Toyota/Mitsubishi/Nissan What 4x4 help!!!

Hi all,

New to this game, have several work cars, not suited for the bush, sedans, utes etc...

I have been looking online at the following:

Hilux Turbo Diesel

4 Runner Turbo Diesel

Patrol T D

Can anyone give me any do or dont's on this, everyone i talk to give different advice, all i want is a reliable diesel that is 4x4 that can take a few scratches, let me know, open to all opinions....



cheers



Azza

In the same boat here.

Good way to do this is to list features you want.

some of mine would be:

- Ground clearance
- Comfort on long trips
- Parts availability in remote areas

So far I'm leaning towards a Hilux. My fazsha-in-law had an old hilux with over 1 000 000 k's on it

TopsGold wrote:Hi all,

Hilux Turbo Diesel

Can anyone give me any do or dont's on this, everyone i talk to give different advice, all i want is a reliable diesel that is 4x4 that can take a few scratches, let me know, open to all opinions....

cheers


Azza

G'Day, Always been a Cruiser man meself Cost a bit more but VERY reliable and parts almost anywhere.

Waz

Dont buy 2.4 TURBO DIESEL TOYOTA they are a bad design and are prone to cracking heads.

Land Rover Discovery 2 Diesel auto trans - i have one of these (V8s are a cheaper buy and many have LPG conversions)

Land Rover Defender Diesel - i'm dreaming of one of these.....

Land Rover "THE BEST 4X4 BY FAR"

onebob

Gday

My personal preference for a bush vehicle is something that is basic and easy to work on, and a common model that I can easily get parts for, the best vehicle I have had for this is the Toyota troop carrier, basic 4.2 diesel engine, nothing fancy and easy to service and maintain, same as the patrols etc, but I avoid anything with a turbo or with aluminium head, or complicated engine management system.

One of the drawbacks that I have seen with many other vehicles is the lack of parts that are available in outback areas, its not too big a consideration when you are not doing big klms to get where you want to go, but there would be few of my bush trips where I dont clock up in access of 1500 klms, and often can be more than a 100 klms from the closest town so with that in mind its very important to me that I be able to carry out some types of breakdown repairs, you cant do all of it in the bush but many of the common faults can be sorted out so that you can get back to town at least.

The other thing I like about the troopy is that if you want to fit accessories inside like I have its very basic and has little in the way of moulded covers and things that get in the way, lots of bare metal to attach things to, also if you intend to sleep inside your vehicle you can also find that it does not hold the heat as long as something that has lots of carpet and moulded covers, like the last pajero that I had.

cheers

stayyerAU

mate there is only one and that is a TOYOTA ,i dont know where you are going to go with one ,but all the mining cos use tojos ,parts you can get just about anyehere ,and i know from experience you cant go wrong cheers al

Toyotas and Nissans are the go. But for me price was important too.
I got me a MITSUBISHI Delica 2.8 turbo diesel auto.
Yes i know its an import . I removed the seats from the back put in a bed, prefer sleeping away from the snakes and crawlies, fridge and plenty of storage under the bed. 2 inch suspension lift , bigger tyres, HID lights ,roof racks,arb compressor, dual battery, solar panel, rear ladder, tyre holder, GPS, tv , dvd and lots more.
Ive put here through all sorts, big sand dunes, water crossings, mud , big rocky hill climbs and love it. Happy with this , no breakdowns in a year and been on a lot of weekenders away detecting outback SA and NSW. 1800 kms the longest. Not for everyone but i always liked to be a little different . mine was 17k but start around 10k upwards .theres the earlier model also for about 4k. anyway just adding to the suggestions.
I think theres gold here somewhere!!!

i like the idea of the delica too all i have worries about is the engine i dont think they are good for long life

SPACE-0 wrote:Toyotas and Nissans are the go. But for me price was important too.
I got me a MITSUBISHI Delica 2.8 turbo diesel auto.
Yes i know its an import . I removed the seats from the back put in a bed, prefer sleeping away from the snakes and crawlies, fridge and plenty of storage under the bed. 2 inch suspension lift , bigger tyres, HID lights ,roof racks,arb compressor, dual battery, solar panel, rear ladder, tyre holder, GPS, tv , dvd and lots more.
Ive put here through all sorts, big sand dunes, water crossings, mud , big rocky hill climbs and love it. Happy with this , no breakdowns in a year and been on a lot of weekenders away detecting outback SA and NSW. 1800 kms the longest. Not for everyone but i always liked to be a little different . mine was 17k but start around 10k upwards .theres the earlier model also for about 4k. anyway just adding to the suggestions.
I think theres gold here somewhere!!!

Hey mate
I'm another converted to the Deli's absolutely love em.
Own a 2.8 Turbo Diesel auto space gear.
You feel like King of the road driving them.
Take it everywhere I can off road and still fitting it out.

What bar is it on the white Space Gear and what rims and tyres you running ??

What

Hi TopsGold I have a 2005 model Hilux SR5 turbo diesel auto had it since new, we have done 4 trips to WA towing caravans each trip would have been between 10,000-15,000 kms and have had no problems so far,have clocked up 130,000 kms so far. Last year we up dated our 13' pop top caravan to a 18'6" full caravan, we ended up going right around Australia with it and are heading back to WA again this year.

Cheers
Mike

the white 97 spacegear is mine , the custom bar , a friend made for 300 bux , sunraysier rims 31 x 10.5 with mods to squeeze em in . see delica club forum for pics . and the engine is a pajero engine so they are good motors.

Hi,

In relation to your question, Do you intend to spend big $ or little as possible for the right vehicle.

If your looking for a general all round 4 x 4 to take out bush and to head right out in the sticks without having to play nursemaid to it then a GQ Patrol might be the way to go.

If you look around for between $8,000 to $14,000 you'll find a decent one with all the extras already fitted eg: winch, bull bar, roof rack, long range tanks, lift kit, uhf ect' ect'

Ther're tough as guts, realiable, easy to work on, I don't know of any other 4 x 4 with a stronger drive train. Get parts anywhere.

As you can tell I,m a GQ man, It will be a sad day when when I have to send it to retirement but hoping to get another 10 plus years out of it. Since I've had he GQ my brother been through two hiluxes, one Navara and onto his third hilux however I can't fault his latest hilux time will tell though!

G.B.

PS. Not trying to start a s@#t fight over different makes and models just my honest opinion

SPACE-0 wrote:Toyotas and Nissans are the go. But for me price was important too.
I got me a MITSUBISHI Delica 2.8 turbo diesel auto.
Yes i know its an import . I removed the seats from the back put in a bed, prefer sleeping away from the snakes and crawlies, fridge and plenty of storage under the bed. 2 inch suspension lift , bigger tyres, HID lights ,roof racks,arb compressor, dual battery, solar panel, rear ladder, tyre holder, GPS, tv , dvd and lots more.
Ive put here through all sorts, big sand dunes, water crossings, mud , big rocky hill climbs and love it. Happy with this , no breakdowns in a year and been on a lot of weekenders away detecting outback SA and NSW. 1800 kms the longest. Not for everyone but i always liked to be a little different . mine was 17k but start around 10k upwards .theres the earlier model also for about 4k. anyway just adding to the suggestions.
I think theres gold here somewhere!!!

Not sure if you are aware, but removing seats can be against road law and can require an engineers report, you may want to check with your roads dept. If the seats are made to be removed (like 3rd row seats can be) then generally OK, but if they were bolted in, it becomes an issue.

Hi All
I'm a toyota man have owned my 1990 2.8l d for 17yrs 555000k just did the gear box, the biggest issue with vehicles is the nut behind the wheel & the level of maintenance you put into it, I learnt this the hard way with an engine rebuild, service the damn thing & it will reward you with long service, Hi-lux are light compared to Cruisers (I have a 100 series standard wagon for the family), hilux has better approach & departure angles & will get you into harder spots, saying that you need a way to get out if you get stuck, keep it simple, choice depends alot on budget.
I would not get a navara, they have always had a problem with the front end scrubbing out tyres, 3.2l turbo Patrol ute what a piece of crap, we have one as a Rural fire truck don't go there.
I have been impressed with the capabilities of an older model Patrol Wagon man that thing went some places.
Lee

SPACE-0 wrote:the white 97 spacegear is mine , the custom bar , a friend made for 300 bux , sunraysier rims 31 x 10.5 with mods to squeeze em in . see delica club forum for pics . and the engine is a pajero engine so they are good motors.

$300 well spent looks good. just wondering what sort of fuel economy you get with the auto 2.8, I would love a manual but I dont think they came out in the 2.8 just the 2.5. great truck for WA though