Member - Bob replied:

Holden, check www.redbook.com.au for used vehicle prices. I reckon you could pick up a 1996 Pajero GLX 2.8 TD for about the $ you mentioned. Your setup budget is very generous provided you just make do with a UHF CB ($360). (forget winches etc) An Epirb if you are going way off the main drag ($300).

Your main cost will be fuel (both for you and the car). Say 20,000 km at 10L /100 km is about $2000 (if you can get it for $1.00 a L). Better allow $3k for fuel. Allow for a few vehicle services and a few trashed tyres. How much you spend on food and refreshments will detrmine if you make it all the way, or run out half way- worse things could happen :-) Half your luck Holden. Have a great trip.

Truckster replied:

GQ patroltheres a few around at the moment for good prices.....

HoldenSS replied:

What do you all think about troop carriers ??

How well does the 4.2L diesel go and do they use much fuel ??

Rox replied:

Have you thought about a Troupie?? A friend bought 1 for $11k and later added a rear seat. How many people in your trip/Family?
I am Planing a trip next year already set up, buget I hope $600/week, that is 200 fuel, 200 food, 200 extras/ camping tyres etc. have started a savings program to have 20k for the tripp Family of 4.

HoldenSS replied:

Well I am only 21... so it is just me and the woman ??

I am so confused on what to do and we wanna head off January 2005 :(

HoldenSS replied:

If I was to go with a troopy where do you put all your gear if you are using the back to sleep in, (i.e recovery gear, clothes, cooking stuff, etc etc etc)

Also another thing I wanted to take my laptop with me so that I can upload pics off my digital camera to it, now my question is can you send emails using A GPS or HF ??

Thanks

Shaun

HoldenSS replied:

ROX have you got an email address that I can get in contact with you via to discuss troopies easier ??

Member - Geoff replied:

Greetings Shaun !! We have just bought a 91 4.2 diesel Ford Maverick with many extras including, a X9 super winch, dual batterys, sidesteps, Kenwood stereo & longrange fuel tank, rustproofed, from a car yard, who had repaired all that needed to be fixed for $13,000. It was in very good conditon and had done 247000 Klm and still going strong. Fuel consumption on highway driving is 11litres per 100 klms. We have had a Maverick before trading it on a Nissan GU patrol 2.8 turbo diesel, and now very happy to be behind the steering wheel of a Mav again. Geoff

HoldenSS replied:

in terms of when driving the 4.2litre non turbo diesel that is in thr troopy does it have the same performance as say the smaller cc motor but turbo for example 2.8litre Turbo Diesel that is found in something like a surf ?? granted that the troopy weighs more but it is a 6cyl

thanks

shaun

Goodsy replied:

Don't think you can go past a GQ diesel here. You should be able to get one with around 250000km on it which is not much if serviced. The 2.8 is alright but when buying at these Km's go for the 4.2. Happy hunting:)

Member - Jo (NSW) replied:

I looked and loooked, and was left with HJ47. Could not afford a 75 sadly. Troopy is the way to go. I am fitting mine now, and it is a lot of work. Have a look at my webpage for the list I am working by now.

Have a look at the current 4x4 Australia (May issue), it has troopy secondhand purchase info. I know 4wd Monthly Australia did something on the 75 series in general not to long ago, but dont remember exactly. If its just the 2 of you, there are a lot of options, I think 4wdinteriors.com.au does a _Affordable_Storage_Drawers.aspx solution with bedextension and stuff...

Johttp://www.pad.no/ A viking in a desert :-)