I want a GU 42 by Christmas 2022! - Options and discussions on buying a used GU TD42

[taslucas]

Hello, yes, lets do it!

There's a lot of info out there but now I want to get serious and so I'm turning to all my great and knowledgeable friends in this forum.

The market has bubbled lately but there's still good purchases to be had under 25k as long as I'm armed with the right info.

I ask anyone that sees this thread to please throw down any advice for buying a used TD42.


Let's start it off with the question of conversions... I see a few zd30 to TD42 conversions for fairly reasonable prices.
What to look for? General Quality of build of course, but what are the cheap shortcuts or quality pieces to look out for?
What to look out for by keeping the the original box and diff ratios (whether it be RD28, ZD30, TB45, TB48....)

This photo is just shy of ten years old.. lets make new patrol memories!
Dip falls 24-8-13 wet! (45).jpg

[Cremulator]

When I was looking for a TD42 GU my mate who runs a garage gave me some advice about conversions and that was to check with [vehicle registration department in your state] that the vehicle has been registered as running on the new motor, not the old one.
So if it's now a TD42, is not registered as a ZD30 still.
He then immediately followed that with the advice - just avoid vehicles that have had an engine conversion.

[MudRunnerTD]

I would avoid a TD42 that has been opened if you can. I have seen plenty of examples that have just not held up once opened and put back together.

If you can find a nice factory unit in a series 1 or 2 that you xam then add to would be nice ans inside your budget. Don't expect a big turbo and pump inside $25k though. I assume you are chasing a wagon yeah? Why do you want a TD mate?

I reckon the real draw back with a conversion is short cuts and home jobs mate. And promises that the kms are legit ans you can't prove any of it.

Note that GQs are renowned for having crap odometers that stop turning so if so guy has found a silver top out of a GQ with no real history, dropped kt into a GU to flip for coin and covid Tax. Follow the trail.

If I was willing to buy a converted car it would probably be an LS to be honest.

[taslucas]

I would avoid a TD42 that has been opened if you can. I have seen plenty of examples that have just not held up once opened and put back together.

If you can find a nice factory unit in a series 1 or 2 that you xam then add to would be nice ans inside your budget. Don't expect a big turbo and pump inside $25k though. I assume you are chasing a wagon yeah? Why do you want a TD mate?

I reckon the real draw back with a conversion is short cuts and home jobs mate. And promises that the kms are legit ans you can't prove any of it.

Note that GQs are renowned for having crap odometers that stop turning so if so guy has found a silver top out of a GQ with no real history, dropped kt into a GU to flip for coin and covid Tax. Follow the trail.

If I was willing to buy a converted car it would probably be an LS to be honest.

Ive considered all engine options from time to time but I'm no expert so will ask for more opinions here.
I don't have the TD42 up on a pedestool, more I settled on it by elimination. And definitely tell me if I'm wrong!
I've told myself that maybe I could get a good low km zd30, NADS it and treat it right then maybe I'd be fine but realistically I'd always be watching for grenade symptoms. (Three friends have them, one is going great with 37s and lots of hard use, one seems fine but he's only had it a year and the third blew up at around 300,000kms).

Two mates have 2.8's (one is relatively trouble free and the other just replaced a head and turbo at 370,000km) they seem good little motors but maybe I'm after just a bit more torque?

TB45 and 48 are out simply for the fuel usage unfortunately.
I would definitely go an LS conversion and love it but so far I've only seen what look like hack jobs under 25k.

I know the TD doesn't have huge power but I believe I'd be happy idling around with a close to stock set up.
I've seen two bone stock sub 300,000 km wagons for under 25k on gumtree in the last few weeks. But of course ideally I'd score something with at least a lift and tyres fitted.

Use would be daily driving (My work commute is 20km per week ), light touring and camping (bitumen, gravel, greasy forestry tracks, overnight light camp, not loaded up for weeks away), the inescapable Tasmanian mud rut and greasy wet hill, and once a year or less something like climes track but never cold stream track level. So a wagon with the basics - around 3" lift and 33 or 35s, winch, draws in back to throw a bed on.



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[Cuppa]

I know the TD doesn't have huge power but I believe I'd be happy idling around with a close to stock set up.

I'd suggest you have answered your own question & had it confirmed by several others. I'll add to it. Ours is pretty stock in the engine department & never been apart. Only mods engine-wise are a 3" exhaust & a mild (for towing) dyno tune running a max of 13.2psi on the standard intercooler. Way nicer to drive the the original exhaust & 7 psi, and reliable, owned it for almost 12 years now. Not for sale though, at least not until we can find the right rare beast to replace it with - an OKA camper with 6BT & Allison. Have our eye on one which *might* be for sale next year after we have left the Cape, but even then it will be tempting to keep the Patrol as a daily driver for when we are at home. Hard to let a vehicle which you have learned to trust go.

Problems with it are primarily electrical - age related connector issues when plastic goes hard, & the stupid sub tank arrangement which has failed. (Will get it sorted when we are back in 'Civilisation') .The plastic topped radiator still seems ok, but have just ordered new coolant expansion bottles. 245,000kms, most of that in the outback in our ownership & Telstra's.

Not trying to sell it, more to let you know the sort of relationship we have with a T42i which has done & continues to do exactly what we bought it for & not let us down.

To be honest the only other similar sized vehicle I'd consider in similar condition & mileage would be a non-turbo 1hz Toyota 70 series. Slower but more comfortable, Sit higher inside & nicer to drive off road thanks to it's lower gearing & better low down torque. Less to go wrong, & the angled front profile makes driving tight tracks easier.

[growler2058]

Get a CRD remapped and a safe tune. Yeeee Haaw

[jff45]

There are more poorly done conversions out there than good ones. If you were really set on a TD42, the only ones to consider are stock late model TD42Ti with reasonable Kms and good service history. Those will be the ones with the silly price tags on them.

I wouldn't touch a ZD30 Di. Too many tears been shed over those. If I had to stay with a Patrol, I would readily go for a good CRD. With a remap, exhaust and decent IC they will go better than any stock TD42Ti.

[taslucas]

There are more poorly done conversions out there than good ones. If you were really set on a TD42, the only ones to consider are stock late model TD42Ti with reasonable Kms and good service history. Those will be the ones with the silly price tags on them.

I wouldn't touch a ZD30 Di. Too many tears been shed over those. If I had to stay with a Patrol, I would readily go for a good CRD. With a remap, exhaust and decent IC they will go better than any stock TD42Ti.

The CRD is 2007 onwards yeah?

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[Maxhead]

The CRD is 2007 onwards yeah?

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Yeah mate, CRD had a black intercooler shroud/cover and the DI had a silver one from memory
BTW common rail all the way or a dMax of course

CRD


Di




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[mudski]

There are more poorly done conversions out there than good ones. If you were really set on a TD42, the only ones to consider are stock late model TD42Ti with reasonable Kms and good service history. Those will be the ones with the silly price tags on them.

I wouldn't touch a ZD30 Di. Too many tears been shed over those. If I had to stay with a Patrol, I would readily go for a good CRD. With a remap, exhaust and decent IC they will go better than any stock TD42Ti.

Mods can you please ban this muppet?! wash your mouth out John!


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