Offroad-Express

Hi fella's,

After a couple of recent trips away in the trusty terrano with 2 kids and gear packed to the gunnels, I started thinking about options to upsize the family wagon.

Naturally I have been looking into the patrol/safari.

Vehicle is used by wifey 3-4 times a week to drive into town and do whatever it is that they do there... She has no problem driving the terrano and says she actually likes it, so I dont see the point in buying a car. Also used to haul firewood, trips away + camping, bit of hunting etc etc. Its our only wagon so you get the picture.

Anyway so far my conclusions are such, if we were to go down the patrol/safari route-

Should have an increase in amount of cargo space, be able to load it up/easily tow something if needed/ and with the 4.2td still be able to move along.
Legendary reliability.

What I want to know is am I being a bit delusional (happens easily when you decide its time to buy a truck), are the benifits there and worth upgrading?

What sort of cruising speed is the norm? In the terrano loaded up, 100kph feels like the limit, wouldnt think of passing anything other than a tractor, and usually sit around 80-90. Does the extra weight and size of the patrol outweigh the expected power from the 4.2td?

Also, would prefer the low roof version, but open to opinions? (i think they are visually more appealing)

Interested to hear the conclusions!

Its all relative, power wise. Bigger truck bigger motor (turbo). More towing capacity,more room. They are far from a speed merchant but as you can expect from a work horse will spend all day happily towing anything at 90.

It will always be a compromise somewhere along the way, its finding the best of the pluses that suit you.
I have a D/C hilux LN107 ute and its the best thing for me and our lifestyle block/camping/hunting/firewood etc.
The trusty 2.8 keeps ticking over fine. I have a cab for the back for when we go camping, remove it for firewood.
Maybe the Surf could be an option, have packed plenty of camping gear into our we had a while back.

Get a piece of paper and write down the vehicles that you think will suit, column the good poinst and the bad points of each, see if that helps.

Cheers

You will prob find that a surf will not be much bigger than a terrano for load capacity. a slightly bigger option than a surf would be a prado or a pajero as the cargo area has more height to them, may just need to get rid of the 3rd row of seats

My 80 series on 35's and loaded up still has gobs of go at 100kph - once the turbo spools up.. I've overtaken a 120 easily enough, i usually cruise at 100 but have to change down gears on the steeper hils. Have never towed at those speeds mind you. I would imagine with smaller wheels and towing it would be a similar story. I went from a surf to an 80 and the amount of room gained is worth it in itself i think.

Cheers.

Test drive a LWB Patrol, you'll be suprised how little interior/cargo space there is for such a big vehicle.

Another option to throw in the works, what about a newer Terrano?
I've had both, and I think all in all, I prefer my Terrano to the Safari. The safari was good as I used it for offroading too, but now I have a trailer truck for that. The terrano is a lot more comfortable on long trips, it tows my suzuki on the trailer no worries (a lot lighter than a load of firewood of course). If I had the choice, a LWB GU patrol with the TD42T..but, thats well out of my price range

I've got a LWB Safari with aftermarket turbo - and it certainly ticks most boxes - and fantastic for towing. Tough as nails - running 35's and regularly abused offroad. Towed the caravan to Westport to do Sav's Westport Challenge in 2013, then towed the caravan home again. Most other trucks travelled on trailers... But as said earlier - surprising how little space there is inside for such a big vehicle. The transmission tunnel is HUGE - leaving front footwells very cramped. Not a lot of leg-room in the back, and even the cargo area isn't huge. Our LWB Isuzu Bighorn actually has more cargo space and better comfort, tows well (not quite AS well) and is surprisingly capable offroad. Auto boxes hang a little low, and would want an extra transmission cooler, but 5 speed manuals are around (although not as common) and have better clearance. A mate has one with a mild lift, LSD rear and lockrite in the front, runs 33's comfortable and is a very capable off-roader. If you're not into extreme 4WD stuff - I'd recommend it as an option - certainly a LOT of truck for the money...

+1 for the Bighorn. Massive amount of room inside and tough IFS. 3.1TD is a great motor.

They are heavy and gearbox cross member is low.

Very well priced.

Don't know what the lo-top ones are like for space, but I've got a high top one and aside from the monstrous gearbox tunnel its a behemoth inside, I'm 6ft4 and am super comfy in it, and with the high top can fit heaps of shit in it! Happily cruises at 115-120 until you hit a big hill haha. Haven't regretted buying a saf yet, fuel economy is surprising too, drove to wellington from Tauranga the other week which is 550 odd ks and only used 70 bucks of deez with quarter of a tank to spare! Round town is a complete different story though haha.

Cheers guys, sounds to be all relative with trade offs to be had wherever, might have to keep my eyes peeled and do a side by side comparison during a test drive.