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Cheap reliable 4x4?

Hector

Hector

Offroader
One of my friends is after a new 4x4. She currently drives an Isuzu trooper that has come to the end of its life, mechanically its alright but its pretty rotten underneath. It needs to be a diesel as she does a fair amount of miles and doesn't want to mess about with LPG, good offroad as it gets used on fairly rough forest tracks for collecting firewood and also be capable of towing a large twin axle trailer, when my 110 breaks down ;)

My first thought was Land Cruiser, but for £2 -3k they are almost non-existant. Just thought I'd see if anyone had any other suggestions before she goes and gets herself another trooper.

Cheers

Jamie

PS, no Land Rovers because anything at that price range won't be reliable enough. She often drives remote highland roads in bad weather and wouldn't have a clue as to how to fix anything. :rolleyes:
 
I've owned 2 Frontera's (yeah, yeah I know) they're cheap as chips.
And not too bad too drive, pretty comfy and they weren't that juicy.
 
Have you checked out Toyota Hilux Surfs??

They are grey imports as Toyota never sold them in this country...but dont let that put you off. They usually come over from japan spotless (dont use salt on the roads over there). They are based on the Hilux pick up chassis so are bomb proof and come with a 3ltr turbo diesel (steer clear of the 2.4, its gutless and had head problems).

I used to own one and at 10 years old it was in better condition than my 8 year old Defender...drove well, was comfy and quiet. Check out the Hilux Surf forum for more info.

Cheers
Mike ;)
 
Man in Hat said:
Have you checked out Toyota Hilux Surfs??

They are grey imports as Toyota never sold them in this country...but dont let that put you off. They usually come over from japan spotless (dont use salt on the roads over there). They are based on the Hilux pick up chassis so are bomb proof and come with a 3ltr turbo diesel (steer clear of the 2.4, its gutless and had head problems).

I used to own one and at 10 years old it was in better condition than my 8 year old Defender...drove well, was comfy and quiet. Check out the Hilux Surf forum for more info.

Cheers
Mike ;)
Click to expand...

What he said.... I had one before the Landy.

Watch out for overheating especially on the 2.4 if you go for an older one. Best bet is a 3 litre. Not much difference in mpg from the 2.4.

Lots of trim levels (SSRG, SSRX, recaro seats etc)

Apparently the japanese can specify to small details what they want.
Mine was a SSRX (base model) but had part of a winter pack fitted, so had 2 batteries.

Which was nice :)

The forum Mike suggests is extremely good too.
 
You may get a decent Prado for 3k. It is an older Colorado and a good truck.
3ltr surf is good too. Maybe a slightly newer Frontera....which are decent trucks.
Could get a Big Horn import maybe over 3k. Always remember with Imports that even if you can trust the mileage being low. It doesn`t tell the full story . They can spend hours during a days journey idling in traffic in Japan.

Some trucks suffer glazed bores because of this, some worse. A lot of them are OK mind you

Alex
 
Just one thing, you said mechanically it is sound, well, I know of a chap around the corner from me, he has put in the engine of an Izuzu into his 110, and it drives like a goodness what, and so far is reilable. Just a thought if you wanted to get a cheap landie, and use the mechanicals of the Izuzu.
 
Man in Hat said:
Have you checked out Toyota Hilux Surfs??

They are grey imports as Toyota never sold them in this country...but dont let that put you off. They usually come over from japan spotless (dont use salt on the roads over there). They are based on the Hilux pick up chassis so are bomb proof and come with a 3ltr turbo diesel (steer clear of the 2.4, its gutless and had head problems).



over here the 3 litre overheats as well, people can't give them away, go with what previous postee sez transplant izzy lump into a def...............keith
Click to expand...
 
Have you checked out Toyota Hilux Surfs??
They are based on the Hilux pick up chassis so are bomb proof
Click to expand...

Anything based on the Toyota Hilux has to be a good bet. Does no one remember Top Gear? Or the Taliban? :(
Utterly, utterly indestructible.
 
What about a Vauxhall MONTEREY, ok so really Trooper but I believe they are cheaper then the said trooper - all though the same vehicle
 
I had an isuzu trooper citation after 3 months in a local garage having fuel trouble and sils sorted i finaly got it out of the garage and a brand new MOT certidicate i went to the post office and got a new tax disc. i then put £20 fuel in the tank and drove the 6 miles home when i pulled up out side the front door i thought shi t the radiators gone as the trooper was surounded by a large cloud of white vapour. when i turned the ignition off there was the biggest bang and all the view out of all the windows except the back one turned to flame the front of the trooper actualy lifted off the tarmac neadles to say it was a total los by the time the fire brigade turned up.

extract in stratherarn herald cristmas 2004

the garage is now to become a development of 8 flats
 
with regard to hilux though im on my second recon engine in an old C plate pic up that i use for rock hauling. its a 2.4 and the crews do naughty things to it

the key to the hilux is service regularly even if you don't think it needs it. when a head gasket goes chances are that no4 big end will go within 3000 miles if you give it stick
 
May I suggest a Mitsubishi Delica ??

you could pick up a L300 model (pre 1994) 2.5 diesel, auto box, great 4x4 system....

recently myself moved from a tricked up Disco to a Delica....
it will tow what ever, has loads of comfort toys, A/C etc and is reliable...

I have done more than a few rough forest tracks in it !
 
Thanks everyone.

I'll try and find a Hilux Surf for her to go and look at. Are they the same as the Toyota Four Runner that was officially imported?

I went and drove a LWB 2.5TD Shogun yesterday and it was ok, pretty comfortable but completely gutless and smoked like a train when you put your foot down. It certainly wouldn't like hills with a big trailer on the back.

She seems to have set her heart on a Land Cruiser though so she might come up with a bit more cash. And yes it has to be the big VX with 4.2TD :rolleyes: Anyone had any experience with them?

Jamie
 
firstly... that shogun sounds past it, they should not smoke ! and my delica is more than a match for a TDI Disco on any hill....

Toyota... The Land Bruiser :D nice ! the engine should not smoke and be smooth, I have heard many good things about them from past owners, check all and I mean all electrics work, some have electrci rear diff lock !

In fact... why did I not get one :confused:
 
Hector said:
Thanks everyone.

I'll try and find a Hilux Surf for her to go and look at. Are they the same as the Toyota Four Runner that was officially imported?
Click to expand...
Yes it is...though the Jap import Surfs usually come with air con as standard, are mostly automatics and tend to have done less miles.

The 4.2 Land Cruiser engine is great from what I here, though keep an eye on the big end bearings...UK Land Cruiser Forum here :)

Cheers
Mike
 
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