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Another issue with the auto is (i think) no center difflock. We took the new state emergency service's amarok out for a test run and got it bogged. I have a great video of it just sitting there with rear wheels spinning and absolutely no drive to the front wheels. We tried every button it had, but couldn't get any drive from the front wheels at all.
It did have drive to the front wheels before and after the bog hole though.
Good on him by accepting more $ from VW, than Nissan gave him. However, I'd love to see him go to some places with this thing, where he has previously taken his Patrol. Amaroks are not very offroad capable.
I had a chat to Pat at last years show, as mates son wanted a photo with him. He absolutely despises the 3L Patrols he whispered quietly. It gave them so much grief by the usual ZD30 faults, on many of their filming trips, But once again, it was for free, kitted out by sponsors so he just drove it and once it stuffed up, Nissan to the rescue .... so money talks bull$hit walks... (or drives in this case).
Pity he feels that way as I think he would have generated a few sales of the Y61. Mr cash for comment?Quote:
Originally Posted by Hodge
I understand the sentiment though as it diminishes faith in the ZD30 knowing that a lot of the niggling problems have been there for years with Nissan doing sweet FA to fix them. Leaking I/C's being one of them.
Oh he would have aided Y61 sales thats for sure. No doubt about that. After all that was the whole purpose of sponsoring him with a Patrol.
Patrols being basically the last true off roader with a live front axle I think would sell itself.
If your into 4x4 why would you buy an IFS 4x4 with limited wheel travel.
Must admit they compensate that with lots of buttons to get you up a hill or down a gully.
Just look at all the initials behind some of the bigger 4x4s
Amorak dont even have a transfer case do they just the 8 speed box,
boy 1st must be very short
But most people doing true off-roading don't spend 50k+ on a car. At least I wouldn't. A gq will far outperform for far cheaper.Quote:
Originally Posted by threedogs
However, for touring, I want comfort, economy, power, and storage space. Which the Amarok has. I can easily get over the limited travel with a locker (if I'm forking out that much coin, I can afford one)
As for the no low range, 8 speed.
A patrol has a 4 speed auto box, and high/low range. Effectively 8 gears. They have just put it all into one package.
For touring, if I was buying brand new, I hate to say it, but I would probably buy a dual can over a patrol. (Tho probably not an Amarok)
Cheers
The 8 speed uses 2nd gear to start under normal driving and has a couple of overdrive gears (I think). When in 4x4 mode it allows the box to access first but then slips the converter if it needs to crawl anywhere so its not a direct comparison to the 4 speed dual range Patrol.
I think for heavy 4x4 work it heats the converter up too much and that's why they had the failures. Not sure if still happening.
Im not in the position to buy a $50k 4x4 even when I could I like you wouldnt, why would you.Quote:
Originally Posted by Punderhead
you can trick up a much earlier model to what ever you want it to be, I like dual cabs but mainly full size like the patrol with the back cut
off, my friend has an extended dual cab and is the ultimate tourer imo.
The modern dual cab are useless IMO the top of the tubs are about 5ft high so makes it very hard to
load and un load. But as a tourer I think a dualcab with some sensible mods would be great, though not ideal IMO
Except I'm 6'6 so that doesn't bother me!Quote:
Originally Posted by threedogs
The manual has low range. I have driven oneQuote:
Originally Posted by Winnie
Having driven cab chassis I dont think thay are that shit. I quite like it. The small motor took abit of getting used to in the low rpm as it is no TD. it drove well, handles well. It is big inside, the tray is huge. I would buy one before a 3L patrol any day of the week.
That's right, it's just the auto that is a little suss. Pat has been driving an auto on all of his shows so it will be interesting which model he choses from VW, or is offered by VW. He used to drive a Kia before the Patrol's from memory.Quote:
Originally Posted by Ben-e-boy
The only problem is that we will never get a truthful review on the performance of the "Rock" from what is being said on this thread.
The size of the Amarock is its main advantage. It bridges the difference between most Japanese utes and the Yank ones. I like a fourby with a wide stance as it is inherently more stable. Most jap utes are built on the 1790mm platform as is the Pajero/Prado. In Japan if a car exceeds this width they are in a higher tax bracket so most manufacturers try and make their domestic models narrower than this limit.Quote:
Originally Posted by Ben-e-boy
Sat down with a few beers and watched some of his shows including the early 4wd action stint with Roothie where he drove a Suzuki.
And then some of the Patrol ones. I meant what i said earlier. I would LOVE to see him re-visit some places with the Amarok. He'd have no hope.
He might do some medium duty touring instead. Mind you, the V-dubs do have a good traction control system. If driven well they should be able to get to a lot of places. And if they have a few problems, well we won't know about it. ;)Quote:
Originally Posted by Hodge
VW generally are quality vehicles aren't they.
He'll put or more to the point, his sponsors will put dual lockers in it like they did to his Patrol and Colorado. Twin locked he'll still go where ever he likes.
PS: do ARB do lockers for the Rock?, if not sponsorship opportunity for someone.
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Yes they do a rear locker for them. Guy at work had one fitted. And he had issues with the auto, spent 2 weeks waiting for parts/service at VW. Overheating or something.Quote:
Originally Posted by Rocket55
Poor bastard copped a huge tow bill from sheep yard flats to mansfield because of it. Eventually got rid of it, no idea why. Haven't seen him for a few months.
Edit: NO doubt they will kit that thing out pushed by sponsors.
Good on him , he gets paid to do what we spend thousands to achieve ! Hell I'd even drive a great wall if they were picking up the bill !
Very true, good way to put it. Getting paid to go around Aus, all expenses paid probably by sponsors. Dream gig.Quote:
Originally Posted by gaddy
Except he has to were ironed button up shirts everywhere. Deal killer for me hahahaQuote:
Originally Posted by Hodge
Cheers
Probably pulled straight out of a plastic bag before the camera rolls. He might wear a wife beater everywhere else.
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Haha that wouldnt bother me. Few scenes here and there dressed like a city slicker, and the rest enjoy the luxuries.Quote:
Originally Posted by Punderhead
I wouldn't mind either if it was a short sleeved shirt but he wears long sleeved jobs.Quote:
Originally Posted by Hodge
My only gripe if its that is the height of the tubs on these new dual cabs ,
I'm 6' and most tubs are arm pit high not very practicle, made worst by fitting a solid lid to them.
That alone will limit what you can take, but with the VW the performance is there , economy is there,
build quality is there, whats not to like,
If they are built anything like a hilux it will break is driven hard, imo
I say good on him regardless what he is driving.
The guy just signed a multi million dollar contract with Channel 10, and gets paid to tour around Australia, what more in life could one want. I would drive a Toyota if I got paid 2 tour around Australia in it, doesn't mean I wouldn't prefer to be in a GQ :)
I wonder when the VW will hit the TV? The Sunday arvo show I see on free to air is a mixture of his Patrol and his red dual cab. Can't even remember if it's a Navara or a Colorado... Obviously not in the one show
It was a d40 Navara. The red one.
Not sure when the vw will hit the screens , but some posts on his fb page suggest people are still seeing him around Sydney in a grenade. So who knows.
Yes is he still currently driving his patrol around homeQuote:
Originally Posted by Hodge
Ah ok then it's that other bloke on TV that has the Colorado. Thanks.Quote:
Originally Posted by Hodge
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Yeh Simone Christie from 4WDTV has the Colorado 7Quote:
Originally Posted by Rocket55