Outer Limits 4x4 Board

Ok im looking for some advice from people that have owned multiple rigs as i would like some opinions on the capability and cost to modify certain vehicles.

I am looking into relocated (due to work) to a remote area of QLD and will have more time and space to play on weekends so i'm looking at my options.

It needs have the following:

- Reliable (cause the nearest mechanic will probably be 4hrs drive)
- Run Minimum 33"
- lokka's
- Reasonabily priced in the modification area
- Note: will not be a daily driver

I have had prevoisly owned zuk's and hilux's and currently own a Jeep wrangler which is totally stock except for 31" MTR's. I have always been a hilux fan but the introduction of IFS have turned me away from them and the wrangler seems rather $$ to upgrade when you want to run 33's or 35's.

I know this is probably a apples vs oranges thing and is probably going to start a nissan vs toyota vs everything else war but i'd like to hear from those who have modified different makes of 4wd

Capability vs cost? Suzuki every time.

GQ Patrol, reliable and parts are easy to get. They are tough also.

I have moddified quite a few different vehicles n think best bang for buck is GQ patrol. They win most comps, are the easiest to mod, are getting cheap, are strong n are used to donate drive train to everything else for strenth. I've done jeep, hilux, zook, patrol, cruiser,prado, rovers, some paj, musso and hyandai.
People will argue but look at all 4x4 comps in oz n look at the most competed vehicle n what places the highest consistantly.

Are you looking to buy new or second hand?

No I havn't modifed different makes of 4WD, but I still think I am speaking some sense...

WRT to the impending remotness of your location, I'd be looking at vehicles which are quick and easy to source parts for. Having a Jeep (cherokee not wrangler) I'd say dont get the jeep, some parts are painful to get a hold of, and often there is no generic alternate. Also depending where your going I think your nearest jeep dealer might be a long way off, and there arn't allot laying around in back paddocks.

Just a thought...

Probably the best vehicle for parts availablity in remote QLD will be a 40 or 70 series cruiser. I know up north every second property has a 40 ute sitting there waiting for someone to claim it. Obviously nothing will outdo a Holden for parts availablity (or are those days gone?), but Holden doesn't offer a 4WD (Jackeroo and Rodeo are Isuzu for 'smart' people).

Trying to look at this objectivly for you, and trying not to just say buy a Zuk because I like mine. That said, there are allot of suzuki's around, and parts arn't hard to get. Hilux' won't be too bad either for parts or availablity. Don't know about Nissan's, Nissan's arn't as frequently used for farm vehicles, or by mining companies or services etc; though they are to some extent.

As for reliability: From first and second hand experience:
Jeep - alright
Suzuki - Good
Nissan - PITA (was a VL commodore with RB30 (not a 4WD, but still nissan)
Toyota - Good
Land Rover - Bad (mainly the first gen disco)
Mitsubishi - alright (their 4WD's seem better than the magna was)
(I'm sure some will disagree here, but opinions are formed from different experiences, and this is just mine)

On last comment/question: Petrol or Diesel, if remote I would vote Diesel becasue diesel is available more widely than petrol.

I'm probably acting like your moving to the new frontier or something? But its something to consider.

Ruff - second hand - no point wasting dollars on something shiney that i wouldn't want to wheel.

highway-star
- I agree with your point on jeep
- wouldn't touch a holden 4wd (rodeo maybe - jackaroo no way)
- yeah i should have said diesel from the start
- yes it seems toyota landcruisers and nissan patrols rule the roads in northern and western QLD

IF cruisers are plenty full around your way buy a cruiser same goes for patrol, etc

that way 2nd hand parts and finding a mechanic or backyarder to work on it will be easier.

a few $$ in the start will save huge $$ on freighting in parts when they bust.

Cheers

Not the cheapest but possibly the easiest to modify and set up is defianatly a GQ Patrol. Just about everything for them is bolt on and available straight off the shelf at most 4wd accessory outlets.

nastytroll wrote: People will argue but look at all 4x4 comps in oz n look at the most competed vehicle n what places the highest consistantly.

i figure this is because they are now so cheap and the high placings is due to people not caring about trasing them as there are so many...bwahahahhah


seriously a gq would be good, they are available, tough as and reliable..

A GQ would definitely be the cheapest/easiest to mod and one of the most reliable trucks out there. A GQ with a TD42, you couldn't go wrong.

Thanks for your views - seems exactly what i though - GQ. Can pick one up for a reasonable price and then spend dollars on some quality gear to make it better. now all i've got to do is workout whether to go wagon or single cab....

I wish the GU's were cheaper

Single Cab

you can pick up a deisel wagon for 1/3 to 1/2 the price of a single cab

is it just the demand on single cabs which makes them so pricy compared to a wagon?

GQ or 80 depending on what side of the fence u prefer to sit on