Right truck advice

[BigRedCruiser]

Well im looking at getting a truck as a daily driver for work (im a builder) so something good for lugging tools and a heavy trailer with gear around with decentish power but here is the fun bit!!

I live in oxford and work in chch. So i drive around 120kms a day so i need something that is reasonably economical to run as my 1kzte surf is chugging through over $140pw (on a good week) when i dont tow just in diesel
So im starting to save up for a cheaper truck to run but i need advice

Did think about a station wagon but my workmates have them and for towing they arent flash and parts wear out brakes tyres etc too quickly plus dont like the big loads.

Questions

What sort of kms are people getting out of their 4wds open road and in town with or without loads and the comfort level???
or am i just being picky and i should keep the surf going??

This is just for onroad use and maybe the odd camping trip as im going to get a play truck after i get this sorted.

Would love a broad range of opinions as ill have a few months to think this over but would prefer a 5 seater 5 door lwb.

Broad subject i know but thanks heaps in advance for all the info

[keithal]

Budget??

[BigRedCruiser]

damn i knew id forgotten something
Trying to keep it to 6k or less
Its going to take a few months to get the $$ saved so just trying to get ideas as to what would be good to look out for.

[RJT]

Last year I bought a '92 Terrano with TD27 manual trans with 2.5" exhaust from turbo, and it's pretty damn good on gas for a 2 ton wagon. And it has plenty of grunt! I'm getting around 750-800k open road (with camping/fishing and/or holiday gear) and 650-720k mix of open road and around town from ~ 80L tank. Have towed with it a few times and tows great, sometimes can hardly notice you have a load on! It's got harder springs in the rear so with no load it's a little bumpy but makes it good for towing. Pretty basic cockpit but everything you need for a daily.

Just my 2c

[Tarmac]

So we are lookin at gettin better than 600k (120 by 5) for 120 clams? plus K's? my 3.2 d22 is pokin 9.5lt per 100k round town (with all of my 80kg frame in the drivers seat) the trouble with your budget is you will get something later mod and economical but fkt and will cost you bucks sooner rather than later, or somethin old n fkd and will cost you bucks..... go a d21 terrano for economy, td27, wag is cheaper than a cab ute and they have better bits all round. I would be unhappy if I got less than 850+ (approx) for $120

Slow typer, like him above said

I have heard the Toyos are a thirsty breed in the late model 4cyl D

[BigRedCruiser]

Awesome i was thinking a d21 terrano i owned 1 a few years ago and loved it until it died of old age and abuse from the guy who owned it before me.
My bro in law got 1 for 2k and its mint except for a lil oil leak maybe thats the direction i should go??
Is it easy to intercool them and put the exhaust on?
Would boosting the turbo up a bit have a bad effect on fuel consumption?
cheer guys =)

[Tarmac]

Food for thought Nissan Minstral, a bit fugly but thats why they are a good buy terrano runnin gear with IC, etc

[BigRedCruiser]

i owned one of those then sold it to my mum as it was fugly and she kept stealing it
Turns out im selling the wrong vehicles lol
I like the idea of a terrano. I am worried about the gearbox though are they easy to get strengthened??

[NJV6]

I don't follow... Your wanting to replace one diesel with another one?? I reckon you'd be lucky to save 5 dollars a fill unless it's much more economical!

[rokhound]

Ditch the whole idea of having a 4wd for a work vehicle. I used to work out of my 60 series cruiser, but when I ditched it in favour of a light truck that was dedicated to the job of work, I wondered why the hell I hadn't done it years before. Does mean extra rego etc but that is par for the course. Are you a builder or a contract chippie?, as this makes a differance to your earning potential and hence what you can afford to do. If the kms are an issue, then readdress your travel distances, if most of your work is in town, then you have to suck it up as you choose to live that far out.
There is 20 - 30 years work in Chch (if it ever starts) so your work load is not going to be an issue, but I would seriously rethink the idea of using a 4wd for work if it is not required. Other bonus is if you go out for a play in the weekend and break something, there is no drama to have it fixed by Monday morning.

[callum007]

Definitly agree with Rok. too hard to keep the work vehicle up to its duty if you abuse it on weekends..
I had a Merc van as a builders wagon. Huge. cheap on diesel. great tow wagon.