So with the exhaust being done within the next 3 weeks (Last thing I've got to do before it'll pass emissions and all that's holding it up is money.), I've been thinking of ideas to make the Raider my own.

First thing that came to mind was a paint job. Make it look good again. When I first got on here and showed pictures, someone mentioned going with a WRC theme. Well, that got me thinking. Why not go with what the truck actually ran in? The Paris-Dakar Rally. More specifically, the '87 one since that is the year of my Raider.





Those are pics of the Shinozuka/Fenouil Pajero that came 3rd overall in the rally.

The second thing that came to mind was the rims. For now, I'm gonna clean up and paint the stock steel ones a flat or semi-gloss black, but eventually get new rims.

AR Black Baja

What do you guys think of the Dakar inspired paint with those rims?

The wheels look killer... the paint would look pretty different on the street version, I think. You still have back windows, yes? The red and blue won't connect up the same way - the pattern will be more broken up.

I think this is the paint scheme you'll need for windows

It'll even get broken up by the front windows too now that I really look at it. But at least I'll know what I'm trying to make it look like.

lordtrunks, which year of the Dakar is that from?

to be honest i'm not sure what year its from when i followed the link i couldn't find the picture its just on their server still. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

the now this 83 scheme is pretty good too very retro
http://hpimodelcar.ru/models/8878_mitsubishi_pajero_162_1983_paris-dakar/

I was gonna wait until I got new tires, but wanted to see how they would turn out, so my blown out spare turned into a test dummy. Think they'll look good when they are all done.









The bed liner is what I used to paint the wheel, and of course that was over a primer I put on first. I'd like to include a pic of the finished wheel, but for some reason, it's not liking the link.

If you're wanting the oldschool race truck look IncorporatedX has a set of wheels that look much like the wheels in lordtrunks's photo. He was talking about selling them yesterday.

Since I can't create a new post, I'll add to this one...

Last Friday I got the cat and muffler replaced finally. Just bit the bullet and did it at the cost of being absolutely broke till this coming Thursday. Monday I ran it through emissions and passed! Then waited at the dreaded DMV for 2hrs to get it registered and everything. Got 2yr tags on it!

This was the first attempt. Failed cause I didn't have enough power.


This was the second time with everything done but the cat and muffler.


And this was the third and final time after replacing the hollowed out cat and clogged up muffler.


A year and half of collecting parts (About $2,500 worth, including paying shops to rebuild the radiator, the gas tank, and cut, weld, and install the exhaust.) and countless hours working on this thing (some of them very frustrating), has finally paid off. It sat for at least 11yrs without being on the road, and now it is. Feels pretty damn good to bring one these back to life.

Very, very nice! Good to see the improvement in the emissions numbers. I'll have to show Jorge since he's having a hard time getting his '86 to pass emissions right now.

I'm putting my '86's front suspension and steering together right now. Fun.

John B.