Which 4wd to buy

For the money I'd go for the Patrol. You'll be able to pick up something a year or two old with much less than 50000km. While I haven't towed with one, they are nice to drive and don't have the excesses that the Landcruisers have.
I'd say that if you purchased an old 100 series and started fitting a turbo to it, you could be opening up a can of worms. If you did decide to go down the Landcruiser path, then I'd recommend to get a factory turbo setup.

You could pick up a 2000-2003 100 series TD manual for around that. Heaps more power than the Patrol or non-turbo cruiser ... but as suggested, you could get a 2-3 yr old Patrol for similar $$.

Hi New Nomads

I think you constrain yourself by insisting on a manual diesel , but on that path the best would be the 4.2lt GU Patrol which has a low boost turbo and plenty of aftermarket support for small long life improvements.

Have friends with this and the non-turbo 100 series and the Patrol is a much better tower of the two. This is helped by its longer wheelbase.

Hi I would suggest you go and test drive both the patrol and landcruiser in the price range you can afford. We were going to get one and ended up with the other after driving both, as one just felt better for us to drive, ride, fit etc. Each to their own. I think you will get advice both ways, as both are great vehicles, and it just comes down to personal choice. D

Why a manual.???? Better to tow with an auto!!
I have a 3.5 ton caravan and tow with a 2005 auto factory turbo
Landcruiser diesel and have no problems., You will eventually will get tired of constantly changing gear whilst towing such a heavy van but the choice is yours.
cya
Gary

If you buy a 3lt Patrol, the uncertainly of its reliabity will always be at the back of your mind.Do a search on this site for 3lt problems.
The 4.2s are great machines, or even a v8 cruiser and put it on gas
Good luck Pete

Whats the tow rating of the 3L Patrol ??

May I ask why you want a manual over an auto ??? Have you ever towed with auto ?? if not try it. Everyone to their own. 23 foot is a big van as you know. I wouldnt even bother with non turbo when towing that sort of weight. Turbo cruiser will tow no problems. The 4.2 patrol will also BUT there seems to be a few people on here that have had issues with the 4.2 t/d patrols with running extremely warm/hot when pulling up hills. Doesnt seem to have stopped them but bit of a worrying issue when the guage is heading towards the red. I cant comment on either of the patrols above info only what I have read on here the landcruisers I can as we have two of them in the family, both T/D's auto's 100 series. 10L per 100 on open road with out towing all sealed roads. 13L round town, 14/15 towing 20 coromal van. Will sit on 100 all day running cruise control, pulls up the hills like a steam train and temp doesnt move even on 40c days towing and running aircon. I imagine the 200 series would be a ripper but way out of your price range. As said above try them all, even see if there is a dealer out there that would let you hook up the van to it and head for a few steep hills etc and see whats comfortable etc. TRY TRY an auto unless you have pacific reasons you want a manual. Regards Steve M

Thanks for all the info, the only reason for a manual was that I thought it was more economical and its what I am used to, will take everyones advice and try out an auto. Rhanks again.

the manual box in the non TD diesal cruiser is fairly light and there is a fair bit of evidenceof them failing in heavy duty conditions. the TD and petrol versions have a stronger manuel box

Hi NewNomads,
We have been "Doin It" around oz for the last 7 years. We started out with a Petrol/gas 60 series it did a great job towing our 3.5 ton caravan around. We then updated to a 100 series with an after market turbo. It too does a great job. Although a factory fitted turbo is a much better option (we have had a couple of hiccups with the aftermarket turbo). Because your van is 2800kg(and I am guessing that is empty) I would stick with a 4.2 TD or V8TD more oomph when needed. My personal prefference is a manual. Our fuel eco ranged from 14 -16mpg (you can work out the L/km) depending on the weather and whether we were on the flat or hills.

But as some one suggested take one for a test drive. Don't forget to look into your tow rating of the vehicle etc.

Good luck and life on the road is terrific

There was a thread 2 weeks ago, that you'll find interesting:
Thread 59385

Well I have a van with exactly that weight and used to tow it with a 3.0ltr Patrol.
I then bought a 100 ser TD Croozer and what a difference!!!!!!!! Much easier and less tiring to drive more comfortable and goes much better as well. Easily a gear better up hills and the fuel consumption is not at all as bad as you would think for the difference in motor capacity.
Would not dream of going back to a Patrol and neither would the minister of finance who didn't want to spend the extra money but is really glad we did.
DONT BUY THE NON TURBO unless you have lots of time.
The later turbo'd engine is 151kw against the 1HZ 110kw.
Self explanatory really.

Woops error in the info there.
The 1 HZ nonturbo motor is only 96kw
The 1 HDFTE turbo is 151 kw

Well..firstly many many thanks to all who replied..lots of great food for thought.

We are beginning to rethink re the gearbox, i think we thought a manual because..more economical, less expensive to repair/replace if it developed a fault and more control, especially going down hill. Seems as though none of those concerns hold much weight. I can definitely see the advantages of Auto when reversing etc, and if we cant go Turbo, i can see a lot of gear changing happening.

The van has an ATM rating of 2850kg which is (as far as i am aware) the fully loaded weight. so we are after something that will pull it without being too close to the limit..ie LC's which can pull 3500kg I have to say also, that i am leaning heavily toward a Landcruiser, from what i have heard and read, they are very reliable, and seem to be the towers choice.

I am still thinking Diesel...isnt that definitely the way to go.? I know its more expensive than unleaded, but mileage per litre is better isn't it?

Now..probably my hardest decision..Turbo, or non Turbo. I fully realise that turbo gives me more power, but speed is probably the least of my concerns. We are probably in the minority i realise, but cruising along at 90/100kmh is fine by us. I realise that going uphill,or driving into a headwind that a non turbo will slow down a fair bit...This is my question here.

Just how bad is it when you start to climb without a turbo...i mean, will it REALLY struggle or is it still possible to get half decent speed...say 60/70 odd kmh...or will it really die on us. I suppose another concern i have is...yes...it will go up the hills, but am i flogging the non turbo engine to badly?

We spent 5 years on the road towing a Viscount 27 footer which at one time weighed 4.5 ton all up. I eventually shed some weight off it and brought it back to about 3 ton.

The old van fell apart after 250,000km. At first I towed it with a petrol Landcruiser 4.3lt 4spd manual and when that demised I towed it with a petrol Nissan G60 3.9litre 5 spd manual.

Towing was slow going at times(Truckies hated me) and stopping was even more precarious with cable brakes which didn't work properly. Once I put it the LC into Low Range to get over the Hinchinbrook Jump -up. We spent a a happy time on the road but I was pretty stressed out with towing and swore NEVER AGAIN.

I would go for nothing under a 4.2 litre engine for towing a 2800kg plus van and would go with the auto. Having a factory fitted turbo would be an advantage but having an aftermarket turbo fitted by competent turbo specialist will be just as good.

A tow vehicle with an auto gearbox may give you better fuel usage in the long run

Now you have a minefield of information..........lol

Cheers

Thanks again everyone.

We are probably going with a 2005 or so LC non turbo, and getting an aftermarket turbo fitted..not sure about the gearbox yet, but am swinging towards an auto.

Its about 12 weeks until we take off, but the van has already been sorted, just got to sort what we are going to pull it with!.

Already both of us have pulled the pin at work....so theres no going back now..LOL

4.8L Patrol or 4.7 V8 Cruiser on LPG will give you more grunt for less money (fuel cost and purchase price).

Diesel is outdated.

Jim.

Go Auto turbo cruiser dont look at the year look at condition and the mileage and any extras , side steps roobar towbar ect ect as it all costs money big money Regards Ned

Well, again many thanks for everybodys help and comments. We had to make a decision, and here it is. We bought a 2006 Diesel LC Std model, and we are having a turbo put on.

The van and car are ready to go...so stay tuned for news of our adventures...!!