Outer Limits 4x4 Board

Here goes !
Im looking to get a new ute 2002 on .
price is not the issue

But I do here alot of different stories about fuel economy, gearboxes,diffs etc , etc
I will need it for farm work which means it will be in 4wd most of the time but I would aslo be using it for traveling (intend to put a slip on camper on the back)

please keep this factual and not a show down between Toyota and Nissan

thanks

I'll kick off the arguments!

Nissan drivetrain has a better reputation for strength, and their LSD's actually work.

Toyotas seem to have a better resale value, but by the time you've paid for "Genuine Toyota Parts" you'll still be struggling to come out in front.

I believe the Toyota diesel engines are better than the Nissans, but I can't really back that up.

I believe you can get coils all round in a Patrol, but I don't know about the 'Cruiser - and I could be wrong too!

Either way, I think you'll be alright. Perhaps it'll come down to which has a better dealer near you?

Cheers,

Scott

NJ SWB wrote:I'll kick off the arguments!


I believe the Toyota diesel engines are better than the Nissans, but I can't really back that up.

Cheers,

Scott

yotas have some problems with big end bearings on the 1hdt's

IMHO they're both the same vehicle in an offroad/onroad perspective/principle..

just comes down to personal taste really.. so go and take either for a test drive and pick one

TOM

i feel the patrol has a more roomy cabin. i drive a GU ute and i have a friend with a 75 series ute. i supose if your a large person the patrol may be a little more comphy. and i think the base model cruiser has vinyl seat as apposed to cloth in the patrol. i do have vinyl floor coverings though. mine is a DX ute. i am biased but i truely believe the patrol ute is better than the cruiser.

NJ SWB wrote:I'll kick off the arguments!
I believe you can get coils all round in a Patrol, but I don't know about the 'Cruiser - and I could be wrong too!
Scott

Just a note on the coils all round on the Patrol ute, they have a lower load rating than the leaf sprung Patrol so if your thinking of a slide on camper confirm your expected total GVM to make sure all O/K other wise the coils give better ride & articulation from the factory.
Cheers.

of course, i'm a cruiser man, just to get that out of the way.
I read an article when the GU's first came out, they compared bog stock cruiser to patrol ute - right down to skinny wheels with the same tyre - and the outcome, in short and sweet version: Patrol much more comf on road (coils) nicer interior, Cruiser better in bush, low-range driving. The vehicles were used in typical farm day - a good few dirt road miles, pile of fence posts in the back, then out on the property to fix the fence.
I think they compared a turbo Patrol to a non turbo cruiser, so Patrol had more grunt, but they weren't going nuts over it.

If you really don't care about brands, go drive both, see which you like more, as they'll both do the same thing in the end. (i reckon anyway)

I remember considering a Patrol, but the thing that turned me off (this was in a GQ ute though) was that the tranny tunnel in the Patrol was much wider and higher than the cruiser - meaning the person in the middle had next to no leg room.

Go drive them both, let us know what you get.

I thought the bearing prob was only in the first (90-93ish) diesels?

I thought the bearing prob was only in the first (90-93ish) diesels?

yea i heard this also, mate just bought a 100 series, and asked the dealer, apparently the oil capacity was increased. Shouldn't be a prob if you buy it new and service regularly

Haven't heard of any problems with the updated 1hdt-fe turbo diesel engines from the landcruiser.....

As in terms for a ute... even though i am a Toyota fan, The nissan ute would be your best bet

I know that in the mining industry they only use Toyotas, dont know why exactly, perhaps someone can provide the reasons...

i would get the new turbo diesel cruiser and convert the bum to coils.
main reason is that the new 79 or what ever it is now goes heaps better than the turbo diesel patrol and heaps better resale.
this is not from exprience but have two mates with the vechiles mentioned here, and imo the cruiser kicks the patrols ass in horsepower,just an allround better on road performer.

Toyota TD is direct injection... GU TD is still pushrod
Cruiser - full floating rear... this is an option only on leaf cab GU's i believe..

GU has rounder lines etc.. compared to the tough look of a 79

really comes down to toyota or nissan prob... both are excellent vehicles, if only toyota would put a stronger assembly under the front!

I went through the same problem when I got mine, I decided on the GU ST coil for several reasons

GU Coil, much more comfortable ride on the road and the bush
GU cab more roomy
GU seating possition for me was better due to being 6.6ft
GU with the turbo standard (79 to expensive)
GU looks a bit modern, not 1950s (if the 80s or 100s came in a ute prolly different story
Resale is in proportion to the initial buy price, cruiser utes are worth a lots for what they are ie lack of a lot of improvemnt
mates on property out near Hay had 3 years trouble free out of 6 of em

I love my GU, but you will need to drive am both and make your own decision, every one had differnt priorities and requirments out of there chosen vehicle, but don't just blindly run out and buy a cruiser coz it a touota, buy it coz it is the best vehicle for your needs

+dj_hansen+ wrote:Cruiser - full floating rear... this is an option only on leaf cab GU's i believe..

Yeah the rear diffs are notorious on nissans ..

love_mud wrote:

+dj_hansen+ wrote:Cruiser - full floating rear... this is an option only on leaf cab GU's i believe..

Yeah the rear diffs are notorious on nissans ..

There has to be a first for everything!

i would go cruiser if you want a long lasting ute if you want to do comp nissan 4 coils and tons off aftermarket stuff

Go the GU. Tough as and come with coil rear end and if you need you can put in airbags for load carrying for around $300.

LudaCris

grazza wrote:I know that in the mining industry they only use Toyotas, dont know why exactly, perhaps someone can provide the reasons...

my GU is an ex mine truck, and so where the other 30 that the bloke had. he bought whole fleets and said that after they had been through the mine, the patrols came out better. if it can handle the mine it can handle anything, many will attest to the life that my truck has endured, and its still going

grazza wrote:I know that in the mining industry they only use Toyotas, dont know why exactly, perhaps someone can provide the reasons...

As above, not all mines use Toyotas, some use Nissans. The reason being is fleet management mostly and what kind of deals they can get. I even know of one mine that even has a small fleet of Suzuki Vitaras mixed in with their Landcruisers.

zooks in the mines they must be there to carrie the canarie

Patrol coil cabs are the go

Go and ask an all makes specialised 4wd service centre what they repair
the most of.... i will bet that it will be the big T products.
And this won't be just because there are more of them out there!

Having owned both, I reckon the GU is the only way to go. Tojos still look like 1985 models, are spartan and have pissweak drivetrains.