A couple of GQ buying questions

Joined: 25 Oct 2003 Location: Melbourne Australia

Hiyas,

I hate to ask same-ol' same-ol' questions but I have a couple of "what to look for" queries re the GQ Patrol/Mav. I've read all the negative stuff to look out for in the archives etc but that's not exactly what I'm curious about.

Firstly, does the model year matter much? That is, is a '91 with 200,000km on it meaningfully better than an '88 with the same mileage? Anything critical introduced in a given year that it would be worth holding out for? Seems the cheap ones are all '88 or '89 and then prices jump up a fair bit but I haven't spotted a reason for this.

Secondly, given that most people (I realise it's not everyone) favour the diesel 4.2 over the petrol 4.2, *how much more* would you pay for the diesel? I mean if a petrol model is $6500 and a diesel is $8000, would you still get the diesel?

And - when did the petrol 4.2 switch to EFI, and how much more do you reckon EFI is worth over carb (as opposed to the fact that the EFI cars are newer anyway)?

Sorry for the newbie questions. Off-roading is a new addiction; I'm more up to speed with... a different kind of car.

Cheers,

Jason
1989 Isuzu MU (soon to be sold)
1976 Jaguar XJ-S w/ Supra 5-speed (sold, but I can't seem to let go...)

Joined: 11 Dec 2002 Location: Gold Coast, Queensland

go to www.redbook.com.au and get some of the details.

I believe the early models came out with drum brakes on the rear. After mid 89?? it was discs all round. thats about all I could tell you.

I just bought a 93 diesel lwb with 160,000 k's on it for $15,500.

The problem with low k's (if any) is the injector pump hasn't been done. Getting done on Monday!

Posted: Tue Oct 28, 2003 7:55 pm

The earlier diesels had a heavier piston - more suited to a turbo if you want one in the future. December 92 onwards had some changes to the gearbox ratios (higher ratio 1st- marginally) All petrol mavericks are carby. None of the n/a diesels are rocket ships, but if you want a motor that does its thing without complaint, the TD42 is it.

Joined: 11 Dec 2002 Location: Gold Coast, Queensland

and try www.gqpatrol.com for some interesting reading.

Joined: 19 Dec 2002 Location: Sydney

i purchased a 91 4.2 diesel in feb for 14k, ive recently had the injector pump and injectors done and its made a hell of a difference.

Id recomend the DIesel, ive driven all model patrols with all motors, and the 4.2 efi is quicker, 4.2 carb isnt too bad, the 3l is a bit sluggish,

but me decision came down to what i wanted to use it for. And that is alot of off road, it loves the angles and has never had a problem, it drives where i want it to most of the time.

Joined: 27 Nov 2002 Location: Lost in Melbourne.

later models also have 2 piston brake calipers.... I want...

Joined: 23 Oct 2002 Location: Melbourne, Australia

bogged wrote:

later models also have 2 piston brake calipers.... I want...

Me too, I go faster now but stopping is interesting Confused

Joined: 27 Nov 2002 Location: Lost in Melbourne.

MKPatrolGuy wrote:

bogged wrote:

later models also have 2 piston brake calipers.... I want...

Me too, I go faster now but stopping is interesting Confused

was talking to bloke at ABS today about brakes, I now have slotted rotors waiting to go on, and he recommends Lucas pads (he runs a GQ too)...

but yea $300ea for 2 piston calipers new. Shocked

Joined: 25 Oct 2003 Location: Melbourne Australia

Hi,

Thanks for the info so far. I'm paying attention, so don't hold back if you want to add anything Smile

Just for kicks I took a look at an early SWB tonight. Extremely tidy looking machine, at a car yard. I couldn't tell from the outside whether it was petrol or diesel; if petrol it's overpriced but if diesel it's probably within haggle range of what I'm willing to pay.

Anyway rest assured I'll let you know when I find something and join the Nissan fold.

Jason

btw it was an '88 according to the rego sticker but definitely had 4 discs... ad said '89 though...

Joined: 07 Apr 2003 Location: Melbourne Sth

In my opinion if you where to go down the diesel rd age or model praps not so important, but if you where to choose petrol the 4.2 EFI would be best. You maybe dissapointed with power/economy of the smaller petrols, fit some 33's to a 3 litre & boy is it gutless. If you want better stoppers just fit second hand GU calipers & discs no probs. Oh the excitement of shopping for your 1st Nissan aahhh. Its like xmas morning. Very Happy

Joined: 24 Oct 2002 Location: ACT

bogged wrote:

MKPatrolGuy wrote:

bogged wrote:

later models also have 2 piston brake calipers.... I want...

Me too, I go faster now but stopping is interesting Confused

was talking to bloke at ABS today about brakes, I now have slotted rotors waiting to go on, and he recommends Lucas pads (he runs a GQ too)...

but yea $300ea for 2 piston calipers new. Shocked

and you also have to buy the bigger rotors to suit...

Joined: 25 Oct 2003 Location: Melbourne Australia

Oooh, tomorrow I am gonna make an offer on a '93 SWB Maverick.

They may or may not come down to where I want them to... still... fun eh?

See, your advice was not in vain.

Jason

Joined: 27 Nov 2002 Location: Lost in Melbourne.

Wendle wrote:

and you also have to buy the bigger rotors to suit...

No these were to suit the smaller ones.

I know the later GQ had bigger discs....

Joined: 27 Nov 2002 Location: Lost in Melbourne.

chimpboy wrote:

Oooh, tomorrow I am gonna make an offer on a '93 SWB Maverick.

They may or may not come down to where I want them to... still... fun eh?
Jason

How much they asking, how much you offering.

what accessories and mods??

petrol or diesel??

Joined: 25 Oct 2003 Location: Melbourne Australia

bogged wrote:

How much they asking, how much you offering.

what accessories and mods??

petrol or diesel??

Petrol, white, asking $9,900 but I am gonna offer $8,500 and take it from there because it's a car yard and they seemed eager to negotiate. There are a few around in this price range so I am not too fussed if I miss out.

I haven't actually seen it because it's interstate but I had a trusted friend take a look for me and he gives it the thumbs up.

Accessories are bullbar and towbar, no mods I am aware of. Suits me, half the fun is doing it yourself. I enjoy screwing with these things more than I enjoy driving them I think.

Plans are 35" muddies as soon as possible and the minimum lift required to achieve that. Secret future plan is to accidentally kill the nissan motor and shoehorn in a Jag V12 for 225kW and 450Nm or so (stock injected motor). Dunno why nobody puts Jag V12s into their off-roaders... the jag rep is bad but it's not because of the motor itself. It's a hell of a motor and good for 400,000km easy. I reckon a damaged but mechanically good donor car could be had for $3000 tops, with bits left over to sell.

That's fantasy land for now, but I enjoy mulling over stuff like that.

Cheers,

Jason

Joined: 27 Nov 2002 Location: Lost in Melbourne.

chimpboy wrote:

. Secret future plan is to accidentally kill the nissan motor and shoehorn in a Jag V12 for 225kW and 450Nm or so (stock injected motor). Dunno why nobody puts Jag V12s into their off-roaders...

1) they are . BIG motors
2) they weigh 3409000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000ton
3) parts suck
4) theres better motors out there cheaper and lighter...

but go for it...

Joined: 25 Oct 2003 Location: Melbourne Australia

bogged wrote:

chimpboy wrote:

. Secret future plan is to accidentally kill the nissan motor and shoehorn in a Jag V12 for 225kW and 450Nm or so (stock injected motor). Dunno why nobody puts Jag V12s into their off-roaders...

1) they are ***** BIG motors
2) they weigh 3409000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000ton
3) parts suck
4) theres better motors out there cheaper and lighter...

but go for it...

I know but I've got one downstairs... and I know them pretty well.

Besides, this kind of shit should be done not because it's wise but because it CAN!

Smile

Jason

Joined: 25 Oct 2003 Location: Melbourne Australia

chimpboy wrote:

bogged wrote:

How much they asking, how much you offering.

petrol or diesel??

Petrol, white, asking $9,900 but I am gonna offer $8,500 and take it from there because it's a car yard and they seemed eager to negotiate.

Got it! I'm a Maverick man now. 1993 model, very clean; I think the price is reasonable if not world-beating.

I think they look okay white.

The car is in Sydney and I'll be there for work on the 27th, so I'll pick it up on the 28th and drive it back to Brisbane over the weekend, hopefully collecting a nubile hitchhiker or two along the way (allow me to dream...)

Woo hoo! Now I gotta get a snorkel and some 35" muddies.

Thanks to all who contributed buying tips. I know you generally recommended the diesel but I anticipate an engine transplant within 2 years anyway, and in the meantime I can handle having a bit less economy.

Jason

Posted: Mon Nov 17, 2003 4:27 pm

Can you say

ROAD TRIP

WOOOO HOOOOO!

Joined: 21 Aug 2003 Location: penrith

Allthough everyone might recomend the diesel, if you want to put on larger tyres without changing the ratio's the diesels just cant handle it. the petrols actually have more power and torque but at the expense of fuel economy. if its not your daily driver, you can't beat the petrol.

Steve

Joined: 27 Jun 2003 Location: cen vic

highly recomend putting in the nubile hitchhiker but a jag motor???????
your call.
i,ll take the stocker

Joined: 29 Jul 2003 Location: Melbourne

Seeing the 3ltrs are so cheap here in melb would it make sence to fuel inject one of these motors ? It would cost stuff all to do and i guess the increase in power would be worth it, then it leaves scope for a turbo for later on if you want to go down that track. Also i have heard of people fitting the rb25de head to these 3l blocks and getting around 150kw in non turbo form, just an idea let us know what you think Smile

Joined: 07 Apr 2003 Location: Melbourne Sth

I think the jag engine is gunna hit the diff & also may overheat. I would have another measure if I were you & if it goes ahead I wanna see pix dude! Cool