Offroad-Express

Petemcc wrote: Na if you are going to get into it you will want to do some mods pretty soon you are better must to buy something that has had a lot of the work done already or you will spend all of you time and money modifying it. Much cheaper to buy someone elses.

All well and good if done properly. Buying an already modded truck you can also be buying someone elses problems. At least if you start from scratch you know what's being done is being done right.

Depends on what it is youre prepared to do, how much time/money you want to/have to, spend on it.

Fuel consumption always gets people

phraza wrote:Fuel consumption always gets people

Yea sadly it's a big expense these days. All depends on the use though. Diesels are cheaper each fill but much more in rego etc. If you aren't doing huge ks nothing wrong with a petrol especially a 4L donk with lots of grunt. Just something to be aware of.

Phraza could you fit a winch to that bar without too much work? Diff locks are the only other thing I would add if I was buying it but they could come in time.

With regard to buying someone else's problem you just need to do you homework when you do it. Buying something heavily modified is always a risk but something with a moderate lift wheels and recover points (like Phraza's) if pretty safe as long as you look at the general mechanical condition. ie 4wds aren't really made for 4wding which is why we modify them. normally things that go wrong are leaky seals and crook diffs and gearboxes and electrical stuff like starter motors because water and mud and crap get in there.

Petemcc wrote:Phraza could you fit a winch to that bar without too much work? Diff locks are the only other thing I would add if I was buying it but they could come in time.

I'm not sure about the actual "Brush Guard" as its called if there is room to slot a winch in there (could always cut it). There is an adapter plate (~$100) that is needed to put on the bumper to mount the winch on. Have looked in to it, but didn't see the point as I don't do any hardcore offroading with it.


Gareth, the best thing to do would be to jump in for a ride with some 4WDs to see how they go and how they handle, sure there are people around you which would love to show you that their truck is the best

buy mine http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/Listing ... =581208240

I reckon the 1st thing you want to do is find some mates who you want to go 4wd with see how modified there trucks are and try and buy something with about the same capabilities.when i 1st started me and my mates all had pretty much standard landcruisers on 33s they were great days out, pushing each other to go through harder tracks etc. now days we all have hiluxs(great for chucking stuff on the back). I went overboard on modifying my truck while my mates just left them pretty standard, now when we go out theres no real competition they wait for me to give it a go if i get thru they will give it a go but if i dont they wont.takes all the competition out of it,hence why im selling my baby to buy a stock one (thought id keep it forever and a day)

[quote="elvis"]buy mine http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/Listing ... d=58120824

But those gold fish sold in 2006?

Maybe the wrong listing?

Thanks for the feedback..All great points. My thoughts, from somebody who is pretty fresh to this, would be to buy a vehicle that has already been set up. Buying stock one and then modifying it, at this stage, I would not have a clue where to start...and I'am itching just to get out. I guess the trick is to not buy a heap, that needs a lot of work.

One question, for someone starting out...Auto or Manual? or it does it even matter?

Wrangler's is not looking too bad...

I saw this one which is bang in original price range.... http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/Listing ... =583887607

And then there Phraza's one.....
http://www.wheedle.co.nz/Home/GetItemDe ... %253d%253d

Thoughts?

I know a bit of history about Phraza's one , has been well looked after and Phraza has put on some extra stuff, the other is well set up and you wouldn't have to do much if anything to it, I prefer manual myself but each to their own really, both have their pros and cons, comes down to what you prefer, I think manual jeeps are a bit more fuel efficient than the autos, but that also would change when ya put ya foot down, I'm getting about 460 km on about 60 litres( mine has a 72 litre tank)and always run Force10 from gull.

Come out and have a drive if ya like

cheers
Greg

Hi Gary,

Since Wranglers are the talk (for the last couple of posts anyway) why not pipe up.

I'm new to it, well a year/18 months.

I got a stock wrangler...
love it...

My idea, right or wrong.
I wanted a wagon that hadn't been molested, so i could know its faults and could feel it as i changed her.
i had no mechanical experience, and am quite happy with the path i am on.
http://www.offroadexpress.co.nz/Forums/viewtopic.php?f=32&t=34844

Yes, jeeps are thirsty, but i can deal with that now...
Its been mentioned that if your not doing the K's, a 4L isnt that bad...

Its been mentioned that they are easy to work on...
I cant really comment on that as i haven't touched anything else, but i got there (with a bit of help from this board)

Its been mentioned that people are brand loyal...
all i have to say... its a jeep thing...

When I bought my first 4wd (sj413) it was std and I learned how to drive it as I modified it (slowly and as required), then I had a run of shit to the brain and bought a v6 powered hilux double cab. Worst thing I ever did. I spent more getting it fixed up and right then I paid for it (and later sold it for what I paid - lost 8k on that).
My prado is a slow burn again and I modified it where its needed, rather than just for show. My driving style (and preference of trips has changed somewhat from when I started).

I guess my advice is figure out what you want to do, do your home work, dont rush out and buy the first wagon you see (unless it is exactly what you want. A standard truck with some tyres and maybe a suspension lift and some hooks/recovery gear would get you started off in a good way.

If you want something with a bit more potential maybe an 80 series with difflocks as std would be a good start (although expensive) and about the price of a fairly modded nissan safari/patrol.

Horses for courses I guess. Only you know what you want to do and what you are going to need, just be realistic about your needs and future expectations.

Oh and hang on to that missus!!! She sounds like a keeper.

Whoops my bad Pete cut and paste didn't work so good cheers troy http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/Listing ... =581208240

im new to 4wding and ive got a terrano with 31" muds
im also not very good in the mechanical department but ive been doing all the work myself ive put a intercooler on it, a few gauges and wound up the boost and i have to say its such a blast modding your own car

id say get something cheap and standardish to learn on and have some fun

In two minds really. I know building something will teach me a lot. But on the other hand I really just want to get stuck and learn how to do it. I can always build something later when I know what I want.
There is so many options on trademe. I think I'll just keep having a hunt and a read for a couple of weeks before I make my decision.

Thanks everyone!!

WRNGLR wrote:I know a bit of history about Phraza's one , has been well looked after and Phraza has put on some extra stuff, the other is well set up and you wouldn't have to do much if anything to it, I prefer manual myself but each to their own really, both have their pros and cons, comes down to what you prefer, I think manual jeeps are a bit more fuel efficient than the autos, but that also would change when ya put ya foot down, I'm getting about 460 km on about 60 litres( mine has a 72 litre tank)and always run Force10 from gull.

Come out and have a drive if ya like

cheers
Greg

Mate, thats awesome! I would really appreciate that. Whens a good time/day?

sorry dude only just logged in again , been a bit busy, call me any time really. Have last day off today 26/04/13, be home most of day, maybe a trip to Palmy with the trailer to dump some rubbish and pickup some garden stuff, txt or call 0272560470, am on dayshift saturday and sunday, nightshift monday tuesday, only have my road tires on but good enough to have a play

cheers
Greg

oh yeah check this out http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/used-cars/jeep/cherokee/auction-584061751.htm

Greg

no really no trouble at all, glad to help out, but if you insist, I'll have those wheels and tyres and you can have mine

no on the cherokee..needs shit done by the looks . stick with a tj if ya gonna go jeep ,,,,,,,,,you poor man

yeti wrote:no on the cherokee..needs shit done by the looks . stick with a tj if ya gonna go jeep ,,,,,,,,,you poor man

your right there, still like them wheels tho

why not look at a v8 wj offroading in style

im in palmy aswell

Wolf wrote:Not sure why people lift IFS 4x4s...

not everybody needs a solid axle vehicle
ifs vehicles can be just as strong as a solid axle truck look at the pajero for example i would say the ifs front end on those would be more reliable than a disco front axle (ive seen them running 35s without problems)

oh and price not everyone can afford a solid axle truck

keithal wrote:not everybody needs a solid axle vehicle
ifs vehicles can be just as strong as a solid axle truck look at the pajero for example i would say the ifs front end on those would be more reliable than a disco front axle (ive seen them running 35s without problems)

Absolutely - bomb proof CVs, high steering, tonnes of clearance... the Disco front diff itself is prone to failure in 3 places (ring gear deflection, diff centre,axles), the steering is dangerously low, wheel travel is good but not WOW. Then when it all blows up you can't unhook the front end from the transfer to get home...

Thanks all for in the valuable info....On Tuesday I pick up my first real 4x4... A 1997 Jeep Wrangler...


Greg... Thanks for the advice!..'ll hit you soon for a drive out your ways.

Better start collecting those supermarket fuel discount vouchers...

zukmeista wrote:Better start collecting those supermarket fuel discount vouchers...

Really not that bad I own a couple .. Yours must just be a thirsty one zukmeista

yeti wrote:

zukmeista wrote:Better start collecting those supermarket fuel discount vouchers...

Really not that bad I own a couple .. Yours must just be a thirsty one zukmeista

Whats the cliche...
Ya can drive a Jeep past a gas station...

That's true...

while not the most fuel efficient wagon, it took me a long time to realize the small size of the tank in part, has something to do with that...

Gary1979 wrote:Thanks all for in the valuable info....On Tuesday I pick up my first real 4x4... A 1997 Jeep Wrangler...


Greg... Thanks for the advice!..'ll hit you soon for a drive out your ways.

Sweet mate will wait for your call

00falcon wrote:

yeti wrote:

zukmeista wrote:Better start collecting those supermarket fuel discount vouchers...

Really not that bad I own a couple .. Yours must just be a thirsty one zukmeista

Whats the cliche...
Ya can drive a Jeep past a gas station...

That's true...

while not the most fuel efficient wagon, it took me a long time to realize the small size of the tank in part, has something to do with that...

72 litre tank ain't that small dude, fuel light comes on around the 54 litre mark, still another 100ks + in the tank , time to start lookin for the next gas station tho

cheers
Greg