Thread: Some Advice on 4wheel drives ... PLEASE!

Nothing, they're still cr*p

I have no particular brand loyalty, and no prejudice. I have owned three Toyotas, but that was more circumstance than loyalty or ridiculous "Ford/Holden" mindless fanaticism. (I used to work for Thiess Toyota, and the vehicles were, ummmmm, pretty cheap)

I had a couple Toyota Forerunners, which were ok, and then a Prado which I found to be an excellent vehicle - good 4WD capability (certainly beyond my skills), and really good for around town, not too thirsty.

Certainly it would go well on Fraser Island.

There are plenty of happy Nissan owners, plenty of happy Toyota owners, and probably a few of both that aren't.

As for Mitsubishi: "Pajero" in Spanish means wnaker (as you probably know Art), and apparently they are appropriately named. At the Toyota 4WD school in Sydney they have one hill called "Pajero Hill"....coz none have ever made it up.

Just forget anything that is a large family vehicle that has been made 4WD - Ford Explorers e.g.

Originally Posted by artme

Been looking at the idea of second vehicle. A 4x4 would be fine just to trot around town but also
Ana and I wish to go over to Fraser.

I can pick up a series 1 petrol Disco for about $1800. It has a lot of miles but for that price I figure
I can get some repairs done if needed.

Next door neighbour says no to anything other than Nissan, and especially no to Landies. When I was
a kid Landies were all the go, so what has changed?

Hi artme,
First question, if I may, have you any experience 4WDing? Getting a 4WD is the cheap part, getting accessories for it, is dollars, depending on what's on the vehicle already. Compressor for pumping tyres up after being on sand, you need to drop the pressures to about 40-50% of on road use, Snatch strap for recovery. UHF CB to call for help if required, from incoming tide. Would be the absolute minimum. If you are going over on your own, take a deck of cards, playing patience by yourself, it won't be long before someone tells you, that card goes there and that one there, you then say "while you're here, can you give me a tow, please"..
Discos are OK as are Landies, reliability problems, when something goes wrong, you'd probably need to mortgage the house. They are environmentally friendly, they break down in the Australian Environment.
For reliability and availability of spares, Nissan and Toyota, you can't go wrong, prices vary a lot from OE dealers. There are outlets that can supply parts, some genuine some not, for a reasonable price, Tuff Stuff in Adelaide are one that I use. They'll send parts all over Australia.
For a small vehicle, for just the 2 of you, a Suzuki is a nice little buzz box, reasonably economical, light and easy on sand, I'm on number 6 ATM, 92 Vitara SWB. With a Suzuki, an exhaust inflated bag (a bull bag) is a must to get yourself out of trouble, on your own. 15 + years experience as 4WD Club instructor.
Regards
Kryn

Originally Posted by FenceFurniture

Just forget anything that is a large family vehicle that has been made 4WD - Ford Explorers e.g.

FORD EXPLODER, biggest problem, transmissions.
Kryn

Originally Posted by KBs PensNmore

FORD EXPLODER, biggest problem, transmissions.
Kryn

Not having shares in Caltex. (you may get lucky and not have to replace the transmission, but you WILL pay a fortune to get a bottle of milk).

Originally Posted by KBs PensNmore

They are environmentally friendly, they break down in the Australian Environment.

As a regular to fraser, a Disco is fine, as is most 4wd's. For the most part, a 2wd will cover 90% of the tourist spots on fraser. As for reliability, well as with any car that has a few years on it you are gambling. Some are good and well maintained, some are not.

Fraser is basic 4wd country, so you wont need any fancy accessories for the standard touristy parts, however a good shovel and snatch strap are recommended. The shovel to try help yourself out, the snatch strap for when others come alone and offer a hand.

Fraser is a great place, and you should check it out. If you dont know how to drive a 4wd put your hand up, and I am sure you will get some help.

Originally Posted by Pearo

For the most part, a 2wd will cover 90% of the tourist spots on fraser.

Umm, not the Fraser I remember. Perhaps if the roads had just been graded and it had rained recently and you had an old style high ground clearance ute. An automatic low clearance AWD yummy mummy tractor wont cut the mustard either.

Originally Posted by Fuzzie

Umm, not the Fraser I remember. Perhaps if the roads had just been graded and it had rained recently and you had an old style high ground clearance ute. An automatic low clearance AWD yummy mummy tractor wont cut the mustard either.

Let me rephrase that then, a high clearance 2wd. I spend most of time time driving around in 2wd. About the only spots you need 4wd is indian head and going on and off the beach in a few spots.

Originally Posted by KBs PensNmore

FORD EXPLODER, biggest problem, transmissions.
Kryn

Kern, I purchased Ford Explore (exploder)when I retired, had been a Ford man since XR days. It went into limp mode about 400k west of Cairns, serviced at Cairns ($230) , 200k South ,same problem, Ford dealers told me to drive it home and get rid of it.
Transmission problems , spent many trips to Ford dealers, once the warranty ran out I purchase a Mitsubishi , on my second one now , only have to service them. John.

Originally Posted by Pearo

Let me rephrase that then, a high clearance 2wd. I spend most of time time driving around in 2wd. About the only spots you need 4wd is indian head and going on and off the beach in a few spots.

Agreed. You can drive 90% of the roads in 2wd, however you need 4wd to access that 90%. A normal driver in a 2wd sedan would be lucky to make it off the rubber mats out of Kingfisher Bay Resort the few times I've been there. I've driven a lot of dirt roads in a normal sedan, however Fraser and Morton are two places I've actually needed 4wd and had to engage low range.

I recently had a week on Fraser with my 20 year old Jackaroo; standard apart from a 2" lift. Any 4wd will cope perfectly fine, I even saw a BMW X3 there which is probably the most useless of all the pretend fourbies.

I like Land Rover Discoveries and I'm on the lookout for one myself but only the first or second series, I hate the look of the later ones. They have a reputation for weak drivetrains but you have to go rock climbing with an overloaded vehicle to find out why. Normal use on dirt, sand and mud won't break them.