GQ 4.2 or GU 2.8

[tennismark]

Looking at these 2 trucks, spending less than $20 k and wanting a tourer fun weekend /daily driver. I will put a 3-4 inch lift and 33's, and want to know what u guys think would be better. I know the 4.2 diesel will be a good motor, but the GU comfort might swing in its favour.
What do u see as the positves/negatives of this choice???
Cheers boys look forward to your responses

[GQ Bear]

I remember Nissan having problems with the 2.8's and that's why they scrapped them for the 3L, which the series 1 has problem with capacity of oil and location of pickup when car on a severe incline causing the engine to run dry and seize in severe cases.

I don't know what was wrong with the 2.8's though. I'm sure someone on here will be able to enlighten you further.

[adamj1300]

the only problem nissan had with the 2.8td was they where way under powered

[AussieGQ]

I remember Nissan having problems with the 2.8's and that's why they scrapped them for the 3L, which the series 1 has problem with capacity of oil and location of pickup when car on a severe incline causing the engine to run dry and seize in severe cases.

I am pretty sure it was the early 3L that had the oiling problem.
The 2.8TD is a good engine and I would pick it over the 3L. But as you say it is under powered. Saying that, lots of places like Motsons for example do power up kits which have great gains.

[tennismark]

yeah i hear u about the performance of the 2.8 but does the engine lack of power gets covered by creature comforts of the GU compared to the gq 4.2 diesel. I guess the GU will be newer as far as year bulit against the GQ, so wear and tear will be less. Will it handle/brake/offroad better than the GQ.

[Rampage]

hey mate they should handle and perform similare off road as the gu is just a comfy version of the GQ, lol basically all same running gear. the only thing splitting the two is the engine, and i also woul dlike to know if the lil 2.8 TD could out perform the 4.2 D, non turbo! i realise the 2.8 could run all day everyday for all of its life and the 2.8 may have a fault or two but as in general performance i wonder which is better off road??

[redtruck]

I have a 96 2.8 turbo deisel and whilst it goes well I find it a little under powered. We recently bought a camper trailor and found though it towed ok it struggled up hills and for overtaking. I have just had a 3 inch exhaust from the back of the turbo done and it has increased its power (and economy seems to have improved as well)considerably. As a daily driver and weekend fun machine been very happy with it . I keep the oil/feul and air clean and have had no problems yet. could always do with more power so if i had to buy again would go for the bigger motor.

[familybus]

ive got the 2.8 GU and its fine as offroad is cocerned! not as fast and powerfull as a 4.2 but still does the job no prob!

[tennismark]

so seems the Gu would be the better bet, if you hand say $15 to spend, or the 4.2 GQ. Remember i also want to put a 3 inch lift and 33's, thinking that might hurt the 2.8 too much. Plus there are cheaper gq's out there, and $$$$ saved is $$$$ for mods

[Patroler]

I had a similar decision a while ago and decided on the 4.2 gq, figure that the 2.8gu had the weaker gearbox and i could live without the extra comfort of the gu - the gq is a fair step up from the mq already! Also i didn't want the extra size of the gu, no need for it - for me, and makes it too daunting for the missus to drive.

I'd have a drive of both and decide from there.

[Josh_WA]

I have a 99' 2.8 GU. It's got 3" zorst from turbo back, 33's, huge tool box in the back, rack on the roof with lights stickin off it. Its certianly heavier than standard, drags its arse even more in the wind but it goes better than 3 or 4 n/a 4.2 GQ's that I have driven. (the GQ's were on 31's)

Cheers

[dirtyGQ]

mate the 4.2 gq is personally what i would be going for simply because the 4.2 diesel is a proven winner combined with a turbo low down torque is great as is the drivetrain. Also i think the GU is too big for most of the stuff i drive offroad, with that said the GU is very comfortable and the 2.8 is a pretty reliable motor just way too slow even with a turbo.

[bogged]

so seems the Gu would be the better bet, if you hand say $15 to spend, or the 4.2 GQ. Remember i also want to put a 3 inch lift and 33's, thinking that might hurt the 2.8 too much. Plus there are cheaper gq's out there, and $$$$ saved is $$$$ for mods

so your looking for a GU, and all the mods for a total of $15k? being around $10-12k for the car.

I would suggest you would only get a bucket of shit for that budget, even in a 2.8...

[Suspension Stuff]

I had the 2.8TD GQ and for normal driving it is great except for the intial take off. If you tow anything and you have to start up a hill, good luck. I found in the tracks I did at Ormeau it went everywhere the 4.2 went but I had to push it harder otherwise it would run out of steam or it wouldn't get enough power going. Being slow may be less of a prob with the electrics upgrade that you can do on the GU, but in the end I got fed up with riding the clutch.

If you're towing less then a thousand kg and you don't have to start at a hill than it goes fine.

It will go through the gears much better because of the smaller gearbox.

Given the extra creature comforts of the Gu it would be very tempting.

You have better fuel economy with the 2.8 but the lift and bigger tyres will effect it more. It will have less power with the bigger tyres but you need them or your unbrakeable diffs will dragging on the ground.

Is it worth the extra $$$$

Glad it is you deciding.

Shane.

[Bruzar]

4.2 gqs rock