Parts for your 1987 Mitsubishi Pajero-Headlights

1987 Mitsubishi Pajero Headlights

Referencing the Mitsubishi Pajero/Montero 1983–1991 Factory Service Manual (Group 54: Lighting), the Mitsubishi ASA parts catalogue for the L040 series, the 1987 Pajero Owner’s Manual, and Australian/New Zealand road standards (ADR 13/00 and ADR 46/00, NZTA WOF/VIRM guidance), headlights are standard equipment and legally required on the 1987 Mitsubishi Pajero. They’re absolutely relevant to this model and essential for safe, compliant driving.

On a 1987 Pajero (Gen I), the headlights do the heavy lifting after dark and in poor weather—delivering a dipped beam for everyday use and a high beam for open-road visibility. Depending on market and trim, the vehicle was fitted with either rectangular sealed-beam lamps or composite housings that take a replaceable H4 halogen bulb (commonly 60/55 W). Many Australian and New Zealand-delivered trucks use the H4 setup, while some variants use sealed beams, both are listed across the factory parts catalogue.

For servicing, it pays to keep things simple and routine. Replace bulbs in pairs to keep the beam colour and brightness even. If it’s an H4 housing, avoid touching the new bulb’s glass, use gloves and refit the rubber dust boot securely. If it’s a sealed beam, the whole lamp unit is swapped. Stick with ADR/WOF-compliant RHD beam pattern parts and standard wattage unless the loom and relays are properly upgraded.

They’ll want to check for classic Pajero headlight gremlins: tired earths, corroded 3-pin H4 connectors, and moisture in the housing. A dab of dielectric grease on clean terminals helps, and a quick look at the headlight relay and fuses can save a lot of head-scratching. Cloudy or yellowed lenses on composite lamps can often be restored, badly pitted glass (or cracked sealed beams) should be replaced.

Aim matters too. Mis-aimed lights can fail a WOF or attract a yellow sticker. On a flat surface facing a wall, adjust so the dipped beam cutoff sits slightly below headlight height and kicks left for RHD markets, then fine-tune on a night drive without dazzling oncoming traffic. As part of regular servicing (every 10,000 km or so), they should:

• Inspect lenses for cracks, haze, and moisture.
• Test all beams and indicators for brightness and consistency.
• Clean connectors, check earth points, and confirm relay operation.
• Verify aim after any front-end work or lamp replacement.

Quality, compliant bulbs and tidy wiring keep this classic Pajero lighting up Aussie and Kiwi roads just the way it should.

Popular questions about 1987 Mitsubishi Pajero headlights

What bulb type fits a 1987 Pajero?
Most Gen I Pajeros use H4 12 V 60/55 W halogen bulbs in composite headlamps. Some variants use rectangular sealed-beam units where the entire lamp is replaced. Check the lens marking (e.g., “H4”) or look for a removable rubber dust boot and 3‑pin connector to confirm.

How often should the headlights be replaced or serviced?
Halogen bulbs fade over time, so many owners refresh them every 2–4 years or at the first sign of dimming or colour shift. At each service, inspect aim, connectors, fuses/relays, and lens condition, and replace in pairs for balanced output.

Are LED conversions legal on a 1987 Pajero?
Retrofit LED bulbs in halogen housings are generally not legal unless the complete assembly is certified and compliant. For Australia and New Zealand, check ADR and WOF/VIRM requirements. If upgrading, use compliant complete lamp assemblies designed for RHD road use and proper beam control.