Ute Recommendations?
Submitted by schecky on Wed, 2012-08-01 20:57
Hey guys,
Looking at upgrading my Russian wonder beast (Niva) to a 4x4 ute (preferably diesel but no necessity) in a couple months and was wondering what are the best utes to look for in the $6-12k range? Have a rough idea of what I want but still feel unqualified to decide.
What kms are acceptable on some of the older diesels?
Will be used for primarily beach bashing, camping/long trips and driving to uni/work.
Any knowledge and personal experiences will be greatly appreciated.
Faulkner Family
Posts: 18026
Date Joined: 11/03/08
for that range you could get
for that range you could get quite a few choices of the early 2000 models. i have seen 02 to 04 navaras for around 10k. others to look at are, bravo and courier. i think the hilux around that era would be a bit pricey. all of these have a good record
RUSS and SANDY. A family that fishes together stays together
stevebw23
Posts: 155
Date Joined: 12/11/11
1 vote for GQ nissan patrol
gq nissan patrol 4.2L diesel with coil spring front end. absolutely bullet proof for offroading, tow ya boat no probs, easy to park and diesels are pretty good on the juice (will pretty much do anything you want except go really fast) as for how many kms? all depends on the service history and how its been treated. I've got a gq patrol wagon and love it. its got the fuel injected 4.2L petrol motor so it's really thirsty but it goes pretty hard so i dont care :) I've owned landcruiser utes in the past but i prefer the nissan these days (better ride comfort and better driveline in my opinion).
Symes Plumbing & Gas. No job too small, servicing all northern suburbs
tim-o
Posts: 4657
Date Joined: 24/05/11
Hilux + 5 litre = yes
Hilux + 5 litre = yes
or a hzj75 if u dont wana have too much funI am, as I've said, merely competent. But in an age of incompetence, that makes me extraordinary.
andyrew
Posts: 261
Date Joined: 25/08/07
^^ He would be having more
^^ He would be having more fun in a 75series ute as he wouldnt be fixing it.
24/7 as a hilux with a injected 5l is bad news for overheating,broken cv's
differential and gearbox issues due to power increase just to name a few.
each to there own though...
JohnF
Posts: 2836
Date Joined: 07/07/10
Shlecter, I am happy to help
Shlecter, I am happy to help ya find a 4x4 mate and can help on the mechanicsl side. Give me a buzz to discuss. Can take my rig for a run, amazing what a tweak of the fuel pump and a $10 bleed valve to increase boost will do. My piece of crap will keep up with a new turbo hilux at a fraction of the price. Not as nice as s hilux though......
Boston Whaler 235 Conquest......getting the flogging it was built for.
schecky
Posts: 1645
Date Joined: 25/08/08
How did I forget to ask you
How did I forget to ask you fleayman! Will hit you up as soon as I'm ready to get one.
In the meantime ill give you a ring when you are back from Chrissy, keen to harass some bottom dwellers
quadfisher
Posts: 1146
Date Joined: 28/09/10
is anyone game?
Went to a ex mines auction awhile back, nice 100 series wagon diesel
went for 4000 large, a bit of a red dust interior, coupla small dents in doors etc , nothing that major
the catch? ------- 680,000 kms , I heard someone start it up before the auction and it sounded ok.
Probally a shift change car or something id say, most people were laughing when the spive read out
the kms, but only later did I think , just purely as a beach fisher or tow car it was not a bad thing
( until something fell off it I suppose , like the body or the motor) haha.
My vote for your top dollar amount gq patrol 4.2 diesel, Yes I have 1, bloody tanks.
quadfisher
schecky
Posts: 1645
Date Joined: 25/08/08
Cheers for the responses
Cheers for the responses guys. Was looking at the 75 series but for what I'm asking many have atleast 300,000kms.
GQ is definitely on the radar
tim-o
Posts: 4657
Date Joined: 24/05/11
Why ask for recomendations?
Why ask for recomendations? You knew the answer all along! Go the tojo, I had a 75, couldnt kill it, sold it for what I paid for it after 5 years. A lift, 33s, lockers and a turbo and u got a go anywhere tank
I am, as I've said, merely competent. But in an age of incompetence, that makes me extraordinary.
schecky
Posts: 1645
Date Joined: 25/08/08
Funny enough I hadnt given
Funny enough I hadnt given the GQ much thought and it's always good to get a second opinion so the post has been of much use to me.
Would you buy one with 300ks on the ticker though?
tim-o
Posts: 4657
Date Joined: 24/05/11
Wasnt havin a go, I agree.
Wasnt havin a go, I agree. Mine had 400+ on it, I wouldnt be worried about 300 odd, those motors go for evet, just gota look at heaps, so many shitas out there. Look for a virgin one thatts been maintained and looked after, I would turn up, look under them, and drive off based on what it looked like. underneath.
Got ne mechanic mates? Take them along, Im a mechanic so I knew what I was lookin at, they may always need some work, as long as its not the big buck stuff
Always off road test a fourby too
Youl find a good one in the 200s for 12I am, as I've said, merely competent. But in an age of incompetence, that makes me extraordinary.
schecky
Posts: 1645
Date Joined: 25/08/08
I thought that may be the
I thought that may be the case and to hear it from a mechanic is just what I needed. I have some people which will be able to help so that should be sweet.
Thanks mate!
stevebw23
Posts: 155
Date Joined: 12/11/11
as long as the gq diesels
as long as the gq diesels have been looked after they should be sweet with that many kms, i've heard of people doing 800 000kms and still going strong no probs. petrols dont seem to last as long, they usually do head gaskets around 300-400k (especially if running LPG)
Symes Plumbing & Gas. No job too small, servicing all northern suburbs
Rig
Posts: 2925
Date Joined: 27/12/06
+3 GQ
As always +3 GQ
Rig
Posts: 2925
Date Joined: 27/12/06
300k
Mines done 315k on the 4.2 straight 6 diesel. about 5 years ago I fully submerged it in fresh water with the level about 100mm up the windscreen after I finished floating and hit the bottom. The snorkel leaked a bit and it drove out but only just due to injesting a bit of water, Either way its still running fine compression is good. A few years ago I nearly lost it again at Moore river launching my boat hit a bit of quicksand and got alot of salt water up it externally
. Brakes got pretty stuffed after that so I replaced them all myself.
Since I have had it (10years +) the only maintenance apart from servicing has happened since I went FIFO and and stopped driving it everyday a few little things start to happen.
I had my injectors replaced which should be happening about every 150k, a new radiator and hoses after a pin hole leak, swivel hub seals replaced after slight leaking, new alternator that now kicks out 130A
, my exhaust got a leak so I stepped it up to a set of extractors and sports exhaust and I think its had a new water pump a few years ago.
The LSD still works like the day I got it, clutch and gearbox will out last any Toyota
I could probably do with an injector pump rebuild but its not leaking and costs big $$
So in answer to your question for the money your paying at 300k I would consider the GQ
schecky
Posts: 1645
Date Joined: 25/08/08
GQ vs 75 series, I can feel
GQ vs 75 series, I can feel a serious debate coming on hahah
In all honesty happy with either, just gotta keep an eye out for either in good shape at the right price.
However, my only problem with a lot of GQs I see on gumtree is they are made into monstrous trucks with 35in muddies with those gay flat trays, not something I am all that keen on or need.
carnarvonite
Posts: 8667
Date Joined: 24/07/07
GQ
GQ again from me. Mines got 440.000 on it, same as when I bought it about 4 years back and probably for another 4-5 when Andrew owned it. Had the usual minor things like replace clutch but other than that it goes like a beauty.
Have had a heap of Tojos and as soon as I went for the first ride in a Nissan with coil springs there was no turning back.
Kris
Posts: 194
Date Joined: 03/09/09
you can have my 3.0l turbo
you can have my 3.0l turbo diesel navara for 13k. Long range fuel tank, bullbar, canopy, roof racks. perfect for everything you mentioned. 200000k on clock. well maintained.