Thread: Thinking about a change - Safari or something else?

if you can get a KZN185 (3rd gen surf) for 10k you will be set, intercooled if you can. although the intercoolers from the 3rd gens can be rangi'ed onto the older ones with no issues. surfs generally have better offroad performance over terranos but a less reliable engine (if not maintained)

for a surf, look for a 3L (2.8D) or 1KZ-TE (3.0l TD) and avoid the 2LT-TE engine (2.4T) automatics are not bad on them. manuals will need a rebuild eventually. as mentioned above, go for a 3rd gen if it is intercooled.

with terranos look under the rear seats, as thats the killer rust area. TD27 and QD32 engines are both damn near bullet proof, just let down by glass gearboxes, although i cant remember what ones break if you fart near them.

Originally Posted by Konev

if you can get a KZN185 (3rd gen surf) for 10k you will be set, intercooled if you can. although the intercoolers from the 3rd gens can be rangi'ed onto the older ones with no issues. surfs generally have better offroad performance over terranos but a less reliable engine (if not maintained)

for a surf, look for a 3L (2.8D) or 1KZ-TE (3.0l TD) and avoid the 2LT-TE engine (2.4T) automatics are not bad on them. manuals will need a rebuild eventually. as mentioned above, go for a 3rd gen if it is intercooled.

with terranos look under the rear seats, as thats the killer rust area. TD27 and QD32 engines are both damn near bullet proof, just let down by glass gearboxes, although i cant remember what ones break if you fart near them.

Yep the dirty 2.4 was never on the list and I want more grunt than the 2.8d (drove a 2.8 Hilux at work for a few years so I know what they're like), will have to be 3.0td if I go for a Smurf or Prado. Good info on the intercoolers, knew the non intercooled make similar power/torque to the late 2.7 Terrano but I see the intercooled surf has a chunk more. I know any of them are gonna be a big step down in performance from what I'm used to, but there are limits to how far down I want to step.

Bighorn is another decent idea, never really liked them but I don't think I actually have a reason not to.

At least nobody has suggested a Mitsi!

also consider a Isuzu bighorn, kinda the unmentioned 4WD a lot of the time as everyone forgets about them, resonably capable offroad and very very reliable.

Originally Posted by Konev

also consider a Isuzu bighorn, kinda the unmentioned 4WD a lot of the time as everyone forgets about them, resonably capable offroad and very very reliable.

+1

Nissans are MAGIC or you're a better driver

Originally Posted by gimp

Nissans are MAGIC or you're a better driver

I'm a crap driver with not a lot of experience off road. The guy in the Cruiser is a very experienced off road driver. So going by your statement the Nissan is magic.

Wagons are a lot like rifles, you can mod all you like but if you can't shoot or drive you will still be embarrassed by someone with a much cheaper bit of kit who knows how to use it

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90 percent of no road driving is picking a line, some people are just terrible at this.

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Originally Posted by veitnamcam

90 percent of no road driving is picking a line, some people are just terrible at this.

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Yeah, along with approach speed.

Which is why people would be shocked when I used to turn up in things like LAncers n Escorts with a set of T&C's into places they had just had trouble getting to.

bitsashity

Does it have a top hat to pull rabbits out of? That would make an awesome hunting truck.

Originally Posted by GravelBen

Does it have a top hat to pull rabbits out of? That would make an awesome hunting truck.

No, but it has lots of windows for shooting rabbits out of.

If you want to shoot rabbits you use a bike. Period.

Originally Posted by Wirehunt

If you want to shoot rabbits you use a bike. Period.

But the truck has a heater and windscreen, ... and I'm soft. But the truck with one spotlight and three rifles/shotguns with torches works well.