Spend my money...

[fat496]

Ok Guys,

I've decided my next 4wd is going to be on the cheap. I have come to the conclusion that having $40k odd tied up in a vehicle really limits
how far i'm willing to push it, steadily declining my outings to the point where i haven't been bush for well over 12 months now. But a recent
decision to move back to the Sunshine Coast has reignited my interest, and i've been looking for a cheap toy that i can take out to Glasshouse
and have some fun in.

I've decided $5000 is my budget, being for not only vehicle purchase but mods as well. Because as well as taking a pay decrease to move back
home, my wife and i also have our first bub on the way mid year. Now this thing doesn't have to be anything special. I'm not doing cape trips,
I'm not doing Tuff Truck, all i want is a registered beater, that I can drive to work once or twice a week (100k's a week sort of thing), and go out and
have some fun in on the weekend.

I have no issue with doing the majority of mods myself, I'm a Trade Qualified Boily and also 4th year Diesel fitter apprentice. But the
hard part is making up my mind on exactly what i want.

There's actually a fair bit of choice when you're looking for a $3kish 4x4, ranging from the usual Sierra's, Hilux's and MQ patrols, to Series 1 Discoveries,
2nd gen Pajero's and even Jeep Cherokees. I know that with enough money you can turn anything into a capable fourby, but i want something
that i can throw a set of muddies on, lock or lift, build some barwork and go play. I should also future proof myself here a bit and say that i'll
need a back seat of some sort, for in a year or two when i'll have a little tag along.

So there it is guys. If you were in my position what would you spend the money on. Ready, Set, Go...!

[Banzy]

Double post.

PAD

[Banzy]

I'm in a similar mind set right now, too.

I'm going to offload my GU tourer, (that probably wont tour anywhere for quite a while) and buy a cheap basher, use the left over $25k for other purposes.

I don't think I could own a Zook though.

I like the idea of an old MQ with a V8.

A thread in Chit Chat got me thinking about it.........wouldn't mind building something like this:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tQRZ3eFvTX8" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[TWISTY]

I reckon a 40 series would be the go. Solid trucks and easy to modify (look great too) With your budgetvthe only problem will be finding one without too much rust.

[thehanko]

I reckon a 40 series would be the go. Solid trucks and easy to modify (look great too) With your budgetvthe only problem will be finding one without too much rust.

mmm 40 tough on that price though.

My last 2.8 HIlux turbo with decent suspension system ended up selling for about 5k from memory and was quite neat. when it had 33's and a rear locker it was bloody capable - more so than my twin locked patrol is. admittedly thats 5k without the tyres and locker but if wasn't worried about modern comfort I would dive straight back into one. we used to do long drives in it, and it was my work truck etc etc.

A LWB Sierra would be great too. My housemate is over 6 foot and had one - pig to drive on the road but great fun off it.

[CRUZAAMAD]

Ive got the 40...
47 actualy.
daily and tourer.. and play truck

comfort is only soo far in a 40.

when you want power steering..
decent economy and a quiet comfy ride..
a great set of seats goes a bit in the comfort stakes..

but 5grand budget will easily get you a 90ish pajero..

comfy capable and quite cheap and reliable..
extra couple grand will get you a long way.
in a decked out pajero.

ignore the jackero..
v6 is thirsty and diesel has a complex injection system similar to a womens anatomy... where its very complex fuel system and cost a BOMB to fix.

if only the jackero had the old 2.8 td.. tweaked it would have sold heaps more

[SIM79]

By a GQ patrol, they are cheap and tuff and capable.

[evanstaniland]

Petrol/gas gq $2000-2500
Lift kit $1500
2nd hand tyres $600

[zukmeista]

Sierra all the way, cheap to buy, cheap to buy parts/mods for, super easy to work on, use bugger all fuel and heaps of fun!

[CRUZAAMAD]

By a GQ patrol, they are cheap and tuff and capable.

Mates got one.
the petrol is a pig to run in the first 10mins before it warms up..
by then youd use up the 90ltr fuel tank..

economy is around 20 or more ltrs unleaded

mind you its got a ls1 now and awesome on fuel

[oldmate]

XJ cherokee or a range rover classic.

Cheap as chips, family friendly and both quite capable with minor mods and the balls to stomp the skinny pedal.

[SIM79]

By a GQ patrol, they are cheap and tuff and capable.

Mates got one.
the petrol is a pig to run in the first 10mins before it warms up..
by then youd use up the 90ltr fuel tank..

economy is around 20 or more ltrs unleaded

mind you its got a ls1 now and awesome on fuel

Diesel GQ

[date]

Until a year ago, I had a 2000 NL Pajero, running on gas. I 'gave' it away - $3600 trade-in, but equally I had a rather large discount on the new one. Now I have a NW Pajero GXL-R. The difference is chalk and cheese, but the old Pajero was definitely cheaper to run than the new one. OK - if you are out in the boonies, LPG is not as available and certainly not as cheap as in the major cities/ urban areas, but overall, it was a very cheap 4WD to own, and quite capable off-road as well (LSD rear diff std).

[fat496]

Ive been seriously considering a pajero, actually. In the past ive never really been a fan of anything mitsubishi, but have heard pajero's are quite capable. Them and series 1 discoveries seem to be very well priced for what they are, I guess thats because everyone wants a patrol or cruiser. IFS is the only thing that would turn me away from a paj, and apparently disco diffs are weak as p.iss .
40 series would be my choice if I was going all out, but a bit too rough and uncomfortable for my liking at my price range. There would be too many things I would want to upgrade to get it up to scratch. Same with a zook I think.
A GQ would probably be the obvious choice, parts cheap and plentiful, tough driveline, coils etc. Just a matter of finding a decent one that fits the budget. Fuel costs might depress me in the long run though. Id like to stay away from lpg if possible, ive had trouble with every lpg car ive had.
Decisions decisions...

[hulsty]

GQ patrol, cheap reliable and strong parts anywhere. Should be able to get one $500-$3K depending how nice you want it. If you spent the full $5K on one you could get one already all setup ready to go.

[offroadboss]

Injected rangie!

[GRIMACE]

Injected rangie!

x11tywhereistonka

[r0ck_m0nkey]

A GQ would probably be the obvious choice, parts cheap and plentiful, tough driveline, coils etc. Just a matter of finding a decent one that fits the budget. Fuel costs might depress me in the long run though. Id like to stay away from lpg if possible, ive had trouble with every lpg car ive had.
Decisions decisions...

Just have to find one with a diesel if you want bit better economy. Before I started cutting, the GQ I am turning into an extra cab only cost $1500. The body was reasonable although paint peeling and no rust. The interior a touch rough and bald tyres but besides that its a 93 DX with a TD42. Mechanically in good condition and had 2" lift, long range tank, steel front bar, high mount winch, aftermarket tie rod and drag link among a few other bits and pieces.

Sometimes just have to be in the right place at the right time, but there are those out there that don't have the delusion that a GQ is made out of gold and somehow actually worth a lot of money.

[SCANAS]

a GQ with air con.

[bru21]

a GQ with air con.

This.

[fat496]

diesel GQ it is then, haha.
I'd almost talked myself into a series 1 discovery too.

[SCANAS]

There's not too many places a GQ won't go bud.

I might be getting a company car again next year so a GQ could be on the cards for me too.

[bru21]

My little bro has a weapon of a Jimny up for sale shortly.
On the Sunny Coast

[BlueSuzy]

Petty 90' prado are getting cheap

ifs

[XTREME MMM]

Live axle, disc brakes, coils, solid, reliable, cheap parts, diesel or petrol depends on what you want to pay for a bush worker.

That leaves just one.

GQ Nissan Patrol.




Have a nice weekend.

[rockcrawler31]

That's right. If it's not a GQ on Treps with a 953HP gigglepin winch then it's just not a race car.




















































































That's it, you boys keep on having dick comparing arguements about your nissota jap shit while the rest of us playing with REAL components tootle past you fixing your junk in the pits.

[rockcrawler31]

Actually as much as i love pulling the piss out of Dave the String puller, he's got a point.

A GQ, or early cruiser goes pretty cheap and pretty hard. Probably not a 40 series as they're actually getting kinda collectable and ergo expensive, but a 60 series or early 70x can be had pretty cheap. My only gripe about GQ's are the lack of axle upgrades and every P plate farkwit and his dog seems to buy them and thrash the shit out of the bogholes with their "unit" stickers and flat brim "i take it anally from horses" caps.

Unfortunately there's no such thing as a "cheap" basher. Eventually you'll be paying for some stuff that just can't be made at home. Unless you're able to make your own diff lockers, tyres and axles.

Having said that, if you can wheel and deal to get a car with those bits already on it then that's just about all you need to go a fair way out bush. Winches can be jury rigged from hi-lifts, (as much as that is a shit experience), underbody protection and barwork is all easily done at home, and lifts are over-rated when you've got good tyres and lockers.

[flyinwall]

there is also 80 series cruisers to be had fairly cheaply as well
i paid $5k for the one in my avatar about 5 years ago

[oldmate]

Here ya go. A perfectly capable truck for 2500.

http://www.gumtree.com.au/s-ad/newcastl ... 1034341880" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

If it's still for sale

[thehanko]

Here ya go. A perfectly capable truck for 2500.

http://www.gumtree.com.au/s-ad/newcastl ... 1034341880" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

If it's still for sale

that still leaves $2500 for fuel!