New from Franklin after advice on 4x4 models

[zane]

Hey guys,

Im weighing up the options between a mid 90's mitsi challenger, Nissan terano, or Isuzu bighorn.

Il use it for alot of road use, towing the boat, and beach launches. Plus playing around in the bush.

I can spend bout 7 grand max.

I would prefer manual. What model is known for relaiability and good allrounder?

Cheers boys,

Z

[lincooln]

I would go for a D21 Terrano. The Diesel is pretty much bulletproof.

[tga_4x4]

Had a D21 Terrano and it was to gutless compared to a 2.8 pajero...make sure you look for rust under the back seats...I am thinking about a 3.5 gdi challenger just for the creature comforts

[gimmemud]

Have heard the 3.5 challenger's go alright but have also heard the gdi system is quite unreliable and expensive to fix.

Hey guys,

Im weighing up the options between a mid 90's mitsi challenger, Nissan terano, or Isuzu bighorn.

Il use it for alot of road use, towing the boat, and beach launches. Plus playing around in the bush.

I can spend bout 7 grand max.

I would prefer manual. What model is known for relaiability and good allrounder?

Cheers boys,

Z

Have you thought about a 3litre surf? or prado?
http://www.trademe.co.nz/Trade-Me-Motor ... 398531.htm Not mine but would be more capable out of the box than everything you have listed

[zane]

Thanks heaps guys,

Im after a deisel, and hoping for something with bout 130 k's. I'de be stoked with a hilux surf but they tend to be a bit more pricey.

The prado looks good but has done high k's. Should i be concerend about the higher k's?

Cheers

[zane]

so im pretty much keen on hilux surfs now. I understand the challengers tend to blow head gaskets. Is that right?

Cheers

Z

[Pajmad]

3l 1kz surfs and prados crack heads at around 225k the intercooled ones tend to go a bit longer before the enevidable. I have worked at a hire center that had 8 mitsis withe the 4m40 2.8 and some were over 400k, my work truck was a 2002 2.8 challenger with 280k on the clock when i got it and i towed 3.6 tonne up to the local mine twice a week for two years and never had a problem, the challengers are a better road truck compared to a surf or d21 terrano, but the terrano is more reliable than a kzn185 surf if a bit under powered, the old 2.5 challengers cracked heads but they are cheap and easy to fix. the common fault with the 4m40 diesel is the timing chain on very early ones stretch if the oil changes wernt religious, and some diesel pumps leaked hope, Challengers stronger offroad than a surf, bigger front and back diffs, they are essentially a triton with coils and comfier bodys.

[coxsy]

noticed a surf for sale on reagan rd in papatoetoe $2500

[Heath]

Go and see the local mechanics and ask them which vehicles they see the most of and which are the most expensive to fix. This included some transmission places too.

I spoke to half a dozen in my area for their feedback on diesels with auto/manual.

Their line ups were:
Toyota
nissan
isuzu (holden)
mitzi
the others suzuki etc were all similar but didnt fit what I wanted so I rulled them out from the start.

Toyota and Nissan were neck and neck followed closely by Isuzu and then again really close with Mitzi.

At the end of the day it came down to what I wanted and any of the 4 would have done what I wanted. Armed with my new found knowledge (including what I got off here) I was able to pick and choose (and spot potential issues). Any engine / transmission can last well if maintained etc, but if you get one that has a manufacturers fault or has been damaged/thrashed then...

Almost all wagons suffer engine problems as do transmissions at some stage (wear and tear) and we all have heard horror stories about our mate's vehicles but we dont know the history so cant be sure it was a design fault or a driver fault.

Do your home work and then look at costs associated with any potential issues and make your decision from there.

Be advised that no sooner that you buy, everyone will say what a great wagon but have you considered the problems these have with......... It's just life.

[pouw]

I've owned a few of the trucks you mentioned. Only comment on mitsi's is that as the engines get older with more k's, the more often you will need to replace glow plugs etc, they just seem to chew through them. The surfs I have owned were good, servicing costs were norrmal for a diesel, very comfortable and better at towing then the mitsis.

Trick is really to figure out what you want to do with the truck and how hardcore you want to get. If it's for beach driving, fishing trips etc, any of the trucks you mentioned will be fine. If it's hardcore, I think just about everyone would agree that Nissan patrols or Toyota land cruisers are the go long term.

[long]

Yuo can always up the power on the D21 by fumigateing it with LPG mine works a treat with a chit load more punch n better ks per liter

[zane]

Hey guys,

Thanks for all the advice. Im set now on either a 3.0t surf or 2.7t/3.0t terano.

It really depends on the right price now, and how sound they are.

I will post some pics once i have bought one and broken it in.

Cheers

Z

[SamLogan]

I know plenty of people with 1kz with well over 225k on the clock and they have had no head troubles. Like most vechiles, especially diesels, the more you look after them the longer they will last. You have to remember that all of the Japanese imports had been setup for driving around the cities in Japan and did not have towbars to tow your boat or trailer. Therefore the cooling systems are a lot smaller than what would be in a NZ new one. I have a surf and it is a really comfortable car to drive long distances with plenty of grunt. I have 33's and stock ratios and will beat any terrano off the line. It has pulled a rowing boat trailer loaded to the limit (2000kg) from CHCH to Ashburton (flat road) without the temp gauge moving. This was because of the $130 transcooler i installed. I don't think the offroading bit is true. You see a hell of a lot more surfs and hiluxs than pajeros out there.

[/color]

3l 1kz surfs and prados crack heads at around 225k the intercooled ones tend to go a bit longer before the enevidable. I have worked at a hire center that had 8 mitsis withe the 4m40 2.8 and some were over 400k, my work truck was a 2002 2.8 challenger with 280k on the clock when i got it and i towed 3.6 tonne up to the local mine twice a week for two years and never had a problem, the challengers are a better road truck compared to a surf or d21 terrano, but the terrano is more reliable than a kzn185 surf if a bit under powered, the old 2.5 challengers cracked heads but they are cheap and easy to fix. the common fault with the 4m40 diesel is the timing chain on very early ones stretch if the oil changes wernt religious, and some diesel pumps leaked hope, Challengers stronger offroad than a surf, bigger front and back diffs, they are essentially a triton with coils and comfier bodys.

Cheers
Sam