Offroad-Express

OK, I'm venturing into unfamiliar territory here so please go easy on me.

I decided to take this for a test drive today mainly cos it was in the yard down the road and I had driven past it a few times.

http://www.trademe.co.nz/Trade-Me-Motor ... 505263.htm

I now have a few questions.

Are all the 4.2 Nissan's really lacking in punch

Coming from a 2.8td Isuzu it was like the Nissan was always trying to power down

No idea on compressions or leak down numbers as they didn't have them, but it didn't seem to have half the get up and go of the Isuzu

I know it has over 300K on the clock, but do diffs generally wine on deceleration at all on these and where do low rev vibrations come from in every gear

I enjoyed the comfort and space on the inside, and it was generally quite to drive, but am I tarring them all with the not so hot brush from this experience or is this a one off

Punch??? from a diesel?? Hahhahaha

Nah, as you may have noticed there is a yellow line on the rev counter, keep it in that rev range and it pulls well. They are a commercial engine, so low performance, but go for a long long time.

Diff wine is a worn pinion bearing, due to high k's and lack of maintenance.

The gear chatter below 1000rpm is typical of a commercial style transmission, and is common to all GQ modle Safari's/Patrols. Again, its a product of a big heavy duty gear box, with lower tolerences than you find in your lighter duty vehicles suchas the Isuzu. HEavy understressed box again = a long long life span.

Some people understand the kind of vehicle they are driving, some don't

3oo ooo kms is a lot for 10 grand, id shop around and buy one with a factory turbo and half the kms for the same money. or leave the kids at home and buy a swb, youll get a good one with a turbo and pto winch for around 8 grand.

I wasn't thinkin of paying the money thay were asking for that one, just interested to see how they go.

I will try another one or two to compare but will be on the look out for a turbo and winch equiped one if it comes up for better money.

Thanks for letting me know what to look for.

a mate of mine bought a swb from a car yard on thursday absolute mint condition, only 86000kms factory winch etc, $13000. never been offroad came on road tyres etc.