So I've been bitten pretty hard by the fourby bug.
Family is old enough to camp pretty easily.
I've had some fun on recent camping trips doing easy creek crossings and steep dirt tracks in the wife's SUV, and I've decided to sell the dunny door and get a big 4x4 with all the accessories on it already so that someone else's spent all the money getting it right.
I'll be sad saying goodbye to the big V8
But I need a big fk off fourby. Budget 25k. Want it to tow well for a future camper trailer. Plenty of room. Not too heavy on the juice.
Currently leaning towards a CRD (08 onwards) GU patrol. Something like this:
Good choice?
Some people enjoy browsing cars for sale, or know of some good ones through clubs, forums etc. If you've been watching one you'd buy, let me know..
GU yes yes yes but the 3L TD had lots of issues.
Do you want extrreme 4WD ability? And literally as tough as hell for doing the Gunbarrel / CSR / Cape York all that shazzizzle? I am guessing not, you want to get places and tow a camper?
Prado, 100 series, GU 4.2TD, Pathfinder - in no particular order.
If you want one with all the fruit already added I reckon go for a grey gypsy trade-in...... NOT one from a 30 y/o ........ the former add all the stuff just in case, the latter add it all to pose and get airborn on youchoob.............
3L GU is fine just buy an 08 or later as planned.
They are pretty agricultural but as tough as they come.
Landcruiser fanboys will argue that they are just as tough... But they are not ( unless you are talking an 80series ).
I have a 2002 GU coming up to 430,000 km it had the early 3L which eventually gave up and I put a 4.2 into it. But is heavy on fuel.
Never had an issue other than the early engine and it's been flooded to the Windows numerous times.
Select to expand quoteMark _australia said..
GU yes yes yes but the 3L TD had lots of issues.
Do you want extrreme 4WD ability? And literally as tough as hell for doing the Gunbarrel / CSR / Cape York all that shazzizzle? I am guessing not, you want to get places and tow a camper?
Prado, 100 series, GU 4.2TD, Pathfinder - in no particular order.
If you want one with all the fruit already added I reckon go for a grey gypsy trade-in...... NOT one from a 30 y/o ........ the former add all the stuff just in case, the latter add it all to pose and get airborn on youchoob.............
Would add the 105 to that group, as it has the rigid front end axle, over the 100 series (yes I have one) Coil springs all round. 4.2 NA.. However if you can find a factory turbo, grab it. But the $25k probably wont get you there. They go for 30-40k.
The 4.2 NA with after market turbo kited jobs go for anything between $18-30k, depending on kilometres. Don't get to concerned with K's on the clock. These units were designed to go at 500,000 and some. Rare to find one under 100,000, but if you do, check it out diligently, and be prepared to pay some more.
The standard model with standard NA no mods, will go from $14,000-$20,000 depending on condition. Run great, but sluggish with the whole 97 kilo wasps under the bonnet. You can get a turbo kit fitted, so another $5000 to your purchase, so one set up already is the go.
If you are not concerned about fuel burn, the petrol jobs in the same configs, go from anywhere between $8,000 to $20,000. Plusses are, the gearbox is a tad stronger, than the 100/105 and your original capital spend, will well offset the fuel burn change.
Fuel burn on the petrol, 16-20 lt per 100 k's
Diesel, between 13-15 lt per100 k's.
The 80 series, is all same same, but leaf springs, so ride is bit rougher, and the gearbox is also tougher than the 100/105.
Whatever you choose, get somebody who has one, to go with you to check them out. Few traps, if you are not familiar with he vehicles.
FB has 80 series, and 100 series and 105 series owners page. Heaps in VIC will steer you right if you ask.
Good but not neccessarily extreme ability. Something I can grow into. Camper would ideally be something 4x4, not hardcore (ie some limits on entry/exit angles) but off road..
Landcruisers - have been looking too but I can't see decent economy as a daily driver without getting one on gas, which limits what's available. There's a good gas one for sale but it has 350,000ks. Getting up there though.
80 series - that or early Patrol (GQ) would be fine as 4x4 only, but too primitive for my daily. Good ones are still pricey too.
Pathfinder - seem a bit soft, no?
Prado - possible, have looked at a few. Bit small inside for a family maybe. Not sure they justify the toyota tax. Not all that beasty. Good on diesel though.
This is the cruiser that caught my eye... 385 though... 190l gas plus petrol, big range.http://www.carsales.com.au/private/details/Toyota-Landcruiser-1998/SSE-AD-3783112/?Cr=3
+1 for the GU 08 or newer. I've got a 08 with 330000k on the clock and it hasn't missed a beat. I did think it had a CV joint issue once, took it to a mechanic who argued with me and told me it was impossible as the drive train on these are indestructible,. he was right, I was wrong. Been told the same thing a few time since about how strong the gear boxes are ect.
One tip I was recommended was that the earlier models did blow up due to the boost pressures being electronically controlled. I took it to a dyno tune specialist who put it on a dyno and true enough the boost pressure ranged from 6-18psi= a recipe for disaster. So I installed a manual (screw in) daws valve at the time for $200. Now it's permanently at 8psi slight loss in performance but you gain reliability.
Gave the dirk Hartog barge a hand a few years back
The exit beach was shidt house, only one vehicule got on first shot
Range rover v8 strolled onto it
The oppo mentioned prior
There's only one bus that's gonna get up today
Just done a trip with a mate who picked up a sweet troopy, ex government , 40,000 on the clock $20,000,
You coil get a new triton dual cab for 29k not that long ago. Bout9k/100klm real world. Get u anywhere family wants to go. Pull hard to
Not hugely keen on a ute, interiors a bit squashed. Borrowed a triton for ~6hrs driving and the ride was pretty poor, lurched from front to back all the time even with 150kgs on the back. Also a bit annoying it had no guts till it was properly on boost, then it went well, but if you were taking off on a steep hill you had to rev the ring out of it.
Troopy.. bit too agricultural. I like doing 115 in a 110 zone not 95 
Get a factory turbo 80 series post 96 for the 4wd ability, power and fuel economy plus 3t towing.
Get a NA 80 post 96 for not terrible fuel economy and towing. Same beast but you have to wind it up to overtake.
Nissan isn't bad but the 3l hand grenades make the 4.2 hard to find. More rust issues as well.
That way you can save a few grand and get a cheap daily drive with only 3rd party insurance if it dies then walk away and get another. Using a 4wd as a daily is in reality asking a bit much.
If no ute then 25k is not enough for that type of car I reckon
. Potential of big bills, and it will be dropping value fast. Also high service, tyre and rego costs. Not to mention fuel.
Is there one that runs on renewable energy
And hovers, so it does not damage the environment
Go with the gu mate. Hand grenade engines all sorted by 08. I have an 09 with 180k on the clock. Fitted worth dawes and needle valves for insurance.no probs with over boost. Picked it up for 23k. Keep looking you'll find a gem somewhere :)
Select to expand quotekiteboy dave said...
Troopy.. bit too agricultural. I like doing 115 in a 110 zone not 95
95...?
I dream of my troopy being able to do 95
Get a V8 Troopy then. Mine will happily do 110. (cuts out at 160, very scary )
Plenty of room for the kids, really good off road. Plus one of the last fourbys with a solid front end instead of ****ty independent suspension !
Select to expand quoteLambroast said..
Go with the gu mate. Hand grenade engines all sorted by 08. I have an 09 with 180k on the clock. Fitted worth dawes and needle valves for insurance.no probs with over boost. Picked it up for 23k. Keep looking you'll find a gem somewhere :)
Mates father in law said that. Now he has a chevvy in there. IT went bang despite all the gauges and crap he had on it
Select to expand quotemyusernam said..Lambroast said..
Go with the gu mate. Hand grenade engines all sorted by 08. I have an 09 with 180k on the clock. Fitted worth dawes and needle valves for insurance.no probs with over boost. Picked it up for 23k. Keep looking you'll find a gem somewhere :)
Mates father in law said that. Now he has a chevvy in there. IT went bang despite all the gauges and crap he had on it
Was it definitely later than 08 model?
Select to expand quotesmicko said..
How many k's you doing a week Dave?
Varies.. up to 750.
There is 50-50 possibility I'll get a work car in the next few months, which would drop it right back to <100.
Pajero , 3.2ltr Diesel , Great Fuel economy 9-10ltrs/100km, Great comfort and plenty of upgrade accessories available, Hertz,Budget,Ect all rentals use them because they are reliable.
Buy an ex-rental at auction they are cheap!
Select to expand quotekiteboy dave said..smicko said..
How many k's you doing a week Dave?
Varies.. up to 750.
There is 50-50 possibility I'll get a work car in the next few months, which would drop it right back to <100.
Sounds like you need a Jimny and tent........
While purists will always argue for solid axle gas guzzlers (patrols, cruisers), i think its hard to match the mix of on road drivability, fuel economy, off road capability and comfort of a prado or similar (pajero, discovery).
If you look at the pari daka vehicles, nowadays they are solid rear axles, front independent suspension - there is something in that i reckon.... Its the right balance between speed, handling and 4wd capability.
I drive my dads v8 cruiser along tracks and it is rough as guts compared to my prado, which means slow.... I abuse my prado, hit rocks hard etc and it has never missed a beat or needed a wheel alignment.
I drive my dad's v8 cruizer long distances and feel a bit sick about how much fuel I use...
If your towing a 20+ foot boat or caravan, or into 4x4 to the point where you are damaging panels, then patrol or cruiser every time. If not, Id recommend you take a prado for a drive offroad. Their comfort and handling off road is second to none.
Select to expand quotekiteboy dave said...myusernam said..Lambroast said..
Go with the gu mate. Hand grenade engines all sorted by 08. I have an 09 with 180k on the clock. Fitted worth dawes and needle valves for insurance.no probs with over boost. Picked it up for 23k. Keep looking you'll find a gem somewhere :)
Mates father in law said that. Now he has a chevvy in there. IT went bang despite all the gauges and crap he had on it
Was it definitely later than 08 model?
Yeah. Google it. People want to believe they're ok. But they still.detonate. Its not just the oil sump. This bloke is a nissan fan too. Got a 4.2 ute as well.
Select to expand quotelortap said..
While purists will always argue for solid axle gas guzzlers (patrols, cruisers), i think its hard to match the mix of on road drivability, fuel economy, off road capability and comfort of a prado or similar (pajero, discovery).
If you look at the pari daka vehicles, nowadays they are solid rear axles, front independent suspension - there is something in that i reckon.... Its the right balance between speed, handling and 4wd capability.
I drive my dads v8 cruiser along tracks and it is rough as guts compared to my prado, which means slow.... I abuse my prado, hit rocks hard etc and it has never missed a beat or needed a wheel alignment.
I drive my dad's v8 cruizer long distances and feel a bit sick about how much fuel I use...
If your towing a 20+ foot boat or caravan, or into 4x4 to the point where you are damaging panels, then patrol or cruiser every time. If not, Id recommend you take a prado for a drive offroad. Their comfort and handling off road is second to none.
This^
I have a 94 Troopy and love it. Tough as hell, No electric gubbins to F**k up and leave you in the manure, not too fussed when it gets a dent.
But>
It is agricultural and a bit rough off and on road, its a bit gutless towing the boat, you need to calculate your run ups to pass slow moving traffic. *Turbo would be nice
Fuel is pretty much 11l/100km everywhere (unless towing the boat or have the roof rack on)
A mate just got an ex rental Prado and a camper. Comfortable, easy enough round town etc, Turbo Diesel does a reasonable job of towing (Still had to jump start him after his kids left the door open last time we went out) 
*I'm pretty sure my turbo upgrade is gonna cost about $20k... $15k for the boat, to give the missus the excuse to spend the $5k on the turbo
