Guys Martin said it before he needs a waggon so he can sleep in it.
Also if he buy one from another backpacker leaving Australia he will usually get heaps of extras (tools, spares, jerry cans, roof racks, etc)

Martin I have had 2 Prado's, 3.4 petrol and the current one is a 3.0TD. But a Prado is too small to sleep but the motor is great 1000km/130-140lts and not driven to save fuel.

I said it to you before you are on the right track a 60 series or GQ can be found within your budget. Also consider a 4runner but a 2.4D will be a lot slower up hills. The 4 runners are long enough to sleep in. I know they come in 3.0 petrol and 2.8 diesel. A lot of people add an after market turbo to the 2.8 and for you the performance would be fine.

Just keep looking and as you said if one does not turn up in Sydney get it in Queensland (Martin said there are more on offer with the gear he wants).


BTW, a Jeep would not be my choise and definately too small to sleep in.

Ok if you are intent on doing the OFF road bit, then you better be prepaired to spend a hell of a lot more money on recovery equipement.
How much 4 wheel driving experience have you got ?. I mean proper 4 wheel driving, where one minute you can be under water and the next driving through quick sand and the next being on a 43% slope sideways with huge boulders to negeotiate.
Do you know how to load a 4x4 for OFF road travel ?.
And you're going to have a boat sitting on your roof.
Don't under estimate OFF road driving in remote corners of Australia.

Frank, true words but I think Martin will be sticking to well traveled tourist routes so help will always be not far off.

Martin my advice is to advoid deep water crossings and travel with another well equiped 4WD, you will find someone that will allow you to travel with them.

Martin explained to me at the Motor Boat club the extra gear is often included with a 4WD sold by a backpacker but I would say it is very limited.

I have not mentioned it before but I was a senior instructor with the Toyota Landcruiser Club in Sydney for 8 years. If he wants I can show him the basics that will get him where he wants to travel.

Martin,

For what you want tp do a 4runner would be almost Ideal..

* More comfy than the patrol and the 60 series
* Better on fuel
* Will pick up a nicer car
* Definatly strong enough to take you where you want
* The Back of the 4runner with seats folded is the longest of them all, probably the only one you will be able to stretch fully out in, however is only SLIGHTY less in the wdth.
* You will find them and hilux shar all the same parts and are Very reliable.

I think its a defanate choice to check out..

the 2.8 diesels are a VEry strong motor if the oil is changed every 5000kms, however can be a little sluggish. But so can patrols and 60 series 2h's...

Definatly check them out anyway mate.. Fold the seats forward and jump in the back.. You will be surprised!

I'm not going to jump in the back of a bloody Toy ota

good one RUM they were nice a little truck and well worth a look.

now theres a man that owns a DATSON

Yeah and Sumo said it lacks suspension or was that a lack of 4WD speed. I think I was told you need to pad the roof of those Datsun's.

Well Freddy !

You better start saving your penny's cause

In a few years time when I upgrade to the newer model Datsun I may allow to upgrade you thingy you call a 4WD & sell you my old one

hahaha, upgradeing to a datsun is not an upgrade.... hahaha!

Crusiers are KING!

How's your Toy Gearbox going Spud ??

Have you blown it up again of late ????

Spud's idea of a offroad vehicle is to literally keep it off the roads & in the garage

I think not, I was told that it was road tested in a paddock when it was new. I bet they were trying to see if they could break it

Well Freddie,
I did happen to road test that Datsun, in a paddock up on a Rocky Mountain when it was New,(not that I impressed it's owner too much )and it Performed Quite well, unlike a few of those UNBREAKABLE utes that are still up there broken on the rocks and rolled in the gullies, To sum it up the new Datson was impressive a vast improvement on the old ones. But it is WAY out of reach of Martin's Budget.

thanks for the advice again guys.

Just wanted to ask you opinion on pajero's, like say this one http://www.gumtree.com.au/sydney/62/16980362.html

There's a few of them around, a couple a lot newer than this one as well, and they're quite decently priced for the most part.

Again my own preference would be for a toyota or nissan but like to keep my options open anyway. Would you say the mitsu would be a far inferior choice?

Frank, I'm well aware of my own limitations and as has been said, most of the tracks I'm looking at are more well traveled than some of the really remote/hard tracks. Also, thousands of backpackers travel them each year in 4wds with a lot less of an idea for what to expect. Granted.. some of them get themselves pretty well stuck as well I think I told It'll do the story I read of some dutch backpackers who took a cruiser up to Cape York and didn't want to pay for the ferry at the Jardine river and attempted to just drive across it even though it was about 2 inches deeper than the hood of the car and they obviously got stuck. Morons.. spent 2 hrs on the top of the car and that place is infested with crocs as well.

Martin 4Wd's these days are much the same.

many moons ago when I had a landcruiser we'd put shite on the nissan's theses days it's vias versa

I chose the Navara this this for a number of reasons

Liked it's looks
Towing capacity
Had a nissan 300ZX & it was the most reliable car that I ever owned
Was looking @ the Hilux @ time of purchase but the Navara got the nod esp with the rear fold up seats

As long as you stick with either a toy or Nissan you should be right Martin just steer clear of the other 4WD's

I won't say too much about the Pajero. ( as my opinion will only be shot down ) Will mention WA rego that has expired.
Are you going to go through the process of NSW blue slip, or drive the car unregistered till you get to WA, or do you know someone in WA that you can use their address for Rego.

Martin i owned a 92 model for 8 years i found it to be a very honest hard working wagon that never let me down in the bush and i have taken it to the same places as me mate in his Toyota 70sires it was not quit as good but still got me there

Frank i would be interested to here what u think of them

Hmm I thought you could still extend the WA rego over the internet even if you're not living there.. that's why the WA registered cars are so popular with backpackers.

I def wouldn't put it on NSW rego since that's a pain anyway and way too expensive but you do raise a good point (for this particular one). I was looking at another pajero (92 model) the other day that was pretty nice.

Only thing is that it looked like the back seat couldn't really fold completely flat out of the way, just sort of double over which wouldn't be ideaal.

Think I might give that '91 GQ another look tomorrow if it's still for sale and pick that up. Have to start making a move soon. Although Frank, your offer about the car is pretty good as well. At least that way I know that I'm buying a car that has been looked after properly with no hidden faults and what not.

Maybe we can meet up this weekend or something if you've got time? Weather will prob be shite again anyway.

This one was just put up

http://www.gumtree.com.au/sydney/65/22894965.html

Price is a bit high but it does have aftermarket suspension, snorkel, some goodies and a fridge (which are like $1000+ new) so will give them a call tonight as well, see if I can't talk em down a bit.

Martin, If you want something to sleep in stop looking at mid size 4WD's.

That 60 series comes with a lot of things. 21lt fridge is small, I have a 40lt and think that is small. I don't think a 21lt fridge would cost $1000 but could be wrong.

NSW rego would run out about the time you were in WA so that is not a problem.

Price is higher than you want to spend but from the photos it looks in good condition.

I say its worth a look and make an offer.