$15000.00 to spend what would you do?

[mudnut]

If you reckon you need a lift, go the 2 inch first as that is only springs shocks and brake bias bracket. If you find that you need a higher lift, then flog off the 2 inch stuff and go higher. As has been said, you should get a very good GQ for your budget.

[mudski]

After reading the heading my first thought were to bet the lot on black. Then I opened the thread up...
What do you want first? GQ or GU? You'd get more for your money in a Q thats for sure, but a GU is more comfy for touring. Buuuut you'd have to spend more.

[BigRAWesty]

Again depends whole and solely on the scope.
I have a 2" atm and yes it's fine.
If I had my time again I'd go 3 straight up. Gives that bit more flex, which means more traction more often.
With the budget yea probably 2" as its simple springs and shocks.

A winch though if self touring is must. You need to be self sufficient. Max tracks are great but are limited.

A decent bull bar. Well there is some big wildlife out there. And live stock.

Decent tyres will pay for themselves.
Again depending on the scope. But a set of 33's not only gives a nicer ride, gives that little extra diff clearance and really that's were the most benefit it.

It really is an open question.
If I had $15g to do everything then my list is what id do.

Most on car sales atm will see you in a td42 turbo with steel bar, winch, roof rack, and snorkel for $11-12g..
4g is a good budget for the rest. If your clever.

[Cuppa]

I'm sure you agree that suspension should be upgraded from standard for any real touring, a small lift is even better than stock!
Bigger tyres are better for a number of reasons, the larger width is the most important thing for touring I would say.

I can’t disagree ‘cos I have no idea what standard suspension is like on a Patrol having only had OME & Lovells but whether an upgrade is needed depends, I would have thought on the definition of ‘real’ touring. If the stock suspension is truly crap then upgrading to do things like the Simpson or the Canning would of course make sense, but if the touring is going to be what 95% of the travelling population do then an upgrade may not be the highest priority.

Lots of people like to have a 4wd to tour with no intention of getting into the gnarly stuff.

Same with the lift. It’s reasonable to argue that any stock 4wd would benefit from a lift but again with a $15k budget, is it a high priority ...... & anyway why a 3” lift & not a legal 2” one. If the toughest driving expected were, for example the Birdsville or Oodnadatta tracks, or the Gibb River Road a lift isn’t a necessity. I doubt that all those Britz Troopy campers getting around have a lift.

Bigger tyres for touring are not something I would suggest are a good idea. Wider tyres are very useful in some situations, but for touring it is generally better to compromise in the interests of fuel economy.

I expect we are probably not really in disagreement Winnie, just that we are each thinking of different meanings of ‘touring’ - a good example of needing to know more detail about the actual intended usage.

[Winnie]

Well when you think that stock Springs will be 20 years old roughly, I think you're right cuppa... I have a 3" lift and there are not many tracks in the high country I cannot do. I would only suggest a 2" for touring though.

[nissannewby]

You would be surprised where 2" of lift and 33's will get you. Especially with what is available today. Getting the correct gear in the front will see a 2" lifted out perform a 3" lifted one that doesn't have the right mods.

I must come down there as you are shit out of luck getting a well setup tidy gq for 15k up here.

[DX grunt]

Welcome to the world of touring.

Here's a list to tantalize your taste buds. Don't spend all your money at once. lol

http://www.nissanpatrol.com.au/forum...-camping-lists

Take care out there.

Rossco

[AB]

If it's a long term investment you want to use and tour for many years I would...

Be all over every car sale avenue for months until you find an honest stockish low km mid 200,000km td42 gq for around 10k

Spend the 5k on 2" ome gu suspension, snorkel and 33" tyres, UHF etc Budget done but a great start to your journey!

[Ben-e-boy]

You could get an awesome TD42 GQ with tyres and suspension pretty well setup for 10k,with 5k leftover for whatever else needs to be spent.

Going by what's on offer at the moment, I couldn't do it for that. Not to build what I want in a tourer.

[Maxhead]

Going by what's on offer at the moment, I couldn't do it for that. Not to build what I want in a tourer.

Yeah but not everyone is after a extreme rock crawling , trophy vehicle, tough truck that can handle a track or two ...lol