Thinking about buying a triton

[Busiboy]

Hi guys, you may remember me from such threads as some drunk guy pintara'd my comp rig and other similar threads

Long story short, at this stage trying to think about making a decision on possibly buying a new vehicle. We are thinking about doing some touring mainly and maybe some light tracks (not that there are many in Sydney anymore :() and were considering the new trition.

Had a look at the Hilux as well and were impressed with both but the trition is considerably cheaper to purchase both new and 2nd hand. I have been reading this section with interest and going through the FAQ's and was just wondering what input you guys had?

Probable mods wish list would be pretty simple as not wanting to take on TTC08 so maybe some 33's, a lift (if there is one still a bit unsure about that) and typical bolt ons such as bull bar maybe winch etc.

Input welcome and encouraged. Hope to be a part of the clan one day

Edit

Forgot to add, if purchasing new it would be a GLX-R DiD 5 speed most probable.

If buying 2nd hand try and get a GLX DiD 5 speed cause we can put shiny toys where the boring bits are Mags, Bull Bar, Rear canopy, Bling stereo mmmmmmmm

[-Scott-]

The current Triton is the first model I could seriously see myself buying - definitely the DiD. I believe the front is basically Pajero, so that should be relatively easy to lift. I'm not sure about the rear, but it's leaf - how hard can it be?

Have you seen the Triton discussion forum? I hope so, because I just had a quick search for the URL and couldn't find it... There's heaps of good info there.

[Busiboy]

Thanks Scott, we drove it today and it drives very much like a Pajero, had them for years at work. We drove the auto diesel and it was a bit lazy but we would probably go diesel anyway. Liked driving the Hilux it was very nice as well, but find it hard to justify the 10-15k extra.

How is the Paj easy to lift? Scuse the n00b question. I understand it is torsion bars and you can wind them up etc, or are kits available or do you have to be clever about it? For touring etc, I wouldn't be looking for more than 50mm lift and 33's so I can't imagine it would be too hard.

That is the only reason the hilux could appeal for the amount of shiny bits you can buy for them off the shelf, but again not for the money.

[-Scott-]

Gen 3 Paj went coil front, and I believe the new Triton has the same front end. There are plenty of kits around to lift the Paj, so it shouldn't be hard to find someone to help you lift a Triton - I'm fairly certain there's a number of kits already out there. 50mm won't be an issue - I think some Paj kits are claiming 75mm, but they seem to settle to around 60mm.

When I stuck my head under the rear the leaf packs seem to sit very flat, so a bit of lift should be simple. My only concern would be spring rate: they seem to have many leaves, and the few offroad pics I've seen don't show much articulation. But it's not like leaf springs are new technology, so sorting it out shouldn't be hard - if there's not already decent kits available.

[Busiboy]

I didn't even look at the springs, I assumed it was torsion bar, but now you mention it the ride was more like a coil ride

Awesome news though that the bits are already there, I was looking for 50mm but 75mm would be cool even if it ends up being 60mm.

Yup just checked the spec sheet, front double wishbone with coils

Been thinking about it, seems more and more like this will be a goer. The girl is as keen as mustard to do it too Is there any feedback from anyone that has one? My brother is happy with his and drives his around site all day and he no complaints (although the belly guards need to be upgraded).

[NJV6]

Factory rear diff lock.....

[-Scott-]

crankycruiser had one, but I don't know if he still has it - so he may not look in here. He modified his quite a bit, so he'd be good to PM.

[Bitsamissin]

If your thinking of buying a DiD Triton then you really need to check out this forum :- www.newtriton.net
If your planning to mod it with canopy, bar etc the VR model is the way to go as you don't get the nudge bar or tray bar and cover for $2.5K less than the GLX-R.
The front is coil spring IFS just like the Paj and there are various lift kits available now. I found a 3" IFS lift kit in Thailand and rumour has it that a 4-5" IFS lift kit is due out early next year (like the Hilux & Navara kits).
Here is a clip of a ML Triton with factory rear diff lock doing an easy hillclimb (doesn't even raise a sweat) which will give you an idea of suspension flex. The rear springs are quite long in these models so even though they are flat they still flex ok. The guy posted an extended version of this clip on the forum showing a live axle Hilux (unlocked) with muddies trying the same climb and it REALLY struggled big time before evetually making it.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9MSw1CgkxhI
There are quite a few mods out there now as they are selling really well, snorkels, canopies, front & rear bars, front ARB locker, suspension lifts, dual batteries, long range tanks, chips etc.
I'm working on t/case gears for next year and a rear ARB locker will be released next year as well so there is no shortage of serious mods.
I reckon their a fantastic truck with the DiD and Mitsu have addressed the old dual cab rear seat room issue with this Triton.
The rear seat room is only 10mm shorter than the current Paj.
If only Mitsu used the 5sp auto from the Paj instead of the 4sp !!!!
A VR DiD with the 5sp auto and factory rear locker would be awesome.

[Busiboy]

Bitsa

Thanks very much.

That video and the tech has nearly made the decision.

[psycronic]

makes deciding what to go for next a dilemma. I was thinking an NP Pajero DID auto with traction control and fitting front locker (and rear when available) as my next vehicle. But those new tritons are pretty schmick

[psycronic]

and a rear ARB locker will be released next year as well so there is no shortage of serious mods.

Do the tritons have the same rear (or similar) to the Gen 3 and Gen 2 3.5/2.8 pajeros?

[Bitsamissin]

Yes I believe they do have the same rear diff (9.5") as a Gen 2 3.5/2.8 Paj.
This has to be absolutely confirmed though.

[rogantriton]

i have just recentaly purchesed a 1988 triton ute, it is alot different to the newer ones that i dont really no too much about but i am more then happy with my triton and my boss at work has one of the new dual cab tritons and he is very satisfied with it

[Busiboy]

i have just recentaly purchesed a 1988 triton ute, it is alot different to the newer ones that i dont really no too much about but i am more then happy with my triton and my boss at work has one of the new dual cab tritons and he is very satisfied with it

We have a few of them at work as well so I know they are a durable truck, well teh older ones we have always have been anyway, the new ones have only had a minor issue with the belly plates needing to be upgraded.

Mr bother has one he is very much happy with its onsite performance, but was after some touring or more offroad experiences.

Thanks for all those that have replied so far.

[ml triton]

we have just bought the new 08 ml triton gls had it two months its been to fraser one day after we got her straddie the next month and to springs 4x4 park outa warwick at easter road tyres and all she did great better than the standard cars that were there we love it and would recomed them to any one p.s traded the 99 pajero but looking back now we probably should have kept it

[cms]

save urself some cash and time getting stuck

stick with a classic triton TRITON AT COWM

TRITON AT K.O.R.C

TRITON AT SLINDON