Outer Limits 4x4 Board

Hi guys
I want to get another 4x4 i have previously owned a 60 petrol and got rid of that because of the poor economy
I would like to get a diesel this time around
What is the best for reliability and ongoing costs also economy ?
Also what should I be aware of when looking around for these specifically engine problems and things that may have been covered up ?
Rust is not of major concern as i can easily fix this up myself
I am thinking of spending around $6000-7000 depending how much i can sell my boat for


Thanks in advance cheers Mick

rumchaser wrote:Hi guys
I want to get another 4x4 i have previously owned a 60 petrol and got rid of that because of the poor economy
I would like to get a diesel this time around
What is the best for reliability and ongoing costs also economy ?
Also what should I be aware of when looking around for these specifically engine problems and things that may have been covered up ?
Rust is not of major concern as i can easily fix this up myself
I am thinking of spending around $6000-7000 depending how much i can sell my boat for


Thanks in advance cheers Mick

Not sure about the economy side of things but I've owned a few 60's for years now and have frequently driven a GQ as well. I'd definitely go a GQ, more so if you're going to go diesel. Whack a turbo on it for better economy and more power and you'll be wondering why you ever had a 60 in the first place. GQ's are a much comfortable ride too compared to the old leaf sprung rigs.

Just my 2c worth, I bet some will beg to differ though!!

Thanks for your input
I am driving an Au fairmont atm and its getting 12l/100 around town so i dont mind a couple of litres more for the advantages of owning a 4x4
May still keep the Ford as resale isnt great on them
I also owned a nissan 720 dual cab diesel a while ago i liked that .

I would agree with the GQ here, coil springs all round and a reliable diesal (not that the 60 diesal isn't).

I like 60s they are tough and reliable but then so are GQs.

Cheers

Its unfair to compare a GQ with a 60.. The GQs competition is the 80 series, if I'm not mistaken..

id say go buy an 80 series pov pack diesel.

they have slightly better figures then the GQ diesel if im not mistaken.
and they are a landcruiser.. enough said.

you will easy get one for 7 grand.

vk7ybi wrote:Its unfair to compare a GQ with a 60.. The GQs competition is the 80 series, if I'm not mistaken..

I know what your saying as there is a big difference in year models but from what i have seen price wise these 2 seem to be around the same price i havent seen to many diesel 80 series for 7000

id go a GQ over a 60 series for comfort alone.

But then, id stretch the budget and get an 80 series over the GQ

If your going to buy a diesel, get low k's. If its approaching 400thousand, and has been mistreatet at all, it will start costing big dollars.

Can the diesels survive much mistreatment ? if i got one with low ks that hasnt been serviced as it should will it continue on its decline or will it help with correct servicing
What would you suggest is a good amount of ks 200000 or less ?
I saw a 93 pajero advertised what would a petrol one of them be like ? i have heard a lot of horror stories do they have much truth to them ?
Thank you for all your input

rumchaser wrote:Can the diesels survive much mistreatment ? if i got one with low ks that hasnt been serviced as it should will it continue on its decline or will it help with correct servicing
What would you suggest is a good amount of ks 200000 or less ?
I saw a 93 pajero advertised what would a petrol one of them be like ? i have heard a lot of horror stories do they have much truth to them ?
Thank you for all your input

I personally would not buy one with more than 250thou on the clock without fully expecting to rebuild the engine sometime in the future.

Correct servicing can correct alot of problems, but alot of corrosion can happen without radiator rust inhibitor maintained in a short amount of time.

you will struggle to find any of those trucks with under 250K on them.

i bought an 80 with 320K on the clock. its got 375K now and it runs like a dream. i was cautious before but i keep on changing the oil and doing the little things and it keeps on going.

go and test drive one or 2 trucks mate.

im bias id stay with a cruiser. i just looked at nissans and i havent been too impressed.

dirty rockstar how much did you pay for your 80 series

haha less then the advertised price of 9500. 2yrs ago.
i paid under 8 mate.

As much as i dislike GQ's, i'd probably have one over a 60.

A 60 on coils would be a completely different story

The biggest thing to look out for with diesels is oil and filter changes, also make sure that there as no dirt or dust on the other side of the airfilter (wipe inside the intake piping). If a diesel engine has been mistreated early on in life it can still return high mileage b4 a rebuild is required as long as the servicing is beefed up. Any engine will need rebuilding eventually and your either gona hav to spend the coin to do so today or tomorrow, requardless It will still sting the wallet the same. Cheers

i agree with old mate. grab an 80 if ya can find one but definitely a GQ over the 60 mate, im a cruiser man through and through but so many comp truck drivers cant be wrong, the GQs are tuff as

What is the approx cost for a full rebuild ?

rumchaser wrote:What is the approx cost for a full rebuild ?

1 arm, a leg and 1 nut.

sorry mate. im not sure but id be thinking 5K+

DIRTY ROCK STAR wrote:

rumchaser wrote:What is the approx cost for a full rebuild ?

1 arm, a leg and 1 nut.

sorry mate. im not sure but id be thinking 5K+

I could afford one nut as they havent been getting much use lately but i need my arm and leg

If u by the engine crane, hav room to work and pull the engine urself it will make the mechanics life alot easier and cheaper for u. Ther is a rebuild mob on ebay that do swaps+cash for complete rebuilt engines. I think they do both the nissan and toyota diesels. If you have the tools and time it isnt that hard to strip an engine and rebuild it urself.

The main parts like head, block and crank can be dropped off at machine shops for refurbishing and then jsut reassemble with a engine rebuild kit, the principle is basically the same for all piston engines and ther is quite a few DIY's on google. If u drop the truck off u wont hav much change from 7k.

I have done a few petrol engines but never done any diesel stuff If the basic principles the same for putting them back together then i would not think i would have to many problems

I think i will keep an eye out for a cheap 80 otherwise i will get the nissan thanks for all your help guys I appreciate it

I'd go a pootrol if i where in the market again ..... 60's are good an all but some more comfort for the same price wouldn't go astray. yeh sure an 80's nice too but so is the money you save for mods on the 60/GQ.

mymate rebuilt his HJ75 (2H) after drowning it and he's a diesel mech. he fitted a used ARB turbo while he was at it and didn't get much change from 7 grand.

good luck

CazzaW wrote:I'd go a pootrol if i where in the market again ..... 60's are good an all but some more comfort for the same price wouldn't go astray. yeh sure an 80's nice too but so is the money you save for mods on the 60/GQ.

mymate rebuilt his HJ75 (2H) after drowning it and he's a diesel mech. he fitted a used ARB turbo while he was at it and didn't get much change from 7 grand.

good luck

I too rebuilt my 2H a few years back after drowning it... and I had a diesel mechanic mate that helped me strip it down and put it all back together.. I didn't hold back, so anything that "maybe" needed doing.. it got done.... and I reckon it cost me around the $6000 mark, give or take a few hundred.

I would never consider a 60 over a gq. comfort styling age all in the gq favour. if the price is similar its a no brainer to me.

im thinking of buying a gq - i have never in my life considered a 60.

there are so many parts floating around for gq's. look in the for sale section, you will find multiple engines cheap and every other part pretty easy too.

we had a gq for 4-5 years and it was such a god car once it was turboed. good car without it but frustrating to drive.

rumchaser wrote:I have done a few petrol engines but never done any diesel stuff If the basic principles the same for putting them back together then i would not think i would have to many problems

I think i will keep an eye out for a cheap 80 otherwise i will get the nissan thanks for all your help guys I appreciate it

how much are you seriously looking to spend?
anything special you want on it etc??
what engine? km?

60 series all the way get one with 12ht 5speed fit coils you got the best

i'll take a 60 all day long. so long as the springs aren't flogged out, or poorly engineered "lift" springs, the ride comfort/driveability goes in the favor of the 60.

yes i prefer a slightly firmer ride than most, but even if you don't, the floaty vague feel of the patrol combined with the "which way are the wheels facing" dead steering... not my cuppa.

why limit yourself to diesel? a lpg cruiser would be cheaper to run, cheaper to service, cheaper to buy, and cheaper to fix... oh and more liveable on the street.

ask yourself honestly, are you going to take this exact rig across the canning? if not, an lpg 80 series is in your price range... or a very nice 60...

Good debate !!

I [u]upgraded[/u] from a GQ to HJ61 !! Similar condition & mods; quality USA tyres, 3 inch lifts, engine upgrades.....

GQ was '89 shorty petrol on staight gas. 310ks.
61 is 12h-t. '87 G pack with 5 speed. 250ks.

The 61 is a TRUCK - no doubt about it. Rugged ride and less capable in hard 4WD, but I can't see myself breaking it...... Excellent touring truck and fine for round town. My wife drives it to work and loves the big strong feel of it (not to mention the exhaust whistle!!).

GQ is better off road - no brainer, but the fit and finish of the Nissan is WAAAY down on the Toyotas, hence the difference in prices (new & second-hand).....

Neither trucks are suitable for competing in road races and therefore you drive them like trucks on the road.

I'm sticking with my decision and I'm very happy with the 61. I aim to fit lockers to compensate for lack of flex...

Happy decision making !!

Duncan.

I am going to have to think long and hard about this as i again am leaning back towards a 60/62 maybe its because i have owned one before and i dont mind the ride as it is a truck also i want be doing any hardcore 4x4 more beach and landcruiser park type places
still researching
lpg ? i have been thinking about it because they seem to have a cheaper buy price then diesel what are the pros and cons of this compared to diesel ?
Thanks

ive got a 60's and love it, i guess if you could get a GQ for the same price you would pay for a 60's then it mightbe better.

i think that the petrol 60's would be cheaper to fix.

coils would have some advantages but for me every thing is heaps cheaper to do on my 60 than it would be on a GQ and when i was looking at 60's and GQ's to but the nissian was not in the same price range.

SOA 60 does look tuff