Challenger or Hilux

Thanks Pete,

Challenger has done 170,334klms. I realise that I could end up with a hilux that needs work and have problems as well. I am just not sure how many more problems can happen with the challenger. Despite spending so much on it, it's costing me so much just to keep it running, that I can't afford to go away anyway. I just have a feeling that the car is a lemon and I may be better off starting again with a hilux. Despite the fact I have already spent money on the challenger.

Taf

Not a lot of Ks, but 3lt Mitsis often need head work at around 200000ks. Although that was with the 12v motors not sure about 24v. If you go for a diesel service history is everything. If you can find a 2.8 with less then 250000 with a good service history it would be hard to go past. Brother had a 2.8 same as Steve, sold it to buy a Navara BIG mistake. The old lux is still going strong where as the Navara has cost him heaps.
Good luck Pete

Your on the money I reckon Steve in regard to Mitsis. Had a bloke hire a 25 seat bus off us last week and asked if I would put his 3.2 paj in the yard ea night. It had 285000k, started first turn cold and I was surprised how grunty it was. Next door neighbour just spent $3000 on the top end of his 3lt. And I guess you know S P s blew up again.
Cheers Pete

Hiya Pete, no I didnt know about his blowing up, he must be spewing 2nd time round, he got rid of his patrol because of the head issues, he does drive them pretty hard I have to admit lol, but shouldnt be that temperamental. 2nd gear also seems to be an issue with the mitsi's as well when they get a few klms on them, seems to be more 2nd gear syncro most of the time. Regards Steve

Hi Guys, the reason the Challenger is thirstier than the Pajero 3ltr, is that they are remapped with more power. more power usually means more fuel. The other possible reason is that the Challenger he is talking about is an auto and they are about 2k's worse per 100, but he doesnt have to worry about the 2nd gear syncro issue Steve...

Taf, most of the huys have filled you in, if you think the Challenger problems have cost you money, I hate to inform you that diesel parts are a tad bit dearer, you could go to the wreckers and get a full S/H 3ltr motor from a Magna for under $1500. try getting a decent diesel for that money... As for running costs, I spent all last weekend with a Diesel Mechanic who owns a 2009 Hilux and his statement was if you do the services yourself, the defference you spend on petrol for a petrol vehicle is offset by the costs of the services for the diesel, with the extra oil they take, cost of filters etc.

Guess you have some thinking to do. The oil appearing only every now and again is a worrying and puzzeling one though.

Funny thing Steve, in my younger days I was always replacing motors and g/boxs. Since I grew up I have not replaced either in a vehicle. Lets see now that would be about since 82.
Cheers pete

Hi KenD
Am interested to know what modifications you have added to your challenger. I am getting 15/16l per 100 km on daily driving, and thats in the suburbs, not city driving.

Hi Taf

You may have seen my Challenger in 4wdaction. I also used to get about 12ltrs per 100 and am now up around 16, but the roof rack, and larger tyres 33" that I run are the cause of this. The gearing is totally wrong for a 4 speed auto to run larger tyres and roof racks etc. I am about to go down to 31" tyres that are still much larger than standard and I expect the fuel consuption to improve.. Mind you I run on LPG most of the time so it costs me less in dollars than a diesel to travel most places. Maybe save ure money and slap some LPG on it, before the goverment subsidy is removed...

No modifications whatsoever (other than a transmission cooler) Taf.
Standard size wheels/ Yoko Geolander tyres at 40psi. I must admit I drive pretty conservatively, with fuel consumption and engine life in mind.
The LPG is probably a good option for a car up to a 2 or 3 yrs old Blaze, not sure if it is economically viable for one that has done near 200k.

Cheers
kenD
bris

I had the prado converted to LPG worse thing I ever did and sold it for that exact reason, dangerous the way it was set up (leaking raw petrol on ground) legal by the RTA they didnt want to know about it. Was fitted by reputable company as well not some back yard mechanic. that was my experiance with it so has turned me off it for good BUT in saying that there are heaps of people who swear by it and you definately save in running costs no doubt but this is an issue with most 90 series prados on LPG unless modified after woods like a member on here has done and fixed the issue as he had the same problem but there were other things I didnt like about it, like losing the 90L tank (some thing I should have thought about prior to fitment) it would stall under heavy braking (no one could fix it) thank god I only really put it on to sell it as at the time petrol was $1.70 a litre and no one would even look at it, wacked it gas kept it 6 months got my fitment money back in fuel savings then sold it to first person to look at it. What Im really saying is if you decide to go prado and you want to go LPG then check out who is fitting it and try and find out what their reputation is like. Obviously doesnt seem to be an issue with the challengers running it. Regards Steve

Hi there S.A. Blaze, I remember seeing your vehicle in the mag, great looking thing and must be nearly the only one around like it, seems very capable by your write up, great to see different vehicles in the mag instead of the usual patrol or cruiser. Regards Steve

dont suppose anyone has a link to , or a copy of the original atricle about blazes challenger...would be nice to see what the challenger is capable of doing and how well they can be set up,

Taf

I will have a look but I dont think I have it, I give all my books to the 2 little fellows next door to have a read and look at the pics but will check anyway. I would imagine Blaze would have kept a copy ?? Regards Steve

Taf68
This is the link that Blaze referred to.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MjPpfcLVWl4

Personally I'd go the Hilux stir stir

Thanks for that dasher,

Thats a bloody good looking challenger would be interested in seeing any articles that have been written about it.

After reading the comments here I think I am leaning towards keeping the challenger. I just have to hope it doesnt have any more problems,

Taf

Taf, Blaze is a so called mate of mine. I think that you need to retract that statement about the looks of the challenged as it will only go to his head and as you can see, it's big enough anyway.

Hi Jono,

Firstly good luck on the trip to the cape. I am jealous as hell. It sounds like you have your challenger set up exactly how i want mine. Any chance I can see some pictures.
Would you mind answering a few questions about the set up?.

1. I hadn't considered having the LPG conversion done ( was yours on the car when you bought it or did you have it converted afterwards). has it affected the cars performance.
2. Where did you get your snorkel done, I keep getting told that older challengers dont have compatible snorkels.
3. Did you get rated recovery points fitted.
4. Are you going to be writing a blog that we can follow while your on your trip.

I have loads more questions but figure i would start off easy before hitting you with a big list of questions to give advice on me setting up my challenger.

Taf

Hi Taf,

Thanks Mate. Hopefully everything goes well. I'll be taking it pretty easy as I really don't want to do any serious damage to the car. I will be taking bypasses when I feel the risk is too high, that's for sure.

I'll definitely post some pictures up for you once I get the car back. It's at the mechanics getting the rear main seal done as I said. For the record, got told not to bother with the input shaft bearing. Apparently I can pay $1000 to get it changed if I want, and it will sound exactly the same in no time. It's just the nature of these boxes apparently.

1. My LPG was already installed when I bought the car. I have to say, it's a life saver for me as I'm a Uni student and petrol is getting pretty damn pricey. Been paying 64.9c/L for fuel, which I've calculated (for my fuel usage) to be equivalent to running an 7-8L/100km petrol vehicle.

2. The snorkel is a self install (actually still doing it). It's a TJM Airtec Snorkel for an MK Triton I think. I bought the petrol snorkel, but I'd recommend buying the diesel one instead. The difference that I can see between the Challenger and the Triton is that the Challenger has a wrap-around indicator. I did not realise this when I bought the snorkel... consequently, we had to cut and weld the intermediate tube to make it fit, and are now using PVC pipe to run a line to the airbox. The diesel snorkel is shorter from factory, so you wouldn't need to do the cut and weld like we did, but you'd still need some custom plumbing under the bonnet. I'll post some pics once I've finished it all up.

3. I've not had rated points fitted. From what I've read online, the front hook on the Challenger is very strong. It looks strong. It's not a tie-down point like some people say - that is the hole on the drivers side. The car manual actually refers to the hook as a tow point (some person online said it referred to it as a recovery point, but I haven't seen that). Regardless, I don't think it will be a big issue. I've got a rear recovery point with the rear towbar (using the towbar pin). I might buy one of the recovery hitches/hooks for the towbar before I go.

4. I might write a blog as I go. Haven't really thought about it. I'd definitely write up something when I got back, along with pictures. Just not sure if I'll do that "as I go".

Fire me any questions you like. Glad to help out.

Jono

Hi Jono,

Rather than tie up the forum i guess it would be easier to email. If your happy with that then my email is paulmartin68@live.com. Email me there and i will contact you back.

Cheers Mate.

Taf

Taf,

Sent you an email mate.

Jono