Which ute is tougher? (Build up project)

[sudso]

I want to get a Cruiser, Patrol or Landy ute down the track to build a decent off roader, not a full comp. truck, just something like most of you blokes build up for tough work and fun.

I already have a 350 chev and a TH350 trans. to transplant so I'm wondering which ute has the tougher chassis, driveline etc.
For suspension I'm thinking 3" lift, 2" body and 33-35" tyres.

I'll probably be looking at a mid to late 90's model (cant afford newer and I dont want something too old)
Actually I'll only be looking for a rolling shell or something as the usual mods will apply so most standard equipment wont be required.

So come on guys whatdya reckon would be the best ute for my toy?
I driven a few of the above in standard form but never owned one so not sure whats better even though I know they all have their good and bad points.

Oh, I should mention too that I will put my welding skills to good use by extending the cab, same as an extra cab. I dont know yet if this will require a chassis extension too but I dont care if it loses some tray length, so I'm hoping I dont have to ext. a chassis. Depends whats behind the original cabin I suppose.

Cheers
sudso

[Josh n Kat]

well with the nissan being possible with coils all round it would flex real well with just the simple bigger springs and shocks......

but a coil front leaf rear cruiser ute would be interesting too.... i know you can get the leaf rears to flex but there's a bit more dicking round to it thou. would be convenient thou if you need to put steel in the back cause as you say your a welder and they tend to use big heavy bits of steel which the leafs would be more sorted to.

[Hoonz]

theres alot of information on this board.... every one is going to have their own opinions ... you have to do your research and find out specifically what you want ... test drive the cars .... research all members cars see what breaks and what doesn't ... what aftermarket mods are available

my opinion for tuff utes off the shelf would be a GU ute pure fact of
their huge drive line is proven and bulk aftermarket parts
and they are common so second hand parts are available

[sudso]

Which one has the bigger engine bay? Patrol or Cruiser?

[JemmyBubbles]

GU if you can possibly afford one otherwise hunt around for an already turbo'd GQ ute - they do exist.

Either completely convert the rear to airbags much better load carrying ability. While still mainting Flexxxy ass-end.

OR put some ( can't think of their proper name but my bro in law has them and we haul around but loads of roof tiling gear with little to no sagg) airbags in-side the coils to prevent sag.

GQ/GU utes Look good with minimal effort say a 4" coil lift and 33's. Then Strengthen trailing arms, add some well placed barwork and possibly bashplates. This will make thrashing it on the weekend much less painfull as dented panels etc make for sad mondays..

I would put my emphasis on TURBO (we're getting a diesel aren't we ??), 4" coils, 33's, Barwork + winch and Strengthend Trailing arms.

MHI anywayz.

Ignore all that crap I wrote about turbos and Diesels just re read your post... LOL

[sudso]

jeremybubbles wrote:

Ignore all that crap I wrote about turbos and Diesels just re read your post... LOL

Yeah, already have the motor and trans.
Chevy will be dual fuel.
Hoping to get a good cam, head work etc. for heaps of low rev torque but more power than a diesel. Want to get a good torque convertor too that locks up at low revs.
Although V8's make good power at high rev's I'm interested in low rev "stump pulling" for this one Lower piston speeds should help the engine last longer too.

[Vulcanised]

don't go too big on the cam mate.... will make it suck down low..... stock cam would probably work better. higher intake manifold will increase torque as well.

[-Scott-]

Impressions I've got from browsing here:

All three have reasonably strong chassis.
Some Toyotas seem to have trouble with diffs.
Rovers have a reputation for breaking axle shafts.
Nissan drivetrains have a reputation for toughness - the only negatives I've heard are questions about 3.0td engines and the occasional 5th gear problem, neither of which will be an issue for you.

Me? I'd be looking for a straight, rust free, high mileage GQ.

Good luck,

Scott

[bazooked]

nivas make a good ute for modding.

[sudso]

don't go too big on the cam mate.... will make it suck down low..... stock cam would probably work better. higher intake manifold will increase torque as well.

Nah. Like I said, the cam will be for low rev torque. Probably like a "towing" cam or a custom grind to suit the vehicles weight, gearing and peak torque at desired rpm. The flatter the torque curve the better I say.

Thanks for the manifold tip too.

[Vulcanised]

they make a manifold called a "Torquer" which is a high rise manifold..... the poverty way out of it is to put a 2" carby spacer oddly enough, under your carby and machine the plenum out of the factory manifold.. i used to do heaps of them for the budget performance guys years ago before electronic engine management.

[ludacris]

Coil cab patrol!!!!

[cutzook]

patrol

[bogged]

Tata.

[sudso]

Tata.

[sudso]

Just bin looking at GU utes on the net. Outta my price range
Pity cos they are my favourite

[bogged]

Just bin looking at GU utes on the net. Outta my price range
Pity cos they are my favourite

what is your budget? that may narrow things dwon

[bad_religion_au]

don't patrols crack around the coil mounts occasionally?

[sudso]

Just bin looking at GU utes on the net. Outta my price range
Pity cos they are my favourite

what is your budget? that may narrow things dwon

It's narrowing quickly. Dont know how much exactly but I have to finish 4 other projects (cars) and offload them to fund it. Hoping to have around 10K for purchase and mods.
Just seen some FJ series utes going cheap. A bit older than I'd like but.....

[sudso]

don't patrols crack around the coil mounts occasionally?

I can weld in reinforcements occasionally

[Tiny]

Just bin looking at GU utes on the net. Outta my price range
Pity cos they are my favourite

what is your budget? that may narrow things dwon

It's narrowing quickly. Dont know how much exactly but I have to finish 4 other projects (cars) and offload them to fund it. Hoping to have around 10K for purchase and mods.
Just seen some FJ series utes going cheap. A bit older than I'd like but.....

maybe a lada?????

[sudso]

Just bin looking at GU utes on the net. Outta my price range
Pity cos they are my favourite

what is your budget? that may narrow things dwon

It's narrowing quickly. Dont know how much exactly but I have to finish 4 other projects (cars) and offload them to fund it. Hoping to have around 10K for purchase and mods.
Just seen some FJ series utes going cheap. A bit older than I'd like but.....

maybe a lada?????

maybe not
You think my budget is too small?

[Tiny]

Just bin looking at GU utes on the net. Outta my price range
Pity cos they are my favourite

what is your budget? that may narrow things dwon

It's narrowing quickly. Dont know how much exactly but I have to finish 4 other projects (cars) and offload them to fund it. Hoping to have around 10K for purchase and mods.
Just seen some FJ series utes going cheap. A bit older than I'd like but.....

maybe a lada?????

maybe not
You think my budget is too small?

yes, depending on what you want mods wise, but I would budget $10k for the rig then mods over and above

ie

base vehicle then:-

Second and 35s and rims $1000

Body lift $450

Susp $2000

Lockers $ $1300ea plus comp, fit your self total $1800

Cenversiopn for the engine $1000 - sel engine thats in it for $500 total $500

body and tray work (10k for patrol ute will be rough) $1500

total

$1,7000.00 approx

def go the patrol fopr strength

[sudso]

tiny wrote:

yes, depending on what you want mods wise, but I would budget $10k for the rig then mods over and above

Some food for thought there.

I can do all the fabrication work, I'm a welder and I get steel through work at cost, we have lathes etc. at work too. I can do most mechanical work and fitting myself, what I cant do, my mechanic mates can. I can also fix dents and spray paint pretty well so I reckon I will save a heap on labour and material costs as I've done before on things.

The hardest thing for me to do is to make time last longer dammit

I'm figuring the main costs will be suspension and driveline adaption to suit the motor and trans that I already have. It was destined for my HK Prem but since I got that 4wd virus things have changed.

Like I said in my first post it's not gonna be an extreme crawler, I want to keep it road registered and legal but tough and capable off road.

I might as well wait and see if the chevy blows diffs or snaps axles before getting diff lockers and the like 1st.

Like you said allow 10K for the purchase, I wish I could but I have to work with what I got.
I'm sure projects like this can still be done for under 10K well I am going to attempt it anyway
BTW even if I had the money I would still do most of the work myself, just cos' I enjoy it.

[Tiny]

tiny wrote:

yes, depending on what you want mods wise, but I would budget $10k for the rig then mods over and above

Some food for thought there.

I can do all the fabrication work, I'm a welder and I get steel through work at cost, we have lathes etc. at work too. I can do most mechanical work and fitting myself, what I cant do, my mechanic mates can. I can also fix dents and spray paint pretty well so I reckon I will save a heap on labour and material costs as I've done before on things.

The hardest thing for me to do is to make time last longer dammit

I'm figuring the main costs will be suspension and driveline adaption to suit the motor and trans that I already have. It was destined for my HK Prem but since I got that 4wd virus things have changed.

Like I said in my first post it's not gonna be an extreme crawler, I want to keep it road registered and legal but tough and capable off road.

I might as well wait and see if the chevy blows diffs or snaps axles before getting diff lockers and the like 1st.

Like you said allow 10K for the purchase, I wish I could but I have to work with what I got.
I'm sure projects like this can still be done for under 10K well I am going to attempt it anyway
BTW even if I had the money I would still do most of the work myself, just cos' I enjoy it.

projects can be done for under that price, but you need to allow a realistic amount for the base rig. starting off and old zook for eg would be much cheaper but you will have a few probs will fitting your engine in as well as driveline issues

[Tiny]

given you can do body work yourself, you could start with this http://www.4wdmonthly.com.au/forum/inde ... adid=15825 and do a ute chop on it and build a sweet custom tray

[bogged]

Hoping to have around 10K for purchase and mods.

Then why the fuck were you looking at GU's? Coil GQ Utes still pull way more than $10k.

Like you said allow 10K for the purchase, I wish I could but I have to work with what I got.

Who says you have to do everything as soon as you buy the rig? Why not buy a GOOD truck for $10k, then slowly build it up over time? IMWO, Your much better off to learn the limits of a standard rig which will make you a better driver in the long run.
YMMV

[RoldIT]

tiny wrote:

yes, depending on what you want mods wise, but I would budget $10k for the rig then mods over and above

Some food for thought there.

I can do all the fabrication work, I'm a welder and I get steel through work at cost, we have lathes etc. at work too. I can do most mechanical work and fitting myself, what I cant do, my mechanic mates can. I can also fix dents and spray paint pretty well so I reckon I will save a heap on labour and material costs as I've done before on things.

The hardest thing for me to do is to make time last longer dammit

I'm figuring the main costs will be suspension and driveline adaption to suit the motor and trans that I already have. It was destined for my HK Prem but since I got that 4wd virus things have changed.

Like I said in my first post it's not gonna be an extreme crawler, I want to keep it road registered and legal but tough and capable off road.

I might as well wait and see if the chevy blows diffs or snaps axles before getting diff lockers and the like 1st.

Like you said allow 10K for the purchase, I wish I could but I have to work with what I got.
I'm sure projects like this can still be done for under 10K well I am going to attempt it anyway
BTW even if I had the money I would still do most of the work myself, just cos' I enjoy it.

Beauty, can ya weld me up a good set of swampers?

Might as well lathe me up some lockers and transfer/diff gears while you're there.

While we're at it, a new high mount winch made from body filler and paint, about 10hp should keep me happy for a while.

Anyway, point I'm trying to make, skills will go a long way to keeping the price down, but you are still gunna need $$$ ...

[Maggot4x4]

Big Cab Defender, between 1994 & 2002. Come with a Salsbury rear end (Same as a Dana 60), Very low gears in the transfer, Put a GQ front diff in it (Bolts straight in), only need 2" springs (Coils) to run 35's (Run 33's as standard), It's already an extra cab, choice of 110" , 120" or 130" wheel bases if you look hard enough, and you can buy them for 8-20k. And the have the largest legal payload of anything smaller than an F truck.

Oh, and it never looks like you bought the "OLD" shape

[-Scott-]

Big Cab Defender, <snip>

Oh, and it never looks like you bought the "OLD" shape

No, it ALWAYS looks like you bought the "OLD" shape.

Scott