4WD Ute’s "lack real go-anywhere capability".... What tha???

Recently I had a stock standard Navara Single Cab Ute in my convoy and we did around 400km cross country in a desert region (no tracks) and it went very well despite being overloaded with fuel, water and the rest. Only needed a couple of snatches over a dune or two but for the rest it went everywhere the big 4bies were going.

The newer 4x4 small utes have bodies which are lower to the ground. Some mods may be needed for hard 4x4-ing but all in all they are very capable off road vehicles


Cheers

Matto, I think this is a bit more of the glossy magazine rubbish. The Lux is a very capable vehicle, particularly if your do the suggested mods. It seems that unless a 4WD has all the toys people think anything less is not capable. Not capable perhaps in the hands of those who want to sit back and have all the gear do the work and for them not to have any real driving skills.
There is no doubt all the diff locks and traction control greatly enhance the vehicle ability in most cases however don't forget that for many years leaf sprung, open diff vehicles did all of the tracks, many of which were in worse condition than today. Old codgers like me remember 4 cyl Landies with the turning circle of the Queen Mary, no power steering or power brakes getting into Wonnongatta when it was a fair dinkum challenge.
Ken

I think they are referring to low ground clearance, poor approach and departure angles, stupid positioning of key mechanicals usch as low mount intercoolers and air intakes etc and also the dreaded IFS. Thye are much more car like than the older more 'agricultural' designs. But as a consequence they are so much more civilised too.

They are fairly capable, but not a patch on the older Hilux for durability as an example.

Ever seen the Top Gear 'Hilux' special? Try doing that in a 2.5 Navara and see how long it lasts.

In all honesty, the ONLY vehicle I would willingly stake my life on for it's durability and depndability is a HZJ75 Landcruiser. Just my 2c worth anyway.

Bottom line......what are you really going to do with it? It's horses for courses (as always).

Don't worry about the article. I'd take anything written on those mags with a hefty pinch of salt.

I have the vehicle you're talking about, and have covered a few km (just short of 130 000 km), mostly off road.

The ability of the hilux to handle off road situations, even in standard configuration, is limited more by the pilot than anything else (my opinion of course!).

Although it's not as 'tough' as the old ones, I know which vehicle I'd rather cover the k's in.

Hi Matto

Yes there certainly limited , primarily by wheel articulation , but many tracks are easier than they used to be , and these utes will go to the majority of places most wish to go to.

Suspension mods often make the problem worst as most end up with harder springs which by defintion make the real problem worst but offer mostly clearance and load carrying.

While some softer leaves are available the IFS is almost impossible to improve and about all you can really do is only buy vehicles to which you can fit lockers.

Hello Matto,
I own a late model Hilux with a suspension upgrade. It's been through the rivers of Cape York and across The Simpson. It's survived some very corrrrrugated roads whilst fully laden, and it's kept up with accompanying Landcruisers and Patrols. I've even used it to snatch a LC out of a sand drift ! However, had I wanted a bush basher, I would have purchased a Landcruiser or Patrol as I have much more faith in their heavier construction.

I agree, the modern 4X4 utes are very capable and with modifications to their suspension, A/T or M/T tyres and a snorkel they will easily handle moderately difficult terrain.

I have a Hilux because I do not intend to tackle very difficult terrain or tow a ginormous'' caravan - It tows a heavy duty offroad camper trailer with ease. I also wanted a vehicle with good fuel consumption, lots of comfort and better-than-average resale value.

I have seen a lot of late model 4X4 utes used by pig shooters and other young bucks who prefer to get their vehicles dirty of a weekend. They are driving them into extraordinary places!

As for the magazine reviews, I suggest you disregard them and talk to a few ute owners. I did and then I decided to buy the Hilux.

Cheers,
Netnut

Quote: “Don’t kid yourself into thinking that these Ute’s are super capable off-road vehicles, for none of them are. They may be very robust, and practical in the bush, but by the standards of modern 4WD wagons with traction control & smart 4WD systems, they lack real go-anywhere capability.

BwaaaHaaaHaaa..........Ive got electronic traction control and a smart 4wd system....I can go aaaannnyyywwhhere.... BwaaaHaaaHaaa

The IFS suspension is going to leave wheels out of contact with the ground all over the place and needs the fancy gear to maintain momentum in an off road situation.

How typical...design vehicles to be less than capable - fill em up full of electronics to compensate slightly - then buy the journos enough meals and drinkies that they believe the manufacturers fairy stories.

Obviously these "new age" vehicle assessors would be astounded at where a vehicle with live axles instead of IFS and no electronic aids could go. And whats the go - Ive always bought 4bs because they were.....very robust, and practical in the bush...Has the reasons for owning one really changed that much...........

Bet they would think a stock standard '84 hilux was a specially built competition offroader if they saw one.

Matto - what sort of money do you want to spend and what sort of " bush bashing " do you want to do.

Also take note of many comments in this thread about competent offroading - things like driver ability, vehicle placement in the terrain etc. - its not all about how many 4wd buttons there are on the dash. Ive seen a lot of 4wd owners embarrassed in the bush by blokes in old holden utes with slippery diffs over the years.

Hi Matto.

That overlander article might make uncomfortable toilet paper but that's about all! Don't tell my Courier it's not capable - it might get a complex! It's been everywhere and back. I'm a bit disappointed to be selling it but plans for a much bigger boat necessitated an upgrade to tow it.

It's been a mountain goat in the hills all over the north east, has been great in the sand and I can't really think of anywhere but Toolangi that stopped it and no standard factory wagon would have gotten through that either - the problem was the depth of the wheel ruts left by some other 35" tyred v8 monster had chewed through the hole we were trying to get past. The winch got me through there and we kept going. No problem really.

Mine's only sitting about 40mm higher than stock as the torsion bar suspensions not really good for much more but that's been fine.

I wouldn't bother looking at Hiluxes. Overpriced for what you get - even secondhand. Save yourself a heap of dough and look at Courier/Bravo or Ranger/BT50 if you are looking for a newer one.

Dave