Confused new guy

You should be able to pick up a fully kitted out '01 ish Patrol without having to spend too much on mods. You'd prob need to buy your roof tent and solar panel extra though.

Leroy

With 38K I would be going with a Turbo diesel patrol.

As long as you don’t plan on doing any heavy towing you will be fine, Some people experience their 4.2 Nissan’s heating up a bit when towing a heavy load and making the engine work wile towing, despite this it is still a good Truck and no IFS ether which is your only Option with 100S cruiser.

10K will see you well on your way, and some change I would think.

38K Pounds Sterling!!!!!!!!!!

OMG!!!!

You could buy the Nissan Australia Operation with that kind of money!

:))

That's equvalent to around $100K AUD! (give or take :) )

That'll get you plenty of offroad gear down here, but don't "waste" your money on stuff you may never need!!

cheers, and welcome (for when you get here!)

Do you have shoelaces?

Get a troopy.

Read this thoroughly before you come over .
Copy and paste
http://www.koalanet.com.au/australian-slang.html

Andy,
If you want to do camping and touring holidays why not buy a second hand vehicle that has been purpose set-up for that?

There are good reasons why certain vehicles are equipped for this purpose by the hire companies. You can buy such a vehicle second hand (used) or new. Here are some of the vehicles commonly used - have a close look at the Bushcamper and the Adventurer(copy and paste link):

http://www.britz.com/

They are both Toyotas and the first vehicle is commonly referred to as a 'Troopy' and it will go almost anywhere.

Buy new or used through a car broker eg http://www.carbroker.com.au/ (there are others and I am not affiliated with any).

Before buying join The NRMA or motorists' organisation in the State of arrival and get them to check the vehicle before completing the purchase (ie before signing anything). Here is the NRMA link: http://www.mynrma.com.au/

You can start liaising with the broker and the NRMA straight away to get information. Remember that the NRMA gives independent advice.

It there was one or two travelling a basic Troopy not even in campervan set-up would do. They are huge in the back and you can sleep in the back or erect a tent.
Apart from that you only need th most basic camping kit - eg airbeds, gas stove large icebox (a 12Volt Engel 40L fridge is great if you have extra dollars).

Diesel Toyotas come with dual batteries. You could add basic recovery equipment: snatch strap, tyre repair kit and air compressor (for tyres).

But almost all of Australia is sealed road (bitumen) although there is some gravel. You can get almost everywhere without all of the extra suspension stuff, extra fuel tanks etc. If in doubt you can always buy a few jerry cans anyhow.

If the day comes when you want to do rugged off-road in remote areas then buy what modifications are necessary, but I reckon you would have seen most of the 'good stuff' that Australia offers befdore needing that sort of kit. The main reason most people use 4X4 vehicles for touring is for clearance if needed, not because of the roads.

EV700

Stick with the GU.. Cheaper to buy, and easier to sell if you intend to.

Dual batteries upto $400
Solar Panels Sky is the limit
Suspension $700 upwards
fueltank $1000
rooftop tent $2000

good luck

And is it a 'wish' list or a 'to do' list?

I'd take a newer vehicle rather than load up an older vehicle with a lot of aftermarket modifications.

I haven't read the whole forum as I am a bit busy at work (I guess I shouldn't even be replying to this!). Stay well clear of the IFS on the landcruiser if you plan going bush. The base model does not have this so it's fine. Both are good veh's but the cruiser is a bit bigger inside for storage. The Patrol is on average $10,000 cheaper though which enables you to buy lots of accessories to make it a very bush capable vehicle. This was the thinking that I had anyway when I bought my Patrol.

Good luck with your decision but either way you will be pleased (as long as you stay clear of the IFS).

Hi Andy

I can only say good things about the Patrols. I have had mine for nearly a year now and it's given me nothing but joy to drive, except for the fuel bill everything has been good.

For 10k you can do more than enough. But like other said you should look at buying a truck that is already ready for touring, but the cons of that is you know the truck has done a bit of rough work and touring and the gear might be old. But if you are in the mood for a new setup then just get a second hand truck and get all the modifications and bit and pieces done yourself. Then you choose what you want and where and how you want it.

I you want to do the outback thing then the TD Troopy would be more than fine...look around at what others are driving out there (repeatedly that is). TD 4.2 GU is also a terrific vehicle but a bit flash for a desert hack. Cheers

Hi Andy, my 80 series diesel is available for purchase, excellant truck with most of the modifications already done, check out the ad "ready to travel oz".
Cheers Pennywise

I have one of each so have no bias. The Troopy is a better vehicle around the property, the Nissan is a better (and far more restful) vehicle on the road.

Less need to modify the Nissan as the rear LSD is far more effective than on Troopy.

Both are bloody good vehicles - but my choice (marginally) is the Nissan TD 4.2 as it has a much tougher transmission.

The ideal? A Nissan TD with the Troopy turbo-diesel donk.
Collyn Rivers