Originally Posted by
mudgripz
MBraga - I see you are in Christchurch like me. Chch is 4x4 central - good clubs, great tracks throughout the south accessible in a day or weekend from here. Canterbury, Reefton, West Coast, Central etc. But if you are getting interested in offroading and plan McCauley Godley type river trips, a soft road all wheel drive will not be advisable. Too many limitations - Flyblown's cautionary advice is right - as is No 3s.
As a 20+ year Chch 4x4 club offroader myself I suggest you decide what level of offroad activity you want to do first - and buy to that. We grade all tracks from 1-5, 1 being easy farm tracks and 5 being coast to coast style truck busters. Been there, done that.. To take a soft roader out into southern river terrain is dangerous. That river can be a 2 or a 5 - often within 30 minutes. River levels rise very quickly, stranding you up some mountain valley, and with low ground clearance you're also at real risk of parking on boulders you can't see. Anything other than ideal dry conditions and you're in deep shite with road tyres or all-terrains, and low ground clearance. We don't even allow them on trips.
You need a truck for the task, and modified for it. Example - these days my 4wding is somewhat easier, and I run a 96 Bighorn diesel. Good basic unit with strong drivetrain, 32" muds, 2" lift, tight LSD, tuned, snorkel, safety hooks/equipment etc - and that's basic spec, adequate for moderate southern offroad tracks. I wouldn't want less. A Mitsi as suggested, Bighorn, Prado (watch the 1kz motors) etc can do your job - can all be modified to get you in and out of our mountain terrain safely. Also important - try and find others to do your trips with. Travelling alone as a newbie up some mountain river is not a great idea - can go wrong very badly. Go to a 4wd club night and listen, then chat to people about tracks/trucks/mods. Find some mates, and find out what you need. You do not need to bash up your truck and have it parked in the shed after every trip. I never have - even doing toughest coast-to-coast tracks. You learn to drive WITHIN your truck spec and keep it safe and sound. Canterbury Recreational 4wd club is good -variety of trip levels.
You may end up with two vehicles - your modded diesel truck, plus a wee commuter car. You won't get an under 120k truck, modded, for your 15k budget. Most of the clubbies go for 'pre-electronic' (to some extent) 90s vehicles - and they usually have 200-350k on the clock, and we don't often use them also as day drivers. If you want to chat about your truck plans, feel free to PM me.