Outer Limits 4x4 Board

Hi everyone. im now in the marlet for my next fourby. ive pretty much decided on a LWB GQ. the question i have is whether to go for a diesel or a petrol/lpg model. it wont be used for towing at all. mainly be used as a weekend off roader. is there much of a diference between the carby and injected petrol models?? once converted to lpg are they any good with loss of power, lifespan?? any help would be appreciated.

First up, as you say it will mainly be used for wheeling and not taxi duty, if you can afford the diesel - GET IT! (the TD42 that is, not the RD28T).

If you plan on getting a petrol model, EFI will be better suited to LPG conversions, plus if you get keen down the track they work well with dedicated LPG and a nice big turbo.

There are two petrol motors available, the RB30 (as per VL commodore and R31 skylines, except the patrols only got the povo carby model), and the TB42 (carby or EFI). I have never owned a petrol GQ, however there are many people around who love them, and have acheived either great economy or great power (sometimes even both together!).

Dont worry about LPG ruining your motor - its not really relevant nor an issue. LPG usually has slightly less power than petrol.

You might want to look into what series/spec model you want. They range from VERY basic (almost Toyoya-like basic) models right through to super-flash pimped out models with fancy stuff like electric radio antennas and stuff.

Coxy

Hi mate,

I had a carby pertol (4.2) that i put lpg on and thenm had stolen.
Now have an injected one, also petrol 4.2 that i have fitted gas to.

I can deffinately recomend the injected one. not really any more power, just smoother and less hassle.

As for cost to run compared to diesel......

i use around 23-26l per 100km on gas (i have an auto, 33's and a 3in lift)

but due to the price difference between petrol and gas, this is the cost equivalent of around 11-12l per 100km


if you want to compare it to diesel - then it would be under 10l per 100km on a cost comparison..... no diesel gets that....

I personally dont like diesel engines - but they have their benefits - its up to you what you like, but thats my experience.

Cheers
Stew

toy77 wrote:if you want to compare it to diesel - then it would be under 10l per 100km on a cost comparison..... no diesel gets that....

I beg to differ. My car returns between 9-10L/100km every week, and has done for the last 6 months.

It all depends how you drive it, and driving a diesel like a petrol wil get you nowhere fast.

thanks guys, very helpfull. main reason for heading towards the petrol model is price. kinda want to pick one up for around 8 to 10 grand mark. is there anything you can reccomend to watch out for?? anything is appreciated. would like to get 35's put on it. and a snorkel. are you guys familiar with the custom jobs that dont have a head on them?? whats the reason for that

shanus05 wrote:thanks guys, very helpfull. main reason for heading towards the petrol model is price. kinda want to pick one up for around 8 to 10 grand mark.

you should still be able to find diesel 4.2's for 8-10k..
There are even 4.2 GU's down to sub $15k..

I have very recently decided to bite the bullet and join the GQ contingency. I got myself a dual fuel carb model because the price was very right. Personally I think it is great, tuned for gas (so runs a little shitty on petrol but well enough) and the power is much better than my last rig.

Go with the price mate there are alot of cheap ones out there. I got all the fancy stuff for $3500 including the LPG. For the same thing with EFI I was looking at around 7k,+, thats alot of bits I could buy for it in my book.

Keep in mind, although a diesel is cheaper to run than petrol, they cost more to maintain.

Ranuki has made a good point there in regards to accessories.

If you were to buy a stock truck, and fit it out with bar work, suspension and all the other usual kit, you can pretty much spend an equal amount (or more) on accessories as you do on the truck.

On the other hand, you quite often see truck for sale that are already kitted out for not much more outlay compared to a completely stock truck.

HOWEVER, keep in mind that if someone has gone to the effort/cos of putting all the gear on a truck, more often than not the car has been used in 4x4 conditions - this is where you have to be careful. There's no point owning a truck with every toy under the sun fitted if the actual truck itself has been completely hammered.

I like to either buy something with "normal" accessories, or buy a stocker and fit it out with second hand acessories (cause i'm a tight arse).

I wont go into the specifics of what to look for now - i'm late for a hot date. I'm sure some of the GQ crew will post up some good info though.

toy77 wrote:Hi mate,

As for cost to run compared to diesel......

i use around 23-26l per 100km on gas (i have an auto, 33's and a 3in lift)

if you want to compare it to diesel - then it would be under 10l per 100km on a cost comparison..... no diesel gets that....

Cheers
Stew

my GQ diesel has great fuel economy for a 2 tonne brick.

Last week it was loaded up for a camping trip which included a full roof rack and it still returned 10l/100klm.

Try and get that out of a petrol even if LPG is cheaper to buy, it will use bucket loads more, then try and drive it through deep water and see how you go.

Its horses for courses and depends largely on what you want to do with it, but I still reckon diesel is the way to go. be patient and a good one will come along. I picked mine up for $4500 with a stack of gear on it. The owner had upgraded and just wanted to get rid of it. My gain!!

cheers and good luck

dont_follow_me wrote:

toy77 wrote:Hi mate,

As for cost to run compared to diesel......

i use around 23-26l per 100km on gas (i have an auto, 33's and a 3in lift)

if you want to compare it to diesel - then it would be under 10l per 100km on a cost comparison..... no diesel gets that....

Cheers
Stew

my GQ diesel has great fuel economy for a 2 tonne brick.

Last week it was loaded up for a camping trip which included a full roof rack and it still returned 10l/100klm.

Try and get that out of a petrol even if LPG is cheaper to buy, it will use bucket loads more, then try and drive it through deep water and see how you go.

Its horses for courses and depends largely on what you want to do with it, but I still reckon diesel is the way to go. be patient and a good one will come along. I picked mine up for $4500 with a stack of gear on it. The owner had upgraded and just wanted to get rid of it. My gain!!

cheers and good luck

Just to be a pain in the arse, a DX GQ (TD42) weighs 2800kg, so if you add in all of the extra crap that we usually have on our cars (bars, winch, spares, dual batts, fridge), they're quite easily over 3 ton.

And as just pointed out, if you're looking at any sort of load carrying/towing, you can have your "cheap to run " petrol/gas fuel bill. My fuel consumption only goes up 2-3L/100km when its fully loaded for a weekend away.

on the way to work this morn... diesel was $1.40/l and gas was 53c/l

Using this cost comparison, my 23l/100km (which i have done better than... but is a common number for me) on gas is equivalent to 8.28l/100km on diesel.

Lets look at 10,000km of running....
gas car - 828l (equiv to diesel)
your diesel - 950l (between 9-10l/100)

So 122L extra.
Diesel needs oil and filter every 5000km, opposed to 10,000 for petrol, so throw in an extra $70 for that.
So you looking at around $235 extra to run your diesel for 10,000km.

Doesn't sound like much....

calculate that back to fuel....

173 L extra for me,
which is over 2000km worth.....

so i get 12000km opposed to 10000km
20% improvement......


I'm not saying petrol is better than diesel.....

Just taking out the fuel economy myth.....

Diesels have advantages for sure - and they do go furthur on same volume of fuel - so range is better.

But i hate the smell, and the noise and too slow... maybe from too much time in the army.....

My advise to you is to drive both and see what YOU like.

Cheers
Stew

thats a fair difference in the price of diesel Vs lpg.

Here in Hobart, the price difference isnt that large so your numbers are affected. I'm not saying you are wrong, but the difference isnt so great.

you mention the smell of diesel, following a bbq around isnt any better IMO

Then you have to take into account the availability of lpg and I know that here in Tas, you will have problems finding lpg on in some areas, hard to believe but we made a west coast trip last year and one of the 4x4's ran on lpg with a shrunken main tank and it was a real bother getting lpg, having to make large detours off our route just to get it.

like you said, its about personal preference and if bbq's are your thing, then go lpg

yeah mate,

i dont like the smell of lpg either... but i dont follow it... heheheh
I had about 20l of diesel spilt into a Armoured personel carrier i was in. spent 5 days in 30plus heat smelling that all the time. the smell turns my stomach..... lol

# months ago here in newcastle, the price difference was heaps bigger again than that, so would be furthur skewed - $1.80 for diesel, around 60c for gas... (i actually paid 48.9c for my gas on wed)

I was worried about the range issue, cos i mostly use mine for work travel - but its main play purpose is a tourer...

I recently did the run out to the deniliquin ute muster (middle of no where...) i filled up with lpg each servo i saw, worried it would be the last with lpg, but every 100km the was lpg... i do have a 70 l fuel tank, so not much down on factory.
I found a great thing on the net - lpg trip planner. you put in your location, and destination, and it tells you where lpg is on the way.

But yeah, deffinately need to fill up more often....

toy77 wrote:on the way to work this morn... diesel was $1.40/l and gas was 53c/l

Using this cost comparison, my 23l/100km (which i have done better than... but is a common number for me) on gas is equivalent to 8.28l/100km on diesel.

Lets look at 10,000km of running....
gas car - 828l (equiv to diesel)
your diesel - 950l (between 9-10l/100)

So 122L extra.
Diesel needs oil and filter every 5000km, opposed to 10,000 for petrol, so throw in an extra $70 for that.
So you looking at around $235 extra to run your diesel for 10,000km.

Doesn't sound like much....

calculate that back to fuel....

173 L extra for me,
which is over 2000km worth.....

so i get 12000km opposed to 10000km
20% improvement......


I'm not saying petrol is better than diesel.....

Just taking out the fuel economy myth.....

Diesels have advantages for sure - and they do go furthur on same volume of fuel - so range is better.

But i hate the smell, and the noise and too slow... maybe from too much time in the army.....

My advise to you is to drive both and see what YOU like.

Cheers
Stew

where i live, diesel is $1.16/L and LPG is $0.79/L work that one out and tell me what cost less.

as for only servicing a petrol engine every 10 000km, bugger that for a joke, good way to cut the life of the engine in half. Petrol engines need just as much servicing as diesel engines.

If you plan to do a desert trip, or the cape, or as before tassie west coast to Sandy Cape, etc, forget it on LPG. I had a 308 Hilux on LPG, good luck getting 200km North of Cooktown (the last lpg fill in qld) , not to mention the 800 more to the Cape. LPG needs a solid working spark, so crap electrics mixed with water crossings, I won't ever go down that shit path again. Load it up with a boat or trailer and watch it drink, who would even want a thirsty-water-hating-donk. Buy a diesel, I spent 8g five years ago and bought a 91 td 42 MAV, on 33's and last year 13.5g on a GQ with F/R lockers, rockhoppers, PTO winch, 35's, 7" lift, 180L tank, Turbo, blah blah blah, you get the picture.

brad-chevlux wrote:where i live, diesel is $1.16/L and LPG is $0.79/L work that one out and tell me what cost less.

Where i live diesel is about $1.20, and gas is $0.65.

Where i WORK however, diesel is $1.14, and gas is only $0.55. However there is a servo t the other end of the town i work at that think they can sell gas for $0.79/L (as opposed to every other servo's $0.50-$0.60 mark).

Bit OT given that i'm in NZ but diesel here is now $1.04, a few months ago when fuel was way up there it got to $2.00. Not sure of gas price tho.

I got a TB42 efi mainly for the extra power over a diesel.
yes you can easily get the same power but that $3500 grand just to
get to the same power out of a diesel can buy lots of other goodies
for your Petrol GQ,

I admit the water crossing caper is shit, but on deep crossings we fit a
water bra and I give the electrics a quick spray, pita to get out every time to do all that though.

I payed 37.9c the other day for gas over $1.29 for petrol.

You can get gas everywhere in Vic.

It really is a personal thing as they are both great choices.

WOW, i cant believe how different the cost of diesel is every where....

i expected, variations, but thought it would still be proprtional.

is the cost of petrol in these areas with cheap diesel still cheaper? ie is petrol always cheaper than diesel?

I like petrol motors.... i get the shits when i cant tow my car at 110km/h up a hill..... some people dont care. (mind you my other vehicles are a CBR fire blade and a 77 celica with a 1j so im used to being able to do the speed limit in all situations.... )

My mate luvs his diesel - reckons petrols are crap to drive... he is used to it....

to each their own.... YOU need to drive some and take on board points about reliability and intended use areas. i agree 100% that on a cape trip diesel would be HEAPS better - the increased range and availabilty of fuel is a major factor....

Cheers
Stew

chpd80 wrote:It really is a personal thing as they are both great choices.

good point, it doesnt really matter if you buy diesel or petrol, thats a personal choice, what does matter is that you buy within your means, with the accessories you really need and it has two diffs under it.

the rest is immaterial

dont_follow_me wrote: and it has two diffs under it.

the rest is immaterial

and at least one transfer case

true, it MUST have a transfer case

YOU ALL FAIL TO SEE THE BIG PICTURE. You are all only thinking of yourselves. What about your kids and thiers? We all make a negative impression on the environment with our wheeling and the more we do for the environment the less hassle we will get from the powers that be bout our impact on the environment. Which means that the tracks will be open for future enthusiasts to enjoy. Please always do what you can, don't have the attitude of f*ck it, it wont directly affect me. I do what i can where i can. Gas is fitted to my 4wd

I have owned both and have an efi/lpg gq at the moment and its great!!

I have been filling up for just over $32 (88l) and get around 400km on freeway or 350km around town. I also have 75l of petrol if i need extra range but i'm still yet to run out of lpg in vic.

When i eventually do a big trip i will most likely be towing a camper and have plenty of jerry cans to bump my range up a bit.




I have noticed that lpg is a fair bit dearer interstate.

luv4bee'n wrote:YOU ALL FAIL TO SEE THE BIG PICTURE. You are all only thinking of yourselves. What about your kids and thiers? We all make a negative impression on the environment with our wheeling and the more we do for the environment the less hassle we will get from the powers that be bout our impact on the environment. Which means that the tracks will be open for future enthusiasts to enjoy. Please always do what you can, don't have the attitude of f*ck it, it wont directly affect me. I do what i can where i can. Gas is fitted to my 4wd

So we all have to convert to LPG and start voting for the Green party?? How about posting something constructive champ?

He asked for opinions, and he is getting exactly that. The pro's and cons have been covered of both engine types.

Now go and drive your LPG fuelled car to the servo, buy a slushie, and CHILL OUT.

luv4bee'n wrote:YOU ALL FAIL TO SEE THE BIG PICTURE. You are all only thinking of yourselves. What about your kids and thiers? We all make a negative impression on the environment with our wheeling and the more we do for the environment the less hassle we will get from the powers that be bout our impact on the environment. Which means that the tracks will be open for future enthusiasts to enjoy. Please always do what you can, don't have the attitude of f*ck it, it wont directly affect me. I do what i can where i can. Gas is fitted to my 4wd

My 4by has less impact on the world then the car i drive to work everyday.
why should i drive an LPG 4by.

luv4bee'n wrote:YOU ALL FAIL TO SEE THE BIG PICTURE.

anything after next weekend IS the big picture

luv4bee'n wrote:You are all only thinking of yourselves.

yep, is there anybody else

luv4bee'n wrote:What about your kids and thiers?

yep, they will have diesel luving 4x4's too

luv4bee'n wrote:We all make a negative impression on the environment with our wheeling and the more we do for the environment the less hassle we will get from the powers that be bout our impact on the environment.

no, not all of US are hoons, nature destroyers or carbon junkies

luv4bee'n wrote:Which means that the tracks will be open for future enthusiasts to enjoy. Please always do what you can, don't have the attitude of f*ck it, it wont directly affect me. I do what i can where i can.

umm, where do you get this stuff from?

luv4bee'n wrote:Gas is fitted to my 4wd

sorry about that, I have it on my bbq too..its great

toy77 wrote:WOW, i cant believe how different the cost of diesel is every where....

Just FYI, today in Wallan...
LPG: $0.39
ULP: $0.99
DST: $1.22

luv4bee'n wrote:YOU ALL FAIL TO SEE THE BIG PICTURE. You are all only thinking of yourselves. What about your kids and thiers? We all make a negative impression on the environment with our wheeling and the more we do for the environment the less hassle we will get from the powers that be bout our impact on the environment. Which means that the tracks will be open for future enthusiasts to enjoy. Please always do what you can, don't have the attitude of f*ck it, it wont directly affect me. I do what i can where i can. Gas is fitted to my 4wd

I'm still trying to workout what diesel/petrol/LPG has to do with track degradation.....