Thread: Thinking out loud - cheap 4x4 options?

This one up the Hopkins is probably free if you want to drag it out of there.

Originally Posted by Barry the hunter

,I sincerely hope you mean Crump

Haha shit yeah sorry - missed that possible bit of confusion.






But still, that made me spit my coffee - that was bloody funny!

they were great adds with Scotty -- make that silly girl on Turners Cars look exactly that bloody silly

Originally Posted by Barry the hunter

they were great adds with Scotty -- make that silly girl on Turners Cars look exactly that bloody silly

Last weekend I was at the green hut at the end of this ad, had no idea they filmed it there

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iqwnr2sza_o

Originally Posted by paremata

Last weekend I was at the green hut at the end of this ad, had no idea they filmed it there

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iqwnr2sza_o

"Ya take sugar mate?. Nah. Oh well, just don't stir it"

120 Prado’s are getting on now and are available around the 10k mark. Look for a late 2006 onward with the D4D motor. Earlier ones ok but a bit less powerful.


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Loved the fact you could fold down the rear seats of the Toyota surf and throw the mattress in the back,none of the trucks these days have the capability,I. Had 3 surfs till I got a bt50 now drive a ranger but would love to have the option of sleeping in the back for quick overnighters,great option if to many drinks had as well.

Single cab or extra cab can still do that, especially with a fibreglass canopy option. Alloy are a pain in the arse for this, too cold...

No 3 why not try to think of a suitable vehicle by working backwoods eleminate what are definetly no - so start with Lada Mahindra Rodeo Rav 4 and keep going = see whats left

Originally Posted by Barry the hunter

No 3 why not try to think of a suitable vehicle by working backwoods eleminate what are definetly no - so start with Lada Mahindra Rodeo Rav 4 and keep going = see whats left

I know quite a few farmers and miners who use Mahindra Pik-Ups, and they say they're pretty tough. Not sure why they get so much hate, to be honest. They come with an electric rear locker, which helps them outperform a lot of more expensive vehicles that have open diffs. Sure, the ground clearance isn't the best, but most people aren't out there rock crawling anyway.

They arent fancy but thats kinda the point.

One of the issues with Mahindra is actually getting parts - some of the bits I'm told are not that easy to find like the 4wd system actuator setup. Ssangyong have a similar issue. Apart from that the people that I know with the Mahindras seem to like them basic and reliable.

As far as working backwards, what I have eliminated is anything ute, would prefer petrol as no RUC (while that lasts) and anything expensive as it's going to be consumed in salt/sand environments fairly rapidly. It makes it more of a case of 'what I can get' than 'what I want' - reasonably late model low mileage but no stupid electronics (I would prefer post-2000 just for the one WOF a year factor - its not the cost its the bloody time it takes now and I'm already doing four WOFS a year now).

I've seen a few that I think would have done the job but in places like Gore or Wanaka and getting the thing up to me here is just stupid expensive ($3000 in one case). And locally it would appear that we have a thriving Indian mechanic fixer-upper community buying everything 4wd up to fix and flog to their mates at silly money rates. It's not helping the cause really. Just a case of being patient and picking up the right unit when it comes up.

On the list at the moment are the challengers and pajeros, grand escudo/vitara, prado and one or two others, but looking at everything basically. There's a few of the Escudos at give away money at the moment, but all with the J24b engine which is more yellow than a fresh lemon it seems (the block and head will crack, a case of when not if) and replacement engines are worth more than the entire vehicle.

I think they sell the Actuators on ebay for like 350 - 400 NZ. Having a google some aussie sites sell them for 300ish

Manual conversion kits can be had too, but in reality it's a pain in the arse setup to convert to manual. Unfortunately they are utes so aren't an option for me for this vehicle but I would look at that if they ticked the box. Couple have come up where that was the problem with them and a reason for the cheap sale price.

Originally Posted by Haggie

I know quite a few farmers and miners who use Mahindra Pik-Ups, and they say they're pretty tough. Not sure why they get so much hate, to be honest. They come with an electric rear locker, which helps them outperform a lot of more expensive vehicles that have open diffs. Sure, the ground clearance isn't the best, but most people aren't out there rock crawling anyway.

They arent fancy but thats kinda the point.

ahhh should have been more clear I meant the Mahinda Mahindra came out as a jeep clone in the seventies the new ones could be worth a look great warranty