Thread: Cheap 4WD opinions

Originally Posted by luckey

I have a 2009 ML Triton (short deck), bought sight unseen nearly 10 years ago from a Northland dealer and shipped to Dunedin. On arrival it had substantial underbody rust and a couple underbody dings and sand in the wheel guard linings, obviously been driven extensively on wet rocky beaches and/or deep onto boat ramps. Dealer said this was common for Northland vehicles and gave me $1000 towards remediation. Got it rust treated / undersealed and all fixed up for about the $1000. Rust treatment has mostly been successful with only minor spot re-treatment needed, no problems with WOF. It’s a mighty truck, last of the 3.2TD’s and with Super Select like the Pajeros. No regrets.

Thanks, good to know! I haven't found a tidy 3.2 with under 300,000k yet, so I'm looking at the 2.5 diesel. There's a few closer to 200k but I'm stretching the budget a bit (really don't want to borrow anything toward it)
Good to know about the rust. I think I'll keep it coated in lanolin or fish oil. I don't drive on beaches except a rare occasion

Be very weary of the odometers, disconnected speedos to save on RUCs are pretty common amongst vehicles of that age.

I’ve seen one with a flogged out drivers side interior, worn pedals, stone chips everywhere etc and they were trying to convince me it only had 40,000km in 12 years.

A 3.2 triton would be my ute. But yeah ks on them are a bit of a bugger. Plus like a lot of them around 300is ks the intake manifold can be blocked to bits from egr soot etc. I think at 300 they might be up for cam chain and guides. Been a while since I've looked them up and just can't remember the details. I do remember the first of the 3.2 pajeros had a naff hybrid fuel pump with a small ecu on it. If they shit out they can cost thousands and may not least 100000kms