Outer Limits 4x4 Board

4.2 or 2.8 Diesel?
I’ve rolled my trusty old Pajero and in my search for a new truck I’ve almost made up mind on a GQ Patrol Diesel.
What are the differences between the two motors? The 4.2 is from a truck and drives like a truck, but what about the 2.8s? They are heaps newer and for some reason more available. 2.8 diesel cubic centimetres sounds a bit underpowered for a truck this big. I’m not looking for 0-100 times or carpark doughnut competitions but I want something to turn 35” tyres and get me up steep hills.

I’m new to Patrols and don’t know much about engine options, specs or turbo models so any advice will be great. How much of a range will I need to expect and are there any problems I need to lookout for?

Also, are the SWBs heaps lighter? I loved my Paj for its mediocre weight and size and for that reason I wouldn’t mind getting a shorty but I know they are more prone to rolling and I’m paranoid about writing off another truck.

4.2 are the better option especially for turning 35s the 2.8 motor are basically a ticking time bomb......although some do get lucky with but they are known for unexpected problems..totally up to you though your best bet is to tack both types of cars for a test drive and see what fits you best...

jezzaGQ wrote:4.2 are the better option especially for turning 35s the 2.8 motor are basically a ticking time bomb......although some do get lucky with but they are known for unexpected problems..totally up to you though your best bet is to tack both types of cars for a test drive and see what fits you best...

Do you know what kind of problems? I heard they are underpowered but reliable. Don’t know how reliable the person who told me that was, which is why I brought it up here.
I’ve driven the 4.2 NA.
Not a bad truck but slightly on the thirsty side for a Diesel

go the 4.2 mate the 2.8's are completely gutless with 35's, the 4.2's do drink a bit but at least ul get there nice and quick

Another vote for the 4.2 recently turbo'ed mine and not too much difference in economy if you don't drive it like you stole it.

4.2 TURBO

I am in the same boat and want to know what goes wrong with 2.8 as they are good $$$$$$$ for late model

the problem with the 2.8's are as follows

1) Underpowered, to even turn 33's offroad you have to drive them hard at around 2000+ RPM

2) Heads, they crack heads and head gaskets quite common

3) Glow plugs, The 2.8TD uses a stupid setup for the glow plugs that causes them to screw up.

4) Timing belt driven, need i say more?

Get the TD42 GQ, you can probably use your own judgement to find a low k less abused one. Then throw a safari turbo kit on it, which can slightly improve economy. That's what I should have done instead of getting the TB42 on gas, but that's another sad story.

Another thing too, the SWBs are lighter and great for tight turns etc in the bush but found they feel alot more roly poly going up or down steep inclines.

the only time a shortie feels like its more prone to rolling is going up steep hills. apart from that they are great. but certainly not real family friendly. and finding a decent swb 4.2 diesel patrol is very very hard to do.

MyGQ wrote:the problem with the 2.8's are as follows

1) Underpowered, to even turn 33's offroad you have to drive them hard at around 2000+ RPM

2) Heads, they crack heads and head gaskets quite common

3) Glow plugs, The 2.8TD uses a stupid setup for the glow plugs that causes them to screw up.

4) Timing belt driven, need i say more?

Thanks heaps, I did have me mind set on a 4.2 and always did wonder why the 2.8s are cheaper for their age.

BadMav wrote:Get the TD42 GQ, you can probably use your own judgement to find a low k less abused one. Then throw a safari turbo kit on it, which can slightly improve economy. That's what I should have done instead of getting the TB42 on gas, but that's another sad story.

Another thing too, the SWBs are lighter and great for tight turns etc in the bush but found they feel alot more roly poly going up or down steep inclines.

Yeah, I did think about the Petrol but with it’s miserable range and running costs I don’t think I’ll consider one. I want the Diesel torque anyway.

BeNoS wrote:the only time a shortie feels like its more prone to rolling is going up steep hills. apart from that they are great. but certainly not real family friendly. and finding a decent swb 4.2 diesel patrol is very very hard to do.

I’ll be doing heaps of steep hills, and thats the reason why I’m looking for another truck - I wrote off my Pajero driving up a steep hill.
Don’t have a family and SWB will be a great daily driver but I haven’t seen one Diesel. It’ll be a LWB then, I’m soure I’ll roll a shorty anyway

Shorty's are slightly more prone to fall over but you would need to be driving some insanely steep stuff and still need to pick a really bad line or across the face of a crest to get it to fall over. I know of quite a few highly abused shorty's that are twin locked and boosted and still stay upright.

Diesel shorty on ebay: http://cgi.ebay.com.au/Ford-Maverick-SW ... 3a6016aeb9" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

MyGQ wrote:the problem with the 2.8's are as follows

1) Underpowered, to even turn 33's offroad you have to drive them hard at around 2000+ RPM

2) Heads, they crack heads and head gaskets quite common

3) Glow plugs, The 2.8TD uses a stupid setup for the glow plugs that causes them to screw up.

4) Timing belt driven, need i say more?

X2

the 4.2's are far slow enough. dont even consider a piece of shit 2.8 or 3litre.