Offroad-Express

Hey all, new member from Dunedin here seeking some advice on a 4wd to buy.
So I'm a builder and after something for both work (including towing) and maybe a little offroading but next to bugger all though. Not wanting to go anything bigger than the likes of a Terrano or Surf too.
Budget will be around the $8-9k mark but am happy to spend a lot less than that!
Been reading up abit on Terranos and they sound like a solid truck apart from the steering arms? But surely this won't be a problem with what I'd be doing with it?
Anyways I'm not set on anything inparticular so any suggestions knowing my budget and intended use would be great.
Thanks to all in advance!

Just for towing and light off roading a Terrano would be fine. Surfs are great too. and as said in other posts, test drive before you buy and buy what feels right for you.

lincooln wrote:Just for towing and light off roading a Terrano would be fine. Surfs are great too. and as said in other posts, test drive before you buy and buy what feels right for you.

Hey cheers for that. So the 3L Surfs are ok? Cause I heard they may have a problem with overheating if towing decent sized loads which I would be doing a bit of.
But yeah will definitely be test driving just want an idea of what to avoid or go for thats all.

What are peoples opinions of Isuzu Wizards? I've heard Bighorns are solid just not wanting something that big.
Thanks again,
Graham.

for that price id go staight for a 3.0 surf. had the ssrg model for years as a builder,just sum mud tyres for playing a bit, exelent tow wagon and real nice on long trips all over nz. personly id go for a surf, have only driven one turano though and it was crap compered to the surf,so later model ones may be better

Im a nissan guy so i would say terrano, But for towing the gearboxes arnt the strongest, You can get heavy duty bearings which apparently make them real strong, And the motors are really realiable! shit load better than 2.4td and 3td surfs(they both cracks heads). But for what you want, A 3L(2800cc) surf with a bolt on turbo would be good. reliable and should be plenty of power for towing.

u13turbo wrote:Im a nissan guy so i would say terrano, But for towing the gearboxes arnt the strongest, You can get heavy duty bearings which apparently make them real strong, And the motors are really realiable! shit load better than 2.4td and 3td surfs(they both cracks heads). But for what you want, A 3L(2800cc) surf with a bolt on turbo would be good. reliable and should be plenty of power for towing.

I'm liking the sound of the Terrano as not really wanting to do anything like having to put a turbo on anything and yeah i've heard the surfs are prone to doing that which kind of puts me off.
And is there some aftermarket cooler you can get for the gearbox that will make them a bit safer?
So if I was to go Terrano what model/year is the one to go for?

tweedledee wrote:

u13turbo wrote:Im a nissan guy so i would say terrano, But for towing the gearboxes arnt the strongest, You can get heavy duty bearings which apparently make them real strong, And the motors are really realiable! shit load better than 2.4td and 3td surfs(they both cracks heads). But for what you want, A 3L(2800cc) surf with a bolt on turbo would be good. reliable and should be plenty of power for towing.

I'm liking the sound of the Terrano as not really wanting to do anything like having to put a turbo on anything and yeah i've heard the surfs are prone to doing that which kind of puts me off.
And is there some aftermarket cooler you can get for the gearbox that will make them a bit safer?
So if I was to go Terrano what model/year is the one to go for?

You can get coolers for the auto gearboxes, but the manual ones dont need any cooling as far as i know. As for what year, If it was me i would go for a new d21, thin 1995 was the last year, They have full chassis unlike the R50's.

my 2 cents worth would be a low km (100 -- 160 k) Jeep cherokee, even with petrol prices like they are ( diesel not much better buy the time you add ks and rego), strong 4ltr motor with auto, good running gear, would pick up a good one for the money you want to spend, there is a diesel 5 speed on trade me , never driven one so can't comment on how they go, I drive a wrangler so same motor as cherokee , good luck

me i'd go for a surf. Try and either get one with a warranty or one thats have the haed fixed.
Surfs are a good comfy truck with plenty of go. To help with the towing i'd get a trans cooler put on for the auto and a larger exhaust(2.5in would be plenty), this is to help keep the head in good shape.

I had a truck with the 2.4 turbo and gave the thing death all the time . it had a bigger exhuast ran 13psi boost and did about 75000 ks with out blowing the head while a few mates have same motor and standard exhuast and everyone of them blew the head.
Aslo runnig slightly more boost can help keep motoer temps down

I'd go for the surf too, I've had mine for 6 yrs, 3L turbo, manual box, towed boats & double horse floats all over the country with no problems.

thanks for all the advice guys. the surfs do sound like a good truck what if i said my range was dropping to closer to $5-6k? as that is looking very likely atm. just looking on trademe looks like for that price range the kms are getting very high in the surfs