crisis...GQ patrol or F150

[ned]

hey all

im at a bit of a chrisis of sorts and i figure i better have this re-think before im too far in and then regret it.
work is due to start on my 1989 GQ LWB with a blown tb42. my end aim is a nice looking, well presented 4x4 that can handle high speed duning, desert and on road driving. i want it to be comfortable, good sound system but still practical for camping.
plans for the GQ are as follows.
383 chev v8 with 400bhp, possibly with a manulized t700
3inch superior SRC and superflex lift kit
currently have 285/75 16 Procomp exterrains.
good sound system
rear draws
rear solid windows and tint all the way round.
custom tube armour all round
racing seats up front and rebuild rear seats

now that will leave me with a quite quick GQ, but its still solid axle up front...without spending rediculous amounts of money. the wagon is a moot point cause im considering a extra cab chop.

now my other choice is to sell the GQ and get myself a 1992-1996 4x4 F150. straight up it has two advantages, already V8 and IFS. then, thanks to the vast aftermarket suspension support from america, i can acheive very easily 16" wheel travel up front and over 20" in the rear...more than sufficient. this option is a lot more exspensive, but i dont mind the money if its going to meet my needs more appropriately.

so any feedback on the F150 or the whole conundrum would be very much appreciated

[want33s]

Unless you want to do serious offroad IE: Rockcrawling etc then go the F150.

[ned]

i like the slower rock crawling stuff, but i prefer the dunes and beach and where i live right now there aint an abundance of rocks to climb, more dunes and beach tracks. but i wouldnt mind being able to still do rockcrawling, which is why im still thinking of the gq...try and get best of both worlds. but at the same time, i dont want to spend all this time and money modding the GQ, to then find it dosent meet my requirements.

[Eddy]

Do the Ford dude!

We got enough japmobiles on the roads ... what is the point in building up something you already sound uncomfortable with;- just for the sake of maybe one afternoon of rock crawling ... and then comes the overwhelming sense of being cheated.

As ya said, the Effy Starts with V8 already under the bonnet, so already way ahead. No headaches sorting wiring, extra cooling, air con mounts, etc etc

... and then if you really feel a need to crawl rocks, build up a zook or something.

[oldmate]

hey all

Now you are in your weakest moment it's time to come over to the dark side and buy a toyota!

Seriously a first gen prado or 100series. The prado can be had for under 10 grand, then supercharge it! Both drive way better than any GQ or F truck.

[ned]

uve already owned a hundred series, a hjz105r. also i want something that i can buy bolt on long travel suspension products for. i know that the gen2 prados have kits for them.

[alien]

have you compared estimated fuel consumption costs, servicing and repair costs on both???

the f150 might actually win in service and repair but lose slightly on fuel?

That'd be the clincher for me - the up front cost is usually small compared to running cost.

Then after that - take into account price of insurance and i assume the engine swap would need engineering?

[265grunter]

you need to get a drive of a f150 in the bush before you buy one.i had a 92 fully rebuilt from ground up-fully floating ,disc braked 9" diff.o/d joey box.worked c6.straight gas 302.bare metal paint job.the chassis on standard ones is weak behind the cab.price a rebuild for the complicated front axle.the standard rear diff is a P O S.great vehicle on the road.the windsor motors cant tow.i had both in it[302/351]. it now has a clevo 351.i sold the f150 and kept the 92 denco turbo td 42 wagon as it is a better all round vehicle.fuel is 11k/ltr opposed to 4 k/ltr[ highway]. thats diesel wagon to straight gas f150.they are two different animals.thats my first hand opinion..

[Zeyphly]

A guy i know of was running a RB26 engine in a gq putting out about 400hp roughly. It was awesome in the dunes. might be worth looking into unless you have your heart set on an eight

[buff man]

get a gq with either a 3.0 or a 4.2 Both turbo charge easy as. I know three people running standard rb30 motors with turbos on them and they run great. one of them got the motor re-built as a turbo motor and that thing runs 25psi all day. lift kits, motors and spares in general will be cheaper, depends if you want that ford v8 muscle though i supose

[dogbreath_48]

http://www.pirate4x4.com/forum/showthread.php?t=916307" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Been watching this one then? Bit later than what you're looking at but the concept is the same.

[ned]

well ive decided im going to do both. first do the patrol up, have some fun in that, then step it up and get the next series up 1998-2003 F150, like the one in that thread then i can properly work on it without worrying bout not having a daily driver. im fully keen to build a prerunner...caged front to back and maximum travel whilst still retaining 4wd.

keep ya eyes peeled for my GQ build up thread! and thanks for all your inputs