Outer Limits 4x4 Board

OK, here in Adelaide there's not many opportunities for 4wd day trips - certainly nothing to compare with Brisbane (or Sydney or Melbourne, I guess.)

Nothing I've done in the last two years needed the abilities of my shorty, and it's not the best tourer for the long drives to get to the good 4wding. I'd like to do tracks like Anne Beadell & the Canning, so fuel range is also an issue. So, I'm considering a move to something larger, both for more space, and for more relaxed distance driving.

I want a diesel, and the three front-runners are NL, a DiD Paj or a DiD Triton.

Obviously the NL will be the cheapest option, and I won't buy new - so I guess a DiD Triton would be a year or two away.

Thoughts?

Wow Scott, it's a dilemna alright.
I can tell you that I absolutely luv my missus NP DiD.
Has plenty of power and gets around 10ltr/100km in the city this drops down to at least 8.5-9 on the highway.
Not too shabby for a 2 ton diesel.
The 5sp auto works real well I haven't had it offroad as this is strictly for family duties.
Room is great with my 3 boys and removing the dicky seats leaves a nice big under floor storage area.
My only complaint with this car is the diesel noise - it is quite intrusive at times but you get used to it.
I will be getting the Triton as well but a 5sp manual as I'm not convinced of the 4sp auto they put in the Triton - if they used the Paj auto then that's what I'd be getting.

Another one for the NP DID vote. NL would be my second. Triton Auto DID if I was buying new.
Dave

go the triton - factory locker for when you move back to brisbane for the tracks

jop wrote:go the triton - factory locker for when you move back to brisbane for the tracks

I do believe that whatever I end up with will end up with a locker in the front - and I reckon that (and a Mitsubishi rear LSD) will suit me just fine.

For what its worth I've heard bad things about the monocoque chassis when it comes to towing. Bent cars have been reported all over the country. Don't know if you will be towing but thats my 2c. I'd stick with the NL. Not much point having more power in a car that wont sit straight on the road!

ditto on the paj auto tho.

Bertbunch - I think the monoque construction in large 4WD liek pajero would not be a problem. I seem to remember mitsubishi doing an aweful lot of tests on this - it was regarding snatch towing off one side on the monoque vehicle. From what I remember they bent the chassis on the earlier model berofer the later one deformed.

Scott, i feel for ya, its a tough one.

I love my shorty (evern with its heartache), Like the look of it, how it goes off road etc etc, but I am young and single

I enjoy camping and for two of us the wee paj is fine, I get everything in no bother. But if kids were to pop up or extras wanting to come along then doesn't work.

Day trips I can fit 4 and its fine but space is at a premium especially when recovery gear is added.

So I think about this as well - for the future etc, I have the prado front end in the shed but don't want to spend on doing my SAS only to find the vehicle too small.....

You could get a NL Exceed with factory locker and Diesel in Oz????

NJV6 wrote:Scott, i feel for ya, its a tough one.

I love my shorty (evern with its heartache), Like the look of it, how it goes off road etc etc, but I am young and single

I enjoy camping and for two of us the wee paj is fine, I get everything in no bother. But if kids were to pop up or extras wanting to come along then doesn't work.

Yep, offroad I love my Paj - it's great. Even for camping I can live with the space limitations - when I'm travelling solo. But when I'm travelling with others, packing everything in is such a Chinese Puzzle that I always seem to be the last to be ready. And, although it's not bad on bitumen, I'm not as comfortable on fast dirt - it's definitely "twitchier" than my brother's 80 series (there's no surprise there...)

NJV6 wrote:Day trips I can fit 4 and its fine but space is at a premium especially when recovery gear is added.

Most of the time I don't even have the rear seats in...

NJV6 wrote:You could get a NL Exceed with factory locker and Diesel in Oz????

Oz didn't get diesel Exceed, and I don't think factory locker was available in the NL either. However, I do know of a very nicely modified NL GLS diesel which may be for sale soon - I've just got to hope he lets me know it's for sale before somebody else snaps it up!

I agree that the NP DiD has a great reputation, and I have no doubt it's capable enough for what I envisage - but I do think the NL prices are much more attractive.

Thanks for the thoughts folks, please keep 'em coming!

Scott

At least we become good stackers.

Import a 1999 NZ new 5 Door NL like the one I wrecked!

GLS spec
Rear Locker
2.8 Tdi
Aisin Automatic (same as Toyota's)

10k would be a nice one!

oz did get a diesel luxury pack wich came with the full leather/woodgrain interior as well as chrome rear bumper and mirrors, there were only a few of these were introduced they did not have a rear locker

So, Greg, do ya wanna sell your NL?

no its happy where it is.

Scott,
Im very happy with my NL td. Cant wait to take it down the vic high country over xmas. Got a front locker now and upgraded the exhaust to a 2.5" straight through. Had it on the dyno and it goes a heap better. Boost comes in earlier and harder
My suggestion would be to go the NL, but drop the DID motor in it, for something different
If you ever want a ride in the td to see how they go, just sing out. Also may be doing part of the Anne Beadell next year if your interested ?
Cookie Monster

cookie monster wrote:My suggestion would be to go the NL, but drop the DID motor in it, for something different

You read my mind...

cookie monster wrote:Also may be doing part of the Anne Beadell next year if your interested ?
Cookie Monster

What time next year? I start a new job on Monday, and I'm studying too - chances of making Anne Beadell next year are slim, but it would be nice to think about.

Thanks for the offer of the ride - would love to organise it, it's just a matter of when?

Scott

I was thinking of doing the same with my NH. The DiD thing that is. Was told it was a very big job. Not sure if NL is much different. Hey cookie monster you still wanna wrap your zook? I will be in adelaide 14 Jan for a week. Any good tracks around loxton, berri area?

Burty

Ive heard goo dthings about the DiD - while doing my research most people were raving on about them - I dont like the shape of the NM/NP especially how they sit with the independant rear.

The guy across the road upgraded from a NL TD to a NP DiD and reckons it is a lot better - they are still asking good money though, in which case I would nearly go a TD prado instead.

I would go (and would like to in the next few years) the NP DID pajero, for me it would be a tourer (only mild off road play, keep the NH for that).

or

I would get a 4WD Canter, (one of the tour buses) keep some of the seats up front and get the rear fitted out.

burtbunch wrote:I was thinking of doing the same with my NH. The DiD thing that is. Was told it was a very big job. Not sure if NL is much different.

Burty

Burty

The gearbox/transfer/diffs behind the 2.5td/3.0V6 are smaller than those behind the 2.8td/3.5V6 - so the later models had the body mounted higher on the chassis to give room (the 30mm "factory body lift").

To install the DiD in an NH (or my NJ) you'd need to lift the body (if not already done ) and swap the gearbox & transfer along with the engine. Because the 2.8td is the same block as the 3.2 DiD (or so rumour has it...) that swap is theoretically a simple engine swap - no body/drivetrain mods.

Cheers,

Scott

-Scott- wrote:Because the 2.8td is the same block as the 3.2 DiD (or so rumour has it...) that swap is theoretically a simple engine swap - no body/drivetrain mods.

Cheers,

Scott

Really - well thats very interesting. Will keep that in mind!!

Hi Scotty
Just did part of Connie Sue,Ann Bedell and the CSR in NP DID Auto, What a trip. Didn't mind a drop of fuel off road, excellent economy on the black stuff. Great car go for the DID.

cookie monster wrote:Also may be doing part of the Anne Beadell next year if your interested ?
Cookie Monster

What time next year? I start a new job on Monday, and I'm studying too - chances of making Anne Beadell next year are slim, but it would be nice to think about.

Probably be mid year school hols.

Thanks for the offer of the ride - would love to organise it, it's just a matter of when?

Any weekend early next year should be fine. send me a pm if you have some free time & wwe can sort something out.

Also in the Advertiser on saturday, there was a 2.8td nl, 1998, 135k approx $17k. think it was the basic model?
cookie monster