2003 MITSUBISHI L200 GLS (Animal)

 

Beauty Shots

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

   

 

INTRO

I bought her in February 2008 and christened her 'Elle'.

This was an upgrade from my previous car; a 2003 MITSUBISHI Lancer GLX (CS3) as I wanted a new automotive experience (diesel engines and 4x4 off-roading) and a new toy that supported my weekend warrior lifestyle.

 

Powered by MITSUBISHI's venerable 4D56 12V SOHC direct injection intercooler turbo diesel engine that runs on their Dakar proven 4x4 drivetrain (from the Pajero platform).

    

This isn't no girlie-truck as it has a 5FWD manual transmission (V5MT1) - No auto tranny !

 

 

When I got her she was thoroughly stock - not a single modification nor accessory that wasn't bolted on at the assembly plant of her birth in Thailand.

 

STOCK PICS:

 

 

 

Factory fit front MITSUBISHI chrome and vinyl grille guard and chrome mirrors

Factory fit rear chrome bumper

 

 

 

 

Stock fabric interior

 

Collapsible rear seat back

 

 

Duraliner Tray Liner

Factory 16" Alloy Rims

 

Factory Aluminium Running board

 

She's no baby doll of a truck either. Her first owner was a leasing company that leased her out to industrial companies where she was used for the purpose that MITSUBISHI designed her for - utility. She thus proudly wears some of the scars of that trade - a minor knicks and small scratches in a couple of places.

 

Utility Pics:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

As with all of my vehicles, immaculate care and loving attention was in store for her. First priority was to sort out all mechanical problems that were existing.

 

This included:

ENGINE WORK:

Full engine work:

 

1. Stop oil leak from one of the high pressure oil lines.

Both high pressure oil lines and a couple oil seals in the engine head and block. Removed the entire engine to do this.

 

 

2. Full 100,000km service:

Change of Timing (cam) belt (Gates)

Change of Balance shaft belt (Gates)

Change of Timing belt tensioner (NTN)

Change of Balance shaft belt tensioner (NTN)

Change of brake and clutch fluid

Change of coolant (Shell)

Change of all filters (Sakura)

 

 

 

 

Change clutch release bearing (NTN)

 

 

Change all engine belts:

2 Alternator belts (Gates)

Air Condition Compressor Belt (MITSUBOSHI)

Powersteering Belt (Gates)

 

3. Removal, strip down and complete cleaning of intercooler, then a fresh coat of paint

  

 

 

SUSPENSION & DRIVETRAIN WORK:

1. Rebuild front drivetrain velocity joints. Race and Cage on inner velocity joints changed, boot rubbers changed and repacked with grease.

  

2. Change worn steering ends (555)

3. Change worn stabilizer bar bushings (RBI)

4. Re-grease free-wheel hubs

5. Change oil in gearbox, transfer case, front and rear differentials (Redline Synthetic Racing 75W-90 Gear Oil)

6. New Roadstone Rodian HT M+S Tyres (265\70\16)

7. Change front brake disc pads (Mintex) and rear brake shoes (OHK)

 

Custom Tray Protection Work:

I did some work to protect her tray\cargo area from the long term effects of weathering. This was the application of two coats of tar-based underbody coating, topped with two coats of industrial paint to her metal tray surface.

The Duraliner tray liner does a good job of protecting against teh damaging effects of loaded cargo, but not the weather.

 

This was done as follows:

1. Removal of the Duraliner tray liner and treatment of the metal tray with rust remover and then coating with metal oxide protective coating

 

2. The 2 coats of tar-based underbody coating was applied:

 

3. The 2 coats of industrial black paint was applied

4. Replaced the trayliner

 

MODIFICATIONS:

GReddy GTT3 Turbo Timer

 

 

PIAA Super Plasma GTX Headlamp bulbs

Pics to come

PIAA Extreme Super White Hoodlamp bulbs

PIAA Extreme Super White Maplight bulbs

K&N Free Flow intake drop-in air filter (Model# 38-9207)

 

 

Diesel pre-filter

Carburettor-type gasoline transparent filter installed on the inlet to the main diesel filter

 

 

Poriro G-Speed Competition Sports Pedals with Adjustable Heel-Toe Plates

 

 

Stainless Steel Muffler

 

    

 

18" Michelin Optimum Frameless All-weather wiper blades

 

 

Heavy Duty 3 piece HS floor mats

pics to come

 

Vinyl Decals

 

Passenger Door

 

Hood

Official Animal Worldwide Freeride Hood Decal (UK styling)

 

 

 

Titanium Shift knob (on range selector lever)

 

Audio:

All Pioneer

Pioneer DEH-2000MP Tuner\MP3\CD headunit

 

4 X 6.5" TS-G1642R 180W speakers (doors) and 2 x 4.0" TS-G1041R 110W (dashboard)

 

 

 

Custom Tray Bar:

Built by Kennicon Engineering Limited. This tray bar is not the usual chrome decorative type found on most pickups. It is made entirely of Schedule 40 steel and painted to match Elle's factory colour scheme. the result a beautiful an rugged finish that can extend her utilitarian functions

 

CAR CARE PRODUCTS:

 

 

 

 

    

 

SOME VIDEOS

Driving through stream in Icacos

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q803x3dFzB4

 

Scary beach fun run

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ab1rSavFW4I

Donuts on Icacos Beach

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H7BwacbvCCI

Donuts and Drifting on Columbus Beach

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-RPyBxlxm70

Drive along the beach crossing rocks

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ThBnQKOVbzs

 

Recovering a stuck Hilux SR5

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SLHE2t0ikaA

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SmSDCq5SEGE

 

 

FUTURE PLANS:

Utility upgrade

Custom build steel bumper

 

Off-road upgrades

4 overhead off-road lights

All terrain tyres

Digital compass

 

Interior upgrades

many possibilities

 

Street upgrade

PIAA Plasma ion fog lamps (better night vision in the wet)

Running Board lights (green)

20% Emerald Green metalized window tint

 

SOME OF MY AFFILIATIONS:

Trinituner Trucks & Pickup Forum

http://forums.trinituner.com/forums/viewforum.php?f=41

http://www.trinituner.com

L200 Owners Club

http://www.l200.org.uk

 

BEFORE YOU LEAVE

Thank you for taking the time to view my page. I hope you like what I have done to my '03 Animal and that you are inspired by what you have seen here.

Please sign my Guestbook and leave your comments.

 

Page is still being built . . . there is much more to come