Outer Limits 4x4 Board

Chasing some info from the GU guru's out there. My GQ TD42 wagon although running well and performing well in the scrub with the twin LSD's, 35's and suspension mods just shits me when towing when fully loaded with the camper trailer up hills. Considered turboing (just ticked over the 300 thou mark) but when looking at the costs and age I think it is better to upgrade to a GU 4.2DT or a 4.5 or 4.8 petrol. They are around 18K and a lot of my gear will swap over. I did own a stock 01 TD42 when I travelled Aus in 03 with an 18 foot caravan. Blew 5th gear but warranty covered so have an idea of some of the issues in this area and the stock performance for the TD42 but seeing it is 5 years on there would be more info out there now on what to look for and common problems. I am leaning towards a 4.8 with the current difference in petrol vs diesel costs. Anyone out there who can give me some infor or guidance would be appreciated. Thanks.

You coud just get gas injection and get some money back from the government... Some of the diesel GU's tend to get hot or overheat when towing up hills, so if you do go down that route you may need to play with the cooling system. I towed a car with a 4.8 on dual fuel, economy was crap to say the least.

Hi Playn

I am in the same boat as you at the moment. I have a great TD42 GQ with 424,000 kays on it and it runs perfect but lacks the get up and go when fully loaded. But it does get great fuel economy and hasnt missed a beat so it would be hard to part with.

I am thinking of upgrading to a GU as well but havent decided on wagon or ute but would like to stay with the diesel engine, maybe a 4.2TD. Finding one can be the hard part and they usually cost a premium over the 2.8TD or petrol ones. LPG isnt really a factor for me as it is hard to get in alot of places in Tassie when your not on the main tourist route and they get pretty expensive to run on unleaded, esp in low range all day then add the problem wading in water and diesel is the only option for my situation.

anyway, I will watch this thread with interest and see what the guru's have to offer

cheers

Thanks for the reply silver bullet. I will give the gas/petrol option the flick. It is interesting to hear comments about the great fuel economy of the GQ 4.2 diesels. Mine is shit. I suppose the 35's and the fact it has been raised 4 inch and has a winch, roofrack, roller draws, fridge etc has a lot to do with it. With the camper trailer fully loaded or on the sand it only gets around 6k per litre.

i was in the same boat just recently, GQ TD42, aftermarket turbo, 35's, rockhoppers, air lockers drawers winch pretty much the works, motor has 370 on the clock so not all that bad,

now i started looking a GUs for 2 reasons, one is the towing capacity as i tow my comp truck with it, and on the trailer i was alwas about the 3t mark which is way over,
the second is something with a little more room, especially head room and leg room,

so i picked up a TD42t 2003 GU i will say i started looking in january 08, and could not find a neat truck i was happy with, but i stumbled across one on car sales, 2 owners, pretty stock, picked it up december 30th, that was 12 months of looking at about 3-4 cars a month, petrol was never an option for me,

i am very happy with my purchase,

12 months to find a truck. Looks like my quest will be longer than i expected. Your right about head room keep banging the head on the roof console each 4 x 4 trip.

Playn wrote:12 months to find a truck. Looks like my quest will be longer than i expected. Your right about head room keep banging the head on the roof console each 4 x 4 trip.

12 months to find the right truck, im extremely picky, i wanted low kays,

you can find neat trucks with 150-200ks on them for but i wanted something close to 100ks, with full service history, some i looked at were serviced every 10-15 thousand, i wanted one with evry 5 thou,

Geez Playn, I wouldn't be complaining about 6k per lt. I have a GU4.2TD with a Garrett GT28R, 3" zorst, 33s, etc and a week away near Omeo after christmas towing the Ultimate returned 5.6k/lt which I thought was pretty good. Cheers, Chambo

Maybe that is the common mileage economy when towing with diesels. i know when i towed the caravan with the stock GUTD42 it was only around the 5 k per litre. Mind you i also had a boat on the roof, 240 litres diesel etc etc. Thanks for the reply.

yer i agree, i towed a caravan from melb. to the sunshine coast last year and returned 5.5 ks/ltr. 6 adults, van chockers with bikes, water, food, clothes etc. I didnt think it was terrific but quite economical. No probs with overheating or anything. My 2 cents.
Gazza

Has anybody any info on the 3 litre auto's. There is one available with a lot of accessories and at a good price but I have no idea on the history or price nightmare if one goes bang. Otherwise a heads up on a td 42 GU ST Wagon would be appreciated. Cheers.

I would advise the 4.2td just like every other remotely intelligent person on here, stay away from the 'common fail' 3.0

Hey Guys.. Just a heads up to a GU I drove past On Friday..
It's in a car yard. Clements Cars at Annerley, QLD. 2001 Model with 120k on it, 4.2 turbo Diesel. $24990.

I was Pretty Keen To go looking at it but Finances Says no at this point in time..

Car might be Sh1T, I don't know Cause i Did not stop and look..
http://www.clementscars.com.au

Happy hunting.. Fellow GU Seeker.. One Day..
Stewie

speaking of fuel consumption, never really checked as free fuel but did the other day gu 06 model 3l auto with roof rack... 15.25l/100 majority kms on that tank were hiway, i'll keep doing a few more checks...

dont think i have ever seen the 11-13 people quote....