Regular outback driving vehicle suggestions?

Ooops type That should have read "75" not "76".

What Bob said. If the budget can stretch that far, a factory turbo 79 series. They have the benefit of having a much more grunty engine and also front coil spring suspension for a much better ride. I think from memory the rear, although leaf springs, are longer leaves so a bit better in the ride department there as well. A tad more room in the cab as well.
If you must give that a miss purely for budgetry constraints, either the 75 Toyota or the TD 4.2 Nissan would be my choice. Yes, the old 2H engine is a good reliable plodder, but they are all getting very long in the tooth. I wouldn't get too concerned about changing a timing belt in those Toyota engines. The HJ75 takes about 30 minutes, and that's allowing for sipping a cuppa as you go. Well, maybe a bit longer the first time, but follow the manual for the timing procedure and a very simple job. If you don't have a reliable record of the previous service history, I would change the water pump and the belt tensioner while in there.
Unless you are towing a reasonable load, I wouldn't be worried about the 1HZ engine being slow.
The other advantage is that just about any mechanic in the bush has experience with the Toyota especially, and spare parts, if required are very readily available. Most stations out back have a fleet of them running around or sitting as wreckers behind the shed.

Cheers
Pop

Yes Pop, probably a bit harsh with my comment about the 1HZ. A worthy successor to the 2H alright. As long as you're not towing heavy, and trying to overtake every triple road train you see.

Just that I've been spoilt driving my 79TD over the past 12 years........

Bob

Bob,
Having owned, or at least had experience with both the 2H and 1HZ as it sounds like you have too, IMHO the 1HZ was as far in front of the 2H as the 1HD-FTE is in front of the 1HZ.

Having said all that, a 1HD-FT now resides under the bonnet of my HZJ75 where the 1HZ used to call home. I did this mod purely because of the towing I now do. I got a bit frustrated by the performance, or should I say, lack of performance, that the 1HZ was capable of providing.
If it weren't for the 2.8 tonnes that often gets dragged around, I would have left the old 1HZ in place.

My first choice would have been a ute same as yours, but even now they are attracting a pretty penny for one in good condition, and my old ute was still good apart from the lack of power.
It just completed a 6 month lap of the block dragging the van without a moments hesitation.

I guess it's horses for courses.

Cheers
Pop

Since when can't a Hilux handle continual 'tough' conditions ? Just about every property out our way has 1 or 2 , Every 2nd council vehicle out west is a Hilux …… Windorah mail run uses what ? Ohh thats right a Hilux , The 500km mail run to properties round Muttaburra all on dirt uses what ? Ohh would not be a Hilux would it ?

Alloy - agree. Just two bits of advice about the Hilux ....... 1. don't overload them and 2. buy one of the ealier models before Tojo started to pump them full of steriods.... the 2.8 was a good model.

Honestly, unless you're towing the normally aspirated deisles are fine .... my 2H doesn't lose out anything to the other vehicles I travel with once you get off the black-top....

Wasn't looking for a bite with that comment Alloy, but thought I'd probably get one. :-)

Perhaps I should rephrase it to "Hilux can't handle continual rough conditions as well as the Landcruiser/Patrol".

Local mail contractor from here took delivery of new Hilux dual cab on Monday. He does 2 of 700 km runs/week, and he's only keeping it 2 years. Maybe he agrees with me?

We had a new 1982 Hilux dual cab for 4 years....great vehicle, albeit underpowered, and had no dramas with it.

Bob

Nah , won't be that he agrees with you , more than likely on a 2yr lease so that when he gets the new one in 2 yrs time it will be the new model that will have proven itself by others for 18mths or so already , and or his vehicle will by then have done 140/150k which is the normal turnaround on a new vehicle if you can afford it ….

Hi
What JR said go full coils and patrol would be my preference but stick pre 2001 before the electronic fuel pump
Alan

I've got one spare...