Buying a GU.

[dans-paj92]

Hey all,
am looking at getting rid of my 4runner and getting a gu.
My budget is only $15k though and want a diesel.
Would really want a TD42T but my money wont stretch that far and cant seem to find any under $20k.
So the only options available to me are the 2.8 and 3.0
Was more steering towards the 3.0L as they have more power and torque than the 2.8
Would be looking at doing an engine conversion in a couple of years time.
What seems to go in the 3.0L?
When does this failure occur?
Have found a 2000 guII 3.0L stock as a rock with 130000km on it for $10900.
Was gonna put 5inch coils and 2inch bodylift, 37s, 3inch exhaust, dpchip, air lockers, crawler gears, rock sliders, 4.88s on the beast.
Cheers
Dan

[nerida67]

you have to pay for 2.8 or 3.0s ?????
either stretch the budget and get the big motor
OR buy a really good 4.2 GQ
after having a 2.8 (GU) id rather drive an sd33 t MK

[dans-paj92]

the 4.2 gq have heaps of kms on them, they look like about as aerodynamic as a tissue box and the interior looks like it was designed for a farmer.
Not paying like $10k for a car thats nearly 20 years old that i have to rebuild just to put a turbo on it so it can push big rubber.

[MARKx4]

If you are going to do a engine conversion later, why dont you get a 4.5ltr in the mean time... They have more power and open up your options at the same time and not have to worry about the engine blowing up at anytime as you have to with the 3ltr exspecially the older ones and the slow and under powered 2.8ltr. People have reports of the 2.8ltr of having engine problems but i know of 10 or more people that have had no problems with there 2.8 untill it had done over 300,000ks and alot of it was touring with caravans.

Mark.

[Patroler]

you have to pay for 2.8 or 3.0s ?????
either stretch the budget and get the big motor
OR buy a really good 4.2 GQ
after having a 2.8 (GU) id rather drive an sd33 t MK

X 2

It aint easy to find one with low k's though, i got one 3-4 years ago with 131k on it.
But depend if you want the latest looks or a reliable motor?
4.5 GU would be a safer bet than either of the cheaper diesel GU's
Guy i used to work with just had his chipped zd30 blow a week ago -

[nerida67]

any good version of any model is goin to command big $$$$
people get confused seeing cheapish GUs and think that they are great
seek and you will find
6 months ago i bought a 1 owner 1997 GQ 4.2 EFI
fully serviced from new less that 200k on clock (most GUs are around that now adays)absolutely showroom condition
yeah i paid a bit for it,but what i can do, a 2.8 or 3.0 wouldnt even try
trust me what i tried to tow with my 2.8(GU) and struggled the 4.2 does with ease
ask yourself why the 4.2 or 4.5 motored patrols command more money
because they are excellent motors
2nd hand 2.8 GUs can be had for a song
thats what i reckon anyway
read up on the 2.8s or 3.0s and see how great they are

[OGJON]

if you shop around you just may strike a good deal on a 4.2 or a 4.5 GU
I recently picked up a '98 4.5L GU ST Auto with 3" lovels lift, 33"s, bull/tow bars side steps aftermarket CD & roof mounted DVD on duel fuel in immaculate condition with full service history(serviced every 5K klms) & full receipts for all the mods/accessories has 285K klms on the clock & drives just like the new models I test drove prior to finding it & got it for $15,990.00

[dave_str]

Look for a 2000 model ZD30 GU that has had the engine replaced with a Nissan rebuild kit.

A untouched 2000 model ZD30 powered GU is asking for trouble, anything after 2003 should be fine.

But in saying that, id rather have the power of the ZD30 over the RD28ETI and running the risk of it failing.

The ZD30 is a heaps stronger engine in design, the MAF is the main cause.

Dave.

[RIZZO]

Hey all,
am looking at getting rid of my 4runner and getting a gu.
My budget is only $15k though and want a diesel.
Would really want a TD42T but my money wont stretch that far and cant seem to find any under $20k.
So the only options available to me are the 2.8 and 3.0
Was more steering towards the 3.0L as they have more power and torque than the 2.8
Would be looking at doing an engine conversion in a couple of years time.
What seems to go in the 3.0L?
When does this failure occur?
Have found a 2000 guII 3.0L stock as a rock with 130000km on it for $10900.
Was gonna put 5inch coils and 2inch bodylift, 37s, 3inch exhaust, dpchip, air lockers, crawler gears, rock sliders, 4.88s on the beast.
Cheers
Dan

Mate did i read this right , your goin to run 37s on a 3lt?? like another bloke said look for a 3lt thats been rebuilt or a 4.5 pet or id stick to the 2.8,bit less power but are a strong little donk, or there are a couple of gu utes around that price that are leaf sprung rear if thats whats your after.

[dans-paj92]

yup thats right 37s on the 3.0L, mate has 37s for road tires and 36 pedes as off-road tyres.
And it flies.
37s on a 2.8, thats asking for trouble i reckon with their smaller gearboxes and softer clutches and lack of torque.
Hey mate, nah not after a ute at all unless its a modified gu dual cab like my nextdoor neighbours.

[gustute]

ABS at caboolture do a bomb kit for 3ltrs , they rekon it makes em perfect , dont know myself just heard oneday in conversation.

[dans-paj92]

Yeah im pretty keen on this 3.0L for the kms and condition it is in.
Most other one's for sale are 290000km+ and are more $$$
Was looking at the 4.5 in a manual, just dont know how thirsty they are.
My old 3Y 2.0L petty motor on my 4runner used to run 35s and it would chew up the 18L/100km highway and low 20s city driving.

[GU BOOST]

they r a grenade but the first thing id do before ne thing is a boost and exhaust gas temp gauges. because the MAF sensors f...ks up which gives u more fuel and boost equalls earth shattering K Boooooooom

[nerida67]

18-20l/100ks is about what the TB42 efi petties get with stock 31s
getting economy around that with a 3y pettie motor is shockin
if i had to pik between 2.8 or 3.0 it would be 3.0

[bbear]

For your budget, get a petrol.

[MyGQ]

just look at this fact

You can get a GU 3L cheap cause they are all plagued with grenade problems. If it goes boom your up for you engine conversion or a new 3L engine, either way another 10 grand down the drain

[beast of a GQ]

I would be going after a 4.5 manual. I've got a 04 3L that went boom at 118,000kms and i have plenty of mates with 3L's and 2.8 that have experienced the same problems. But if you are going to engine upgrade you may aswell get something with the stronger running gear. (3L or 4.5L).

Cheers, Shane

[Paul8693]

go the 3ltr nd treat it with respect and do all the necacery actions to make them safe, had mine for nearly a year and loving it, touch wood.

[ludacris]

The 2.8 is the safest and most fuel efficient choice. The 4.5 in a manuel would be my next choice. The 3lt is a sitting time bomb unfortunatly. DO YOU GAMBLE because if you get the 3lt you will be.

The 2.8 is actually a very good little nimble motor that can get up and boggie although as soon as you put a load on its arse it will slow.

If you ever choose to do an engine conversion gearboxes are every where for around a grand for a good one being that the 2.8 uses a small gearbox compared to the rest..

Cris

[mhgill]

Buy the 4.5 and do a TD42 conversion.

or just keep the TB45

stay away from 2.8 and 3.0 but you already know this and still want one, what is us telling you the same thing going to do???

[hiy6o]

Buy either the 2.8 or the 3L they are great Ignore all the stories on hear about massive issues with them , like I said there great . People just make this stuff up to keep the prices down on the good ones so they can get them cheap .
Gotta go there's some one at the door I think they heard me let the secret out .

[msjc38]

The zd30 is a great engine. They have big internal components & are very srtong. They are accutulay a renalt engine. But when nissan put them into a 2.5 ton patrol & gave them a masive towing capacity. Then used engine managment that was probably programed from an old commodore 64. Thats when they turned to SHIT. How many navaras with zd 30s do you see blowen up. The 2.8s do cylinder heads and are slow. You can improve the zd chip,daws valve,bigger exhaust & gauges to see whats going on. But there still a problem

[mhgill]

I've sold heaps of navara ZD30's actually.

[Dan86]

Sorry to Hijack your thread....

But can anyone tell me if the newer (05on) 3.0 still have the same problems??

I am looking at buying one but am worried about all the stories of the early ones going ka-boom