Thread: Utes - Parts and servicing

Hello Folks - I'm still in an "agony of indecision" on another vehicle, gotta be a 4x4, with at least 3.0T towing and 3.5 would be better. Only want to spend $20-25K.

Looked at heaps but can't make up my mind.

So - are there major cost differences in keeping older (200,000+ kms) Rangers/BT-50's/Dmaxs/Tritons going ??

Just my opinion,
"So - are there major cost differences in keeping older (200,000+ kms) Rangers/BT-50's/Dmaxs/Tritons going ??"
Towing 3-3.5 tonne,you are probably sitting on a grenade.

Not a fan of Jeep in general, but I know a roading contactor that tows a fucking huge three ton digger around all day everyday on a heavy as twin axle trailer (with heavy grunty ramps for the digger) behind his SRT jeep. Has done for 5 or more years, and so far all I have had to do to it is change the oil/fluids etc on the thing and do the brakes once a year. It has monster brakes, so that costs $3k each time. Not a single problem other than his demerit points when the trailer isn't hooked up, as it goes like fucking rocket.

Utes in that price range won't have 3.5t towing capacity. If they do, they'll have had the assholes already dragged out of them.
For that towing capacity you really need to look at larger vehicles.

Maintenance is everything. If the vehicle hasn't been looked after properly, it's most likely going to cost you later on.
Whatever you look at, make sure it has an extensive service history! Anything mechanical if looked after correctly, will last.

Hmmm - gives me an idea, if one was to go for a higher KM's ex-lease vehicle, that would considerably improve the chances of it having been serviced properly wouldn't it?

Originally Posted by cambo

Utes in that price range won't have 3.5t towing capacity. If they do, they'll have had the assholes already dragged out of them.
For that towing capacity you really need to look at larger vehicles.

Maintenance is everything. If the vehicle hasn't been looked after properly, it's most likely going to cost you later on.
Whatever you look at, make sure it has an extensive service history! Anything mechanical if looked after correctly, will last.

Well.................. we had a 2009 BT50 purchased it at 97,000kms it had done 118,000 when we ditched it 5 years later, we spent a shit load maintaining as per Mazda's recommendations and yet somehow (if we had not purchased the 3 year warrenty) it had over $14k's worth of repairs and was off the road 1 month per year in the last 3.

I think all modern utes are time bombs and personally would never own one with out some type of warranty, manufacturers or otherwise as the costs to repair these modern wonderful diesels is frighteningly wallet bending.

Does it have to be a Ute?

Nissan GU Patrol with TB48 engine are all 3.5T towing capacity. Any of them with 200,000km on the clock and 15 years old are well less than $20K...that will give you some extra $$ for fuel, since you’ll be needing it!

Originally Posted by gqhoon

Does it have to be a Ute?

Nissan GU Patrol with TB48 engine are all 3.5T towing capacity. Any of them with 200,000km on the clock and 15 years old are well less than $20K...that will give you some extra $$ for fuel, since you’ll be needing it!

Trouble with that is you've still got another 200,000 to do to finish 'running in' the engine.

Originally Posted by mikee

I think all modern utes are time bombs and personally would never own one with out some type of warranty, manufacturers or otherwise as the costs to repair these modern wonderful diesels is frighteningly wallet bending.

Correct. Most if not all are junk these days, sold to people to do maybe 80k flawlessly, instead of the 200+ of yesteryear, after which it's some other poor pricks problem. The initial buyer doesn't have a problem, and buys another. The days of utes/wagons routinely doing 400km and up are goneburgers. No more LN106 Hilux, no more Y60 Patrol/Safari. It's a real shame.

Originally Posted by Tommy

Correct. Most if not all are junk these days, sold to people to do maybe 80k flawlessly, instead of the 200+ of yesteryear, after which it's some other poor pricks problem. The initial buyer doesn't have a problem, and buys another. The days of utes/wagons routinely doing 400km and up are goneburgers. No more LN106 Hilux, no more Y60 Patrol/Safari. It's a real shame.

There will be a lag of maybe ten years while the market figures this out fully but already lateish non common rail diesels are stuipid money even with 400km plus and the first generation common rails are worth less than their older siblings even with less kms.

At the moment if you are in the new vehicle market it is pretty econimocal to upgrade around that 40-50km mark with very little loss.....less than in the second hand market and you take all the risk!

Towing 3-3.5 Ton is really light Truck territory,in my opinion you need something built like a light Truck to do it well.

We towed those sorts of weights alot with a F250 when I was in Aussie. They were slow but got the job done with minimal fuss. I know a couple of guys down south here using them for contracting utes, and a couple of guys with Dodge Rams for towing massive boats. Fairly cheap to get into a mid 2000's model of either, comparatively.

we have a triton, unfortunately it now suffers from the 4-3 gearchange issue. also the egr system is a pain in the ass and fills the intake manifold full of tar. this has now been remedied by myself building a wee gadget that turns the damn thing off electronically.
economy however is good, acceleration far better than a ranger or colorado. i have to say the rides pretty harsh until there is weight in the back. pain the arse if you want to change the stereo etc (twice). then i had to install amp and sub, led light bar, reversing camera etc etc . but in general a good vehicle

Presumably it will primarily be a work vehicle given the tow requirement.

Just lease a new one of whatever flavour floats your boat then get a new one after 3 years.

Rinse and repeat.

Your budget to purchase outright is fucked for what you want, as in dreamland material.

For towing that sort of weight I'd look at Japanese light truck, or American F250/Ram.

When you say 4x4, how 4x4? Do you want to tow weight where you need 4x4 or are you after dual purpose? Could you get away with buying a tow vehicle and a recreational 4x4?