Help deciding / buying a GU Patrol

[Gav72]

Hiya

I'm new and long overdue to join the 4wd game.
I'm keen on GU series 2 or 3??, 4.2L diesel .....
I've heard its probably a better option than the 3L gremlins....? perhaps not an issue...?
Looking to drive melb up the guts to through the Kimberleys gibb river rd and back nxt yr. would usually only clock up 100-150km a week around metro.
I have a few ideas, but open to any extra suggestions that cover the pro's / cons of the patrol, Other considerations, expected costs. What to look for / ask with shopping purchasing said vehicle.
Any Extras i should look to have on vehicle or should get.

Cheers

Gav

[mudski]

Big price difference between a 3L and a 4.2.
Having had a 3l and now a 4.2. I will say the 3l is easier to drive around the suburbs. But trust was something that always sat in the back of my mind with the 3l. Now i don't have that worry.
But they do pretty good for the size of the car they need to drag around.
As for other things to look out for. Theres a bit.
Cracked rear spring towers, cracked rear rh barn door, if its manual, 5th gear used to strip the internal spline, theres an update kit for these and i dare say a lot would have been done. Something to check...
80k wobbles is notorious on the Patrols.
Due to many reasons but can be resolved.
Rusted lower radiator support panels.
Just to name a few to look out for.

Sent from my GT-N7105T using Tapatalk

[Cuppa]

FWIW, I would suggest that you buy the car you most like to drive on a daily basis. Any 4wd will manage the trip you are talking about with ease.

I chose the 4.2 because I wanted a vehicle which will last me for many years of remote outback travel, is not dependent upon electrical sensors etc & because it has a larger heavy duty chassis than most 'smaller' 4wd's. The latter applies to the 3l's as well of course.

The 3l is more fuel efficient & nippier to drive, but I love driving my 4.2. A 3" exhaust & a dyno made it the car that Nissan should have sold, whilst not over stressing it, but it is slower & thirstier than the 3l.

[threedogs]

$20k should see you in a early 4.2TD with a few mods.
I would change the very small AUX tank to the larger 75ltr
ones that are available, cause to me it just makes sense
if you want to tour

[BigRAWesty]

So what's the budget..
You can go a early model 4.2 or much newer 3L. Late 07 CRD are the pick for reliability.. a few little mods like egr block, catch can and boost control will see the 3L very safe.

After owning a td42 and now an 08 zd30 the only thing I honestly miss is the low torque of the the 4.2..
Once going the little zd30 hauls..
The 4.2 was reliable as hell though.. 525,000 on it and still went like new and never missed a beat.

We took the newer car option though.. We thought an 08 with 63,000 on it was a better option than a 15 year old car with 250,000 on it.
Tbh.. I do miss the td42 as my parents both it when I was 5..
But the zd30 brings a smile to the dial every time I look at it..

[Gav72]

Gday Mudski
Saying 3L easier to drive in the burbs, - is that just from an economy point of view - or would the missus have troubles steering it about a bit....
Thanks for the tips

Hey and would Manual over Auto be the way to go, or not really matter

[Gav72]

Yep, I hear ya,
I just have reservations about rumours of the 3L having troubles.
I wouldnt be doing a lot of rugged off road 4WD, just more beginner 4WD and camping. and on average only 100-150km a week about town

[BigRAWesty]

Gday Mudski
Saying 3L easier to drive in the burbs, - is that just from an economy point of view - or would the missus have troubles steering it about a bit....
Thanks for the tips

Hey and would Manual over Auto be the way to go, or not really matter

Ours is a manual and Nissa doesn't mind it. .
We were looking for an auto but went going to turn away the one we bought because it was a manual..

[Gav72]

Thanks for tips Kallen,

We wont be towing a lot & lot a lot of extensive off road, but if the 4.2L is more reliable I'm keen for that

Thought i read something about the ZD30s having issues??

[happygu]

Hi Gav,

Like Kallen, I have owned both, and even though I loved the 4.2, I wouldn't go back now, especially with the CRD being pretty reliable.

I have always owned Manuals, but I do think the Auto is a major consideration these days, and is easier to drive around town and downhill engine braking offroad is the only major deficiency - just gotta drive differently and drive through the brakes a little more. I would have considered the auto in my latest one if it happened to be the one that presented itself. My only other comment on the auto, is that it didn't seem to help you brake as much as I would have liked to see when you are slowing down to stop, so it seemed you had to use more brakes, but I am happy to be corrected by those who drive one regularly.

Depending on your budget, I would look at a CRD, to be both good at Daily Duties, and good Offroad.