Vehicle oponions wanted

Submitted: Saturday, Aug 23, 2008 at 14:28
ThreadID: 61009 Views:3523 Replies:4 FollowUps:5
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Hi all.
I am not serious right now but will be in the next 12 months or so to buy a new or used 4x4.

There are not many vehicle's that tick all the boxes of my requirements. My current 4x4 is doing the job well now but I have long term concerns on durability and performance.

I need a vehicle that is:
1. Strong
2. Reliable
3. Fuel efficient would be great also, but i realise i do carry heavy loads/trailers for work.
4. Must fit 2 adults and 2 children
5. Capable / engineered to carrying large loads
6. Takes the family on 4x4 holidays with a camper

Looks, speed, bling, status, color, excessive comfort etc are not important to me at all. I want a car that will last so i can be done with changing cars regularly and what mods - accessories I install to it will not waisted.

So - just putting it out there on what I am thinking of getting given my needs. I currently have a dual cab with tool boxes on this rear. This works well for me especially when I can remove the current box set up and place on the new vehicle(With a few mods)

My preference would be a dual cab but not married to it.

The only stock car that does tick all the boxes is the 'NEW' Land Rover Defender 130. It can carry 1.3 ton and with the new driveline should be good...??
Any opinions on this one forgetting about brand loyalty??
The one thing I noticed about the driveline is the full time 4x4 with center locking diff. Can anybody comment on this 4x4 system and any short comings..

My second preference is the NEW 4 door Troopy. My concern with this one is the drop in GVM from the standard troopy by 300kgs. I am not sure if this can be a factory change to increase it to the 3300kg? Might only be a suspension, brake thing?

I am open to other suggestions but I am not sure if I want to go down the custom build up of say a patrol wagon and modify it to become a dual cab. Something about that makes me want to cry.
Forget about F250's and the like they are old hat / dead technology i think now.

Thanks all.

Marco
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Reply By: Sir Kev & Darkie - Saturday, Aug 23, 2008 at 14:57

Saturday, Aug 23, 2008 at 14:57
Marco,

I don't know why you think cutting a wagon into a Dual cab is something to make you cry, it is actually quite easy and painless.

To convert a Wagon into a dual cab is probably the best modification you can make to a wagon ;)

I Found Darkie this time last year and he went straight to Darkside Conversions for the chop.

Beware about tray length and weight distribution when selecting a tray size or you may end up with the chassis cracking like Roachie has suffered with his Chevmissan.

Cheers Kev
Russell Coight:
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Follow Up By: Sir Kev & Darkie - Saturday, Aug 23, 2008 at 15:01

Saturday, Aug 23, 2008 at 15:01
I forgot to mention that I went from a Triton Dual cab to Darkie and also have 2 Kids.

Cheers Kev
Russell Coight:
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Follow Up By: Member - Marco T (VIC) - Saturday, Aug 23, 2008 at 15:15

Saturday, Aug 23, 2008 at 15:15
Kev
That is also a concern about the weight on the chassis for this mod. Not designed for it. I have been given a ball park of $10,000 to do the conversion. I am sure all things can be sorted with weight somehow but in the long run for what I carry, it could be more hassle that it is worth than something that is factory designed for this purpose.

Cheers
Marco
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Follow Up By: On Patrol (Project TONI) - Saturday, Aug 23, 2008 at 15:17

Saturday, Aug 23, 2008 at 15:17
Marco T
Cutting a wagon as Kev said is not the stuff to make you cry, however in Kev's case it's the owner that makes us all cry.
Love to all, Colin. He He He
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Follow Up By: Sir Kev & Darkie - Saturday, Aug 23, 2008 at 16:05

Saturday, Aug 23, 2008 at 16:05
Marco,

The weight is not the issue, it is the counterlever effect caused by having to larger tray fitted that causes the chassis to crack.

I am looking at getting a custom made slide on camping box built that will be shorter than the actual tray length to offset the likely hood of this occuring.

A Dual cab conversion gives a lot more space to store stuff than the standard wagon. It is just a case of knowing what the weight distribution is when loading.


Colin,

You'll keep............ Go the MAROONS LOL

Cheers Kev
Russell Coight:
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Reply By: ozwasp - Saturday, Aug 23, 2008 at 14:59

Saturday, Aug 23, 2008 at 14:59
I asked my vehicle for its OPINION, but it didn't reply... Sorry, can't help you
AnswerID: 321839

Follow Up By: Member - Marco T (VIC) - Saturday, Aug 23, 2008 at 15:16

Saturday, Aug 23, 2008 at 15:16
Thanks anyway ozwasp....
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Reply By: Member - Olcoolone (S.A) The O - Saturday, Aug 23, 2008 at 17:13

Saturday, Aug 23, 2008 at 17:13
Good choice, three things that concerns me about the Land Rover Defender 130 is the engine, small capacity, unproven as yet and dealer support through out Australia .

We bought a new service van and we had a look at the Ford Transit that has the same engine as the defender (less power), it went really well and I loved it but as with the previous Transit engines that have proven expensive and unreliable.

The Troopy has a brilliant engine but out dated interior and are a little on the expensive side, again reliability of the D4D V8 but being Toyota they make very few mistakes and the dealer support is much greater.

Resale value is a thing to look at.

The other thing with carry capacity and GVM, get it changed before the delivery of the vehicle, here in SA it's about $200.00 before the vehicle is has registration (only paper work) but after about $2500.00 (engineers reports and paper work).

We had a 78 series V8 Landcruiser for a couple of days and loved it....the V8 becomes addictive.

Both vehicles are just as capable on road and nearly bullet proof off road as each other so either one will be fantastic.





AnswerID: 321859

Reply By: Eric Experience - Saturday, Aug 23, 2008 at 19:48

Saturday, Aug 23, 2008 at 19:48
Marco.
Next year a new vehicle will come out of Germany, it will be badged as a VW but it will contain a lot of Mercedes parts. The dual cab ute will carry over 1 ton and choice of motors from 2 litres to a v10, Like most German vehicles it will last and be cheap to run. Eric.
AnswerID: 321880

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