4WD Buying Advice - Page 3

NC_Lane · 06-01-2010, 10:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nerida67

bridgestone desert duallers are pretty good also
just remember that the landcruisers are constant 4 wheel drive,the front diff is always active,not like nissan patrols where we can drive 2wd or 4wd,hence why the landcruiser likes a drink
for a 1994 land cruisers with that many ks ,shouldnt cost you an arm and a leg
the early 80 series landcruisers went through brake pads alot (again depending how you drive them)make sure ALL the brakes are fine
dont trust the car yard report,get an independant report done on the car could save you lotsa $$$ down the track,some reports are that thorough they can tell the thickness of the paint work
IMO id be buying a turbo diesel,especially if towing they walk all over the 4.5 petrol
timing belts usually get done every 100,000ks
good luck with purchase,they are a good 4x4

Getting the car checked by RACV on friday... Wont be doing any towing, so i guess the petrol will be fine..

302 XC · 06-01-2010, 12:27 PM

racv report should be ok as long as its not through the car yard your buying from
if it is aint worth the paper its writin on

NC_Lane · 06-01-2010, 04:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nerida67

racv report should be ok as long as its not through the car yard your buying from
if it is aint worth the paper its writin on

na im getting it done my self... i think its worth the extra 300..

jaydee · 06-01-2010, 04:13 PM

Haven't read all the recommendations but have you considered a Suzuki Grand Vitara. Get a 2.5 litre V6. full ladder chassis, is rear wheel drive unlike CRV's etc, can change over to 4WD on the move up to 40 kays from memory, has dual range gear box (Hi & low). Good fuel economy and easy enough for a home mechanic for basic servicing.

I had a 99 model (can get newer models with ABS airbags for your sort of money) and it went everywhere and more my mates landcruiser with a 6.6 litre turbo diesel went. It's only downfall was it could do with a bit more ground clearance. Ideal for beach/sand work.

vanman_75 · 06-01-2010, 06:02 PM

two words ...mickey thompson .dont buy deserts they are now junk had 2 explode on me now . should be a good rig, good on gas those buggers to, my sister had 1 cheap as chips and goes well to boot. and a photo would be nice

btw endless knowledge over at 4wd action ,dont like plugging but if you want it from the horses mouth ,thats where its at .

Gavin Thomas · 06-01-2010, 06:15 PM

Don't worry the cam-belt - it doesn't have one.
Chain / gear driven camshafts for 4.5L petrol.
Cheers, Gavin.....

NC_Lane · 06-01-2010, 10:56 PM

Cheers,
Thats a load off my back...

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gavin Thomas

Don't worry the cam-belt - it doesn't have one.
Chain / gear driven camshafts for 4.5L petrol.
Cheers, Gavin.....

Swordie · 06-01-2010, 11:01 PM

There's also Jackaroo. They seem to be quite good.

Another is Holden Adventra, not sure if this is in the price range. It can do allot of 4WD stuff. Obviously not in the same league a Landcruiser etc.

302 XC · 07-01-2010, 08:34 AM

theres only 2 4x4s you would even consider
landcruiser (4.5 petrol,or turbo diesel)
patrol,(4.2 petrol/diesel)
the rest you can keep
chain/gear drive prooves theyre built tuff
NC Lane,hows the report on the cruiser comin along ???
PS, im not goin in a debate about wat people think are a good 4x4,
landcruiser and patrol dont need to prove themselves

NC_Lane · 07-01-2010, 09:39 AM

RACV test going to happen on Friday.... Trucks suposed to have gone in for RWC yesterday so I will find out if its go/nogo tomorrow...

Quote:

Originally Posted by nerida67

theres only 2 4x4s you would even consider
landcruiser (4.5 petrol,or turbo diesel)
patrol,(4.2 petrol/diesel)
the rest you can keep
chain/gear drive prooves theyre built tuff
NC Lane,hows the report on the cruiser comin along ???
PS, im not goin in a debate about wat people think are a good 4x4,
landcruiser and patrol dont need to prove themselves

NC_Lane · 09-01-2010, 05:55 PM

Just picked it up today..

Pics below

Green X · 10-01-2010, 02:00 AM

4WD Tyres, Best 3 are

Mickey Thompson
BF Goodrich
Cooper

Decide what type of driving you will be doing before buying.

I run Cooper ST’s on my 4WD and they are about the most aggressive A/T tyre you can get before you step in to M/T tyres.

302 XC · 10-01-2010, 11:10 AM

NC Lane,
looks resonable for an 80 series
does it have 15" wheels or 16" wheels,
there is a price variation between different sizes for tyres
do a bitta shopping around sometimes you can pickup 2nd hand sunrasiers or alloys with good tyres reasonably cheap,would look heaps better with a good set of wheels
well done

Aufairghia · 10-01-2010, 11:41 PM

mate you made the good choice with teh 80 series. Lots of talk about Pajero's being ok and etc etc, but fact of the matter is they are no toyota, im sure the good enough but if your out in the middle of no where, you want something solid that you can really rely on

jd dad · 10-01-2010, 11:54 PM

being a 94 it should have 16,s as 15,s wont fit over the brakes unless the calipers have been ground down which wouldnt pass rwc.

Kryton · 10-01-2010, 11:57 PM

And 16's are cheaper than 15's (in most cases).

Looks like a nice rig.

NC_Lane · 11-01-2010, 09:52 AM

yup its got 16s.

Looks like they have put in a couple of second hand types for the rwc. They look ok for about maybe another 10,000kms.

Will run on these until I get used to the rig, and try out a few basic tracks to build up my skills. Will prob get the MT MTZ when i need it.

Also looks like its got a 2" lift on it... Towbar has been dropped down at the back.
Can anyone confirm?

302 XC · 11-01-2010, 10:41 AM

early 80 series did have 15 "
NC lane, look where the body mounts to the chassis if their is body blocks its been body lifted
rear towbar looks like hayman reece,onbolt your towball and bolt upside down,then remove the tow neck,(remove clip and pull the pin)and spin the tongue around 180 and put back in (does that sound clear to you)
basically flip your tow neck
that ball is to low for a 4x4

Kryton · 11-01-2010, 10:52 AM

looks standard height to me.

NC_Lane · 11-01-2010, 11:37 AM

Looking at getting a new suspension setup anyway... Any recomendations?

NC_Lane · 11-01-2010, 11:38 AM

There was another one in the yard, and it was a few inches lower.. :S

Quote:

Originally Posted by davway

looks standard height to me.

302 XC · 11-01-2010, 11:44 AM

check the body blocks
their are many places that do suspension kits $$$ depend on wat u need
personnaly just drive it how it is get used to how it handles, then when a bit more experience then upgrade

Kryton · 11-01-2010, 01:10 PM

as above.
Drive it as it is and modify it to suit your needs.
No point making a Tuff Truck if its never going to be used as one.

Get yourself a good set of All Terrains to start with and take it out on the track.
You will quickly find what you need to change or upgrade.

Also, get into 4WD Action Monthly (they have forums too) as they are full of everything you need to know about offroading.

Oh, and if your going a to get a lift, dont get a body lift.
90% of the people that i have talked to that have body lifts, said it was something they would never do again if they were starting from scratch.

A decent suspension system will be fine.
You dont need to run 37's to get where you want, a good driver can navigate his way through most terrain on 31-33's.
Geez, 20 years ago, you could travel anywhere in Australia on cheese cutters and no articulation.

302 XC · 11-01-2010, 02:13 PM

davway,
good call on the body lift,
im doin a 4x4 (PROJECT)at moment 2"body lift 2"suspension lift and 2"shaclke lift and front and rear lockers,that should see me many places
personally i would go front and rear locker diffs before 37 "tyres or larger
a well set up diff (lockers)and drivetrain will get you more places than unlocked diffs and large tyres
NC lane in standard form they will do some off roading

vanman_75 · 11-01-2010, 02:23 PM

if you dont need such an aggressive tyre ,i run the dick cepics in a 33 on my patrol ,more on road manners ,and the 33 gives you an inch of free lift . most lift kits are fine dont need to get into brand loyalty arguements ,and you will be mighty surprised what a fresh 2 inch lift will give you ,possibly 4 plus in real height.and regardless of peoples egos there are not too many places in aus you wont get just with a good set of tyres .80s being constant are a little harsher on tyres but wont cause you any real world dramas ,just keep good rotation of your tyres up ,including the spare ,saves gear box and differential wind up which can be a very expensive exercise .anyway enough of my rubbish ,hope your enjoying the new ride ...looks good

jd dad · 11-01-2010, 03:19 PM

http://www.melbourne4x4.com
if you are considering doing any offroad stuff give this place a good look. We did their training course and it was very worthwhile and a fantastic fun. Our 80 is only 2inch lift with 31`s (hopefully up to 33`s shortly) and gets in and out of most places, though we havent searched for hardcore tracks as yet. Did 3 months towing our camper through SA, NT and WA with some great offroad trips mixed in.

Kryton · 11-01-2010, 05:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jd dad

http://www.melbourne4x4.com
if you are considering doing any offroad stuff give this place a good look. We did their training course and it was very worthwhile and a fantastic fun. Our 80 is only 2inch lift with 31`s (hopefully up to 33`s shortly) and gets in and out of most places, though we havent searched for hardcore tracks as yet. Did 3 months towing our camper through SA, NT and WA with some great offroad trips mixed in.

Your still in the 'Bool arent you?

Let me know if you can find anything around here thats worth driving over.
I havent been able to find anything.
Even the back of the Knackery - with the Patrol, i only need 2WD for that.
Cant find anything else around here - can you?

jd dad · 12-01-2010, 01:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by davway

Your still in the 'Bool arent you?

Let me know if you can find anything around here thats worth driving over.
I havent been able to find anything.
Even the back of the Knackery - with the Patrol, i only need 2WD for that.
Cant find anything else around here - can you?

Still around yep, depends how far you want to travel, good dunes towards Nelson at Swan Lake. We spent a weekend in the Pyrenees back in November, camped at Glenpatrick. Great tracks and its only about 1 and 1/2 hrs from here, not alot of mud then but lots of good tracks. Always the Otways for a weekend if you want mud too. Planning a weekend in the Grampians at some stage to see whats about up there