[norcorider]

The time has come, i have out grown my subaru brumby, it doesnt have the wheel dropdown or clearence i want and im constantly lifting a wheel, not that thats a bad thing:)

Anyway what i am after is a bit of info confirmed, im looking at the 70 series crusier  ute, or a patrol gq or gu. I have heared that the toyota's have a gearbox leak before the 100 series not sure how true that is?

So what im looking for is a tour something i can ride in comfort but has minium amout of electrics with a tough desiel and a tough gear box and some thing that either leaf sprung or coil sprung as i am sick of ifs and irs.

So any info on nissans and toyota would be helpful.

Thanks

[Roger]

First off, leaf springs are very hard to get to handle nice, especially on the front wheels...  So that rules out most toyota utes, except later model ones.

For wheel travel and comfort you will need disconnectable antisway bars, but that is fairly easy on most 4x4s. 

From looking around in my 105 landcruiser, they have too much electronics, but the engine side of things seems simple enough and is reliable, same I would guess with the 80 series but maybe less wires and plugs for things like heated seats and rear air con.

I don't think you will have problems with landcruiser gearboxs unless you get one with a R151 which was designed for a hilux. I don't know alot about the utes but I'm pretty sure they all came with the better box, not sure though.

The patrols are a great unit, except the small turbo diesel motors (2.8 and 3.0) I've read too much about these not lasting long at all.  the patrols had a problem with their gearboxs but most of them should have been fixed by now with the stronger part.

hope this helped

[Lesscroft]

I used to own a SWB GQ patrol. It uses the same setup and chasis of the ute except has coil in the rear instead of leaf sprung. The GQ ute is available with coil in the rear but is harder to come by. My GQ had the TD42 which is naturally aspirated 4.2L inline 6 diesel with good old push rods. It had heaps of torque and ran smooth. They are very comfy to drive, well i thought so. My gearbox used to slip out of third gear when going down steep hills so i just held the stick with my hand. I had problems with Hydraulic lines that had deteriorated with age. That said mine was only a 91 with 330000kms on it. They are a brilliant truck and go forever. I strongly recomend them over a 70 series ute, not because they are a better car but because you dont pay a rediculous price for the most basic of all cars. You also have endless parts available when you buy a GQ, there are more mods and cons for the GQ than anything else out there, IMO. I loved mine but when I was an apprentice i just couldnt afford to run it anymore. It used 14.4L-100kms and I live on the top of a very big hill in the adelaide hills. Highway it could get down to 12L-100km. I was able to over take trucks at 140kmph without any wobbles. I did get a vibration at exactly 90kmph after i did a two inch spring lift.

[Dion_83]

Cant beat the patrol. esspesialy the coil sprung model (Ute) better articulation, heaps of grunt chassis is a lot stronger and more rigid they are cheaper for parts than toyota. parts a easily available if need be. handle great. big suspenssion kits available STRONG driveline. should I go on.

[Roger]

just in case your going to live in the real outback, you should go the toyota, as people just don't drive nissans out there...  I'm not saying one is better than the other, but the people living in remote areas will tell you which one they would choose.

I would choose the Toyota just because the GQ is ugly, but if your looking at the GU then I think the utes look awesome!

well have you got one yet?

[Uriah]

Patrols are good, my dad has run a 96 4.2na diesel on the farm for about 8 years now and has not had a problem. The local mechanic said it is a good engine and would be happy to work on it (hasn't though).

Big towing capacity though.

[Roger]

pitty they have less power and torque than my 98 petrol cruiser and 1000kg less towing capacity..
eek didn't know this info before I just looked it up... shocked!

Glad I bought what I did...

[Lesscroft]

The new patrol has been released and they have ruined it!!! Independant suspension all round, low to the ground and all cushy. Not my cup of tea!

[Phizinza]

Not to mention there is almost no way at all to tell it apart from the 200series lol!

[Roger]

well they are moving closer to a hummer in design, they just need to add some portal hubs and it would be awesome!