Thread: Thinking about a change - Safari or something else?

also consider a Isuzu bighorn, kinda the unmentioned 4WD a lot of the time as everyone forgets about them, resonably capable offroad and very very reliable.

Originally Posted by Konev

also consider a Isuzu bighorn, kinda the unmentioned 4WD a lot of the time as everyone forgets about them, resonably capable offroad and very very reliable.

+1

Originally Posted by Tussock

That's >300,000ks ALL offroad it? Because that's what I'm talking about.

Like the cruisers they are a big bus, but the cruisers come 4x4 capable. The patrol has lousy suspension. I still remember trying to turn up a 1ft lip when I met a cruiser on a one lane track, to give way. Patrol would not even look at it so the cruiser just drove up it and I went past. I had personally driven over that lip coming the other way in the cruisers as well. Just not in the same league.

Gimp. Surfs are good trucks but if your usage is, let's say, regular Tahr hunting, the attrition on the vehicle will be high. Bouldery washed out tracks flex hell out of their flexy chassis and they start to come apart.

Actually the last tricked out Cruiser I was following around left me scratching my head. Went through headlight deep water then had five goes at scrabbling up the bank on the other side. I thought that since it had such trouble I wouldn't even bother with my stock Safari, then I thought bugger it he can pull me out so I might as well give the passengers a ride. The Safari just quietly went through the bonnet high water and straight up the bank without any wheel spin. Was a bit of an anti climax with the passengers all giving me the 'what was that all about' look. The Cruiser had bigger and newer feet and was lifted as well.

Had a similar thing with a Smurf going through soft river mud. The Smurf barely made it, the Safari just quietly drove through; it wasn't till a bit later on I found out I'd forgotten the transfer box thingy and was still in 2wd.

They are all a compromise, weight, power, on road/off road abilities. One vehicle that surprised recently was a Mistral with bigger feet bunged under it was a great hunting/spotlighting vehicle with the sunroof great fro shooting from. The Isuzu's are great too, quite light and agile, I have a couple of those too for fun machines. Great for the younger guys to drive as it doesn't worry me if they drown them.

Nissans are MAGIC or you're a better driver

Wagons are a lot like rifles, you can mod all you like but if you can't shoot or drive you will still be embarrassed by someone with a much cheaper bit of kit who knows how to use it

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90 percent of no road driving is picking a line, some people are just terrible at this.

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Originally Posted by veitnamcam

90 percent of no road driving is picking a line, some people are just terrible at this.

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Yeah, along with approach speed.

Which is why people would be shocked when I used to turn up in things like LAncers n Escorts with a set of T&C's into places they had just had trouble getting to.

Originally Posted by Konev

if you can get a KZN185 (3rd gen surf) for 10k you will be set, intercooled if you can. although the intercoolers from the 3rd gens can be rangi'ed onto the older ones with no issues. surfs generally have better offroad performance over terranos but a less reliable engine (if not maintained)

for a surf, look for a 3L (2.8D) or 1KZ-TE (3.0l TD) and avoid the 2LT-TE engine (2.4T) automatics are not bad on them. manuals will need a rebuild eventually. as mentioned above, go for a 3rd gen if it is intercooled.

with terranos look under the rear seats, as thats the killer rust area. TD27 and QD32 engines are both damn near bullet proof, just let down by glass gearboxes, although i cant remember what ones break if you fart near them.

Yep the dirty 2.4 was never on the list and I want more grunt than the 2.8d (drove a 2.8 Hilux at work for a few years so I know what they're like), will have to be 3.0td if I go for a Smurf or Prado. Good info on the intercoolers, knew the non intercooled make similar power/torque to the late 2.7 Terrano but I see the intercooled surf has a chunk more. I know any of them are gonna be a big step down in performance from what I'm used to, but there are limits to how far down I want to step.

Bighorn is another decent idea, never really liked them but I don't think I actually have a reason not to.

At least nobody has suggested a Mitsi!

bitsashity

Originally Posted by gimp

Nissans are MAGIC or you're a better driver

I'm a crap driver with not a lot of experience off road. The guy in the Cruiser is a very experienced off road driver. So going by your statement the Nissan is magic.

Does it have a top hat to pull rabbits out of? That would make an awesome hunting truck.

Originally Posted by GravelBen

Does it have a top hat to pull rabbits out of? That would make an awesome hunting truck.

No, but it has lots of windows for shooting rabbits out of.

If you want to shoot rabbits you use a bike. Period.

Originally Posted by Wirehunt

If you want to shoot rabbits you use a bike. Period.

But the truck has a heater and windscreen, ... and I'm soft. But the truck with one spotlight and three rifles/shotguns with torches works well.