This may not surprise you.

It surprised me though.

Over the past 2 to 3 months the amount I’ve driven our Patrol has been not much. I have had the use of a couple of fairly late model dual cab Hiluxes & the only times I’ve driven the Patrol has either been in city traffic or towing with both Patrol & TVAN pretty well loaded up. This morning however I took the Patrol out solo, only a half hour drive each way to go into Mareeba to get food supplies, mainly on bitumen, but beginning & ending on a short rough track. Bear in mind the Patrol is a Dx leaf sprung ute.

Well I’m not sure whether it’s just that Hiluxs have particularly heavy clutches & overly harsh suspension, but our old school leaf sprung clunker felt like a Rolls Royce in comparison. Over the bumpy track, & on the bitumen. I had expected something more modern would outdo it hands down in the comfort stakes, but far from it. It was an unexpected reminder of how good the old Patrol is. 🙂

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Originally Posted by Cuppa

It surprised me though.

Over the past 2 to 3 months the amount I’ve driven our Patrol has been not much. I have had the use of a couple of fairly late model dual cab Hiluxes & the only times I’ve driven the Patrol has either been in city traffic or towing with both Patrol & TVAN pretty well loaded up. This morning however I took the Patrol out solo, only a half hour drive each way to go into Mareeba to get food supplies, mainly on bitumen, but beginning & ending on a short rough track. Bear in mind the Patrol is a Dx leaf sprung ute.

Well I’m not sure whether it’s just that Hiluxs have particularly heavy clutches & overly harsh suspension, but our old school leaf sprung clunker felt like a Rolls Royce in comparison. Over the bumpy track, & on the bitumen. I had expected something more modern would outdo it hands down in the comfort stakes, but far from it. It was an unexpected reminder of how good the old Patrol is. [emoji846]

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The clutch on the 76series I used to own was much heavier and suspension rougher compared to the 30yo GQ that took its place. Both have HD clutches and 300+ springs...


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Yeah we have a 70 something series ute (6cyl turbo) and clutch is pretty heavy (no vacuum assist) and gearbox can be notchy especially when cold. Other than that great workhorse. Also drive DMax's and cab over Isuzu and after driving them (especially cab over lol) driving the GQ is sooo nice like driving a couch bear in mind it does have BP51's and Stratos seats, which is one of the best things I've done to the thing bloody love em. [emoji106]

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Don't forget Cuppa that your ute is over 3 tons normally with your set up in the back.
My son's 2005 GU leafy rides very good considering but he also have a heavy tray and canopy.

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Originally Posted by Wizard52

Don't forget Cuppa that your ute is over 3 tons normally with your set up in the back.
My son's 2005 GU leafy rides very good considering but he also have a heavy tray and canopy.

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That's a fair point Wiz, both the Hilux utes have been relatively empty most of the time. the one up at Portland Roads also had 17" wheels fitted as standard , & required far higher pressures as the tyres had much less sidewall. Fine for smooth roads but you could hardly use that description for the road between Port & Lockhart River.

Mareeba .... are you touring the tablelands?

A heavier vehicle will always feel smoother, simply as it has more weight to make the suspension compress. Unloaded utes have always been bouncy.

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Originally Posted by pollenface

Mareeba .... are you touring the tablelands?

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No, we had planned to be touring the Cape for as long as we could this dry season, but that may have to wait until next year now (hopefully). We are living here, 'bunkered down' & caretaking a farm to get us through the Pandemic - so here for as long as it takes. Preferable to returning home to Vic for a southern winter after being in the north for the past two years!

My Troopy articulated very well, only reason
I sold it was it had a clutch and I had a weak left leg.
More than happy with my patrol, would love tofit
some smoothy shocks .