Terrano or challenger

[rambo rem700]

Hi guys first post, probly in the wrong section lol. Ive been reasearching all wknd,
I have $6000 to spend, want a diesel suv to take togs to river, river crossing beach work and the odd tow the boat to taupo.
Ive narroed down to these,
Im looking at spending $4500 and getting some rims and gripper tyres and a little lift.
Whats your guys thoughts?

[Crash bandicoot]

personal expierence... dont go terrano if you plan to lift it and put mudders on it, you'll wreck the steering without putting money into that aswell, the early challengers were basically pajero's under neath and can handle big feet better.

[BlakeNZ]

for what you want to do, perhaps a snorkel might be more important than tires.
what terrano are you thinking, the wd21, or the later R50?

[Pj_Marsh]

Not exactly a Terrano or Challenger but an Izuzu Bighorn 3.1 covers all that, goes alright standard and good for towing. 4 door fits in the kids + dog

[rambo rem700]

http://www.trademe.co.nz/843370541

http://www.trademe.co.nz/842314726

[coxsy]

my 2 cents worth the nissan, is the better call limited slip in the rear stronger engine, challenger, ali head ,no slippery , narrow track, bad rear suspension design ,
that's a start

[J_Dub]

my 2 cents worth the nissan, is the better call limited slip in the rear stronger engine, challenger, ali head ,no slippery , narrow track, bad rear suspension design ,
that's a start

How do you know the Nissan is LSD rear?
And these terranos have no chassis and all the suspension bushes wear quick, been there done that.

Questions like these between 2 proven jap brands it realy just comes down to your preference.

The Nissan motors are definitely considered 1 of the best though

[rambo rem700]

Or the last option an 89 land cruiser

[coxsy]

that changes it go the cruiser

[Crash bandicoot]

bit of clarrification and comparison
Ive owned a gen 1 and a gen 2 pajero R20 (wd21 with different body) and a R50 terrano's
Hilux, hilux surf Isuzu MU bighorn and rodeo

out of them all my favorite was the Gen 2 pajero..it's only failing the 3Litre v6 with the leaky valve stems.
It got the crap thrashed out of it from fiordland to 90 mile and hohora and still kept going good power unbeatable in the sand but once again motor let it down.
my second favorite the R20 smaller lighter good driveline potential ( you can fit a LSD front from a silvia etc) and interchangable parts with other models, solid TD27 engine (even with its iffy fly by wire injector pump) the only issue its had that has been major is the steering failing/bending breaking. but there are companies out there that make full replacement parts for them.

WD21 terrano ladder chassi
R50 terrano monocoque chassi


early challenger (basically a Gen 2 pajero under the panel work)
later ones, not so much
(and stay away from the 3 litre v6)
advantage, you can fit 33 inch tyres with minimal lift.

yes agreed nissan has the best engine of the lot.
wd21 steering probably the weakest of the lot if you were to raise them all and fit mudders.
Mitsi has one of if not the best IFS systems going very strong.
LSD's are a case of hit and miss/ smoke and mirrors, usually not looked after and getting very worn by the age they are now means finding a good one is hens teeth, and a bad one might aswell by a truck with no LSD and install a locker.

Isuzu, the 3.1 wasn't as reliable as the 4jb1 2.8 , there steering is about par with the terrano's

cruisers and patrols, No denying there performance as an offroad vehicle but everyone is using them for comp trucks, or fitting there axles to comp trucks, so trying to get parts cheap is becoming a bit of a mission..and like the hilux, if the parts are there they think they are worth there wieght in mur.
looked at a xj cherokee?

[rambo rem700]

Cheers for all the info guys

Heres the cruiser
http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/Listing ... =841782375

[Sheepy]

I'd buy the cruiser.

[lax2wlg]

Predictable but get the Nissan. 104" wheelbase, good dimensions, 5-link rear end, strong running gear, one of the best LSDs in the industry.

Weak spots are an easy fix
Spares are cheap as piss
They look cool

Get an automatic diesel one, put a trans cooler on it and go.

Oh and DONT USE CHEAP CHINESE OR THAI AFTERMARKET FRONT END CHASSIS PARTS!

[rambo rem700]

cheers I ended up buying the cruiser

[Crash bandicoot]

2014-Nov-14 WOF Inspection
Previous inspection failed?
291,596 Km
2014-Nov-14 WOF Inspection
Odometer decrease of -7,084 Km
291,596 Km
2014-May-29 WOF Inspection
Previous inspection failed?
298,680 Km

some one has been fiddling with the odometer though, so no it didnt come with 4000 ruc's it was 3000 over.

[rambo rem700]

the 298 was human error wa suppose to be 288, the kms are up to date in it, maybe it was wound back? id say most diesels probly have been at some stage.
all else checked out good though, cant be a bad buy for $4000?

[Crash bandicoot]

got to love clerical errors, i notice on my cars paper work the engine number is TD42- but i doubt i'd squeeze the big block six in the engine bay of a mistral it should read TD27B- but oh well . lol