Outer Limits 4x4 Board

Hi all,
After alot of thought I've finally decided to upgrade my beloved GQ to a GU.
Now this is where the fun starts, I want a better car than my GQ, Which I believe all GU's have better bodies, interiors, dash and drivability then the GQ.
When it comes to the motor, this is where I'm stuck, My turbo TB42 has ample power and economy and tows anything I ask with ease.
I'm looking for something with low kms, something that goes well enough to tow with ease ie caravan, excavator, and is a solid reliable car.
My old man has a 2010 3.0ltr and I've driven it, its not to bad but I really can't see it towing anything decent, Dad says the power when towing is the only let down for the whole car.
I know everyone is going to say TD42, But talking with my old man, we have come to the conclusion that most of the good ones are over priced.
I am wondering weather there is better value in buying a cheaper model and upgrading to a different motor.
My dad says he has spoke to people that have done a 6.5ltr chev diesel conversion and are very happy with the price and overall value.
I have some questions to ask about doing this, I hope you guys can answer them for me.

*Is this a viable option?

*Which engines are commonly used in patrols?

*Is a 6.5 chev diesel overkill, I mean I don't know why but I have a thought in my head that there is also a supercharged V6 chev diesel available too, is there and are they reliable, fuel efficient and deliver good power?

*When purchasing a GU for the conversion, are there alot of differences in the drivelines between models, If I purchase a 2.8 or 3.0 will the gearbox and transfer be strong enough for a bigger motor and if not would it be a better option to buy a 4.5?

Any info or suggestions reguarding this conversion would be much appreciated.
Cam

i would do a 4.5 or 4.8 (depending on ur budget) and do a turbo kit.. lots of people will try n stop u from going down the 4.5 turbo route.. but realisticly its the same 5 all over the internet that have given them a bad name.. i know of more that that that have been going for a long long long time now with no problems.. you just have to do them rite and not skimp on anything and have them tunned propperly and they are more than great!! try these guys for a price on a turbo kit..

http://www.turbotune.webbrochure.com.au ... 1052456792" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

guy who owns the place has one on his 4.5.. 190kw on 6psi..

or the 4.8... 280kw on standard motor!! never late with a 4.8.. hahaha


just food for thought... as im bout to do 4.5 kit there

Thanks for the feedback, But I was kinda thinking along the lines of a diesel.
I want a turn key car that I can rely on day in day out. My GQ is reliable but I Can't travel/tour.
I want something I can take through deserts and do some touring around Australia.
It's not an option with LPG as it's not sold in remote locations, and where it is, It is expensive.

WHY WOULD YOU WANT LPG? I AGREE.. LPG DOSNT SUIT TOURING.. BUT I NEVER MENTIONED LPG?

Petrol is even worse for touring than LPG dual fuel.

surely the duramax is the better option for a v8 diesel?
the 6.5s are heavy, old tech. but they pull well.
if you dont mind going on unleaded look into the LS conversions. would be cheaper than the duramax.
Done right they would be reliable and reasonably economical.
could run duel fuel if you wanted to......
just my 2c

Sorry moo r33 I thought you ment strait gas turbo, thats what I have in my GQ.
As for the LS, I've owned them in commodores and to be honest I havn't been the biggest fan of them.
Found that they struggled down low and when tuned up they just aren't that economical and that was in a commodore.
A td42 would be perfect I think, But it just seems every wagon available that is decent the seller wants a small fortune for.
I was just wondering if there are other viable options? What would give me the same sort of reliability as a TD42 similar or better economy and the same sort of towing capabilities? Is there other alternatives?
Can anyone tell me how much it is for a brunswick diesel conversion?
I looked on the site and it lists 6.5ltr chev diesel as being around 12k or something.
Is this for the conversion, installation and motor or is it motor only?

Search " Brunswick diesel " on here. Let us know what u think.

*****

OK 5 mins of reading about brunswick diesel on here and I've already decided against it.
What other options are there?
Or should I just bite the bullet and buy a 4.2?
Just to clear something up, I know the GQ tb42 and td42 share the same gearbox, but do the 3ltr, 4.5 and the 4.2 in a GU share the same gearbox?
Is there any other conversions for a GU that give good power, economy and reliability?
I would buy a 4.8 tomorrow but couldn't handle the fuel bill, convert it to gas and then its not suited to touring.

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keep an eye on the auctions know someone who picked up a 03 st coily ute for 13 from an auction with the intercooled turbo diesel in they can be found you may just have wait for one to come up

I guess the other option is a tb45 and swap turbo and manifold from my current set-up, But I just really can't be bothered.
The amount of time and trial and error it took to get my GQ to where it is now, I just don't wanna start again and still have the spark problems with river crossings and what not. Think I'm gunna have to think this through a bit more.
It's sad to say but toyota seem to put up a convincing fight when it comes to try and buy a decent diesel.

If u can pick up a 3l GU thats blown up cheap or any other good but cheap GU put a 100series Turbo diesel with the 5 speed auto. Has been done a few times now.

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As far as convertions go.. Me an a close mate have just finished doing a zd30 - 350chev (learnt that standard Chev soft engine mounts don't like staying in one piece for too long when in low range 4wd!!) his Gu drives real nice now tho.. Waiting for a new radiator atm tho as the fan went through it when the engine mounts broke last weekend.. Then it will be going on dyno.. It does drink a bit of juice tho..

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Thanks for the thread hi jacking guys, Was hoping to get some good suggestions out of this one

Sorry Cam. Back on topic now.

1.) The first thing really to establish is, do you want an Auto or a Manual Patrol.??

The answer does effect the result as if you are after a manual then ideally you need a TB45, TD42, or 3.0L Patrol as these all have the heavy duty FS5R50B gearbox . The 2.8L diesel has a much lighter duty gearbox that is not that suitable to lots of engine torque. If you are going auto then it doesn't really matter either way. Transfer cases on all engine types are the same.

2.) The 6600 duramax is the best engine, but it will be a very costly transplant. Even if you import one with the allison 6 speed auto yourself and make your own adapters, it will cost a fair coin. Drive in/out conversions are in the range of 40K. In my opinion, you need a good quality base vehicle, to consider spending this amount to justify it over a long term ownership.

Totalcare4WD in sydney put a toyota 1HDT-FTE into a patrol. Read on a different forum that the owner was very happy.
Give em a call

raptorthumper wrote:Sorry Cam. Back on topic now.

Transfer cases on all engine types are the same.

Internally, yes. Externally, the diesel models (3.0/4.2) have the handbrake drum mounted on the rear output shaft. The petrols dont, as the handbrakes are inside the rear discs.

Edit: re below post, yes, I should have said 4.8 petrols.

GUtripper wrote:

raptorthumper wrote:Sorry Cam. Back on topic now.

Transfer cases on all engine types are the same.

Internally, yes. Externally, the diesel models (3.0/4.2) have the handbrake drum mounted on the rear output shaft. The petrols dont, as the handbrakes are inside the rear discs.

The 4.5 has the handbrake on the rear output shaft.

The 4.8 has the handbrake on the rear drums.