Jackaroo diesel

Stay away from the Diesel. Major problems and expensive to repair.
Petrol Jack is ok

Cheers
Wayne B

The 3.0L diesel (from Oct. 98 and on) is the one to avoid in my view - do yourself a favour and go petrol. A search here and elsewhere will get you plenty of info to mull over if you need it - the grade of oil in use was a biggy, but that was not the end of the saga - only the start.

Had 3.0ltr diesel and best thing ever WAS to GET RID of it.
Cheers
Charlie

I've owned two 3.5 V6 petrol Jack. Underated 4WD in my opinion (I still miss the comfy seats). I suffered a few problems after water crossings on Cape York but I guess the same could happen with any vehicle in the same conditions. I could only achieve 15 lit/100 unloaded on a highway trip. Around town it was more like 18. A very reliable engine. I'd imagine you could pick one up very cheaply. Cheers.

I have a 3.5 petrol auto that has 245 000k's on it.
I drive like I care about the vehicle, no high revving, no boy-racing from the lights etc.
Around town, without a load on the vehicle, and sticking to the speed limits, I get around 15 l/100k.
On the highways, again at the speed limit, it drops to 13l/100k.
Towing a CT, horse float etc, and maxxing at 90k's and slower on hills, I still get around 15l/100k.
I had the restrictors in the exhaust removed and a semi sports muffler fitted, and fitted a snorkel, combined improving the fuel usage by 1 to 2 l/100k.
My usage is checked from a Scangauge, not guesswork.
Loaded up and travelling at 100 to 110 kph, I run around 17 to 19l/100km. The extra speed is a killer in more ways than one.
Over 3 years, and 70 000km, maintenance has been servicing, a rear diff oil seal, and tyres. Nothing major or exciting.
Good comfortable drive.
Can't help on the diesel.
Cheers
Ian

Hi James

Do yourself a big favour dont buy one (diesel ) i worked for holden when the things were first sold nothing but troubles with them.
the twin battery where put in so the cat injection system would work the engine had to spin over at something like 700 rpm on the starter motor before it would even start so if your batterys where a little weak in charge your walking to the campsite
the petrol might use a bit more fuel but its a ok motor trouble is there all getting a bit old like most of us

hope this helps

Glenn

G'day James, I have driven three Jackaroos..the first petrol SE & a good vehicle. The two 3 litre diesels in SE form were great until they just shuddered to a stop for no apparant reason. What a nightmare of a vehicle thank goodness they belonged to the "Firm" & not me. My advice. Don't buy a Jack get a Pajero 3.2 Diesel auto.....great machine & will do everything you want.

Hi James. I have put a link to the Australian 4WD Forum below. You will find a very substantial section on Jackaroos and on the 3.0 litre TD diesel.
The 3.0LTD has a lot of happy owners. I am one of them.
Kevin

Australian 4WD Fotum

Hi james,
I had an earlier 3.2 lt petrol and then 2002 3.5lt petrol. Both really reliable the first reached 340k before I traded it on the 2002 model.

I think you would have to drive like you were in a funeral procession to get 15lt/100k.

I am and have been, a member of the Holden 4wd club of WA for several years and I think you would find the general consensus would be similar reliable but thirsty.

I would not go for a diesel in a jackaroo

Rgds

Another biased 3.5 L Jack owner am I...I have put 70k on mine without even the most
minor issue. 90% of that was touring..towing an offroad C/t. 2000 model auto gives
15L/100 towing regularly...if kept around 90 kph...run it up over 100 kph & expect to
pay bigtime. Does 13L/100 not towing at 100 kph. That may be funeral march stuff
to some, as Noldi suggests, but it suits our travelling style just fine. There is no better
value petrol proper 4WD wagon on the market. Plenty of sub 200k jobs around for
around $10k. Look for the best cared for ones with good service history. Paid $14k
for mine 5 years ago with 80k on it, now has 150k & i wouldnt take $20k for it. It has
taken us to the Gulf, Kimberley, Bungles, GRR, Tanami etc etc & been faultless. I
wasnt game to take on a diesel after researching them & dont regret it one bit.
Dont buy the first one..check a few out & be sure to establish title is right.
cheers......oldbaz.

Thanks for all the replies

i am a fan of the 3.5L

but my mate reckons the 3.0 as its from the Isuzu Trooper and they are good. but the price of the petrol and for the amount of kilometres, its outstanding compared to other 4bies. ive been on a 4wd trip with a 3.0 diesel. performed very well. but according to my dad, the owner had the bonnet up nearly constantly back at home...


but i dont mind those fuel econ figures. quite good actually considering my 2.0l RAV4 does 11L p100 depending on terrain and whos drving.

you can pick up a 3.5 with around 150-180km on them from 7-15 grand depending on model and quality.

VERY GOOD, its also a Holden!!! :)

If $$ allows - forget the Holden all together - IMO the ONLY 4x4 to look at is either Landcruiser or Patrol - the rest are just wanna be 4x4's ( yes i know bold statement )

My brother in law has the Holden jackaroo(petrol) - he tries to do the same 4x4 driving we do - he has endless repair bills - i am yet to spend 1$ on repairs from 4x4 trips ...

My 98 3.5l 5-speed manual with alloy BB driven 'normally' (not flogged but not 'carefully') almost never returns worse than 14//100km and is usually 12.5-13. I'm talking around town and on highway of course, not offroad or towing. 2 or three passengers and a small load make little difference. Been a very good vehicle.

does anyone have any figures on fuel economy when off road?