Offroad-Express

Hi all,

First time poster here in need of some advice. Looking at purchasing my first 4x4 and I'm keen on a Patrol SWB from the early 90's with the TD42.

Been trying to learn about the whole blacktop vs silvertop debate...pretty hard for a newbie to try to sort out.

In any case, these two have caught my eye:

http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/Listing ... =792114060

http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/Listing ... =790894160

Any thoughts or comments on either? Any help is very much appreciated

cheers

Stay away from pearce brothers is my advice, most of there cars are trade ins from other yards. I learnt the hard way with a 94 pajero. farking lemon.

So go with the turbo with white mags( i would anyway) owner says no rust but how do they know really? you can't see in there without cutting it open or stripping out the roof lining, but if there is no sign of it externally you may just be onto a winner.

Normal issues regarding all patrols that age regardless.

Roof gutter rust, Rear window rubbers may be on the way out replacements can be sourced from aussie quite cheaply by googling Ford Maverick on Gumtree australia.

Forget the whole black top silver top thing it's nothing to do with performance, look after it and either will go for ever.

my 2 cents

Many thanks for the quick reply

I'm still learning so pardon my ignorance, but how do you tell if it's a turbo or not?

googdot wrote:Many thanks for the quick reply

I'm still learning so pardon my ignorance, but how do you tell if it's a turbo or not?

If you use the two listings you provided as an example....

The turbocharged one has a second pipe running over the engine from the exhaust side to the intake side, the Naturally aspirated one just has the air cleaner.

Crash bandicoot wrote:If you use the two listings you provided as an example....

The turbocharged one has a second pipe running over the engine from the exhaust side to the intake side, the Naturally aspirated one just has the air cleaner.

Thanks heaps for the info - I'm learning every day

Anybody else have any opinions or advice on the turbocharged one? What to look out for, price, etc.

Or anyone know of any other Patrols/Safaris on the market that I should be considering?

The patrols with the 4.2 Diesel are very reliable, if and it is a big IF it has been serviced. Always make sure the owner has looked after it and has prove that it has been done.

Here is a perfect example, the colour might not be the best but this, in my opinion one of the best 4x4's ever built, factory turbo 4.2L Diesel Patrol.

http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/used-ca ... 219264.htm

I am not sure if you are specifically looking for a Manuel model, never stray to far away from the automatic as the automatic transmission will outlast the manuals by a long shot, the automatics normally last as long as the engine.

I am not sure how familiar you are with buying cars but there are plenty of tips and easy tests which might safe you from buying a lemon.

Cheers

maxnz wrote:I am not sure if you are specifically looking for a Manuel model, never stray to far away from the automatic as the automatic transmission will outlast the manuals by a long shot.

I'm not sure if this is accurate.
The FS5R50a manual transmission mated to the TD42 is known to go forever.

The FS5R30a manual transmission mated to the RD28 models however, is probably close to the limit for such a big vehicle. According to the Aussie sites these generally need new bearings at around 300k (the examples I read about were all tuned RD28 turbos, all LWB rigs, all used for towing).

Neither transmissions are known to have issues with catastrophic failure due to flawed design. To put it into context - in Z-Car applications, people are putting just shy of 1000bhp through the R30a and not blowing it up. And thats the 'small box' of the two.