4wd - options

[Flip]

No problems.

I mine is still a dual fuel motor. I have a 70 liter petrol and 80 liter LPG tank.

I do a lot of hunting in Otago I can get gas in Alexander, Cromwell, Omarama, Tekapo, Fairly (at the tire shop). Because most places have a 9kg cylinder filling station they also sell automotive LPG.

About the only place it is a bit scarce is on the west coast of the south island, but Franz and Westport have it.

I love the stuff, its clean, easy to tune and cheap. I also have a decanting hose so I can empty a 9kg into the tank if it is really empty or vent vapor from the auto tank and transfer the liquid into car.

[rebel]

The problem with LPG is availability and variance in prices (from 1.30-1.70 depending where you go). I found in my falcon that over 1000km LPG was about $20 cheaper but that isn;t taking into account the extra annual LPG cert and the loss in boot space for the tank. I ended up ripping it out in the end.

If you're looking at petrols you can;t go past the 1990s Cherokees. I've had a couple and they are farking bullet proof, drink about 10-11l/100km open road, can get a good one for 3 grand, one of the better 4wds off road. Not the best choice if you want to do heavy work and towin, I found that they are a bit too light for that, the 2.5t tow rating is a bit optimistic, they have all the power you need but only tare at 1500kg so the load can take charge.

Other wise buy a diesel and disconnect the speedo.

[Flip]

I pay $1.24 in town and $1.28 out of town. The secret is to get a Rockgas card.

I 100% disagree about Jeeps. My best friend had one, a week apart we broke a half shaft, both doing silly things in 4WDs. His was $1600 ex USA mine was $98 and because my truck is a stage 1 V8 or a range rover with a series body it is the most expensive one they make. The bloody thing was circlipped inside his dif so it was a complete bugger to get in and out, mine took me 1 1/2 hours. He sold his Jeep and ended up with a Prado. On the same trip he did a grands worth of panel damage when we went down slab hut creek in the rain and could not see the big rocks under water.

With its 4 litre motor is was however quite quick on the road.

[rebel]

So you disagree about Jeeps because your mate broke a half shaft? Pop the diff cover off to get to the circlip, no worries. And check out trademe for parts, shit you can get a complete one for under a grand.
I' ve off roaded two, no dramas. Will be buying another one before the years end. In saying that with bigger tyres the rear half shafts and front UJs are the weakest link, the Wranglers have stronger axles which is a better upgrade, you can't tell me the LR axles are any different. I've been put off Land Rovers after owning a P38 Range Rover, shit I get nightmares just thinking about that pos.

[ducatilover]

I've heard a few good stories about the Jeep, but, I've worked on more of them than I've heard good stories...Electronics going after a trip to the beach, overheating, gearboxes going etc etc.
The 2.4 Turbo Toyotas ate heads like nobodies buisness, didn't help that the Toyota torque specs for them are wrong, and the disgusting intake temps due to lack of intercooler.
The Toyota 2.8 is fucking brilliance, I know of a few that have passed the half million mark now and still going "strong" (I admit, they lack in power)
The Excudo/Vitara...I cannot say enough about these wee buggers, the most common problem on the 16V model is the exhaust manifold cracking, a set of headers will get it running sweeter and it's a small price to pay. I have heaps of mates thrashing the tits off them every day as farm hacks, getting in them and revving shit out of the engines whilst cold etc etc and they are legendary. They aren't the best at towing in this bunch, but, they have more power than my fathers 1.8 Hilux, which I have proven can tow some silly shit.
Nissans, generally very good, but, do you need the extra fuel costs/RUC costs over a Vitara?
Mistsi Pajero, I will come and slap you.
Land Rover, if it's an army spec defender V8, I'm keen!

[Shadowjack]

...the most common problem on the 16V model is the exhaust manifold cracking...

I forgot, sorry, this issue cropped up on mine as well (dealt to by a friendly engineer), as was the exhaust manifold oxygen sensor (which was easily replaced). But thats in the six years and 80,000 kms that I've owned it.

[ducatilover]

I forgot, sorry, this issue cropped up on mine as well (dealt to by a friendly engineer), as was the exhaust manifold oxygen sensor (which was easily replaced). But thats in the six years and 80,000 kms that I've owned it.

Not much of a problem really....plus they run nicer with a set of headers.
The other real common fault is the RHS front speaker stops working...Oh dear me...

[Brett]

No problems.

I mine is still a dual fuel motor. I have a 70 liter petrol and 80 liter LPG tank.

I do a lot of hunting in Otago I can get gas in Alexander, Cromwell, Omarama, Tekapo, Fairly (at the tire shop). Because most places have a 9kg cylinder filling station they also sell automotive LPG.

About the only place it is a bit scarce is on the west coast of the south island, but Franz and Westport have it.

I love the stuff, its clean, easy to tune and cheap. I also have a decanting hose so I can empty a 9kg into the tank if it is really empty or vent vapor from the auto tank and transfer the liquid into car.

That is a cool 4wd.

[Brett]

If you really want to go for rugged, go an old school landrover. Family in SA has had a few, shit they just wont break!
http://www.trademe.co.nz/Trade-Me-Mo...-360922923.htm

[Brett]

This is also pretty cool
http://www.trademe.co.nz/Trade-Me-Mo...-363995751.htm

[jaffamont]

So you disagree about Jeeps because your mate broke a half shaft? Pop the diff cover off to get to the circlip, no worries. And check out trademe for parts, shit you can get a complete one for under a grand.
I' ve off roaded two, no dramas. Will be buying another one before the years end. In saying that with bigger tyres the rear half shafts and front UJs are the weakest link, the Wranglers have stronger axles which is a better upgrade, you can't tell me the LR axles are any different. I've been put off Land Rovers after owning a P38 Range Rover, shit I get nightmares just thinking about that pos.

I agree the Cherokee is in my opinion a very underated wagon. I have owned in the past and have nothing but good things to say. Of all the 4wd's I have owned and driven, I found the Cherokee the best around town. Towing was good, and not too bad offroad.
With regards to the expensive to fix comments. It is my experience that parts are pretty cheap (ebay australia). As a guide I got three brand new mounts 2 x engine and 1 x trans for less then $200.00 landed (made a huge diff). They are also very simple things to work on, and the engine is a peach. Biggest issue is that the auto's can be a bit ordinary, but usually this is electronic not mechanical (solenoids can pack up but pretty cheap fix). Yes they like a drink so can be a bit expensive to run (good on a trip though)
Have a 2.7 TDI Terrano now. Great truck and does everything I want. Slow yes, but plenty of tourque and will overtake things if need be.

[cbfb]

Thanks all.

I do a lot of hunting in Otago

Lucky man! Had to leave Wanaka 3 years ago and regretted it ever since. Nice wheels btw.

So you disagree about Jeeps because your mate broke a half shaft? Pop the diff cover off to get to the circlip, no worries. And check out trademe for parts, shit you can get a complete one for under a grand.
I' ve off roaded two, no dramas. Will be buying another one before the years end. In saying that with bigger tyres the rear half shafts and front UJs are the weakest link, the Wranglers have stronger axles which is a better upgrade, you can't tell me the LR axles are any different. I've been put off Land Rovers after owning a P38 Range Rover, shit I get nightmares just thinking about that pos.

Thanks, a different perspective on the Jeeps. Certainly a few around. I have heard some bad reports but it's interesting to hear from someone who's had good experiences.

The Excudo/Vitara...I cannot say enough about these wee buggers

Yep I am extremely tempted to go for one of these. Would have to say it's surpassed the Terrano 2.7 TD as my favourite at the moment. 1.6L be enough? I think not probably. Only gonna be towing a small tinny (12' or so) and a trailer with shit from the garden or a bike or two (not that the Bandit will ever break down of course).

Not much of a problem really....plus they run nicer with a set of headers.
The other real common fault is the RHS front speaker stops working...Oh dear me...

How much would a set of headers set you back?

So you didn't notice the brand new set of 160w Pioneers in my workshop then

I agree the Cherokee is in my opinion a very underated wagon. I have owned in the past and have nothing but good things to say. Of all the 4wd's I have owned and driven, I found the Cherokee the best around town. Towing was good, and not too bad offroad.
With regards to the expensive to fix comments. It is my experience that parts are pretty cheap (ebay australia). As a guide I got three brand new mounts 2 x engine and 1 x trans for less then $200.00 landed (made a huge diff). They are also very simple things to work on, and the engine is a peach. Biggest issue is that the auto's can be a bit ordinary, but usually this is electronic not mechanical (solenoids can pack up but pretty cheap fix). Yes they like a drink so can be a bit expensive to run (good on a trip though)
Have a 2.7 TDI Terrano now. Great truck and does everything I want. Slow yes, but plenty of tourque and will overtake things if need be.

Thanks again, maybe the Jeeps don't deserve the reputation they seem to have! Not as put off as I was before after hearing the positive side, but still leaning towards a Vitscudo.

[Smifffy]

If you really want to go for rugged, go an old school landrover. Family in SA has had a few, shit they just wont break!
http://www.trademe.co.nz/Trade-Me-Mo...-360922923.htm

I bought a 4 cyl '79 LWB flatdeck not that many years ago. It was the single biggest mistake I have made in my life.

[Flip]

I don't mean to sound defensive but I like landrovers. I have had a few old landys the V8 one for 8 or so years now.

It came with diff locks. I put the BRG Muds on it, I put parabolic springs with a 2" lift and new Old Man Emu shocks. I have recored the radiator and put the highest density one available in. I also changed the high ratio gear set to the std range rover gear set which is easy to do because you just have to change 2 gears in the back of the transfer case, it used to rev its nuts off at 90kph not it will do 140kph if you are brave. I put the LPG in it. I changed the shielded army distributor (it was a radio truck) to the std (water proofed) range rover one. I have extended all the breathers into the area behind the dash. It has been fitted with a CB and CD. I also fitted large double silencers to the exhaust.

OK its noisy on the road but I have done about 60,000 in the last 8 years all on hunting trips. I broke a half shaft on one trip and it has once broken down because the points fixing screw came loose.
I have crossed water up to the bottom of the windscreen. It has carried a few pigs and more deer out of the bush than I can remember.

I use it for hunting, I do pest work for my employer, it has a folding seat well above and behind the front ones. I remove the top of the doors and the windscreen and often shoot from the drivers seat. Because its a petrol motor and it has a very quiet exhaust you can drive along and not disturb game until it is too late for them.
See the pic.

Because it is big and open in the back it is a very use full vehicle. A few of my mates who have tough trucks with 36" tires like when I bring this vehicle because it is one of the few than can pull them out. Because it is aluminum it is a relatively light vehicle 1600kg, and for a landy it has wide wheels so it crosses sand and soft stuff very well. I pulled the back fuel tank out because I kept bashing it in, but it still has 150 liters of fuel on board so you can go anywhere in NZ.

I almost brought a new Defender flat deck last year but the wind screens are bonded in and a new one did not offer any advantages other than a new diesel motor and better road manners. There is nothing I can't fix on this vehicle which is a very important feature to me. It has 3 fuel systems LPG and the 2 petrol pumps/filters are still connected up. I will some day change the high ratio to the middle one of the 3 available as it drives like a 3 speed with a overdrive. I will also spend a few dollars and replace the heads with some new ones from a Rover 3.5 car which is worth 30hp espcially on LPG. With the very soft parabolic springs it drives a bit like a cross between the QE2 and a loaded fuel tanker, but it is still a lot better road mannered than all my mates vehicles with 36" tyres.

[cbfb]

Nice! Probably not too comfortable for commuting though.