Opinions ... GU Engine

[Slug]

Am considering using my `89 GQ as a trade in to move up to a later model truck... namely a GU. Should I be looking for one with the Turbo TD42 engine or the Turbo 3Ltr ? Pro`s and Cons of each ?

IIRC there were probems with the 3Ltr at one stage... Is there a way to identify which engines / models they were and work around it somehow ?
Any ideas and suggestions gratefully received


TIA
Daniel

[toughnut]

Hey daniel If you can find one within the price limit then get a td42 otherwise get the series II 3Ltr. The series 1 had some problems with the engine under load such as towing or loaded up with camping gear. Mind you this is just hearsay. As with anything you'll have people telling you good and bad about most stuff. The 3Ltr will be much more economical but the 4.2 is a simple and very robust motor.

[Slug]

Thanks Steve

The car will be carrying a fair old load when we start to move around again hence me leaning towards the bigger engine .... We will eventually attach a boat as well which pushed me further toward the TD42. Is there a great power difference between the 2 engines or is any difference academic ?

[toughnut]

Believe it or not the 3Ltr has more power from factory but the 4.2 can carry a load easier and is cheaper to get more power out of it.

[morkz]

also point of interested the 4.2 makes lazy horsepower where the 3l is working hard most of the time.

if your towing go the 4.2 but if u were just around town go the 3L i guess.

But once u give the 4.2 a slight tune and exhaust it will put out more power than the 3l and still wont work as hard and the economy will improve as well

[toughnut]

Yeah thats one thing I noticed with mine. My navi has a dx cab chassis and has the same drive line as mine but standard and I got further on a tank of fuel than he did. Go figure.

[Slug]

That narrows down the engine choice ... Just need to look for a decent vehicle now!

[AndrewPatrol]

series I Gu's did NOT have 3lt. Only 2.8diesel, 4.2 diesel, 4.5 petrol

Series II, 2000 - 3 lt introduced and this was the series that supposedly had the probs (a lot survived though)

Series III (late 2002) supposed 3 lt fixes bought in (model can be ID'd by upper taillights having two silver bits - indicators and reverse).

[gu4800]

Series III also has the large Nissan badge on the front grill.

In relation to the 3ltr TD, yes the first series of these (Series II GU) had some issues. But, you have to take into account that Nissan sold over 70% in the 3ltr version and were bound to have some problems with the first of a new engine.

The problem was around oil supply to the cylinders. It was corrected by the start of the Series III.

The main problem you will have on finding a 4.2 is price - the old "supply and demand". There are very few 4.2ltr wagon's getting around compared to the 3lt.

[lexi]

Yeah but what I don`t understand is the series 11s that survived I mean did they fix themselves? If they`re exactly the same design as the faulty ones how long before they go the same way. My mate has one here in Scotland and it has 100K on it. I suppose time will tell . I did hear Nissan were replacing a lot of engines no matter what so how many really did fail. Don`t think I would buy one from that era unless it had the new engine fitted.
Alex

[bogged]

4.5 petrol, $22k
6.5 chev V8 Turbo diesel conversion complete $12k
sell 4.5 petrol for $6-8k complete..

you have a shit hot truck for under $30k.

[gu4800]

It was a proper fix from Nissan, basically an engine re-design to a limited extent.

From what I understand, the sump was enlarged and the oil pump changed to ensure adequate oil flow to all cylinders. There was no "retrofit" as it wasn't that simple. But then again, only a very limited number failed.

[lexi]

So what advantages does a larger sump really have?Iwould have thought the only ones would be that it kept the oil cooler and cleaner. I mean 10 ltrs takes longer to heat or break down than 6.5. I told my mate to use the best semi synthetic diesel oil he could afford as it helps on cold start and takes longer to break down. Millers XFE is the best of that type here:It is a 10-40 semi synth. dedicated diesel oil. Thats only my two cents. Meanwhile I buy my proper spec calcium based oil from the same company for about 2 au$ per litre in a 205litre drum but then I have good ol TD42

[Slug]

Did the rounds of the Darwin car yards over the weekend .... Can have any number of 3.0ltr vehicles but the reply on a 4.2 was "You and half of Darwin mate" :(

Seems like they are pretty thin on the ground...

[toughnut]

Still looking around here mate. I have to go into Parry Nissan tomorrow so I'll ask again for ya.

[Slug]

Ta Steve
Also looked into bogged's idea ... even the later model petrol cars are 30k plus making it a little uneconomical. Begining to think I should just work mine over

[morkz]

mate i wouldnt bother with 6.5 chev bucket o crap.

plus you'll have to get engineers certificates and stuff.

if your going to do what bogged suggested dont get the petrol you wont get 6k for 200k petrol motor as you can buy new ones off crates for 4.5 k.

i would suggest you purchase a shitty 2.8 or an owner who has had enough or has mechanical issues and then you can remove the 2.8 fit a a 4.2 turbo setup for around 12k anyhow cause if you spend 12k on the 4.2 i.e. blue printed and ported new motor and kickarse turbo setup you'll have a reliable motor that puts out over 140kw at the back wheels.

with the 2.8 the only main gearing you will need to change is the gears unless you want to run 35's but if its standard tyres the 4.6 ratios in them you can sell for over a grand anyhow.

[toughnut]

Isn't the transfer case different in the 2.8td? I'll swap you a turbo for a set of 4.6 diff gears

[morkz]

not sure about the transfer case.

but really how much is a transfer case for the GQ/GU 4.2 we picked up a low km box and case for under $500