Canterbury/MacKenzie Country Riverbeds

[Tentman]

Hello Guys

Intro and advice

Over the past two years I’ve been going after Tahr a lot more. Recently I’ve had two trips into the Macaulay, up the Hopkins and into the Ashburton South-branch. I’ve trundled up the main road from Southland in my dear old stock petrol 1991 Pathfinder, put her in 4wd and never missed a beat or had a moments excitement much less got stuck or run out of go. To be fair we didn’t take it into the Ashburton. I did have water over the bonnet in the Macaulay but somehow she plugged through without a bib or anything.

Along on our last trip in the Ashburton were a stock Hilux, a SFA diesel, and a modified (33x12 Maxxis tyres, lifted, lockers and snorkel) LX 80 series landcruiser. We encountered some pretty rough terrain in the riverbeds and shingle fans, and I was very impressed with both the vehicles capability (and the driving!!).

So now I want to do more with my own vehicle, on these Canterbury and MacKenzie Country tracks/riverbeds. The question is do I upgrade the old Pathfinder, or get something else ?? (I don’t tow with the Pathfinder, she was bought very cheap for boys to learn to drive in, but has just kept going and going so I’ve “inherited” it back). I’m thinking SWB GQ Patrol or 70 Series Landcruiser in SWB or MWB if I can find one that won’t turn into a pile of red dust.

Whatever I get needs to be able to make the trip up (3-5 hours driving from Invercargill, but doesn’t have to be quick), occasionally tow a horsefloat, and the rest of the time it’ll do a wee bit of work in the paddocks but mostly will reside in the shed. I don’t want a lot of money tied up in it, maybe $6-7,000 max. I’m not really into modifying vehicles myself (I do basic work on all the farm stuff but it there are other things I’d rather do).

So what handles Canterbury/MacKenzie Country riverbeds real well in a slow but steady mode ??


Thanks

Foster

[drive it ...]

Coils make a huge difference but usually a few more $$ , you might pick up a Prado at that $, IMO a LWB is smoother ride in rocky stuff. And LWB will be better towing float.
60 series cruiser cheap and tough if you can find a no rust version
Hilux's are too popular, hard to find a good one cheap.
80 series (IMO) are the ultimate east coast river trucks, smooth as. But wouldn't touch one on that budget.

Getting whatever you choose on to 33's is good, bigger tyres roll over the rocks much smoother and only tyre size changes the clearance under your diff. If you stick with 15" rims theres more sidewall to soak up shock. Anything bigger and you get serious about mods to fit them. Have a play with tyre pressures as well, difference between 35psi road pressure and 20psi is huge. Less stress on truck and driver.

Was up the sinclair (off the clyde) 2 weekends ago, climbing. Saw a thar family of 5, a mob of 18, another mob of 8 and probably another 10 or so in singles and pairs. Go get em.

[lax2wlg]

So what handles Canterbury/MacKenzie Country riverbeds real well in a slow but steady mode ??

Something with enough weight to stay planted in swift currents, but not so heavy that it bogs down easily in shingly peagravel sections.

Something with low factory gears for crawling capability

Something with a simple diesel engine that is either cast iron or has a really good cooling system for low speed stuff.

Something with plenty of interior space for gear + dead animals, or in case you need to sleep in the vehicle comfortably.

[waka]

what hes trying to say is buy a 80 series landcruiser !!!!

[Tentman]

Thanks guys, I hear you on the 80 series but at my price point it just ain't gonna work unless someone makes me a gift (unlikely).

What do you think about the differences between LWB and SWB for my intended use . . . will a LWB cramp my style too much getting over washouts etc. I suppose another way of putting it is how much lift would it take to even that out and how much effect does lifting have on towing stability ??

Ta

[Suza]

Have a look a Safari they are very able straight out of the box.
Nissan vrs Toyota is much like Holden vrs Ford

[drive it ...]

My 2c I think a LWB is better in east coast rivers. Ramp over isn't really an issue on river gravel banks, its usually pretty easy to break the lip away a bit if you find a really sharp wash out. My LWB prado drags its back end a bit 'cause they are pretty long behind the rear axle but never has much issue with bellying. Theres been a few threads here about best wheelbase - around 100in (2.5m) seemed to get the most votes.

[Batfastard]

Buy a disco.300tdi .u will get a mint one for the money your talking.

[fish]

Buy a disco.300tdi .u will get a mint one for the money your talking.

Yup if you can afford the gas this is the ticket.

[DieselBoy]

Buy a disco.300tdi .u will get a mint one for the money your talking.

Yup if you can afford the gas this is the ticket.

300tdi is a diesel, one of the most economical on the market too. I have driven one with 440,000 on the clock still on the original engine

[lax2wlg]

[DieselBoy]

:lol:

This motor here actually

[rangimotors]

something like this http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/used-cars/toyota/landcruiser/auction-668406470.htm would make a nice hunting truck. What ever you buy becasue of where youll be hunting i'd get some side bars made up to protect your sills (bang, crash, thud).

[Batfastard]

With a little love your tdi 300 db should make it to 1,000,000 km there are plenty around that have

[Batfastard]

Buy a disco.300tdi .u will get a mint one for the money your talking.

Yup if you can afford the gas this is the ticket.

Do u no what a 300 tdi motor is fish and how cheap they are to run.....
This fourm seems to have its fair share of people given other people advice on how others should spend there money that realy what they no u can write on the back of a postage stamp

[lax2wlg]

Great engine But 440km on the original head?

[fish]

Buy a disco.300tdi .u will get a mint one for the money your talking.

Yup if you can afford the gas this is the ticket.

Do u no what a 300 tdi motor is fish and how cheap they are to run.....
This fourm seems to have its fair share of people given other people advice on how others should spend there money that realy what they no u can write on the back of a postage stamp

calm down mate, i misread it and and didnt see the tdi bit,
yes i do know what it is as i have owned in the past. they are great.

it seems too that this forum (not"fourm") has its fair share of overly recreational people who get upset at nothing and dont use spell check.

take it easy.