2.8 TD Safari Engines

[juz]

Im looking at getting a Safari and not to sure about the 2.8 6cylinder engines, has anybody got any good/bad reports about them? also any feedback on the GU Patrols would be great cheers

[turoa]

i test drove a gq one and it actually went alot better than I had thought, but was annoying to drive cause it started boosting at around 3k. It was an auto tho so I spose a manual would be better.

[Safari Swb]

be prepared to do the head/ gasket on them. Mine did it about 1000ks after i bought it. pretty easy job to do though, if you can afford it, go the 4.2 route, you wont regret it.

[albundy]

as above, get on the patrol.com forum, aussie site dedicated to patrols/safari's. See what they say about 2.8 motors. You can put a million miles on a 4.2, they are just about bullet proof. The earlier the better with them. 89-91 in books are best. They started playing with them after that.
Al

[tweake]

i'm told the 2.8 are not to bad, just slow.
however they do have a werid injector pump (electronic, VE37??) that wears and is a **** to fix.

[DaveM]

Don't run an auto if you intend to do any offroad work or run bigger tyres. My 2.8 GU was a slug offroad with 33's, and the only reason I sold it.
The pumps wear prematurely, a crap design, but the problem can be "masked" by fitting a plate to the pump for around $150.
Heads can go on them, but if it's ok, I'd do the gasket as a precaution, fit a pyro gauge, and bigger exhaust.

The GU are a PITA to fit towhooks to due to the chassis extensions, and even though there are aftermarket plates available, they aren't that strong.

Have to fit a airbag compat. bullbar, put a switch for ABS on too for offroad.

The SWB GU's (not sure about lwb) are horrible in the front passenger seat. You hit your knees on the dash when you get in, so if over 175cm tall, it's a right PITA.

[juz]

Thanks for the Info guys, I would have thought they would be alright, pity because there a good looking 4x4. Anyway looks like Ill go for the GQ model