Help with purchasing 4x4 for touring round Aus.

[ToNkA]

Need some help for a mate who had turned to me for advice.

He is planning a trip down the west cost of Aus and hence needs a 4x4. At the moment the restrictions are a vehcile in the 10-15k mark, but cheaper end preferably so that he has some $$$ for mods etc that he will need for the trip.

I aint into the touring thing, so don't know much about the needs and wants.

He other issue was whether he would keep the vehicle or just onsell it after the trip. If he were to keep it, it would need to tow a ski boat for the weekend jaunts and such.

The usual questions have come up Petrol vs. Diesel and the like, but we aint making much progress. He was loooking at LWB Nissans and Troopies, but still not too sure. He would be wanting to take out the rear seats and set the rear of the vehicle up for touring etc. so hence a LWB and this type of vehicle. He has his head screwed on the right way and can do mods himself etc so take that into account when factoring in price etc..

Anyway, some thoughts or ideas would be much appreciated!

Cheers

Tonka.

[bruiser]

Firstly I'd go a desiel for touring. Cost less on fuel, (which plays a big role when your doing mega k's in a short time with heavy loads.)

And this is coming from someone who owns a petrol. Don't get me wrong I prefer my petrol, but a big tour can cost half - twice as much on the fuel.

The deisel might be a bit slower but you shouldn't be in a rush anyway, IT'S A HOLIDAY.

[-Scott-]

Does he need a 4x4, or just want one? Can we confirm a Falcodore wagon won't suit?

How radical is he planning to get with his off-road trips? Patrols and Troopies are nice, capable, solid, dependable vehicles but they're also heavy and thirsty compared to some of the slightly smaller alternatives - like Jackaroo/Pajero/Prado etc. Does he really need the extra size and off-road ability?

In his price range I'd look at NJ/NK (mid '90s) 2.8 turbodiesel Pajero (OK, I'm biassed...) Get the GLS with a rear LSD, crank the front bars, lift the rear with some new springs, add four new shocks and run up to 33" tyres. It'll go most places the Troopy/Patrol will go - is your mate gonna go to those "other" places?

My 2c.

Scott

[bogged]

how many people? just him, or family?

Diesel would be go, troopy would be good for 2, can make inside rear into bed with storage under it.. plenty of room, no need for roofrack/trailers etc.

[ToNkA]

Would be for 2 young people. Mid twenties.

He will be going to places 4x4 only etc.

He has done a trip up the East Coast to the top in only a kingswood wagon that was set up for touring, but wants a 4x4 and more room. Wants to venture a little more off the beaten track and from my knowledge of him and where he took he Kingswood, he wont be afraid to test the 4x4 either!

[PK]

If I had 10-15 to spend, I'd buy a GQ Patrol, decent springs and shocks (not necessarily lifted), quality tyres, snorkel, long range tank, and maybe a water tank.
And no, I don't own a Patrol! (just a Wrangler, Series 1 Disco and Sierra)

I just got back from Birdsville, Innamincka etc, and diesel was pretty much 10c a litre dearer than ULP everywhere. Dearest 1.48

[roc box]

i agree gq would be ideal even a 4.2 maverick could be cheaper diesel of course

[rockcrawler31]

i agree with the assessment of getting a diesel, but when they stuff up they tend to go big and expensive so make sure he does a thorough inspection on any vehicle. i used to do a lot of wheeling, but now have set myself up for touring and have a few trips under my belt now.

I own a 91 troopy, and for touring i think it's ideal. Loads of room, solid drivetrain and lots of spares all round the country. i have been on quite a few trips with myself and a significant other, and we sleep on a double bed in the back with loads of storage space in the false floor i made up..

some good mods you might like to add for touring are a shower/water heat exchanger for nights in the middle of nowhere, water containers (essential), diesel jerries (will pay for themselves when you get to areas that are 20-30 cents a litre higher than the city and you can fill out of jerries instead)

also consider a tarp with rope stitched on the edges that can run into a channel you can attatch to your gutters. makes a quick and easy shelter/tent/shade. Save the wheeling mods for after the trip, they cost a bomb. i have managed to get away with basic recovery gear, snatch, sling, a chain and a hi lift. judicious driving and sweat can make up for a lot of expensive wheeling mods.

if you can sleep in a well set up troopy, you can often save money on campsites, because you can sleep just about anywhere and not look too obvious. i can recommend curtains if you don't have tinting, and a fridge will pay for itself in the longer term coz after paying for a good esky you will still pay through the nose for ice every day (even with the best of iceboxes) my second hand engel (reconditioned with warranty) only cost 550 bucks which is about 300 more than my big esky, but i have never needed to use the esky again with only two people.

my 102 cents

MILO
PM me if you have any more questions

[bogged]

http://www.outerlimits4x4.com/PHP_Modul ... hp?t=42389

this would be good.

[Muddy999]

The troopy would be a good choice as you can walk into just about any mechanic and get parts. Allot of Government bodies, mines and other contractors use Toyota's so parts will never be an issue. Where I live there are allot of people that travel across Australia as we have allot of major highways running through here as well as being in the middle for some people heading for S.A or N.T. There are heaps of people who convert troopies to a camper and they save heaps by just lobbing on the side of the road to sleep. You also save on the need for paying out for a trailer or roof racks as others have said. Allot of truck stops have shower facilities as well, though enter at your own risk Tojo's far outnumber any other vehicle with the above bodies and also those who do some outback travel as far as I can tell. (Not dissing Datto's just stating a fact before people start to argue. ) When buying a troopy just be careful not to get stung for it being a mini bus by your local roads authority. If it is badged as an 11 seater I think you will be stung.

As for mods, in no particular order, though the first two I see as must haves for long distance country driving.
- Long range or dual tanks. It is all well and good having jerries, but having dual tanks makes fuel transport allot easier and safer.
- Steel roo bar. Because of the drought the hoppies are heading towards the roads of an evening and morning because there is feed there with the drains etc...least around here. Y'all know what I do for a living and there has been a marked increase in prangs owing to avoiding or not avoiding hoppies.

Might be worth investing in an EPIRB if they plan on travelling off the beaten track a bit. Should they have a roll over then it is cheap insurance. Those guys that died were an example of why people should have one.

Also depending on where they are going to travel, in some places diesel is about the only fuel you can buy. ULP or modified AV gas by pre order only. As for LPG...hahahahahahahahahahaha yeah right. Easy for them to do a service on a diesel on the run as well.

Probably telling you how to suck eggs, but my 4c worth.

Cheers,
Muddy

[Webbie]

Yep i'd go the troopy or one of those sahara type patrols space in the truck is the issue unless he wants to take a trailer.

[bogged]

If theres only 2 of em, a GQ Ute would be good, all the shit in the back under a canvas rear canopy, and away you go.

[Suspension Stuff]

A GQ Wagon would be the way to go. They are reliable and you can do some serious 4wding without worrying you are going to break it. GQ parts are not as over priced as Toyota parts.

[ToNkA]

Or for more comfort buy my 1994 80 series sahara cruiser on gas for $19500.

Which part of:

the restrictions are a vehcile in the 10-15k mark, but cheaper end preferably.

do you not understand?

[Suspension Stuff]

If your mate needs something cheap than a Rangie would work and it is surprising what you can fit in one of these. They are a pleasure to drive and he would have cash left over to upgrade axles and fit accessories.

Also if he is worried about fuel costs than he should consider a Hilux, but only a tool would own one of these.

[holeyhardtop]

If he's after proven reliability and a capable tourer consider a 60 series, see link. http://www.outerlimits4x4.com/PHP_Modules/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=41207 blatant plug i know, but they are well proven 4x4's and this one is part setup already for touring.

[Zute]

Go the GQ, Dont think you'd get much of a Troopy for under 15k. Coils give a much better ride.

[darkor]

last i saw GQ's, although excellent, were a bit pricey.

what about a 60 series in good nick. pick up for aroung $7k and have a lot left over for accesories... diff lock, lights, tyres, bar etc.

spares a cheap to.

[Drafty]

Also if he is worried about fuel costs than he should consider a Hilux, but only a tool would own one of these.

Dont you own a Hilux Tonka