what to buy nissan/toyota

WOW ! This will open a can of worms on this forum. First of all, its a matter of personal taste. Each have their good and bad points. If there is a perfect 4x4 let me know and I`ll be the first to buy it. I would get somethng with a live front axle ( coils springs all round ) a reasonable amount of suspension lift and articulation and perhaps a two inch body lift kit. There are all sorts of combinations one can play around with, but as you are going to be driving it you need to work out whats going to work best for you. I doubt that the Prado will give you what you are loking for due to its limitations in getting suspension lift because of the IFS set up. Thats about as far as I`m going to go on this subject before WW111 breaks out here. Best of luck

Yep ... great topic for " discussion " .... LOLOLOL

..... Something designed for the task perhaps ...... ( insert smiley icon here )

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For your description of use ... regardless of brand or body style ... some essentials:

1/. Live axle drivetrain ... for articulation and traction,
2/. Good factory original clearance angles and heights,
3/. Swaybar disconnects ( for offroad use ) Allows better articulation and makes a std vehicle much more capable. I use these and similiar vehicles with difflocks and no disconnects are only marginally better in dry, lumpy landscapes,
4/. Independant Front Suspension is extremely limiting to performance COMPARED to a Live Axle System.
5/. A proven use in competitions similiar to your environment. Only two brands are "common" in this category.

My thoughts on what vehicle for you ???? ... Continue your happy relationship with nissan and upgrade to a later model.

"but would like a car that can handle anything we throw at her."

Stick to what you got. But if you want more comfort with every bit as much ability then get an 80 series. Won't fall to bits coz it is simply built better.

Mate you haven't said what you are looking at in the way of size,
Pathfinder/Navara/Patrol versus 79 series ute or Troopcarrier/100/200series/Prado. New or used.
If you narrow that down it might make it easier.

4.2l Patrols Great- 3l patrols well thats all been said before with the engines. 100 series with the naturally aspirated 1HZ motors are painfully slow . Do you want beam front axle or IFS, will the vehicle be used for the odd 4wd trip or heaps of them, is comfort important.

As for a vehicle that can handle anything as long as you have a big cheque book.

Our underground Toyota utes handle bulk abuse but they break diffs/wear out Cvs/ rot through the ali gearboxes and transfer cases (corrosive water) break front drive shafts (rusted out)
But not one has had an engine problem despite being flogged and putting up with bulk dust.

Both brands are good and they all have their problems.

Have a good one.

I am in Tom Price and know exactly what you mean as far as the terrain goes. With what we do and where we go I cant go past the 80 series cruiser. Mine is a 94 turbo and it takes us to hell and back and looks great doing it. The GXL 80 has the basic creature comforts but maintains its strenght and durability as an off road vehicle. Around here it WILL get scratched with the odd ding, not something you want on a new or near new vehicle. Mine has treversed 1.8mtr + deep creek crossings (with the pics to prove) along with some pretty hairy hill climbs my missus would rather forget.
At the end of the day you want a reliable vehicle that wont cost too much to spec up for its intended use, that you wont loose too much money on when you sell it, still has the comfy bits and parts are readily available.

I know I will never buy a Nissan simply because of their horrendous track record in not addressing the problems of the 3L motor. The have let their customers down woefully.

thanks to everyone that has replied,some really good advice and thanks for the little tips like the suspension issue.
Got another question for you all.
has anyone bought a ex government car 4x4, through the auctions.They seem to be really cheap, too cheap.Also because I am up north and the auctions are down in Perth does anyone know of a company that you can pay to do a mechanical check on the cars at the action.
I found a car I really liked and had a mate that was down there check it out, the auction guy told me the car was in perfect condition.
me old mate checked it out ( mechanic) and told me the car had been in a accident as the whole front end has been removed and replaced, and the welding of the two parts was shocking.


the auction site does have a small condition report on each car but nothing I would trust wasting my money on .

Someone said a company called racv does condition report on cars but cant seem to find them on the web.

Pending on where you are, dont be afraid to buy locally. If you are near the coast there are issues with the salt water, if you are inland you are pretty safe. Realistically, if a vehicle has had significant damaged or has been in a accident in the northern region, chances are it has been written off hence there is less chance of buying a previously significantly damaged vehicle. Also being in smaller communities, people know the vehicle or someone you know may know some of the history of the vehicle. Auctions are great for getting a good deal but who really will check the vehicle out and look at what you are really concerned with. Auctioneers want the sale, insurance company inspections are just a check list, unless you know someone personally, go look at it yourself. It is a significant purchase and you dont want to be stuck with a vehicle you are not happy with. Ive lived in the northern half of WA since 1992 and bargains come up on a regular basis. Most will have at the least bullbar and spotlights and suspension has been done at some stage.
Dont be in too much of a rush.
For example there is an 80 series comming up for sale in the next month or so, the people are moving on.
dts turbo 3" suspension, dual long range tanks (350 ltrs), dual batteries, twin wheel carrier, big boots, console fridge, hid spots arb bar, sports seats and loads more ( no lockers though) this thing has everything, and has only travelled around 275000k.
He will asking around $23,000, I dont beleive you could spec up the same for that amount. Everything is negotiable!

A Prado can be easily modified to handle most things being particually good touring on high speed dirt & the long commutes you'd have out west. If you seriously go rock crawling then a Patrol or full sized Cruiser would be far more suitable to start with.
Cheers Craig............

As others have said, beam axle with coils up front would be best. I've just moved to the Kimberley from Pt Hedland and know the sort of terrain that's in the Pilbara.

Look at what the locals drive, hardly a IFS amongst them. Whether you choose a patrol or cruiser it doesn't really matter, which ever one takes your fancy. If you do choose a patrol then the 4.2 diesel would be the best option.

Barnesy