n00b question (sorry!!!)

Hi Gareth,

Don't apologise for asking questions, mate. Good on you for having the guts to do so - unlike the clowns who think they know it all from day one.

Unfortunately, you'll probably get as many different opinions as replies to this question. But my two cents worth:

For serious off-road work I don't think you can beat coil springs and live axles. I don't like independent front-ends - you lose your clearance when the front end is compressed, almost all have relatively poor wheel travel (articulation) and some have a poor reputation for reliability.

Japanese is the easy way to go but if you want real off-road ability and strength, don't discount the Land Rover Defender 110 & 130 utes. The Tdi and Td5 engines punch well above their weight when 'tuned' well and the all-coil suspension gives an excellent ride for a 'real' 4WD ute. The cabin and seating position will feel odd if bought up on a diet of sedans and Jap utes but it is surprisingly comfortable when you get used to it.

Whatever you choose, please try to do a reputable 4WD driving course. You will amaze yourself with you and your vehicles abilities after a weekend of proper training. Welcome.
Ian

If you are thinking of a serious off roader with lockers, forget the Hi Lux/Navara. Their drive trains are not strong enough.

Go with the Nissan Patrol coil cab.

Gareth,

I think Ian has just about covered it.

The other thing to consider is that if you get a capable vehicle in the first place then you will have to spend less on lockers etc to get the same off road ability.

The Landrover will flog any of the Navara/Hilux club off road as a standard vehicle.

The other thing with the Landie is that because of its bolt together construction it could be quite easy to convert a wagon into dual cab ute or vice versa.

( They do still bolt together don't they?)

Duncs

If in was looking for a serious off-Road Ute I would be looking at only 2.

1. Nissan Patrol Coil Cab.
2. Toyota 75/78 t/Top or Ute back

Nissan.
Coils are easer and cheaper to lift and give better ride. The N/A 4.2 diesel (but go a turbo if you can) is also solid and from people I have talked too, apparently is more responsive than the Toyota 4.2. The Nissan interior is also a little bigger and a little more refined and the Nissan also has a solid LSD, so unless you really enjoy spending money a rear locker is not absolutely necessary and the Nissan drive line is stronger. Standard is a reasonability capable 4WD and more refined than the Toyota 75. (IMO)

Toyota 75
It is already has good ground clearance and 33-inch tyres will fit on with no problems, has leaf’s all round so will feal every little pebble you run over and more $$ to lift. Comes standard with long-range tank’s :) and the diesel engine will go forever. The cabin is fairly small and seat’s are not terribly good on the plus side just about the whole car is welded, riveted and then screwed together including the dash. Bog standard it is IMO probably the most capable 4WD-ute around.

Note these are all my opinions and observations and I am sure the owners of the 2 above 4WD will correct me if I have given incorrect information.

I recon you couldn't go wrong with a GQ ute or wagon. Maybe even a 75 series ute or 60 series wagon.

All of these will go just about anywhere in standard form.

For what it's worth, here's my 2 cents..
What is the primary role of the vehicle.. don't buy something that is going to be absoloutley outstanding for 5% of your driving and crap for the rest.. The Landy's are a grat off road veh.. I've driven 1000's of K's in em as I'm in RAAF securituy and drive across Aust and back a few ties a year and oftne in Landy's.. having said that I can honestly say that they are one of the worst on road vehicles I've ever driven. If I was living in the bush or wanted a farm ute.. I'd go a Landy at the drop of a hat, but if I wanted to go touring and do many miles on open roads, dirt or black top. I would steer clear.
I agree with the Patrol Ute idea.. The patrols are genrally built as light trucks. ideally I think you should try for coils up front but depends what your doing with the back end. If you are setting up a camper on the back with the aim of leaving it on, then coils all 'round would be great.. but if the load on the back is going to be varying between empty and loaded, then leafs would be best as they are set up to basicaly handle varying loads. (see the article in Explore Oz on springs etc)

For what it's worth, here's my 2 cents..
What is the primary role of the vehicle.. don't buy something that is going to be absolutley outstanding for 5% of your driving and crap for the rest.. The Landy's are a grate off road veh.. I've driven 1000's of K's in em as I'm in RAAF security and drive across Aust and back a few times a year and often in Landy's.. having said that I can honestly say that they are one of the worst on road vehicles I've ever driven. If I was living in the bush or wanted a farm ute.. I'd go a Landy at the drop of a hat, but if I wanted to go touring and do many miles on open roads, dirt or black top. I would steer clear.
I agree with the Patrol Ute idea.. The patrols are genrally built as light trucks. ideally I think you should try for coils up front but depends what your doing with the back end. If you are setting up a camper on the back with the aim of leaving it on, then coils all 'round would be great as you can buy the rights ones for the weight you are carrying.. but if the load on the back is going to be varying between empty and loaded, then leafs would be best as they are set up to basicaly handle varying loads. (see the article in Explore Oz on springs etc)