full size dual-cab dilema?

[mike]

a mate of mine is lookin for a a full size dual cab to fulfill the role of work ute and family camping vehicle.
So far the options he's looked at are:
* F250 crew cab for a pretty much off the shelf solution
* GU Patrol and cut the back off for a ute .
* OKA
* Canter - crap ride
Any one got any alternatives? or experience with these?
Cheers
Mike

[chimpboy]

What sort of work would it be doing in its "work ute" capacity?

I had never heard of OKA before your post made me look it up... the dual or multi cabs look pretty cool... would be interested to hear how they perform.

Jason

[mike]

Tradesman stuff, has some custom alloy tool boxes on the back of his existing 2.4m ute tray and would need about the same which would be a problem with the cut down patrol

[chook05]

You can get a 2.4 mtr tray on a patrol or cruiser dualcab but it will need about 1mtr stretch in chassis. results in a huge turning circle and a tailshaft center bearing cross member that hangs down and will snag on anything off road. looks like he needs a light truck.

[sierrajim]

Chevy Silverado. 300+ hp Diesel, 5 speed Allison auto, cloth or leather etc etc

Crew cab available with either 6'6" tub or 8' (2.4m) tub which can be replaced with a tray back.

I hear these guys are good www.american.com.au

[Zam]

Yeah I would definately go the Chevy, I reckon they look pretty sweet and they have heaps of power.

[bogged]

I had never heard of OKA before your post made me look it up... the dual or multi cabs look pretty cool... would be interested to hear how they perform.

we had one in the RFS - the only one in the state and there was a reason for that.. parts hard to get.

It wasnt bad for what it was built for, you can have twin shocks on each corner standard.. perkins diesel, 5 sp, but with single shocks, the thing was like a boat in a hurricane. General tracks it was ok, but sand out to boat harbour, it suffered a little. It didnt last long and was replaced.

[Patroler]

defender no good??
depends how much money and tray space required,
f250 would be nice

[mike]

Problem with the Chev is also parts up here, OKA bits a probably more available here as a few tour operators are using them. I am picturing the OKA as a fairly pricy option though?
The Defender did get a brief look in but comfort/reliability a bit tragic in current models, perhaps in a year or two when the current disco build trickles through, it'll be a serious contender.

[Utemad]

The F250 makes a great camping vehicle but it isn't much of a 4x4. It's width and ramp over etc make it hard to get into some places (city included). It really sucks the fuel around town too. It has heaps of room in the cab and tray though. However they have a lot of reliability and build quality issues.

For the price of an F250 or converted wagon I'd be buying a factory type 4x4 wagon and a work ute. I reckon it would work out cheaper in the long run and the choice of two vehicles would mean you can pick the ones that suit the applications and not have a compromise.

Here is a pic of our F250 with all of our gear for a 9 day trip to Perisher with 5 people. As you can see there is still plenty of room. Would have been better if our 9 day trip wasn't involuntarily extended to a 13 day trip due to it breaking down

[GOT MUD]

isuzu and iveco have dualcabs in there light truck ranges i wouldnt write these trucks off cause they drive like cars and all the mod cons

http://www.isuzu.com.au/news.asp?archive=true&type=1

http://www.iveco.com.au/

[sierrajim]

Drove an Isuzu 3t tray the other week, yes had all the mod cons, no did not drive like a car.

How much money does your mate want to spend?

Parts on Chevs are generally not a problem, suppliers in every state with the exception of NT and TAS.

[jeep97tj]

Dont go the OKA, they are a hand made thing, bit of a backyard job. They are very basic inside, they are noisy, dont seal around the doors, they rattle but worst of all because the cab hangs over the front wheels they have a very very rough ride. I think they were amided at the mines, we had a few but got rid of them because of the ride, no one wanted to drive them. We also had rust probs with them. They are $$$ too.

PS Stay away from the OKA

[mike]

Thanks all for the feedback...
He ended up with an F250!

[Utemad]

Tell him to buy the extended warranty!

[mike]

Thanks all for the feedback...
He ended up with an F250!

Thanks, ended up pickin up a current model 2nd hand. I passed on your previous post, but the reality is until Mr Nissan and Toyota or ??? come up with somethin there's not much choice.

[Utemad]

Unfortunately you are right. They are in a market of their own. The things we ask of ours on occaision couldn't be done by a Cruiser/Patrol. However it's just unfortunate that they are so unreliable.

I believe you can buy the extended warranty anytime before the existing warranty runs out. So if it is less than 3 years old or 100k then it would be money well spent.

[DamTriton]

Chevy Silverado. 300+ hp Diesel, 5 speed Allison auto, cloth or leather etc etc

Crew cab available with either 6'6" tub or 8' (2.4m) tub which can be replaced with a tray back.

I hear these guys are good www.american.com.au

[mike]

Chevy Silverado. 300+ hp Diesel, 5 speed Allison auto, cloth or leather etc etc

Crew cab available with either 6'6" tub or 8' (2.4m) tub which can be replaced with a tray back.

I hear these guys are good www.american.com.au

Might be a good option in a capital city or near one, but up here? when it's a truck you earn your living with? unfortunately they just don't have enough support in remote areas.

[sierrajim]

But they do have reliability.