Outer Limits 4x4 Board

Hi Guys and Girls

I am currently looking at buying a single cab triton ute, 3L V6. I am looking for a 2002 - 2004 MK model for around $15 000. I have seen a couple and just wondering what I should look for when inspecting one. Are there any major problems with these and what realistically price wise should I look for. ie. is $15 000 too much

Also are there lockers available as I currently have a feroza and want to get a car where I can eventually purchase air lockers

Cheers, just after thoughts and opinions on these utes

We don't get much Triton traffic here, but there's a few proud owners who can help answer your questions.

Values, I'd go to Red Book.

I'm not aware of any particular mechanical problems to look out for, just the usual checks for regular servicing records, signs of off-road abuse (dents and gouges in underbody components) or regular beach work.

ARB make a front locker, but I don't know if there's a rear locker available. I think later models have the larger diff from later model Pajeros, for which there is nothing currently available. But Mitsubishi LSDs are excellent, so you could try one of those if your Triton doesn't come with one already. I have front locker/rear LSD and haven't yet needed that extra locker.

Good luck,

Scott

It will come with a rear LSD. I have a 2001 cab chassis and its on mine.

-Scott- wrote:.

ARB make a front locker, but I don't know if there's a rear locker available. I think later models have the larger diff from later model Pajeros, for which there is nothing currently available. But Mitsubishi LSDs are excellent, so you could try one of those if your Triton doesn't come with one already. I have front locker/rear LSD and haven't yet needed that extra locker.

Good luck,

Scott

They do indeed make a locker for the Triton MK rear diff, same one as in my Challenger. RD25 for disc brake models RD46 for drum brakes, I did not think they did as well but had a look in the ARB book.It would be the same one that goes in your shorty"s rear Scott. But looking at specs for both models they have different final drive ratios!
Dave

Just took the dog for a run at the park, so I have been thinking about my triton and its problems.....hope this helps.

I know your after a 3L petrol, and mine is the diesel, but anyway....

it has 130,000 MK 2001 2.8L N/A Diesel, I have had it since late 03 and put 80,000. It is probably a typical recreational ute. It works during the week, and goes places weekends....Nothing major, but i've had my fun in it!

the indifferent:

-Done 3 oil pressure switches. Easy to fix
-half moon seals @ the rocker cover leaked for a long time (from about the 60,000 mark)
-oversize wheels 31" make it seem like your towing a trailor and srew with the fuel economy at least 100km less a tank for me, so the petrol with be woeful.
-only come with one recovery point at the front, and no one I have spoken to can solve the issue of another one.
-at cold start up, I get this very annoying rattle/vibration through the steering. Mitsu Aus said its a $600 fix to do with some worn splines somewhere. Not the end of the world though once it warms up.
-had front shocks replaced under warranty after 60,000. They couldn't tell me why but they replaced them so I wasn't fussed.
-the diesel is a bit noisey, but I have always wanted a tractor
-fairly low rated towing capacity if factory tow bar.
-front split bench seat isn't real good.got a feeling challenger or paj bucket seats may fit

Its good points.

-transmissinon tunnel in the cab chassis gets quite warm, so you can heat your take-a-way food on it for hours
-fairly easy to navigate through the fire wall to run wires for mobile car kits and UHF
-finished fairly well on the inside
-I find it easy to service
-thought it had good suspension for a well sprung 1 tonne ute,untill i just got my tough dogs and now i can't wipe the smile off my face
-its got me more places than I had thougt I would go, provided me with countless fun, I good tray for the dog to run around in and i'll never sell her.

Hope some of the generic items between both petrol diesel help you a little.

Sorry it was so long.

tritontray wrote:
-Done 3 oil pressure switches. Easy to fix None so far
-half moon seals @ the rocker cover leaked for a long time (from about the 60,000 mark)
-oversize wheels 31" make it seem like your towing a trailor and srew with the fuel economy at least 100km less a tank for me, so the petrol with be woeful.
-only come with one recovery point at the front, and no one I have spoken to can solve the issue of another one.
-at cold start up, I get this very annoying rattle/vibration through the steering. Mitsu Aus said its a $600 fix to do with some worn splines somewhere. Not the end of the world though once it warms up.
-had front shocks replaced under warranty after 60,000. They couldn't tell me why but they replaced them so I wasn't fussed.
-the diesel is a bit noisey, but I have always wanted a tractor
-fairly low rated towing capacity if factory tow bar.
-front split bench seat isn't real good.got a feeling challenger or paj bucket seats may fit

Its good points.

-transmissinon tunnel in the cab chassis gets quite warm, so you can heat your take-a-way food on it for hours
-fairly easy to navigate through the fire wall to run wires for mobile car kits and UHF
-finished fairly well on the inside
-I find it easy to service
-thought it had good suspension for a well sprung 1 tonne ute,untill i just got my tough dogs and now i can't wipe the smile off my face
-its got me more places than I had thougt I would go, provided me with countless fun, I good tray for the dog to run around in and i'll never sell her.

Hope some of the generic items between both petrol diesel help you a little.

Sorry it was so long.

Just to add some input against yours (NOT in any way knocking you)...
Mine, '03 V6...

The indifferent:
>oil press. switch, none so far at 120,000km.
>No rocker cover leaks and it's had the timing belt done.
>31's increased my fuel consumption to the point where I average about 40km less ler tank.
> No cold start probs.
>Noisey thrust bearings come as standard so don't panic if there is a rattle there in nuetral.

Good points:
>Yep, food stays warm :-)
>Yep, wiring a breeze through firewall
>Yep, finish ain't too bad for a workhorse
>Yep, suspension will benefit from some work but still very capable with the LSD
>Yep, got me more places than I thought IT would go and wiped the smirks of some LC/Patrol owners faces who categorically stated it wouldn't go some places. I's very determined when folks are standing about laughing at me...

thanks guys for the input, was thinking about a 2 inch lift and 31's to start with, will they fit with only a suspension lift? What about the fuel economy with the v6 and will it handle 31's ok?

you can fit 32's with a 2 inch lift and if my NA diesel can turn them ok the v6 will be fine- can't comment on the fuel economy.

I just got a supposedly 40mm lift with tough dogs. All I got was about 26mm at the front, with wound up bars and new shocks, and 55 or so in the rear with replacing the rear leaves and new 9 stage adjustables....the difference from OE is like chalk and cheese, but the front is a harsh ride now....may concider getting tougher torsion bars, so I have to crank them less to achieve the same height but get some of my articulation back. I tested the new set up last weekend, and it will satisfy me. 31's fit, without the lift, but rub on the rubber flaps that separate the engine bay from the inside of the wheel arch. They still rub a little now, under compression and on lock. But its nothing to be worried about as it just scrapes for me and its just the side lugs flicking the rubber.

Including my wheeling on the weekend which was about 350km, I think I will only get 570 ish km from a 75 litre diesel tank. when the ute was all OE in regards to tyres, i was getting about 750ish from a tank......thats a big drop of km per tank. all I can think is that the petrol power will handle the tyre size better in comparison to the diesel, but if it econmy was ordinary to start with, be prepared for it to be worse.

Gee wrote:you can fit 32's with a 2 inch lift and if my NA diesel can turn them ok the v6 will be fine- can't comment on the fuel economy.

No rubbing at all? accelerate up hills?the 31's really showed up the torque gap between 2nd and 3rd for me, and it struggles to accelerate up hills. hills I used to hold 5th gear in, I now have to drop back to 4th to just hold the gear. do you have engine mods to compensate for the tyres? although if I wanted to go fast, I would buy a sports car.

tritontray wrote:

Gee wrote:you can fit 32's with a 2 inch lift and if my NA diesel can turn them ok the v6 will be fine- can't comment on the fuel economy.

31's really showed up the torque gap between 2nd and 3rd for me, and it struggles to accelerate up hills. hills I used to hold 5th gear in, I now have to drop back to 4th to just hold the gear.

Agreed... Don't know where you're from but for the guy's around ferntree gully, FTG road up the hill past jells park, I can accelerate up it in fifth with stock tyres. With 31's, I have to grab 4th to maintain 80kph, Im sure with 32's I'd be hunting between 3rd and 4th to hold speed.

I'm from Portugal and my L200(triton) 4d56 with 136cv(i think they're there), comes standard with 265/70R16(31") no rubbing, and i have now 265/75R16(32", but this are retread, so, are almost 33") only rubs in full compression and with some steering, in the front fender . In the hills, almost don't notice at all, only when starting, below 2000 rpm. The fuel economy it's worth, but i didn't fix the speedo, so maybe the same ou bit better.

Sorry, I should have been more clear with my post. I don't have 32's but have heard numerous times that they will fit with a 2" lift. I've got a triton with a full TJM kit and 31's- I don't have any rubbing at all and didn't notice much of a difference in power when I moved up from 30's.
I plan on going to 32's in the near future.

Cranking the Torsion does not change the spring rate!! It will be something else like shocks toping or bumpstops touching. If you go to heavier bars it will be worse. Trim your bump stops and talk to Bitsamissan about an antisway disconnect. If yours is like the earlier Tritons and mk1 pajs they have a very restrictive antisway system
You need to take speedo error into account when comparing fuel mileage
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