Offroad-Express

I am currently looking for a good 4wd, I mostly plan to take it up braided river beds with plenty of river crossings and along gravelly beaches, mostly to access fishing spots. Would take it into the mountains from time to time.

I only want to spend around $3,000, (not including a extra $1000 or so for initial mods). Although it is possible to spend up to around $8000 if it would mean a vastly superior machine. I know next to nothing about mechanic related things... so would prefer a reliable machine. So a few questions...

Which models should I be looking at? currently looking at Toyota hilux surfs, but always liked range rovers and jeeps.

Is there much of a advantage of getting a diesel over a petrol or vice versa?

Is a manual significantly better then a automatic for off road driving?

Are more powerful engines a good thing? (I assume more power/acceleration, but would make the vehicle heavier and more thirsty for fuel)

Roughly how deep of a river can a 4wd (with snorkel) be able to cross safely? (assuming gravel bottom, I assume water speed would also be a important factor)

Thanks
Thomas

You'll get a solid-front-axle Hilux ute single, extra or double cab for that (or an early model surf), and $1000 will pretty much kit it with 50mm raised springs and shocks which will help it immensely.

If you really want to go 4WDing then that solid front end will be your best friend... if you want a mall cruiser (lol... mall cruising in Blenheim... ) with a 4WD button you don't ever use then buy anything else

Autos are good for people with crook knees, sales reps who eat cheeseburgers, drive and answer their cellphones at the same time and 99% of Americans who "can't drive stick". A 5-speed manual will give you better control over your decents and will probably be much easier to find in a Hilux anyway.

Find one with 5-speed and power steer. Don't sweat the LSD some have - none of them work worth a damn offroad after 12 months of driving anyway

Don't get a 2.4 turbo diesel if you can avoid it... they are a hand grenade. 2.4 normal diesel is ok, but gutless. 2.8 diesel is good, and with a turbo the 2.8 is awesome. Petrols are either a 2l 2.2l or 2.4l (rarer) and all VERY thirsty but quite reliable high-km's motors - although they produce about 13.6HP each Not the gruntiest motors about.

Have a look here for some more info on the various models and mods:
http://www.offroadexpress.co.nz/modules.php?name=Forums&file=viewtopic&t=1453

Steve

Thanks for the info...

Currently looking at Toyota Hilux / Surf. Going to avoid the 2.4 turbo diesel engines, although they are common. Any idea how much it would cost to convert a 130-series Surf to single axle?

You're looking at approx $3500 for a professional certifiable SAS on a surf, including parts.

On top of that you need to allow for cert and bigger tyres

You can reduce the cost by doing some of the work yourself...

Have a look at this one I did recently for Conan for some ideas on whats involved and what you can use for various parts...

http://www.offroadexpress.co.nz/modules.php?name=Forums&file=viewtopic&t=1147

The costly parts are the front axle/diff and the steering... most of the rest is just time... lots of time.

Steve

Cool thanks.

Going to stick to 60-series Surfs.

There was one on trademe the other day, got offered it for $2600 including a complete IFS surf for parts... that seems about what you will pay. Seen them as cheap as $1500, but generally pretty battered... the solid axle ones hold their value due to the solid axle... they only really came out for two years, so they can be a bit hard to find.

Good luck, and let us know what you get and what you do to it

Steve