R50 terrano anyone using them for offroad?

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Markw336
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R50 terrano anyone using them for offroad?

Postby Markw336 » Sun Jun 21, 2015 8:17 pm

Hi all trying to find a truck I like have always liked the shape of the r50 and how it drives on the road.

As this vehicle will be my daily most of the time I want to have something comfortable and only want mild mods and will be doing no hard core tracks just want to get into the likes of Macetown.

Are these vehicles capable of being alright offroaders and what are there limitations.

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J_Dub
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Re: R50 terrano anyone using them for offroad?

Postby J_Dub » Sun Jun 21, 2015 8:24 pm

For what you are saying you want it for it will be fine.
Any truck with low range/selectable 4wd will work.

I too like the r50s for their onroad comfort, and look cool with minor mods.
I've owned one with 31" muds on no lift, no rub at all.

Good power with the intercooler td27.
You will want to fit manual hubs and get used to changing control arm bushes.

Go for it

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Re: R50 terrano anyone using them for offroad?

Postby BlakeNZ » Sun Jun 21, 2015 8:43 pm

Perhaps have a drive of the 3.2 turbo diesel as well.i've heard a few people say the qd32 is more thrifty than their previous td27.
If i was you, get the qd32, the extra torque makes it nicer on road.
there is some anecdotal evidence to suggest that the R50, with its monocoque chassis and macpherson strut front suspension, will eventually start to rattle and fall to bits(so to speak) when used off road. i think it will be ideal in your situation though.
if you can't decide, test drive both. otherwise, buy the QD32, as it is a stroked version of the TD27, so is reliable. get a trans cooler installed too, to help that trans last. People who tow with the QD32 are really pleased with them.
Whilst i don't have a terrano, I was in the market for a diesel(considered terrano and mistral), and have done a lot of research, talking to owners and mechanics.
some guys in the states jack them up(suspension lift), and go off road touring with them, if i can find the link i'll post it for you.

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Re: R50 terrano anyone using them for offroad?

Postby Markw336 » Sun Jun 21, 2015 8:53 pm

Hmm will have to test those my father once had the non intercooler td27 and it went OK for what it was could tow anything and it would top out at 1.10 km haha

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Re: R50 terrano anyone using them for offroad?

Postby BlakeNZ » Sun Jun 21, 2015 8:58 pm


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Re: R50 terrano anyone using them for offroad?

Postby BlakeNZ » Sun Jun 21, 2015 8:59 pm

and here is a good thread for you , some handy tips…
viewtopic.php?f=25&t=41989&p=431339#p431339

Markw336
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Re: R50 terrano anyone using them for offroad?

Postby Markw336 » Sun Jun 21, 2015 9:24 pm

Thanks for all the links guys definitely seems to be capable of what I want it to do

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Re: R50 terrano anyone using them for offroad?

Postby 3VILC » Tue Jun 23, 2015 5:12 pm

Do they not all have the factory calsonic trans coolers? Mine does and so did all the others I looked at when buying
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Re: R50 terrano anyone using them for offroad?

Postby ChurchurDan » Tue Jun 23, 2015 6:28 pm

The 3.2 and 3.0 ones have them but not the 2.7.

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Re: R50 terrano anyone using them for offroad?

Postby 3VILC » Tue Jun 23, 2015 6:30 pm

Ahhh roger that, thatd be why I didn't see one without
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Markw336
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Re: R50 terrano anyone using them for offroad?

Postby Markw336 » Tue Jun 23, 2015 8:29 pm

If I was to lift one up two inch is it better to space the struts on the front or get lift springs?

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Re: R50 terrano anyone using them for offroad?

Postby 3VILC » Tue Jun 23, 2015 8:44 pm

You can get about 40-50mm Max before you'll run into issues with CV angles and such, especially since the driveshafts are always turning. Never tried a strut spacer not sure if you can them for the R50, I suppose it would work just as well. Not sure how much drop is in the factory shocks but longer springs might be easier and cheaper than spacers.
If you go for a qd32 one as I've mentioned in other posts watch for the sticky injector pump plunger, seems to be quite common I test drove several that had this problem to some extent, expensive pump rebuild required to fix.
The series 1 has a mostly part time transfer, with a switch to select 2 or 4wd but still a 2nd shifter to select low. The 'auto' posistion in thse is not designed to be used on the road as it merely couples and uncouples the front diff if it detects rear wheelspin. The series 2 facelift shape has a full shift on the fly transfer with electronic torque split based on the same system as the skyline, so has a centre diff and the 4wd system can be left in auto mode all the time if desired, centre diff is automatically locked when 4x4 is on
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