92 80 series to old???

[doggoneit]

Hi,
I am looking around for a new truck to mainly go family camping (longer trips) towing my boat as well as beach launching the boat.

I have had a LWB GQ Patrol non turbo and it was good but a bit slow. I could try the TD42 Patrol (don't want to start a debate ) but thinking of trying an 80 series this time but have some questions.

- Is a 92 80 series 4.2TD with 300000+ Ks on the clock getting to old or past it's use by date? The condition is good apart from a split on top of the dash and a really shitty steering wheel. Apparently it has a vibration at 100k which they reckon is wheel balance - said they would fix before sale. Exterior and interior seem good - I would get it AA inspected 1st and maybe a leak down test.

I would love a newer 80 or even a 100 series but the year 95+ 80s go for $20k+ and 100 series are 30k+ with 300000 Ks on the clock. Also considered a P38 range rover as you can get a mint one for the cost of an old 80 - probably a good reason for that though

Anyway, I would appreciate your thoughts/views on the merits of a year 92 80.

Cheers,
Blair

[Jay]

Hi ya,

I've got the same year 80 series with more than 300 on the clock... never misses a beat... Love it. A mate has an 80 thats just clicked over 600 k's, and I've even heard of them doing a lot more than that.

IMHO - I've had both (GQ and 80 series) - but as far as touring goes, i'd choose the 80 everytime... comfortable, yet extremely capable.

Mechanical check's the way to go - if all good, I say go for it

Jay

[doggoneit]

Thanks Jay!

Would you recommend doing the BeBs straight away as a precaution?

[badnuz]

if there is no service history of BE replacement then its cheap insurance

[DieselBoy]

At 300,00k's you need to factor in:

Big ends
Injectors
Turbo

Other stuff that may or may not have been done already, but will need doing soon could be:

CV's
Trans Flush/service
Suspension Bushes
Shocks
Wheel bearings
UJ's
Steering joints

80 series bad points:

Fawking big heavy horrible tank off road
Steering box pulls of chassis
Thirsty, 80L tank does 450k's on 33's with auto
24valve injectors $1200 per injector
Rust in firewall
Interior space is no good for a camper tourer as roof to low
Electric windows are rubbish
Always seem to blow blue smoke at idle and low rev's
Parts are expensive

Good points are that they are the most comfy 4x4 on the road

[turoa]

Thirsty, 80L tank does 450k's on 33's with auto

Electric windows are rubbish

Most of DBs points are correct, however the electric windows are just due to the window rubbers swelling with age, and are particularly bad when its cold. Cheapest way to do it is to follow wjw and import them from Japan to fix

If you're doing 450ks to a tank on 33's something is horribly wrong. Mine will do 800k's with a manual on 35's, and my flatmates one is an auto with 35's and will do close to that also. (mine is a larger turbo, 15psi, with an aggresive tune, and his is standard turbo, 20psi and a safe tune so it can't go over 650deg)

Personally I would buy another 80 in a heartbeat, however you would have to be prepared to spend some money on the aforementioned things. However I would NOT buy one with more than 300000ks as everything just gets so worn out! Door hinges, driveshaft splines, gearboxes, transfercases all get sloppy, things start to rattle and squeak, bearings need doing, discs will probably need replacing. In my opinion it is worth spending the money to get one that has done less ks. They will do a lot more with ease, but a lower kd one is just so much nicer.

And yes a p38 is WELL worth the very little money you will spend on one, as long as you are prepared to pay for gas. They are rediculously comfy, tow stupidly well, despite what people say about rovers, parts ARE cheap and plentiful, as long as you don't let yourself reamed by dealers. I would buy one in the heartbeat for the money (you could buy 3 for the price of a decent 80).

Although unfortunately they do fall under the category of if you get a good one then it will be brilliant, and if you get a bad one it will continue to be bad, but I guess so do 80's

[badnuz]

not to mention drive flanges worn too... kingpin bolts come loose regulary.....

still i would have another one too, but as Tus says lower KM is much better, mine was over 300km and had heaps of little issues ;(

[doggoneit]

Cheers for the advice.

The difficulty is finding one under 300000. A lot are imports that are in the 200000+ K category so they could also be well up over 300. It does my head in paying 20k for a 300000 truck. I could get a very tidy P38 with half as many Ks for half the money. The 92 80 I am looking at is 13k with 300000 ks on the clock.

Would this be accurate? Buy an 80 and keep 3k aside for issues - then spend it when you are happy with the truck. Buy a P38 range rover and keep 6k aside for issues never really being able or confident enough with the vehicle to use it to pay for a holiday

I didn't want to start a debate over which is better but range rovers and patrols are much cheaper. I thought I had my mind set on an 80 but.......

[Suza]

Why not just get another Safari and if you want more than want the non turbo TD42 can give then strap a turbo it will still be cheaper than a flogged 80 series and more boot space for touring
Just my thoughts

[doggoneit]

That is definitely an option. I know the safaris are bloody strong. Was just thinking of trying an 80 for a change. The GU Patrol 4.5 petrol are just in my price range. Anyone got a view on these???? A few for sale with LPG. Is the GU a heap better than the GQ? Does adding a turbo to the safari getting going as well as an 80?

Cheers

[crazyclark31]

even a gq would be a good option.
Dad has a 80 and i've got a gq lwb. off road they go bout the same. one road the 80 is better but new susp in the gq would even that out.
The td42 is an amazing motor to turbo. Esp the silver top ones(wouldn't turbo a black top). Put a tdo5 on it.free flowing exhuast and it really transforms them. My swb i turboed would blow the 80 away. like not even a contest.
Dads 80 is getting around the 300k mark and hes starting to have to spend a bit of money on it. Most of the things that db mentioned are the things that its needed or needing. In saying that they are still a really nice truck.

[doggoneit]

Is the black top a certain year of engine?

[crazyclark31]

yep. think they were 92 to 95?.
Also the petrol ones are expensivr to run.
Have been down the lpg path. found it was cheaper to run(not much though). Got rid of it as with a 60ltr tank i only got 250 ks so was forever looking for a gas station with lpg. Was dedicated though so a duel fuel one would be okay

[doggoneit]

So if the patrol I am considering is a black top with after market turbo already fitted - stay away from it???

[wopass]

if you want to drive a comfortable wagon then get the 80 series, tune it and service it and enjoy it,

if you dont mind driving a rattly old truck that feels like a custard pudding on the highway then get the patrol.

i have an 80 and get about 700km to 80ltr mild tune on it. they get more economical and much better power when you give the pump a couple of adjustments.

ohh thats my 2c and is worth bugger all as its not inclusive of gst or freight



most of the stuff listed above goes wrong with any vehicle and is most of the time just normal wear and tear. other stuff, well just fix it

:edit: ohh and less Km's is better with any vehicle too

[doggoneit]

Thanks for all the advice.

So is a 92 80 import with 300000ks to old? It has just had t-belt done. For the same money I can buy a 95 nz new turbo diesel patrol with 260000ks.

Alternatively is there a better vehicle for my requirements for 15k and under - use to take family camping, tow the boat and beach launch a boat.

Keep the advice coming please!

[wjw]

My 80 is a 90 and has done 280,000. Almost all the issues I've had with it are due to lack of maintenance from the previous owner and the fact they lived near the sea. Rusted out front wheel bearing, bolts missing from seat mounts, the pots had rust on and seized causing me to have to buy new brake disks. But this was preventable and the disks were only $60 each. Centre diff lock motor seized due to perished breather hose.

All in all, I would buy another one, would just give it a good run through as soon as I bought it.

[crazyclark31]

honestly i'd be getting the patrol. They are more basic i know but just means less to go wrong.
If using it for towing,as for any turbo deisel truck, a bigger exhuast and an intercooler make for a far better towing package. Also making sure the susp is upto it. Most of those trucks if still in standard form really need to have susp sorted at that age.
For the patrol i'd check for rust on the fire wall seam.

[doggoneit]

Narrowed it down to:

-1992 80 series import in tidy condition with 300000ks for $13000
-1993 80 series import in very tidy condition with 250000ks for $17995 (way to much I reckon)
-1995 GQ Patrol 4.2TD NZ new in very tidy condition with 260000ks for $13000
-1998 Range Rover (don't do it) P38 nz new in excellent condition with 180000ks for $10000

I know I should make my own mind up after driving them all! I use to have a LWB safari and it was strong, basic, truck like and non-turbo slow. I have briefly driven a 80 and thought it was more car like and comfortable to drive than the safari. I have driven a range rover P38 and it was flash, super comfy, lovely to be in, thirsty and you could never help wondering if something would fail.

Is there much difference in the cost of maintaining the Patrol and 80?

In the end I might just get an 80 as I haven't had one before.

[Suza]

I would get the GQ less to go wrong, but it sounds like you have convinced yourself to go the 80 so get that

[1hamish1]

Go the 80, so much nicer on the road.

[doggoneit]

A 4wd mechanic has just told me less to go wrong with patrol especially in the front as they are not full time 4wd. So a patrol is still definitely in the picture

[wjw]

its about $1,500 drive in, drive out to part time an 80

[pruggerdore]

80 have so much that wears out and dies, give so many problems cost an absolute fortune to keep repairing yet still cost a shit load to buy. overpriced crap in my opinion. that said for the reasons mentioned above would love to own one with less than 150 on the clock. which would never happen nowadays. and if you did find one it would cost way more than ones worth.
buy a GQ turbo. upgrade the shocks. tweake the turbo/pump. high roof good for camping. Put up with it not being quite as cruisy as an 80, but by no means bad. but the best thing is you dont need worry about having to up the mortgage unexpectedly to keep it running. oh and way better fuel economy.

Hands up all 80 owners who have spent more than 8 grand keeping an 80 going.

hands up all gq owners who have spent less than 4 grand

Me gq factory turbo 6 years spent nothing but maintenance and servicing.

[curly12]

hands up all gq owners who have spent less than 4 grand

Me gq factory turbo 6 years spent nothing but maintenance and servicing.

12 years, 350+km, one water pump, gasket in fuel pump, $140. regular servicing....

Sounds like an AA meeting

[mudtroll]

Bought a 92, 80 290,000 ks, triple diff locks, winch, biggest pile of crap I've ever owned. Trans shit it self, windows struggled to go up or down, everything was worn out or about to wear out, drove like a bus.

Owned a road going GQ for 7 years, hardly touched it, was a bit gutless, non turbo.

I'd look for a good condition GQ & turbo it or GU's are getting cheaper even the diesels.

[rangimotors]

Thanks for all the advice.

So is a 92 80 import with 300000ks to old? It has just had t-belt done. For the same money I can buy a 95 nz new turbo diesel patrol with 260000ks.

Alternatively is there a better vehicle for my requirements for 15k and under - use to take family camping, tow the boat and beach launch a boat.

Keep the advice coming please!

been in the same boat as you. Since its not really for any real 4 wheeling of a serious nature I'm now looking at a low k's 3.1 bighorn or 3.2 terrano they are both bloody good trucks and you'll get one with 1/3 the k's of the 80's your looking at.

[ClassicCruiserSpares]

Ive had patrols, surfs, early landcruisers etc and now ive got a 93 80 series cruiser and its by far the best truck ive owned and the patrols never came close to comfit to the 80series. I must of got a good one because i havent had any issues with mine yet. Just keep them well maintained.

[crazyclark31]

i'm in the patrol camp. owned two now. both with over 250k kms and neither have needed anything more than servicing.
As said earlier get a non turbo safari and get a good turbo put on it.
That combined with a good susp kit and you will be amazed with it.
A safari with proper susp will out handle an 80 with equivelent susp kit ant day.
And when you go to pull out of an intersection in a safari with a boat on your not going to need the length of the country of clear road.
My non turbo safari beats the old mans 80 to 40km/h by about heaps

[mayday]

If this is an 4x4 AA meeting then im an addict. I have a 70 series, an 80 series, a swb GQ and the mrs has a 1996 prado. The 70 drives like a shopping trolley, the 80 will tow 2500kg like its not there with 5 up in comfort (done 100k plus in my possesion with not too much dollars spent). The GQ is a recent purchase and is amazingly slow, it is an auto which im told makes a big difference. The Prado will eat them all on the road, super comfy, heaps of room and enough power for general towing duties. It all comes down to what the end use is, if your not going to use offroad that much then go the 1KZTE Prado for comfort, economy and room. Thats my 2c anyway