You've got $15k to spend......

[-Nemesis-]

Well, around $15k. Ok here goes, hypothetically you can buy any 4WD under say $20k
You want the best compromise between touring comfort and excellent offroad ability.
What do you buy?

(You don't have to defend your own current choice)

[-Mick-]

GQ has to be

ps I own a zook

[bigsteve]

3k for a post 88 zook
3k on lockers
$1600 on s3 rockhopper
$1500 on springs/shocks
$1500 on decent rubber

Leaving 4-5k for an engine conversion.

[-Mick-]

3k for a post 88 zook
3k on lockers
$1600 on s3 rockhopper
$1500 on springs/shocks
$1500 on decent rubber

Leaving 4-5k for an engine conversion.

I love my zook mate but fark serious touring in it

[-Nemesis-]

Heh that's cheating. Be interesting crossing the Simpson in an 88 zook

[bogged]

Heh that's cheating. Be interesting crossing the Simpson in an 88 zook

Its been done before... back in 70's you would be shocked at some of the cars that did it...

http://www.lastmailfrombirdsville.com/ <-- look here.

[BIG GQ]

Forget that I drive one but would SERIOUSLY have to be a GQ

[-Nemesis-]

Looks pretty one sided so far. GQ is winning....

[Shadow]

well i was faced with this exact same consideration

i was looking at some dualcab hilux's but i just didnt like the size of em. I ended up purchasing my parents 60 series for $7k and have enough left over to rebuild the engine and do some other things (suspension, tyres, cosmetic (paint flares)).

for $15k you could get yourself into a really nice 60 series, a really basic 80 series, or as others have said a GQ. my preference would probably be a 60 series sahara

[slosh]

I made this decision too, tho I didn't know much about anything at the time, and went gen 3 Hilux dual cab diesel. To get it where I want has and will continue to take lots of $$$$. When I compare it to dad's GQ the Nissan wins hands down.

It is such a practical, capable hack. The sound of a 60 Sahara is appealing to tho I'd be looking for a good one for $7k or else the GQ would win out.

[chimpboy]

GQ easily.

[bj on roids]

3k for a post 88 zook
3k on lockers
$1600 on s3 rockhopper
$1500 on springs/shocks
$1500 on decent rubber

Leaving 4-5k for an engine conversion.

I love my zook mate but fark serious touring in it

no way i would go near a zook for highway work.

I would get a Maverick wagon, I am a toyota man through and through, but you can't beat them, cheap, available, cheap, reliable-ish, cheap and strong, and cheap

[Bartso]

Yep go the patrol

[grimbo]

I have done long distance touring in a LWB Zuk and thought at the time it wasn't bad at all, and compared to the SWB ones on the same trip it wasn't. Then i bought a LWB GQ for the same purpose, man I was wrong about the Zuk. The GQ is perfect for touring stuff, comfortable, easy to drive and plentiful spare parts and accessories.

[Wooders]

I'd suggest ya don't overlook rigs such as the XJ Cherokee.
They are available at some darn good prices, have good features are quite capable out of the box and there are heap of upgrades availble in the aftermarket.....
One big benefit I find in our is 2wd, fulltime 4x4, parttime 4x4hi or Parttime low.....great for crappy conditions when you can just flick it into fulltime on road....
Good tow rating. Solid axles at both ends (lockers, suspensions, swaybar discos etc all the normal stuff available).....
Ayways just something different for ya to consider.....that's not as bulky as the cruisers/patrols....

[-Nemesis-]

I always wondered about the Patrol/Maverick though as when they drive past they seem such massively long in the wheelbase. Isn't that an issue off road?
Like Guts said, they're cheap those Mavericks, assuming they're the same car as a GQ right?

[Monty]

I always wondered about the Patrol/Maverick though as when they drive past they seem such massively long in the wheelbase. Isn't that an issue off road?
Like Guts said, they're cheap those Mavericks, assuming they're the same car as a GQ right?

The Mav is just a rebadged gq.

i wouldnt look past a 60 they handle damm well, are cheapish u could get a turbo diesal 60 for like 8500 grand for a decent one couple of lockers winch, lift and tyres ends up being around 15000 depending on what parts you use and they are capable off-road plus can take a lot of stuff in the rear and everybush mechanic over the country knows how to work on a landcruiser

[-Nemesis-]

There's a brown one up the road for sale for $3800, wonder what's not working hehehe.



Is this THIS (<---- click) good value?

[Doggy]

GQ GQ GQ GQ GQ GQ GQ GQ
Hmm I think i might be biased though
60 series is great for touring, friends of my family toured from brissie up to the cape and across to el questro station (bad spelling me thinks). All they had done was a winch and a draws system in the back, and it only had splittys on it. bloody things bout 20 years old and he put his first ever replacement part in it early this year

[grimbo]

There's a brown one up the road for sale for $3800, wonder what's not working hehehe.



Is this THIS (<---- click) good value?

the one in the link is blue and is $9999

[-Nemesis-]

Really? hehehe
Hence the big gap between the two sentences, it's meant to be two different subjects

[bj on roids]

I'd suggest ya don't overlook rigs such as the XJ Cherokee.
They are available at some darn good prices, have good features are quite capable out of the box and there are heap of upgrades availble in the aftermarket.....
One big benefit I find in our is 2wd, fulltime 4x4, parttime 4x4hi or Parttime low.....great for crappy conditions when you can just flick it into fulltime on road....
Good tow rating. Solid axles at both ends (lockers, suspensions, swaybar discos etc all the normal stuff available).....
Ayways just something different for ya to consider.....that's not as bulky as the cruisers/patrols....

parts availability is my only concern

If you are looking at exotic stuff, pov pack 80 series.

ALSO Land Rover Discovery, can be had cheap, have V8, coils and good low range, fuel economy might be the only issue.

[Wooders]

I'd suggest ya don't overlook rigs such as the XJ Cherokee.
They are available at some darn good prices, have good features are quite capable out of the box and there are heap of upgrades availble in the aftermarket.....
One big benefit I find in our is 2wd, fulltime 4x4, parttime 4x4hi or Parttime low.....great for crappy conditions when you can just flick it into fulltime on road....
Good tow rating. Solid axles at both ends (lockers, suspensions, swaybar discos etc all the normal stuff available).....
Ayways just something different for ya to consider.....that's not as bulky as the cruisers/patrols....

parts availability is my only concern.

True parts aren't as common - but there are a surprising number of shops around the country that can help, and also if you know the "weak" bits you just prepare for that......
BUt nothing against the GQ which would probably be my second pick

[ozy1]

Look, go the GQ anyday, i own one and im not bias,

also, the latest 4x4 monthly mag voted them number 1 on their list of choices..........

[Daisy]

Yup go the GQ, budgetwise you can get a deent 1990 model diesel for around 10k ish and have 5k left for mods for touring or offrad use.

Still a good buy if u go that path.

TOM

[MKPatrolGuy]

Yup go the GQ, budgetwise you can get a deent 1990 model diesel for around 10k ish and have 5k left for mods for touring or offrad use.

Still a good buy if u go that path.

TOM

Haven't seen any 1990 Diesels for $10K, most seem to be $13-15K

[Aza]

75 series cruiser, style side, roll bar, lockers, 35's, that kinda stuff

[Aza]

btw thats a shortened style side

[MissDrew]

I wouldn`t get a GQ for touring. They are very truck like to drive and I haven`t yet riden in one that gives a nice ride on the highway. Now if you had ask about a comp rig then I would say a GQ because they are cheap as and strong.

A GXL 80 series is much better to drive alot more comfortable alot more car like and can be picked up from around 10g depending on condition and K`s etc etc etc.

[Singo17]

I'd suggest ya don't overlook rigs such as the XJ Cherokee.
They are available at some darn good prices, have good features are quite capable out of the box and there are heap of upgrades availble in the aftermarket.....
One big benefit I find in our is 2wd, fulltime 4x4, parttime 4x4hi or Parttime low.....great for crappy conditions when you can just flick it into fulltime on road....
Good tow rating. Solid axles at both ends (lockers, suspensions, swaybar discos etc all the normal stuff available).....
Ayways just something different for ya to consider.....that's not as bulky as the cruisers/patrols....

parts availability is my only concern.

True parts aren't as common - but there are a surprising number of shops around the country that can help, and also if you know the "weak" bits you just prepare for that......
BUt nothing against the GQ which would probably be my second pick

Is that a second pick on Badge bias or when you compare the two vehicles side by side.

Running Gear?

Engine Options?

Size of actual Vehicle?

Purchase Price?

After Market Generic availability.


In the price range I would say GQ but if you could find one I would go a 80 series GXL but I would think you be hard pressed to get one at the price in Nick.

I would consider a XJ but I didn't have touring in mind mainly due to the 4.0l six thirst.

There is a diesel yeah wooders? but rare here? I would've looked at an XJ as a short trip/comp alternative specially since is has leaf rear as a lot of dudes stick Aframe rear ends on a GQ's anyway so stripping out the leaves for a custom arse end would not be beyond alot of current fabbers.

Wooders wheel base wise how much longer than a TJ and isn't there a question mark against diff size, are they D30 or D44? I could search but LAZY.