 filter for both V6s. Diesel 4D56/4M40 capacities differ.Engine parts (oil filters), 1995 Montero 3.0 V6 · RockAuto ↗ |
| Timing belt, tensioner, idlers & water pump | 6G72 and 6G74: belt · 4D56: belt · 4M40: chain | Australian owners use ≈100,000 km on the V6s confirm in manual | Owners report the 3.5 is an interference engine and the 3.0 is not. With no receipt, do it now.Engine parts, 1995 Montero 3.5 V6 · RockAuto ↗ |
| Spark plugs | Platinum plugs on the V6s (owner reports) confirm in manual | Usually done with the timing belt | One owner couldn't reach the last two plugs on a '96 and paid a mechanic.Ignition parts, 1995 Montero 3.0 V6 · RockAuto ↗ |
| Air filter & fuel filter | confirm in manual | Fuel filter: owners quote 40,000–60,000 km depending on model | On a truck with no history, change both.Fuel and air parts, 1995 Montero 3.0 V6 · RockAuto ↗ |
| Coolant | ≈10 US qt system capacity (US V6) | Flush now, then per manual | V6 head gaskets have a reputation, so a clean, correctly filled cooling system is cheap insurance. Bleed out the air carefully.Cooling system parts, 1995 Montero 3.0 V6 · RockAuto ↗ |
| Automatic transmission | AMSOIL code AF2 (Dexron-II-type ATF) · 5.8 US qt drain-and-fill; 7.6 qt total (V4AW2) or 10.4 qt total (V4AW3, and AW30-40LE on the 3.5) | Drain and refill now; repeat to refresh more of the fluid | A drain-and-fill replaces only about half the fluid, so do two at the oil changes rather than one flush.Transmission parts, 1995 Montero 3.0 V6 · RockAuto ↗ |
| Manual transmission | GL-4 75W-90 or 75W-85 · 5.3 US pints (3.0) / 6.8 pints (V5MT1, 3.5) | Change now, then per manual | Manual transmission parts, 1995 Montero 3.0 V6 · RockAuto ↗ |
| Transfer case (Super Select) | GL-4 gear oil · 4.9–5.3 US pints depending on transmission | Change now | Owners say the Super Select system plays up when it's not used. Fresh oil and regular use help.Drivetrain parts, 1995 Montero 3.0 V6 · RockAuto ↗ |
| Front differential | GL-5 80W-90 · 2.3–2.5 US pints | Change now | Check the vacuum actuator and its hoses while you're under there.Drivetrain parts, 1995 Montero 3.5 V6 · RockAuto ↗ |
| Rear differential | GL-5 80W-90 · 5.5 US pints (1993 3.0) / 6.8 pints (1997 3.5) | Change now | A limited-slip rear needs LSD-rated oil; AMSOIL quotes Mitsubishi P/N 8149630EX or equivalent. Locker-equipped trucks: check the air lines and actuator for leaks.Drivetrain parts, 1995 Montero 3.0 V6 · RockAuto ↗ |
| Brake fluid | DOT 3 | Flush now, then every 2 years or 30,000 km (Mitsubishi's European schedule, Liqui Moly lookup; its US Montero listing gives only a yearly check) | Inspect the front hoses at full lock (recalls 96V143 and 98V220).Brake and wheel hub parts, 1995 Montero 3.0 V6 · RockAuto ↗ |
| Power steering fluid | Dexron-II-type ATF | Change now | Steering parts, 1995 Montero 3.0 V6 · 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 on off-road trucks | Follow Mitsubishi's pitman-arm inspection (see Repairs).Steering parts, 1995 Montero 3.5 V6 · RockAuto ↗ |
| Front wheel bearings | Repack with wheel-bearing grease; new seals | Now, then with brake jobs | The seller of BaT's 177k-mile 1994 SR repacked the bearings and replaced the seals, upper ball joints and CV axles in one go.Brake and wheel hub parts (bearings, seals), 1995 Montero 3.0 V6 · RockAuto ↗ |
Capability
| Wheelbase | 2,420 mm (95.3 in) SWB · 2,725 mm (107.3 in) LWB |
|---|---|
| Length | 4,140 mm (163.0 in) SWB · 4,704–4,740 mm (185.2–186.6 in) LWB |
| Fuel economy | ≈11–16 L/100 km (≈15–21 mpg US) petrol Owner-reported; towing pushes the 3.5 to about 20 L/100 km |
| Evolution fuel tank | 75 L (19.8 US gal), premium unleaded V55W manual, per Motor-Fan catalogue via JDMBUYSELL |
| Evolution weight | 1,970 kg (4,343 lb) V55W manual |
| Evolution dimensions | 4,075 × 1,875 × 1,915 mm (160.4 × 73.8 × 75.4 in) |
Wheels & tires
| Factory tire | 235/75R15 on 15x6 steel wheels (1996 NL GLX, Australia, per owner) · 15-inch alloys on US Montero LS and SR (Bring a Trailer listings) |
|---|---|
| Bolt pattern | 6x139.7 (6x5.5") |
| Lug thread | M12x1.5 |
| Biggest tire · Stock | 31x10.50R15 (≈265/75R16 on 16s) |
Open the Pajero / Montero (Second Generation) in the tire fitment tool →
Common Pajero / Montero (Second Generation) repairs
- Timing belt, tensioner and water pump (6G72 3.0 / 6G74 3.5)DIFFICULTY 3 / 5
- Cure a flashing 4WD light (front axle engagement)DIFFICULTY 2 / 5
- Inspect the pitman-arm ball joint (Mitsubishi's procedure)DIFFICULTY 2 / 5
- Reset or upgrade the front torsion barsDIFFICULTY 2 / 5
- V6 head gasket replacement (and do it properly)DIFFICULTY 4 / 5
- Replace the front brake hosesDIFFICULTY 2 / 5
- Replace the V6 valve stem seals (blue smoke)DIFFICULTY 4 / 5
- Sill and chassis rust repairDIFFICULTY 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.