what's the best tow / touring 4wd?

[Utemad]

funny you say that bout the 7.3l ftrucks my cousin get around the same millage as my olds 100 series whichs is a hell of alot less then the 20lper100 we get in the 4.5l petrol 80 on the highway

Go the dicso

Depends on the driving you do. Around town we get about 550km from a tank or 900km at best with all hwy. So that is 18L/100km around town or 11L/100km on the hwy. These are the best figures we have ever gotten with a light foot and unloaded with an auto 7.3L V8. If you put the boot in occaisionally then the fuel bill goes up faster than you can blink. Most cars will but this one really skyrockets.

Depending on your load the fuel economy doesn't differ too much on the hwy but towing a car trailer it does dip a little.

Ours are also dual cabs so have a 113L tank while the others get 144L.

Having said that they would certainly be my pick of vehicle if you were doing a lot of heavy towing but they are not the most reliable vehicles on the planet.

[Roctoy]

thanks fopr the imput fellas, keep it coming!

For your information i'm not going to be towing the hilux around Australia!
It will only be a tow rig from time to time. I guess it is going to be more a touring vehicle, the 80 series cruiser is my fav choice at the moment as i'm a Toyota guy as it is.
What makes a GQ of the same year model and similar engine type 5k cheaper than a cruiser?

Chris

[Tazz]

thanks fopr the imput fellas, keep it coming!

For your information i'm not going to be towing the hilux around Australia!
It will only be a tow rig from time to time. I guess it is going to be more a touring vehicle, the 80 series cruiser is my fav choice at the moment as i'm a Toyota guy as it is.
What makes a GQ of the same year model and similar engine type 5k cheaper than a cruiser?

Chris

Nissans are 10g's cheaper when new, thats why they cheaper when old too.
My turbo 80 pulls my 3+ tonne of car, trailer & tools around, 110-120 on express way ok, big hills kill it a bit but there's a fair bit of weight there.

[BigMav]

Test drive a couple of 80 series and GQ's, everyone has there own preference but in reality there really isn't that much difference between them besides the way they look. What sold me was the bulletproof drivetrain on the GQ, and the price. Both extremely good vehicles for what you intend on doing.

[Roctoy]

Test drive a couple of 80 series and GQ's, everyone has there own preference but in reality there really isn't that much difference between them besides the way they look. What sold me was the bulletproof drivetrain on the GQ, and the price. Both extremely good vehicles for what you intend on doing.

my parents owned an 80 for 10 yrs it was like a big car to drive rather than a 4wd, the GQ is more boxy, seems like driving a bit of a truck. The 80,s are much nicer inside but that's not high on the priority list. I think it's going to come down to the dollar value.

I'd prefer a petrol because
1. my lux is petrol (i can syphon fuel from one to the other if the need arrises,
2. bit more power (my last car was a 2.4l surf )
3. i hate waiting for inconsiderate people at petrol stations who park their camry or magna in the way of the only diesel pump in the place whilst all the other petrol pumps are vacant!
4. The smell of diesel on your hands after you've filled up never goes away. (wear a glove i know but who can be bothered doing that!)

What sort of mileage does a petrol patrol lwb get on the hwy?

Chris

[slosh]

Can anyone give the Australian Legal towing capacities of the following Vehicles?

GQ-GU=
80Series=
Triton=
F-Trucks=
Range Rover,Discovery=

Dunno if this is what ur after, but from 4wd Monthly:

Early GU Patrol auto = 2500kg
Early GU Patrol man. = 2800kg
3.0 TD GU Patrol = 3200kg
4.2 TD & 4.8 P GU Patrol= 3500kg
Patrol ute = 2500kg
Navara (new) 3.3 P = 2000kg
Navara (new) 3.0 TD = 3000kg


80/ 100 series = 3500kg
Troopy/ 78 utes = 3500kg
Prado 130 = 2500kg
Hilux (all newies) = 1800kg

Pajero (new) = 2500kg
Triton petrols = 1500kg
Triton diesels = 2200kg (max towball download 100kg)

Land Rover Defender(all)= 3500kg
Land Rover Discovery = 3500kg
Range Rover = ?

Courier = 1800kg
Ford Explorer (new) = 1600kg (they aren't they even good 4 this!)
Ford Explorer (old) auto = 2800kg
Ford Explorer (old) man. = 2380kg
F- trucks = 4500kg

Rodeo (1991- 2000) = 1800kg
Rodea (current) = 2000kg

That's all I could find.
Josh.

[slosh]

Just to add my 2c worth- the Tritons have had a few good reports about their towing ability.

Chris, since you prefer petrol maybe consider automatic Explorer- seems to me they have great engine/ trans for towing, comfy as and apparently return very good fuel economy (10L/100km hwy). Just going off the rap they got in 4wd Monthly.

[Wooders]

here one for you slosh:

TJ - 900kg

[grimbo]

Test drive a couple of 80 series and GQ's, everyone has there own preference but in reality there really isn't that much difference between them besides the way they look. What sold me was the bulletproof drivetrain on the GQ, and the price. Both extremely good vehicles for what you intend on doing.

my parents owned an 80 for 10 yrs it was like a big car to drive rather than a 4wd, the GQ is more boxy, seems like driving a bit of a truck. The 80,s are much nicer inside but that's not high on the priority list. I think it's going to come down to the dollar value.

I'd prefer a petrol because
1. my lux is petrol (i can syphon fuel from one to the other if the need arrises,
2. bit more power (my last car was a 2.4l surf )
3. i hate waiting for inconsiderate people at petrol stations who park their camry or magna in the way of the only diesel pump in the place whilst all the other petrol pumps are vacant!
4. The smell of diesel on your hands after you've filled up never goes away. (wear a glove i know but who can be bothered doing that!)

What sort of mileage does a petrol patrol lwb get on the hwy?

Chris

I get about 350km from a 70l tank on either gas or petrol in my 91 GQ LWB but it does have 33s and stock gearing

[-Scott-]

What makes a GQ of the same year model and similar engine type 5k cheaper than a cruiser?

Doesn't have a Toyota badge on the bonnet.

My brother's 80 series diesel (31" ATs, 2" suspension lift, dual batteries and bull bar) has cracked it's lower radiator mounts (since repaired) and recently cracked both front body mounts.

I can't comment on his driving style - haven't been too far off road with him.

FYI.

Scott

[Roctoy]

Just to add my 2c worth- the Tritons have had a few good reports about their towing ability.

Chris, since you prefer petrol maybe consider automatic Explorer- seems to me they have great engine/ trans for towing, comfy as and apparently return very good fuel economy (10L/100km hwy). Just going off the rap they got in 4wd Monthly.

thanks Josh but no thanks.

I hate ford explorers, they are only good for towing caravans and horse floats, something which i will NEVER do! We must have overtaken at least 10 of them during our Cape trip. I want something that still has good 4wd abilities.

We took 6 of them to stockton beach for a test day with ford, before their release. All 6 of them went home with bumpers, skirts and other bash plates / guards, trims etc in the back seat.

We definitely put them through their paces that day!

as for the Tritons, i'm really after a wagon instead of a ute.

Chris

[HSV Rangie]

DISCO.

TDI if you want economy.
V8 if you dont care.

Michael.

[Roctoy]

DISCO.

TDI if you want economy.
V8 if you dont care.

Michael.

My last boss has a td5 disco, in 2 years i think he has spent more on servicing than the truck cost to buy new.

Besides that i'd like a bit more space in the back.

Other than that i wouldn't mind a v8 disco.

Chris

[My Lil Lux]

89-91 Range Rover Vogue

I agree - full power options


I had a 98 2.8 diesel triton, It could carry a good load, and I reckon went pretty good for a natural aspirated, better than a 2.8 lux, but wasn't that great for towing, I reckon a rangie or a Mav, GQ goodness with the blue oval discount badge on it.

[Wendle]

i towed my buggy with a petrol GQ for most of this year. they are fine if you only want to tow a few times a year, but if you are towing every weekend with one, like i was, they are a bit slow. dropping off to 60-70kmh on every hill gets annoying real quick. the turbo'd diesels are a much better option. if you really have to have a petrol 4x4 for towing, get something with an 8 in it.

[RUFF]

Towing Capacity of a 3.9EFI Range Rover is 4000kg Braked. You wont find anything else that can Tow as well or have as much room in side than a 90+ Range Rover.

I have an 86 3.5 EFI Hi-line and it has all electric options. With the Back seat out i comfortably sleep in it with my wife. Which makes it a shit load easier when we go for a 2 day Comp somewhere. Fuel economy on mine Sucks but its got Fuel issues causing this. They usually get around 18K/L and 25K/L towing. I paid $2500 for this. Its in mint condition.

For $10-15 000 you should be able to buy a 90+ 3.9EFI Auto one with Low Ks and a heap of extras. Other than oil leaks they realy are not such a bad buy.

[Roctoy]

Towing Capacity of a 3.9EFI Range Rover is 4000kg Braked. You wont find anything else that can Tow as well or have as much room in side than a 90+ Range Rover.

I have an 86 3.5 EFI Hi-line and it has all electric options. With the Back seat out i comfortably sleep in it with my wife. Which makes it a shit load easier when we go for a 2 day Comp somewhere. Fuel economy on mine Sucks but its got Fuel issues causing this. They usually get around 18K/L and 25K/L towing. I paid $2500 for this. Its in mint condition.

For $10-15 000 you should be able to buy a 90+ 3.9EFI Auto one with Low Ks and a heap of extras. Other than oil leaks they realy are not such a bad buy.

yeah but would you do a trip like the Canning stock route in it? Cause that's on my to do list for next year.

[HSV Rangie]

yes.

many have done with no issues.

Michael.

[Tiny]

Lets face it......80-GQ not a lot of difference, price, availability...deals...shop around and find one at the right price

Deisel will always be more economical to tow with, and at the stage of the life you are looking to buy, will last longer before rebuilds etc

I used to have a rodeo 2.8td wich I used to tow a cattle trailer around with...put hd springs in it and it didn't budge..will prob pick up a 96-98 mod for 15k or ok as a tourer. what about a surf???

Tiny

[Roctoy]

GQ's are carby and late 80's are injected?

Chris

[-Scott-]

Some GQs are definitely injected. I was told that's why Les Siviour started racing the LWB - the LWB had the injected motor, the SWB didn't.

I don't know if/when that situation changed.

I still say go the diesel - GQ if you have to, but a Paj will do what you need.

Scott

[Shorty40]

I was in the same boat as you Chris, not so long back

My 1992 LWB GQ is EFI

I bought the GQ as a tow rig for the 40.

I purchased the GQ over the 80 series purely as it was cheaper for similar spec rigs. Both rigs do pretty much the same thing, look fairly similar, drive similar etc.

It sucks the juice as people are saying. But would you expect any different from a huge 4b with a big 6 ?

And it is a quite comfortable vehicle to drive around in. Air con, power windows etc.

[Roctoy]

I was in the same boat as you Chris, not so long back

My 1992 LWB GQ is EFI

I bought the GQ as a tow rig for the 40.

I purchased the GQ over the 80 series purely as it was cheaper for similar spec rigs. Both rigs do pretty much the same thing, look fairly similar, drive similar etc.

It sucks the juice as people are saying. But would you expect any different from a huge 4b with a big 6 ?

And it is a quite comfortable vehicle to drive around in. Air con, power windows etc.

i think i'll be looking for one like yours it's a nice truck. i want injection over carby so i think 92 onwards looks to be the go.

Chris

[MissDrew]

GQ`s are truck like to drive
80`s are almost car like.

Drive one of each (TI or GXL) I`d almost put money on it that the 80 is heeps better to drive.

remember the old saying you get what you pay for. Well this is why GQ`s are so much cheaper for the same specs then a 80.

For strength yes the GQ`s are stronger then the 80, but for comfort and driveability the 80`s shit all over a GQ.

[Roctoy]

my parents owned an 80 for 10 yrs it was like a big car to drive rather than a 4wd, the GQ is more boxy, seems like driving a bit of a truck. The 80,s are much nicer inside but that's not high on the priority list. I think it's going to come down to the dollar value.

i've got another project in mind so we'll see how things pan out...

Chris

[bigbluemav]

Go the Patrol!!!

GU TD42T if you can afford it......GQ TD42 if that's in your price range.

Driveline is heaps stronger..no comparison really. 'Cruiser have probs with gearbox, particularly those used as tow units. mainshafts go, $1500 fix. LSD no good after 50k.

Patrols have a practicably unbreakable drivetrain and the TD42 is a truck engine........which equals reliability and long service, also no timing belts to break or replace every 100k.

With the right susp. kit you can make it what you want, comfy on road, capable off road, whatever!!


Regards

[justinC]

The only vehicle with 1500kg payload and 4000kg tow capacity... Defender 130" dual cab. A real chassis and a real diesel engine. Td5 with 176kw and 510 Nm chip and intercooler. Eats most others on hills, tow anything and use less fuel. Constant 4X4 with traction control, big 4 wheel discs and coils allround. The only problem is that it has shocking seats and ergonomics, but think of all that torque...

[Old Yella]

I know that GQ's would probably be the go, but since I own one as a family car (and we do all our holidays in it towing a camper trailer - Fraser, Innamincka, Birdsville, Flinders Ranges etc) I would vote for a series 1 Disco or Rangie. (I also own a Wrangler - my toy, and my son has a sierra)
If you get on to a good one, you'll love it, get onto a lemon and you'll slash your wrists

yes I know the feeling

I once owned a 94 model 3.9 injected auto discovery that I bought for a tow touring rig, that had serious problems that no one could fix.
It cost me a fortune taking it to rover specialists, and no one could find the problem, in the end I sold it at a huge loss cause down here no one wants them

[Mad Cruiser]

Interesting as my 80 series cruiser factory towbar says 2500kgs

[J Top]

There is a year change in the 80 series,maybe 1994, where before that the towbar rating is 2.5 tonnes and after that it is 3.5 tonnes,the Hayman Reese bars come with both rating stickers so you can rate the vehicle correctly.
J Top