$5000 4WD

Sierra, or Zook of some form.

I agree. Relatively cheap parts and easy to work on.

I agree too in fact we are looking for one for the youngest one now, but she only has around 2k so Dad will be doing some work on it ;-))

Went to Black Duck 4WD park once and a mate their took his sierra. Went more places than any other vehicle there. Although that also had a lot to do with him not caring if he damaged it. He has already rolled it on its side once and almost rolled it that weekend too. Took 4 hours to recover from its predicament. Cheap and go anywhere. I'd get the hard top for security.

Utemad

What about early hilux ute or dual cab, with 18R petrol motor, easy to work on and cheap.

If he wants something bigger , I would suggest Daihatsu Rocky .

G'day

Agree with above. There isn't too many cheaper 4wd's that will go where these things go. The ride can be a little rough and a little noisy but if you don't mind that go for it.

There is lots of information and parts around on these trucks so start searching.

I'll give you a head start.

www.suzisport.com
www.suziwest.com.au
www.outerlimits4x4.com - forum under suzuki section.

Cheers
Brad

I have driven a few sierra's and found them noisy, rough, and terrbile at any kind of cruising.
I would recomend a Dahatsu Feroza, 1.6L EFI 16valve motor, very capable 4wd, good on road handling, quiet, come std with sunroof etc, heaps of poke about 79kw I think, power steering and aircon on most. Can pick them up for less than 5k for older ones. Tough as old boots too! I had one, my mate has got one. I also had a Rocky, brilliant, absolutally great, however unless you go for the later models (much more than $5k) the motors are probally tired and as a first car he's probally going to give it hell (no matter what we try to convince ourselves) and a diesel rebuild would not be a fun option. You can get recon feroza motors for about $1100. Even if it's cactus, $1100 his mates and some beers and he's back rolling again!

Good old Brumbys are hard to come by and still pricey. A station wagon of the same vintage is usually cheaper and chuck a roof rack on does nearly the same sort of job. Heavy on fuel, but I've rolled one twice!! and had no damage [to me the subie was done-in by the second roll]. Vintage early "80s models are only a couple of thousand $s and can go a lot of places.