things to look for?

[Brendan56]

Hey all,
I'm a rookie 4x4er, but i'm only 20 so i have time to learn haha.
I'm hoping to find a shorty GQ in the near future, and was just wondering what to look for on it to see it its been hammered, and not looked after very well. Don't really want to buy one then have it fall apart 10k into a track or something. haha
cheers.
Brendan

[growler2058]

G'day mate welcome aboard gotta friendly mob here fulla great info and advice

[Bigrig]

Rule number 1 generally (very generally), the more modified, the more it's been "used" for what it was intended. Stock can mean lots of beach work etc still, but off road abuse will show up much easier in major underbody and panel scarring etc if standard.

Usual check for rust in door sills, roof gutter, around window frames, windscreen, pillars, and underbody ...

Check all doors for 'symmetry' in the door jams (space around them) and for ease of opening and closing - basically to see if it's reasonably straight.

Log book details of course ... how many owners, where stored (if the back of Bourke, you can sort of write off beach use ... but inland lakes are still salty I guess!!! lmao)

Oil and/fluid leaks in engine, diffs, diff seals, oil seals on wheels, shocks, etc.

Check all electrics - everything. I mean everything. Indicators, lights (park, stop, reverse, full beam, high beam, full beam with indicators on, etc, etc), dash, interior lights, radio, radio antenna if electric, etc, etc, etc

If with air con, make sure it and the vents all work. As well as the heater.

Seat sliders - they go back and forth, etc and seat frames still solid (upholstery can be fixed cheaply).

Engine noises (apart from mild tappet noise). Idle, solid power through entire throttle range.

Gearbox - manual, check smooth gear changes in and out of gear, any noises in changes or 'whirring' in any gear (keep radio off when test driving). Automatic, same concept - with sharp changes, as in not 'flaring' or 'rolling' over the gears.

Locking hubs - if manual, smooth but firm to lock in. If auto, manually lock them to check same. Hard to test auto hubs on the black stuff, but can be done.

Transfer case lever - same as gearbox, ease of shift into high4 and low4.

Do some research on current values so you are prepared for a price haggle, and usual range of rego (revs) and encumbrance checks. If all stacking up at that point, you have probably just found your rig!!!!

Obviously slight rust, slight dings, etc, etc, can be rectified, so there may be room for compromise on those things that may help with the price haggle also.

Good luck with it mate and be sure to post up pics when you find the new 'love of your life'!!! lol

Others will no doubt have plenty of advice in this space also.

[TD_Wagon]

Check for cracks on the body around the inner front guards, i missed a few when i bought my wagon last year, not too bad to fix if you can use a welder.
Good point to haggle on price..

[Brendan56]

Thanks guys, got a list all written up now Haha. Will post when i find a prospective buy!

[Bigrig]

Check for cracks on the body around the inner front guards, i missed a few when i bought my wagon last year, not too bad to fix if you can use a welder.
Good point to haggle on price..

Good call mate!!!

[TD_Wagon]

Cheers mate, spewin i missed it on mine could have knocked off a bit more ha ha

[nissannewby]

I think bigrig has just about nailed everything there if you can have a peak under the carpet/vinyl to see if any moisture has been seen inside the cab.