What 4WD to buy?

[SR20WA]

Looking at buying a 4WD, Budget around 15k. Could justify spending 17/18 but the lower the better.
Requirements are it has to be Diesel and has to be capable off road. Fuel consumption isn't a issue as it
wont be used often, more concerned about comfort .

The cars i had in mind are

Nissan Patrol GU with the 3LT. I know they have there problems but do they become a reliable vehicle once you fix the boost issues? It seems you can secure one for around 16k which is reasonable in my opinion as you seem to get alot of car for the money and they are comfortable car to sit in for long periods (Use to drive a Patrol ute for work)

Toyota Land Cruiser 80 series. The problem i have with these is there getting old now and have high KMS. Are they a comfortable car to take on long trips around WA? I would try get the Turbo version as i hear the N/A is painfully slow.

And a Land Cruiser 100 series. This is my preferred car, i would only get the model with the solid front end and not IFS.

What are everyone's thoughts and experiences with these cars? Anything i left off the list i should consider ?

[upgarage]

70 series
gq

[stout250]

I'd be chasing down a 105 Landcruiser...

However, if you want the turbo diesel, i'm certain you have to settle for an auto. The TD's are the pick of the motors, but the petrols and the NA Diesel are still quite refined.

I would say that the Patrol will be the plushest comfortwise, the 'cruisers can be a bit agricultural in the lower spec'd models.

I'm a died in the wool Landcruiser nut, growing up with a string of 40 series, and a modded 60 series as a daily/weekender.

[SR20WA]

The problem with the 105 is there all (Correct me if i'm wrong) IFS. I'm after the solid front end for the better 4WD capability. If i where to go IFS i may as well get a Prado.

[stout250]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Toyota_Land_Cruiser#Variants

105's are solid axles, 100's are the torsion bar IFS's... Both are very capable, it just depends what sort of driving you want to do. Solids are simpler, and easy to work on, IFS is better on road. Have a peruse through the 100 series section on www.ih8mud.com ther eare also sections on all the other models of landcruiser too.

[-Josh-]

105 is the model number for the solid front axle "100 series" model Landcruisers. If i recall correctly the 105 was a special model only for the Australian market as the Australian market wanted the 'luxury' of 100 series with a solid front for reliability and capability, without having to go to the troop carriers for a solid front axle. The 105 only came in a non turbo 4.2L diesel and a 4.5L 6 cylinder petrol.

The non turbo diesel really lacks power, especially towing, and burns a lot of diesel, easy 20+ L/100km. Some have aftermarket turbo kits on them or have had the motor replaced with the 80 series 4.2L turbo diesel. The 100 series turbo diesel is a lot harder to fit. The 105 non-turbo diesel gearbox and diffs are weak and may break when turboed, especially when towing and belting it off road. Not a cheap fix.
You will find a lot of 105 petrols have had LPG fitted for lower running costs and longer range.
Think both petrol and diesel 105s came in auto and manual.

Main point is you are going to struggle to find a 105 diesel in you price range unless it has really high kms and is the Standard, not a GXL. You will retain your resale with a 105, but you have to pay stupid money, IMO, for them to start with.

[Lump]

hope this is not stealing the op's thread, but opinions on a 80 series manual TD Sahara?
my bro just paid 17k for one with a reco motor sight unseen..
seems bloody expensive to me?

[-Josh-]

Most Landcruiser fanboys would consider $17k a bargain for a 80 series TD Sahara.

$27,500 for a 1992 80 Series Sahara with 380k kms.
http://www.carsales.com.au/all-cars/private/details.aspx?R=11132009&__Qpb=1&vertical=car&Cr=1&eapi=2&__N=1216%201246%201247%201252%201282%204294962861% 204294962570%204294950468%204294927534&silo=stock&seot=1&__Ns=pCar_RankSort_Int32|1||pCar_PriceSort_Decimal |1||pCar_Make_String|0||pCar_Model_String|0&Range=Price:Min,Max~1&__Nne=15&trecs=4&__sid=132BA949561D

[Passage GT]

josh's earlier post is spot on in regards to the 105, won't find one in your price range without paying huge dollars, if you want a toyota badge a turbo diesel 80 with the lowest km you can find is your best bet.
there's a gu 4.2 diesel for sale up here atm, 200,000km with uhf, steel bullbar, twin wheel carriers, roofrack, uhf, stereo, wide wheels (it's a dx) dual batteries, snorkel, rear work light, good air con, new tinted windows etc for 13k
i'm fucking crying that i don't have the cash to buy it, they sell for twice that.
if i had your budget i'd be looking at a modded 4.2 diesel gq, would find one with aftermarket turbo kit and exhaust etc in your price range along with all the off road mods you could ever want.
one of the guys on here got one from eucla i think it was with all the fruit inside that budget, it's a an awesome looking rig.

[mr_mike]

Gotta ask urself what type of 4wding are you going to do? A Ifs vehicle will do most offloading just as well as a solid axle and still be comfy onroad. Whack a locker in the front of an Ifs and it will go just as far or further than a solid axle vehicle with big articulation

[Niva]

Dont you run a large risk of having to buy stocks in Cv joints with locked up IFS?

[stout250]

Not if you drive like a normal person...

IFS comes undone when you lift it to buggery. The CV angles get worse, and put stress on the wrong areas. Being a torsion front, you'll be best with a very minimal lift in the heavy hungy...

[Niva]

Body lift an option with 1xx series?

[Lump]

Dont you run a large risk of having to buy stocks in Cv joints with locked up IFS?
mikes talking about a diff lock.

[Niva]

Yeah so was I :)

[mr_mike]

Ifs vehicles tend to smash CV's when ppl lift one wheel while keeping the foot buried the wheel then comes back down spinning and grips. It's this sudden grabbing that will smash CV's apart. My ok hilux was Ifs front and went well just have to be sensible when u drive

[Turbo2.6L]

TD 80 series or atmo 4.2 GU are the pick in your price range imo. 3L TD GU's are renowned for popping engines as you no doubt have heard, so i'd steer clear if reliability is high on priority list.
4.2 atmo GU lacks in power for daily duties, but is plenty torquey enough to climb shit offroad. TD 80 series will be a nicer onroad drive, but less capable offroad unless it has lockers or a higher spec model lsd.