Offroad-Express

Well i called up a few 4wd places and asked how much to replace the ifs in the terrano seeming its the only way to lift it and they told me seeming the driveshaft is on the wrong side its alot of work to do and it will cost over $3000, so i dont really think its worth it think i'll just sell it and buy something else.

So.. im looking at either the surf or the swb safari. but i dont really know what to get and i dont know how relible they are. i want it to be tough and plenty of power or beable to get power out of it anyhow, petrol or dsl doesnt worry me just i dont want a non turbo dsl.
and have plenty of room inside.
if anyone can help im open to anything

WarKu wrote:So.. im looking at either the surf or the swb safari. but i dont really know what to get and i dont know how relible they are. i want it to be tough and plenty of power or beable to get power out of it anyhow, petrol or dsl doesnt worry me just i dont want a non turbo dsl.
and have plenty of room inside. if anyone can help im open to anything

Both the solid axle Surfs and Safari's are excellent vehicles - you will not be dissapointed with either. Surfs are potentially easier to modify because of the abundance of spares and aftermarket options.

Just reading the buy/sell, theres a beam axle surf LSD rear, lokka in front, winch etc, blah, blah, blah........could be worth a look

Personally i think the nissan is to heavy for there size, go the toyots surf

MATT4U wrote:Personally i think the nissan is to heavy for there size, go the toyots surf

i'll have to go with matt4u...

from what i've seen, the toy's are very cheap and capable.. a mate of mine has had a couple and when we've been out for a plug in the mud, he's not shy of thrashin the crap out of it.. it lives.. happily too..

as for nissan's, never been privy to one so cant comment on them.. they have a huge following in oz, so dependin on ya view of aussies, make of it what you will..

i also own 3 toyotas so my opinion may be tainted.. :happyjump: ]:-)

Get a surf!!!

Just reading the buy/sell, theres a beam axle surf LSD rear, lokka in front, winch etc, blah, blah, blah........could be worth a look

Look here for it will sell quick im guessing:

http://www.sellmefree.co.nz/site/onlineadvert_id__1930433/adclassification_id__162/42/default.aspx

How much money have you spend?

To get a solid axle surf you have to go back to 1985 leaf spung, The Nissans are coil sprung and solid axle 88-today which gives you a much newer truck. The Td42's are also really reliable.
I suggest try to find a Swb GQ with factory pto and rear locker chuck a small lift on it and some 33's and you have a really capable 4x4.

Somthing like this its done a few k but if the motor has been looked after it will see 400,000km without trouble
http://www.trademe.co.nz/Trade-Me-Motor ... 574878.htm

The Nissans are a little heavier just over 2t but as a club truck a little more weight doesnt really matter and they have a much stronger driveline than the Toyotas.

Stick with the Nissans! My opinion is probly tainted to though

doddzee wrote:
Stick with the Nissans! My opinion is probly tainted to though

Bah typical Nissan whale owner :cyclops:

doddzee wrote:How much money have you spend?

You'll need it it to be able to afford the spare parts

surfs are lighter and built lighter, if you dont mind spending money on an old truck go for the surf but you will be fixing it very reguarly, if you dont want to spend too much monet go for the safari, all the hard work is done for you, they just need a little more power for their weight. you can buy a whole truck with all the fruit for under 10 grand , and still have a good tourer that can go on a long drive or a winch challenge, i think safaris are very versatile, i have owned 2 hiluxes 1 powered by a lexus , i 2.4. have had a swb prado , 2 mitsi pajeros and 3 fj40s. i am now driving a isuzu mu to work. some vehichles are better at some things than others, its all a compromise. get a safari put a turbo on it and away you go.

mudchuka wrote: i have owned 2 hiluxes 1 powered by a lexus , i 2.4. have had a swb prado , 2 mitsi pajeros and 3 fj40s..

dont want to hijack thread but was hopin you could just give me your opinion, how'd the 40 stack up to the other rides you've had?

i still like the old 40s they rock, hard riding, a bit agricultural but a good solid unit. they have a cool shape. i have 1 thats a swb ute that i will transplant my 350 chev and rear lokka in to. they make great bush trucks, get them dirty open the door and hose them out.

Thanx for all your replys, still dont know what to get i have $5000-$6000
just for the buying the trucks parts will come later.
I've also got a kid on the way so i want something practicle also.
I'm leaning towards the surf tho i really want a safari for the strongside and the motor. what motor would be best for the surf? and what could it be repowered with?

If you are spending $5-6000 on a surf, it should already be repowered if its the mid 80's beam axle.

Surfs are good with mods, but I personally think the Safari is a better vehicle to start with, but any vehicle can be made more than capable off road with $$$.

I miss the room my surf had, but the Safari more than makes up with it for reliability, and even though the parts are more expensive, thats because they don't break much, so how else can wreckers make the same money they do with Hilux's?

Seriously though, if its the family/room in mind, go surf, if you want a reliable vehicle that is more than capable off road as standard, go Safari.

You're going to have to buy an 84 or 85 surf unless you find a SAS'd 5-door from a later year...

If your engine requirements are the most important thing then you're going to get the Safari... if you want the better vehicle overall for ruggedness and ability and cheapness (buying AND fixing AND upgrading) then get the Surf. There are a plethora of motors you can fit to power up the Toys...

[subliminal message]
GO TOYOTA
[/subliminal message]

Steve

and what could it be repowered with?[/quote]
i quite like the holden 3.8 v6 they seem to go pretty good, so do lexuses if you have the coin, then you will need some coin for fuel.

As said above, go for the surf, as its more rugged, and has more ability than the Safari, thats why there are so many in winch comps, and hardly any Safari's

What about a MU or a Pajero, and annother sas project.

Yeah yeah yeah!! What about that! Yeah... do that !

Ok, gotta go take my pills

Steve

When you're looking at vehicles, use the checklist:

Stuff Wot is Good To Have in a 4WD:

1. Beam axles both ends
2. SWB - if you don't need the extra space
3. Grunty Motor - relative to the weight of the vehicle
4. Coil Springs
5. Disc Brakes all round

Just to mix up the Surf/Patrol debate a bit, the 3 litre LJ71 Prado's share many of the good features of the Patrol & are a lot lighter.

Cheers
Clint

I was waiting for the Prado to make its way in there
That was my first choice when looking to upgrade the Bighorn, but couldn't find one, so went for the Safari, well worth a look if their in your price range.

Haha, exactly the same as me DaveM, i was looking for a SWB 3L manual Prado.
Couldn't find a good one.
My old man picked a mint one up the other day for $7000.


I'm pleased i got the Safari now!!!!!!!!!!

Hey DB, how did you get on with the lokka over the weekend? I take it you are doing the body lift to get 35's on? I'm tempted to head up your way to join in on the next trip, but don't think I'd keep up.

Have you compared the Prado off road yet? I too am glad I got the Safari, its my most reliable vehicle to date, and when I eventually pay it off I might start doing a few more mods.

i had a swb playdo with 2lte engine and auto, best part of it was a rear difflock other thn that it was a bit of a disappointment, way underpowered with the auto and choppy riding, the front end would really thump, the other problem was when 4wding you were better to use hi ratio as the throttle was very touchy and it would jerk around, but it was very manouvreable in the bush, good turning circle, a guy down here in southland [home of sunshine} has a prado with a lexus and auto with a 8274 winch with 2 x 8 hp motors very impressive winch, anyhoo he is using gu nissan patrol springs which seem to work pretty well.

DaveM wrote:Hey DB, how did you get on with the lokka over the weekend? I take it you are doing the body lift to get 35's on? I'm tempted to head up your way to join in on the next trip, but don't think I'd keep up.

Have you compared the Prado off road yet? I too am glad I got the Safari, its my most reliable vehicle to date, and when I eventually pay it off I might start doing a few more mods.

Still not working properly. WIll have to pull it out and see if i can figure out whats up with it. Worked all right on the bench before i put it in. Awesome difference off road though!!!!

Body lift is for 35's. Sick of getting hung up in ruts left by hilux's and cruisers, it won't fix the problem as the diff head is so big, but will improve it a bit.

Ya gonna laugh, but my famiily has 3 SWB Prado's amongst them. My old man has a 2.4 SWB auto which he has had for a long time. That gets around ok, but has a SERIOUS lack of axle articulation, even with the sway bar off the front. He bought the 3L manual SWB as it was there, and he made a rediculous offer to the guy selling it and the next day the guy accepted the offer. Its got more power than the 2.4 of course, but all the limitations of the suspension are still there. It would turn 33's nicely though and they would fit with out to much diffculty from standard i think.

My brother has the 3l SWB Auto. Thats ok, we lifted it, but now we can't find any front shocks to fit it. So its still got articulation problems. Approach angle is pretty good to after the lift and replacing the standard bumper with a LR Defender bumper sitting ontop of the Chassis rails, and with the rear bumper removed, its not bad at that end either.

Quite simply, the Safari runs rings round them

As far as trips go, don't worry about not being able to keep up, we are pretty cruisy, and its about having fun, so if ya get stuck, we pull you out. No drama. T hats why its good to go with Wopass, with his HUGE winch, he's the official GQ Rescue Service

DieselBoy wrote:[

Ya gonna laugh, but my famiily has 3 SWB Prado's amongst them. My old man has a 2.4 SWB auto which he has had for a long time. That gets around ok, but has a SERIOUS lack of axle articulation, even with the sway bar off the front. He bought the 3L manual SWB as it was there, and he made a rediculous offer to the guy selling it and the next day the guy accepted the offer. Its got more power than the 2.4 of course, but all the limitations of the suspension are still there. It would turn 33's nicely though and they would fit with out to much diffculty from standard i think.

My brother has the 3l SWB Auto. Thats ok, we lifted it, but now we can't find any front shocks to fit it. So its still got articulation problems. Approach angle is pretty good to after the lift and replacing the standard bumper with a LR Defender bumper sitting ontop of the Chassis rails, and with the rear bumper removed, its not bad at that end either.

Yup, they'll fit 33's with no mods. The std springs & shocks are a bit rugged alright, a new set of each is next on my list. What sort of lift did your bro go for? Are the shocks the limiting factor?

Cheers
Clint

If you do want to go the hilux route, this looks ok

http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/Listing ... =84126#qna

Clint wrote:Yup, they'll fit 33's with no mods. The std springs & shocks are a bit rugged alright, a new set of each is next on my list. What sort of lift did your bro go for? Are the shocks the limiting factor?

Cheers
Clint

We put LWB 2" OME springs in it. Had to get the rears reset as they were to hard and to long. The standard shocks are just holding in there, but it desperately needs longer shocks, so yes they are the limiting factor at the moment. You can get OME shocks for the front, but they are still on the short side from what we hear. The guy we got the springs from used modifed Landrover shocks in the front. My oldman has crates and crates of LR stuff under the house so it just a matter of wading through them and finding a couple of good matching shocks to play with.

Yea i saw that hilux i dont really like the 80's version apart from the axles etc, i'd rather a big old ford bronco but dont got the money for that and it would be to big for the tracks wouldnt it? is being to wide a factor?
im not really in to the surf but it looks like all i can get. for swb easily mods and roomy, id get an mu but im a ford fan
id rather something nice and wide, when i sit in my terrano beside a safari it feels like im in a mini. been lookin around but nothing catch my eye yet not in a hurry everytime i am i get something and end up not wanting it.

keep an eye on sell me free . com and trade me i have seen a few swb safaris 1990 and 1991 go for $2800 and $2900 not a lot of money.

if ya not that keen on the lux's, i agree with the chuka of mud, mudchuka.
get a swb nissan safari. saw a meaty one today.. all they really need is bigger tyres and youre off...

then you can have that superiority feelin..