tell me bout the Safari

[dangerous]

Its like this, Im considering the early 90's safari a same age VX Toyota or a Disco... keen on the Safari, Im wanting to get out back with my 2 6yr old boys and the D40 Navara just wasent off roady enough.

Will the Safari get me were I want, what do I look for in one, do they handle a after market turbo ok? just give it to me guys going to look at one this weekend.

[Smurf]

They are big, wide and heavy, and have motors that never stop. Reasonable flex from factory, Not as much flex as a Disco, but more reliable potentially. Doesn't suffer the bottom end woes that the Cruisers motors can.
Can suffer from rust in the roof gutters and around rear windows.
Go well in factory form off road. Reasonable road manners for a big wagon if the suspension is in good condition.
Can come with factory PTO winch.

[dangerous]

do they have diff locks like the cruiser or just a LSD diff... the one Im looking at is bog std no pto... what would you lot recommend I do as I will have a few spear dollars after selling the D40?

[Checkerhead]

They were available with a factory vacuum operated rear diff lock. However the LSD that they came with is very good and actually make a big difference (so I'm told) compared to a Toyota LSD (which are near useless in my opinion). Not sure how common the lockers were.

[Smurf]

They were available with a factory vacuum operated rear diff lock. However the LSD that they came with is very good and actually make a big difference (so I'm told) compared to a Toyota LSD (which are near useless in my opinion). Not sure how common the lockers were.

I am a Toyota driver and their LSD are shit. Nissan ones work well.

[charo249]

Mechanicals will normally last longer than the body an there are plenty of turbocharged ones out there without any reliability issues
They are heavy so bigger tyres are needed
Get one with a pto winch if you can

[tuckertrucker]

I've got a 92 Safari Granroad long wheel base model, goes like a dream. Good strong motors that will clock 1,000,000 if they're serviced right. A bit gutless with out a turbo but I had mine fitted with a Garrett turbo and would never look back. I would highly recommend getting one and a turbo timer is a must!
I find the suspension to be pretty good and the ride on road is great especially for a heavy wagon. The rear sway bar disconnect is available on some models and is really use full on rough terrain.
The auto trans they use (RE4R03A) is bullet proof if its looked after and not overheated. Would recommend an oil cooler fitted and a temp gauge, but I have no experience with the manuals.
The truck will just go and go!! They are (in my opinion) the best wagon you can get!! I've never had an issue with mine. And there's lots that can be done with them.

Only things to really watch out for is rust around the roof gutters, and sliding rear windows (if fitted), and rust/corrosion around the seat anchors can be found too. Safari's are usually 24v (patrols are 12) which tends to be more robust and reliable. Just be aware that the trailer lights will be fed 24v so its a matter of swapping the bulbs or fitting a reducer. The Stereo should have one to reduce its voltage to 12. The two batteries are great, but they're just a little harder to jumpstart if you ever leave a light on.
Go for it mate!! Best off road truck you'll ever get. Two lucky kids you've got there to by the way!!

[coxsy]

I have a safari for 8 years,
mines swb yes they are heavy, turbo helps a lot , PTOs are OK
, electric winches work and fit into bullbars unlike PTOs do .
lockers don't have to be ARB ones auto lockers are a cheaper opinion , vacuum diff are near air locker prices now.
rust not such a big problem , all part of the care of a twenty year old truck

[tuckertrucker]

rust not such a big problem , all part of the care of a twenty year old truck

couldn't be more right on that one

[dangerous]

thanks guys, I am looking at a low k stock one, its well priced so I can through some extra money at it... what would you reconmend, winch, air lockers, lift???

here is another option Im lookin at, any thoughts? http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/Listing ... =947001133

[tuckertrucker]

That second option looks like a beast. I didn't think the TD42's went blacktop until 94, unless its been rebuilt. But then again, if the other truck is a good grab then you can easily customise it your own way. Each to their own I guess.

[Crash bandicoot]

blacktop engines were factory assembled for the safari, silver top were bulit by nissan's truck division UD and were installed assembled from UD.

[dangerous]

blacktop engines were factory assembled for the safari, silver top were bulit by nissan's truck division UD and were installed assembled from UD.

so which is the better engine?
Ohh and I asume you are talking about the rocker cover colour?

[Crash bandicoot]

Ain't even going there . lol

they are of the age that you either get one that has been thrashed or hasn't been.

[Twodiffs]

blacktop engines were factory assembled for the safari, silver top were bulit by nissan's truck division UD and were installed assembled from UD.

so which is the better engine?
Ohh and I asume you are talking about the rocker cover colour?

How many pages do you wanna read?

http://www.patrol4x4.com/forum/engine-d ... top-68546/

[Craydiver]

You really need to define what and how your using it , ie daily driver, weekend toy, basic tracks to more aggressive etc
If you buy a std saf - I would in this order, depending on your budget, or spread these mods over time, do the following assuming your going on challenging tracks or building to these:
0 find an understanding wife.. or have a secret account, buy lotto ticket
1 Tyres - get the best you can,33 or 35 (rims would use 15x8 ..not 10, 19-22 offset)
2 Suspension lift to run these tyres - 2inch does 33, you need bit more to run 35's either body lift or larger suspension lift - note larger suspension lift needs front dropboxes etc more expensive vs a body lift
3 Rear Quarter guard chop , biff std rear and front bumpers, get simple steel pipe, plus rock sliders, Snorkel, hooks
4 Winch ( if you are likely to be on aggressive tracks) - ideally buy one with PTO -if elec, mount it a far back to rad as pos
5 Diff lock or ideally locks...! buy another lotto ticket
6 Replace rear panhard, rear lower trailing arms, front track rod, front steering rod (all made from thin wall tube, items 1-5 means you really now going more aggressive places which =will bend these easy)
7 Beadlocks
8 Turbo if a NA, put new alloy rad at same time, biff Ac rad if you don't need cool.....!, make sure shroud inplace, or good elec fans, 3inch exhaust - technically your're going to have to at least do the first section with new turbo
9 New clutch , would do clutch master/slave at same time, cheap compared to clutch
10 Surprise trip for wife to Pacific island resort, buy lotto ticket
11 Water to air intercooler, try not to mount above engine
12 throw away front seats that are so knackered you cant believe with the new anytype how bad the old ones were.
13 Roll cage , cause now you really only wan to go on the aggressive tracks and roll over now better odds than those lotto tickets
14 buy more lotto tickets
15 - wonder .. why have I spent countless weekends doing all this, should have spent the 20k on the vehicle that some other mug built and spent more time on the tracks
16 tell yourself that doing the build is part of the 4wd hobby.....
17 realise that you really should have got it certified back at item 2, but being getting wof's down at local no prob..
18 driveshaft hoop, fuel filter heat shroud and cert
19 Buy wife $3000 coffee machine cause she worked out what the surprise trips were..
20 Buy powerball cause the std lotto don't work

that one on trademe thou not perfect ticks lots of boxes......!

[dangerous]

Well Im farked... cant get past step '0'

It will be the family wagon but will be taking the kids into doc huts etc, old west coast mines, so nothing to hard however... I will be alone so its about setting it up to save my own arse if I get stuck.

anyway the guy bailed on my Navara so im likely to miss out on the low k stock saf.

[Crash bandicoot]

if you are going offroad by yourself you want the ability to recover youself,

so winch , strops and pulley block bow shackles good shovel so you can dig your spare tyre n as a ground anchor if need be

air compressor and highlift jack with tyre repare kit, go tubless much easier to patch or plug. also couple of cheap tyre leavers.
carry a tube just incase ya rip more then one sidewall open.
yes before you ask you cn get two flat tyres at the same time. lol

prs or uhf radio.

gas torch and solder to repair holed radiator.
or long nose pliers and just bend and crimp the damaged fins/tube.
but can repair the fin once it gets folded over.

those are they key ones if goin g bush alone.

[lax2wlg]

I think the recommendation of upgrading the steering and suspension links is a really good idea.

I have seem a couple of them bend tie rods and rear panhards.

[Twodiffs]

Feel sorry for ya...these replies must have complicated it for you lol.

Craydiver has given you the modification list for a tough club truck and a happy wife, you gotta keep wifey happy to 'further enhance'
the Nissan. His #6 on the list is mandatory honestly..the factory stuff is that thin walled that you need to beef it up with steam pipe or just thick walled pipe. It's pretty cheap to do if you can weld or if you have to pay someone else.

33" tyres get most people most places and how serious you are will determine what tyre size you need, I've seen Safari's travel a heap of places
stock standard before mods being done trust me. The good thing about one of these is generally every 6 months when you need a wof - you will probably have to adjust a wheel bearing or handbrake and that's all in my personal experience.

Safari's are pretty common and most have winches...you will look at more with winches than those without basically.
What Crash said about uhf radios and recovery gear is good info..you have to be able to self recover.

Not sure what your experience of 4wding is like so if in doubt contact a club...you will get good info and experience fast then you cn decide if you wanna stay a club truck or go solo with a better idea of things.

[a80crewza]

Read this over, i went through the same decision: viewtopic.php?f=37&t=35790

Might have mine for sale soon.. manual, triple lockers

[Twodiffs]

That might confuse him...Cruisers only have front and rear diff locks unless rear only, so that's twin lockers really.
Triple would imply 3 diffs so I don't know why cruiser owners boast of 'triple lockers'.
The 3rd lock you're referring to is just a centre diff lock lever or switch which engages 4wd on permanent 4wd models....some Landrovers and Rangies are the same.

[dangerous]

na Im on to the triple lock set up, I think... off safari topic but I asume the cruiser being full time splits the power greater to the rear and when the dash diff lock is pushed it puts 50/50 power front rear how ever one rear my spin taking all the power so rotate the RR diff lock and it locks bothe rear wheels... rotate further and it locks the frount wheels aswell???
The 2nd shift just gives you low ratio?

[dangerous]

Feel sorry for ya...these replies must have complicated it for you lol.

Not sure what your experience of 4wding is like so if in doubt contact a club...you will get good info and experience fast then you cn decide if you wanna stay a club truck or go solo with a better idea of things.

LOL... na all good Im learning shit here... clubs are good tho can be clicky and stick to there wee groups I will look at that once set up, I just want to get out back in the alps with my two 6yr olds and spend time with them before I fall of my perch

[Twodiffs]

All good, you won't go wrong with a good cruiser or Safari, a turbo does make a difference but I drove my GQ's without a turbo
for 13yrs + without one and they are fine, even towing building materials around the Banks Peninsula hills...you just get used
to driving to the revs and right gear.

If you do add a turbo then a pyro or egt gauge is a must!, don't worry about a turbo timer as it's an unnecessary item/expense.
By the time I come to a stop my egt's are no higher than 150degC so I just switch the engine off, if the temps are higher then I wait
10 seconds until they drop to 150.

[Craydiver]

Dangerous, if its family vehicle, a saf with a decent set of Mt tyres will go most places with no real mods (to be honest any 4wd with good tyres goes well)
Imho too many people put winches on and never use them, plus if u really need a winch u are prob going some aggressive places which is prob not what you want to do with afamily vehicle. Same with diff locks. I only engage my front the odd time, as i can go 98% of places without it.Theres a lot of other bits u want before those eg rock sliders to protect your sills doors etc
If you have limited budget just focus on tyres. Replacing panhards,arms etc is not needed if its a family wagon doing the odd offroad trip.
If u get a saf with lsd or factory lock, great, same with pto its bonus, else a stock vehicle will go well.
Same with turbo, shouldnt be first thing on list to mod as other improvements will give better valuefor off road.

[nuts]

ya can run 35s with 2inch sus lift and just trim the guards mine is almost factory lwb high roof and i beat the living shit out of it with just rocksliders and front and rear bashable bits to protect it a bit lol only have lsd in rear open front at mo its also my daily driver (snorkel and winch are a must )

[Twodiffs]

Nuts...yours is far from 'factory condition'

[nuts]

Nuts...yours is far from 'factory condition'

there only character marks oops ok suspension is 1991 diffs are 1989... front end is 1991 but there all factory