Reply With QuoteAnything American ! Built to tow ... from the ground up.
F100, Chev, Jeep ! Whack it on LPG. Sorted !
Cheap to buy, easy to fix.
Anything else is a compromise ...
i second thatOriginally Posted by MyWay
Anything American ! Built to tow ... from the ground up.
F100, Chev, Jeep ! Whack it on LPG. Sorted !
Cheap to buy, easy to fix.
Anything else is a compromise ...
Sunshine Coast - Kevlacat 5.2
Thanks for the replies fellas, some good feedback in there. Although I can see the sense in a light truck I would like something with a few seats and the 4WD capabilities to do a Fraser trip etc.. I had done a bit of research on the cruisers regarding towing weight and yes it has to be at least 97 which means there's not alot within the budget. I had considered a Jeep but I heard they were a headache and expensive to fix.. apparently not? Heard the same thing about Land Rovers as well. Anyone got any experiences with them? Also can anyone confirm the tow capacity of the late 90's patrols 4.5L 6 cyl versions? Found a couple of autos with low k's but not sure how they'd go. Appreciate the help!
hey mate look at redbook.com.will give u all you need to know.tow weights, fuel usage.just put in make model and year and scroll through the info
cheers rosco
Yeah cheers rosco I'll check it out. Are you towing the cat? Looks like a weapon, A heavy one at that!
i had a land rover v8 used about 22ltrs per 100km towing about 2.7tonne at a good speed (used 23-24ltrs if i was in a hurry) but it was a 97model 3.9ltr and tuned well cost me $10k 7 years ago i just got rid of it not long ago in the 6 odd years i had it it cost me about $1000 in repairs (not including oil changes ) could legally tow 4tonne not that i would. the only thing i could say i had a good one it was cheap to fix and went ok. and i used to tow to 1770 and gladstone a fair bit also good on sand with central diff lock standard on that model. best and cheapest car i have owned so far.
the main thing with a landrover dont get a dealer to fix it or you can kiss lots of dollars good bye.
Thanks propdinger, good to hear a tried and tested opinion. I often wonder if people just jump on the bandwagon cos thats what they heard off someone else. As far as purchase price they seem like good value, just been scared off by the haters.
i was probably unlucky with the 2003 grand cherokee overland that i had but all the extra bells & whistles may be great when new but they sure cost an arm & a leg when they pack up out of warranty, electric window mechanism fell to bits, side mirror packed up, all 6 oxygen sensors had to be replaced ( these i got in from USA at $200 odd for the full set as against almost $1000 each here if you can get them. Flaps in the air con ducting failed (common failure apparently) meaning no heater cost at dealers quoted $2500 plus, i did most repairs myself but parts were the problem rare & expensive. If going Jeep i would suggest as basic model as possible less to worry about. also check ground clearance if going to Fraser, basic models higher than luxury ones. I have wondered about the Landrover Discovery's, they would be great off road & the above towing consumption seems reasonable, good luck not an easy decision.
I have alsways had 80 series cruisers and reularly used to to other vehicles with them in and out of the bush. I used to tow a hilux on a heavy car trailer to and from competitions and often through bush tracks when the lux was broken and couldnt drive back out to a main track. I'd say trailer, spares, extra tyres etc and hilux weighed a bit over 3 tonne. I never once had an issue. I had (and still have) a 4.5 ltr petrol, and 4.2 ltr deisel and also a turbo deisel. I think that the petrol was by far the best for towing but thirsty. THe normally aspirated deisel was okay on the highway but slow on hills. The turbo was almost as good as the petrol but lack the punch of the petrol for overtaking. Off Road the turbo was by far the best particularly in the low range stuff.
Once we got wind that transport was targetting the comp and would be sitting on the access road to where we were travcalleing so I borrowed a discovery for the weekend so I wasnt over the legal tow limit. I must say that the cruisers handled the extra weight so much better than the discovery and I would prefer to tow the weight with a Cruiser over a discovery. Having said that, I was always worried about the cops and transport everytime I towed in the cruiser cause I knew that I was well over weight.
If I was doing it all over again and not leaving the black stuff I would go for a small truck. I used to tow a big cougar cat with an old V8 intenational truck and it was awesome. If going offroad, I would put up with the disco and not worry about the cops. Cruisers and patrols are tough offroad. Cruiser front diff is weaker than the nissans. Disco's have weaker axles than cruisers and patrols. So I personally think that a cruiser or patrol is more up to the task, but at the end of the day within your budget, and within the law, your choice in my opinion is a discovery.
the only thing i would do if buying a disco is put air bags under the back end makes it much safer and can adjust the ride height and only cost around $150 (same as putting king springs in but much more advantage). i never ran my disco off road like a race machine just normal everyday driving and a fair bit of towing and alot of beach work never broke a axle or any major parts. i went to replace my 97 model disco with a cruiser ute but at the price they want i bought a 2004 disco td5 with a bells and whistles for half the price so i can spend alot on fixing things if i ever have to which i hope i dont lol . i would say see if you can find anyone who has what ever vehicle you are looking at and borrow it to see if it works for you.
what all up braked weight are you wanting to tow? i thought the older cruisers and patrols were good for 3t with newer ones going up to 3.5t. i've heard horrors stories about jeeps but have never owned one, i've owned both a petrol GQ patrol and now a n/a diesel 105 cruiser. the petrol engined patrol had some serious towing balls and i thought it was good for 3t braked towing capacity.
PADDLES, I haven't got the boat yet but I'm pretty sure it adds up to between 3-3.2 fully loaded. In any case I'd rather have the 3.5 capacity so I'm well within the limits. Right now it's looking like a toss up between a 97 petrol cruiser with lots of k's, a newer, good condition land rover disco with half the k's... Or an older Disco and a pocket full of change for more fishing gear! ; ) Decisions...
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