4wd to travel Australia - need help!

[thehanko]

That looks ideal for a traveller.
You would need some mechanical aptitude (DIY repair skills) since it has done a lot of km's and will almost certainly have some issues - but thats half the fun.

Again, inspection a must as it could be totally shagged.

I agree, high k's to be taking off out bush in a car you havent yet had time to trust.

You also mentioned you know nothing about mechanics, so i would probably not get this car.

I think the 60 series looks ideal. its cheaper so more money for beer and doing stuff on your trip, then when you sell it in a rush before going home, you will not lose as much money. plus with all the gear its got it will be ideal for the next traveler.

its set up with all the gear too - shovels, axe camp gear etc etc this is worth alot of coin, if you had to buy it all you would be amazed what it cost, and it you dont buy this gear you could find yourself stcu somewhere without the gear to get out.

[cocacola-light]

So I saw the Landcrusier from 1989. It loses a lot of oil somewhere at the cardan shaft (right word?) I made a picture with my mobile and will upload it later.

Moreover I tried to read this report. I hope I copied it correctly. It says:

N/S tie rod end has elay, als rear shak leaking, front + rear shackle rubbers worn, o/s/f fender damaged, o/s/f park lightassy missing, head light operation faulty, spotlights inop + autofaim, rear diff pinion seal leaking

I don't care about the fender damage. But the other things. Are they expensive? The owner told me between $500-800... True?

[Surfection]

So I saw the Landcrusier from 1989. It loses a lot of oil somewhere at the cardan shaft (right word?) I made a picture with my mobile and will upload it later.

Moreover I tried to read this report. I hope I copied it correctly. It says:

N/S tie rod end has elay, als rear shak leaking, front + rear shackle rubbers worn, o/s/f fender damaged, o/s/f park lightassy missing, head light operation faulty, spotlights inop + autofaim, rear diff pinion seal leaking

I don't care about the fender damage. But the other things. Are they expensive? The owner told me between $500-800... True?

N/S tie rod has play - this is in the steering and will need to be replaced. I think the next thing is one of the rear shocks is leaking, again needing replacement + if doing one should probably do all 4. Shackle rubbers worn is up for questioning, depends how bad, they could be fine or they could cause it to handle badly. Headlights and spotlights you will want fixing and the rear diff pinion seal. I reckon probably closer to $1000 by the time you do shocks as well as the rest. If you're keen on it I would still take it to a 4wd place like suggested earlier.

[thehanko]

did the inspection place offer a quote to repair it?

I would want a written quote for necissary repairs - not the fender etc, but rear shocks, tie rod, shackle rubbers supplied and fitted (but as said this isnt a huge necessity unless they are really bad).

then get a quote from a wrecker for a second hand light assembly.

and a quote from an auto elec to fix the lights.

Then go to the seller and go halves in the repair costs, so if the wuote is 1200, half is 600. offer 600 less than 6800 = 6200. then you pay for repairs to the total cost of 7400.

if you get any vehicle which is properly set up and issues fixed for 7k that will take you accross aust your not doing to bad.

any vehicle you look at at that age will have a string of things wrong with it. this list is not to big.

[cocacola-light]

Please have a look: http://rapidshare.com/files/185239688/DSC00058.JPG

Is the oil loss one of the things in the report?

[Surfection]

Please have a look: http://rapidshare.com/files/185239688/DSC00058.JPG

Is the oil loss one of the things in the report?

It definately has an oil leak.... What you copied in the report makes no mention of an oil leak though.

[davenmarcia]

definitely an oil leak seems to be from the pinion but thats a lot of oil.

[cocacola-light]

We had a drive with the car and I made the picture 5 minutes after we parked. That's why I'm a little worried. But tomorrow is the check. Keep your fingers crossed for me.

[cocacola-light]

So im back. First at all: Traction 4 - ARB is a shop I really recommend. Nice people with a lot of experience. They checked the car for two hours and found a lot of stuff.

There are two really big problems. The oil leak on the pic comes from a oil presure which is to high. Unfortunately they are not able to tell, what the problem is. So in the worst case they have to disassemble half of the engine. That could be costs around $2.000.

The second big problem is the radiator which is leaking. So maybe they can't repair it and a new one should costs around $1.000.

Moreover the list is quite long:
Low range operator: doesn't engage 4wd in low range
Steering performance: shimmy (worn tiered end) [can't read the last two words properly]
Towbar: bolts missing
Trailer wiring: requires attention
Driving light: high beam dull when low beam on
Engine oil level: not showing on dipstick
Coolant level condition: flush system - radiator leaking
Radiator core - top tank leaking at repair
Belts idler bearings: replace belts
Oil leak: bad oil leak at oil filter (high oil presure)
Air filter: needs cleaning
Differentials: rear diff pinion loose and leaking
Springs: front and rear shackle bushs worn
Wheel bearings: front axle seals leaking, wheel bearing loose
Exhaust system: engine pipe leaking, exhaust mounts broken
Steering joints: n/s tie rad end badly worn

The words in the list after the colon have been in a bad hand wirting. So maybe I was not able to copy them correctly.

Even if everything works out I have to pay at least $1.500 or more. But I'm afraid that the price will go up...

[grazza]

What a shame, sounds like it has not been looked after at all, just driven into its grave...

Keep looking if I was you...

[coxy321]

Nope - definately DONT waste your money on that one. As said previously, you have to expect cars this age to need some work done on them, but (also as said previously) this one has obviously been very neglected, and is probably only good as a spare parts job now.

Its all of those little $20 and $50 parts that equate to a $3000 repair.

[cocacola-light]

This one is another backpacker car: http://sydney.gumtree.com.au/c-Cars-for ... Z100501852

So I guess it has some issues, too But when I buy a normal family car, I have to spend so much money for all the camping gear,... So I still hope to find a car, which is in a good condition and comes whith everything.

What do you think, how many KM can a 4.0L diesel engine run, when it's well locked after?

[ISUZUROVER]

Hallo ccl!

I have helped German friends/students of mine buy 4x4s for travelling OZ a couple of times now.

The first one was a 1990 Nissan Terrano 2.7L turbo diesel with 350k km on the clock. It was in good nick, and the purchase price was <$4k. I did a complete service on it for them, and then it was driven 1/2 way round Australia (Brisbane - Syd - Melb - Adl - Per - Kalbarri - Per) - including as many 4x4 tracks as possible. The only issues were a couple of staked tyres and a split CV boot (Achsmanchette). The TD 27 engine is very good and strong, and overall this little nissan impressed me. The only issue was that insurance is $$$ because it is a 2nd hand import.

The other one was a 1990 Mitsubishi Pajero. 2.4? Turbo Diesel. Not as nice or comfortable as the nissan, but not too bad. It needed a CV joint replaced when purchased. The reconditioned engine used a small amount of oil, and a few other things. But it still managed to do Perth-Broome-Perth-Esperance-Perth without any major issues.

Personally, I would stay away from backpacker cars, they are never looked after. The money you need to spend on repairs would buy a lot of camping gear. You can get $7 chairs from bunnings, a gas cooker is <$100, and with some plywood etc you can set up the car to sleep in (and have storage room underneath youe "bed").

Viel spass und viel gluck! Sagt mir wenn ich dir helfen koennen.

EDIT - that landcruiser does have a lot of gear that comes with it. So it may be worth having a look and getting it checked, then take the cost of the repairs off your offer.

[cocacola-light]

As you know I'm not that car guy. But as far as I know is a big engine like a V6 or V8 much more long-living/solid/firm (don't know the right word) than a 4 cylinder engine. And a turbo is just one more thing that can break down.

Maybe I talk bullshit right now. So please correct me if that's not true for those cars.

[bails]

Hey mate can’t really help you with buying the car but can help with your trip. As I live in Darwin and travelled a lot of distance off road up here I can recommend getting a couple jerry cans of spare fuel as it is few and far between fuel stations especially when going off road up here. also when travelling try not to plan to come up to the top end of Australia till about April time as it rains a lot at this time off year and lot of the national parks and a lot of the backpacker tours close down for the seasons but if you come up about April when all the rain gone and flooding you can go pretty much where ever you like in a standard 4wd. hope this helps in some way

[coxy321]

As you know I'm not that car guy. But as far as I know is a big engine like a V6 or V8 much more long-living/solid/firm (don't know the right word) than a 4 cylinder engine. And a turbo is just one more thing that can break down.

Maybe I talk bullshit right now. So please correct me if that's not true for those cars.

You will find that in your price range, the only V6 and V8 engined cars available to you would be petrol - not diesel. Four cylinder engines have their pros and cons, pros being they are fuel efficient and compact, cons being that when pushed hard they can use as much fuel as a V8 engine twice the size.

As said previously, try to get a Toyota or Nissan diesel, 6 cylinder in either 4.0L or 4.2L. They have been proven to last time and time again, parts are readily available, and almost any mechanic can fix them.

[thehanko]

well that prepurchase inspection was worth its weight in gold. FARK, I had been thinking that backpacker cars would not tend to get the upkeep done to them.

but that vehicle has some pretty major issues which just arent worth trying to fix.

The second vehicle sounds pretty good - and a bit cheaper. again get it checked out. I do like the fact that this car has had stuff like glow plugs redone - i mean most people would not tend to bother fixing bits like that (well unless it flat out would not start) if its was just a back packer car. makes me think it might have been better looked after by the last owner.

New headlights, new brakes, new starter, new globe plugs, new radiator water pump
- New radiator hoses, new cardan shaft, new engine mount

alot of this could have been ignored if the past owner didnt care, but was replaced. good sign anyway.


Very valid point about backpacker cars maybe being a risk, and that you could kit one out fairly cheap, but $8 chairs dont last long. even my $80 annacopnda chairs only lasted two weeks! so you dont want to buy a whole bucn of junk get out west and find none of it lasts, whilst gear thats done it once will probably do it again.


As for petrol v diesel, i would only go the bigger diesels as coxy said. the landcruiser and patrol diesels are very tough and fairly simple so not as much can go wrong.

petrol engine have alot more which can be effected to stop them running well, even just things like spark plugs and leads can ruin your day. sure diesels break down too but not as often.

[ISUZUROVER]

As you know I'm not that car guy. But as far as I know is a big engine like a V6 or V8 much more long-living/solid/firm (don't know the right word) than a 4 cylinder engine. And a turbo is just one more thing that can break down.

Maybe I talk bullshit right now. So please correct me if that's not true for those cars.

Good strong turbo diesels are a good option, be they 4, 5, 6 or 8 cylinder. The engine should do 500000 km or more, and it is unlikely for turbos to die quickly without warning.

The really solid (truck-type) diesels will even have gear driven timing/camshaft (Nockenwelle), so one less part to go wrong.

Also, with a diesel, you need to carry less fuel, and you can't buy LPG in mosty of the outback.

[cocacola-light]

Thursday morgning 8am I'll take the car to Traction 4 - ARB. I hope this time the car is in a better condition and there are only minor repairs to do.

The car is sold by two Germans and their flight back to Germany is in the first week of february. So they really need to sell it. I hope they will make a good price when there are some repairs to do.

I don't have the time (and money) to check a car once a week So please....

[coxy321]

The car is sold by two Germans........

Watch out for them Germans...

I don't have the time (and money) to check a car once a week So please....

Do you mean while your on the hunt for a vehicle, or after you've purchased a vehicle?

[jessie928]

Thursday morgning 8am I'll take the car to Traction 4 - ARB. I hope this time the car is in a better condition and there are only minor repairs to do.

The car is sold by two Germans and their flight back to Germany is in the first week of february. So they really need to sell it. I hope they will make a good price when there are some repairs to do.

I don't have the time (and money) to check a car once a week So please....

welcome to the world of trying to buy a good car for a cheap price....

[cocacola-light]

Just received a text message: The car is sold

So I have to search again. Actually I just want to leave Sydney. There is so much more to see...

What about this one? But I have to buy everything, so I guess it will be quit expensive.

http://cgi.ebay.com.au/Toyota-Landcruis ... 240%3A1318

[coxy321]

Just received a text message: The car is sold

So I have to search again. Actually I just want to leave Sydney. There is so much more to see...

What about this one? But I have to buy everything, so I guess it will be quit expensive.

http://cgi.ebay.com.au/Toyota-Landcruis ... 240%3A1318

Looks good. Give them a call and see if its had a roadworthy or 4x4 specialist check.

[cocacola-light]

He has no check. And he has no time to go with me on Tuesday to the 4wd check. I could see the car tomorrow but as you know for me the car will look good I can only see whether it's running or not...

So I guess it's better not to buy the car without a check

[coxy321]

If the guy isn't happy to get it checked out (in his own time, or in someone elses time), by a standard vehicle inspection centre or a proper 4x4 centre - then dont waste your time.

Usual story - if he's that keen to sell the vehicle, unless he's hiding something, he should be jumping at the chance to get it checked out to help a quick sale.

Maybe call him, and call Traction 4 ARB and see if they'll organise a courtesy ride for him (drop him off to work etc) if he's that worried about his time.

Even though they're just a Toyota, the 80 Series are a pretty good car. They are very comfy compared to some of the other ones you posted up.

[jessie928]

He has no check. And he has no time to go with me on Tuesday to the 4wd check. I could see the car tomorrow but as you know for me the car will look good I can only see whether it's running or not...

So I guess it's better not to buy the car without a check

hi mate,

i actually know that truck hehehe what a small world

he bought a poshy model sahara i think that why he's selling it.

Jes

[coxy321]

He has no check. And he has no time to go with me on Tuesday to the 4wd check. I could see the car tomorrow but as you know for me the car will look good I can only see whether it's running or not...

So I guess it's better not to buy the car without a check

hi mate,

i actually know that truck hehehe what a small world

he bought a poshy model sahara i think that why he's selling it.

Jes

Has it been looked after? Know any of its history? Just to help our buddy out here.

[jessie928]

He has no check. And he has no time to go with me on Tuesday to the 4wd check. I could see the car tomorrow but as you know for me the car will look good I can only see whether it's running or not...

So I guess it's better not to buy the car without a check

hi mate,

i actually know that truck hehehe what a small world

he bought a poshy model sahara i think that why he's selling it.

Jes

Has it been looked after? Know any of its history? Just to help our buddy out here.

the owner has alot of other toys ( bikes, cars)

i have been on a couple trips with it, he does not abuse it ( chicken track's it)
as for history before that, cant help you. best take a look yourself.

JEs

[cocacola-light]

I contacted the owner a second time before the ending of the auction but he had no time to go with me to a garage. So I didn't buy the car.

I found another one Again from two German travellers. http://brisbane.gumtree.com.au/c-Cars-f ... Z100183706 It has 400.000km and is located in Brisbane. Today they went to a garage and had the car checked. The report looks quite good. http://rapidshare.com/files/190545884/IMG_2523n.JPG
I hope the meachanic did a good job in checking the car. But the report has only the "parts costs". Is there anything which will take a long time to change?

The flight is only $90. So should i buy it?

@Jes: Did you sell the CROCODILE EXPRESS? I saw the car one gumtree...

[RED60]

Doesn't seem too bad. It has a few k's on it but that engine should be good for at least another 50k. He doesn't mention any engine/ gearbox/ transfer/ diff problems except for the mounts. If you can get him down a bit on the price, seems like a reasonable buy, especially with all the camping gear etc.