I might buy a 4 x 4 ute dual cab...but which one?
Submitted: Sunday, Mar 07, 2010 at 21:53
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Member - Andrew (WA)
I'm thinking of letting the 100TD auto go in favour of a ute.
I like to look after my cars and I don't like having a dog in the back of the cruiser.
I want to be able to take the dog to
the beach, or where ever, and not have to worry about the mess going into the car. For this reason, I don't actually take he dog anywhere really.
Trouble is I also have 3 growing kids to ft in the rear seats (8 - 13) and they're not getting any smaller.
What do I do? am I mad selling the cruiser or can I find something with leg room in the rear of a dual cab 4 x 4?
Has anyone else been in a similar position?
cheers
Reply By: Crusader - Sunday, Mar 07, 2010 at 21:57
Sunday, Mar 07, 2010 at 21:57
Andrew,
This is going to make for some excitement !!!!!
Cheers
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Reply By: olcoolone - Sunday, Mar 07, 2010 at 22:00
Sunday, Mar 07, 2010 at 22:00
All 4x4 utes are a compromise in the back and I would not like to site in one for a long period with two others.
We have an ExtraCab and we have had a small person in the back
seat for about 600k, they had a couple of pillows and found it to be comfortable.
Why not put a rubber mat and a cargo barrier in the 100 series.
Or leave the dog at
home (Grrrrr)
Or seek help from Doctor Phil.
AnswerID:
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Follow Up By: Nomadic Navara - Monday, Mar 08, 2010 at 10:00
Monday, Mar 08, 2010 at 10:00
Extra cabs and twin cabs are two different types of vehicle. Most of the current models of twin cab have reasonable back seats. The exception is the models constructed on the Australian
sedan platforms.
PeterD
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Follow Up By: olcoolone - Monday, Mar 08, 2010 at 15:24
Monday, Mar 08, 2010 at 15:24
Whats the difference with twin cabs and extra cabs?
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Follow Up By: olcoolone - Monday, Mar 08, 2010 at 17:06
Monday, Mar 08, 2010 at 17:06
Well of course it is, I was commenting on our extra cab that has less room in the back.
Most dual cabs are still a compromise for long distance back
seat traveling.
The first on to address this problem is the current model Triton.
Have you traveled in you back
seat for a good distance.
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Reply By: Member - Andrew L (QLD) - Sunday, Mar 07, 2010 at 22:11
Sunday, Mar 07, 2010 at 22:11
Why not save the lost money on a changeover and put it to having your 100 series chopped into a dual cab ute..?
Have a look at what you wrote, 3 growing kids, and you want to go from a Landcruiser wagon to a dual cab ute so as you can take the mutt for an occasional ride..?.. is the dog going to be getting more ride time than your kids in the dual cab..??
Maybe borrow a dual cab ute and take your kids for a long drive, all day and see how comfortable they are, compared to your 100 series wagon. Then factior in how much they will grow in 2 years ...see the picture.
I'd say either harden up and get some dog dirt in the back of the wagon, use a rug or cheap tarp, or chop the Cruiser.
AnswerID:
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Follow Up By: Member - Roachie (SA) - Monday, Mar 08, 2010 at 09:42
Monday, Mar 08, 2010 at 09:42
As a bloke who has gone from a GU Patrol wagon, to a GU Patrol dual cab, let me tell ya.....THAT is the best idea you could have!!! With 3 growing lads, I couldn't see myself ever going back to living with a large wagon again. The dual cab (with canopy) is just sooooooooo much more versatile than anything I've ever owned before.
From a financial perspective, okay, so it's going to cost you about $20K to get the chop done plus a half decent canopy. How does that compare with the changeover price going from your current rig to a factory dual cab? The only dual cab on the market that would give your family the same (or more) room in the cabin area would be a F250 (or similar yank tank). Going to any of the Jap dual cabs is going to be downsizing, in every respect.
Cheers
Roachie
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Follow Up By: Alloy c/t - Monday, Mar 08, 2010 at 10:12
Monday, Mar 08, 2010 at 10:12
Gotta agree , go the chop , in the last 6 mths a fair few station managers /owners out this way [geographic centre of Qld] have changed to dual cabs ,most popular seems to be the Holden Colorado , thing is though that a couple had the chop done to their late 100series t/d and to their 200 series t/d v8s , and the general consensus that $ for $ the chop with a colour coded steel tray is the way to go , all the comfort of the original
sedan style wagon and the space of a tray back.
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Follow Up By: Sir Kev & Darkie - Monday, Mar 08, 2010 at 10:40
Monday, Mar 08, 2010 at 10:40
I gotta agree, Going the chop is a short term pain for a long term gain in versatility ;)
Cheers Kev
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Follow Up By: Member - Tour Boy ( Bundy QLD) - Monday, Mar 08, 2010 at 13:52
Monday, Mar 08, 2010 at 13:52
Ditto after having a chopped cruiser nothing better for overall comfort and touring ability.
Cheers
Dave
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Follow Up By: Scott C (Coolum - QLD) - Monday, Mar 08, 2010 at 21:25
Monday, Mar 08, 2010 at 21:25
Yep, chop it, The only regret you will have is not having done it sooner!
Scott
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Reply By: Rockape - Sunday, Mar 07, 2010 at 22:26
Sunday, Mar 07, 2010 at 22:26
Andrew,
dog should be able to sort out the kids.
Mine did, and there was a pecking order. Her slant on things was: this is my
seat so get used to it kids.
Image Could Not Be Found
I would put the kids in the back, before I ever worried about my old dog.
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Reply By: cycadcenter - Monday, Mar 08, 2010 at 00:51
Monday, Mar 08, 2010 at 00:51
Why not just put the dog in a dog crate in the back, its the best and safest way to travel with a dog.
Just as a
point of interest are the kids required to wipe their feet off on a mat and wash their hands before they are allowed in the Cruiser when out in the bush?
Bruce.
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Follow Up By: Member - Andrew (WA) - Monday, Mar 08, 2010 at 16:20
Monday, Mar 08, 2010 at 16:20
It's funny the replies people get to some questions and how people read things into questions that aren't there.
Yes, I like to keep my car clean. Nothing wrong with that I assume. It's also my only car so I need to take car of it.
Not that I am shy with it, or others i have owned. Done the GRR, Fraser Island, most of Queensland and other parts of outback Oz. Mud, water, sand and bitumen. Not day trips down a track either, weeks on end off road and dirt everywhere.
As a matter of fact, yes I do have the kids kick off the dirt from their shoes if they can and maybe even wipe their hands with a 'baby wipe' if they are filthy but am I doing something wrong in that regard? I still come
home with filthy car though!
I'm thinking about the ute option for 2 reasons. More room in the cargo area and containing all the dirty and wet crap away from the cabin. Seems logical to me, I'm just researching my options.
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Reply By: gbc - Monday, Mar 08, 2010 at 06:51
Monday, Mar 08, 2010 at 06:51
I think you'll find the triton has the best rear
seat room in the dual cab market at present.
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Follow Up By: Honky - Monday, Mar 08, 2010 at 16:21
Monday, Mar 08, 2010 at 16:21
And also the safest.
Honky
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Reply By: MrBitchi (QLD) - Monday, Mar 08, 2010 at 08:46
Monday, Mar 08, 2010 at 08:46
ANY ute will be a big let down in comfort from the cruiser. Have yet to find a ute with seats anywhere near as good as ANY wagon, and no dual cab can be described as having anything approaching decent leg room in the back.
Also the
suspension setup (and therfore ride and handling) on a ute is at best agricultural when compared to a wagon.
Keep the cruiser and fit some canvas
seat covers and a decent floor mat for your mate.
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Reply By: Anotheone - Monday, Mar 08, 2010 at 09:06
Monday, Mar 08, 2010 at 09:06
almost did the same, looked at most of them and took the kids, the only one we found that would be comfy i the back was the Triton. Most of the others had very upright seats and were not comfortable.
Only had a limited look at the BT50 though so cant comment
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Reply By: Member - Beatit (QLD) - Monday, Mar 08, 2010 at 09:16
Monday, Mar 08, 2010 at 09:16
What about an F350 or 450?
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Reply By: Nomadic Navara - Monday, Mar 08, 2010 at 10:06
Monday, Mar 08, 2010 at 10:06
For an appraisal of what is around,
see this link. The report is nearly 12 months old but it is still a good guide. Since its production the Tritons towing capacity has been improved.
PeterD
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Reply By: landseka - Monday, Mar 08, 2010 at 11:17
Monday, Mar 08, 2010 at 11:17
We got out of a 80 series GXL and into a Triton ML for many reasons. The rear seating in the Triton is better than the 80 and the legroom is twice as good.
It also pulls our caravan more easilly and far more economically than the 80 did.
I sure have no regrets.
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Follow Up By: Mark Howlett - Monday, Mar 08, 2010 at 15:01
Monday, Mar 08, 2010 at 15:01
That's pretty amazing, considering how big an 80Series is. We have a 90 Series Prado and an old Triton dual cab, and with 2 kids soon approaching high school, I'm already looking at alternatives.
Like above, I was thinking a 100 Series chopped into a dual cab but the Triton is on the list now - too many people have only praise for them.
Mark.
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Reply By: Member - Barnesy - Monday, Mar 08, 2010 at 16:02
Monday, Mar 08, 2010 at 16:02
I was quoted $8-9 grand to have my GQ chopped into a dual cab with a new steel tray. The job done by a mechanical engineer with a full certificate and new compliance plates. But that's without a canopy. I'm sure if money was an issue you could just get a Hilux ute tub with a fibreglass canopy from a wrecker at a good price instead of a tray and get the engineer to fit that.
Either that or line the wagon with rubber. As someone else said take your kids in the back of a dual cab for a day and see how they like it. I'm confident they will say it's too small.
In my view the perfect 4wd: full sized dual cab, solid axles front and rear, coils all round, 6 or 8 cylinder turbo diesel.
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Reply By: Member - Alex K (NSW) - Monday, Mar 08, 2010 at 16:09
Monday, Mar 08, 2010 at 16:09
Andew,
I researched the chop and think it's a great idea however decided to go single cab in the end (didn't want to buy a new wagon and cut it and there wasn't anything old i wanted).
Bit far for you but those guys are some of the best in the business...
http://www.creativeconversions.com.au/
Alex
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Reply By: Member - Andrew (WA) - Monday, Mar 08, 2010 at 16:22
Monday, Mar 08, 2010 at 16:22
Thanks to all for your input. Some good arguments there and I'll consider the options.
Cheers
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Reply By: chevypower - Monday, Mar 08, 2010 at 17:44