GQ or GU patrol
Submitted: Sunday, Apr 27, 2008 at 23:30
ThreadID:
57060
Views:
8655
Replies:
5
FollowUps:
1
This Thread has been Archived
Stephen M (NSW)
Hi all this question is for a mate who doesnt have the web at
home not allowed to do it from his work. Anyway he has about 10 to 12g's to spend and wants a patrol. He has seen the two above models around the same price range. He is looking at an 89 model which ever that is and has been advised against them and to get the later model. He is after a 4.2 diesel long wheel base. The one he is looking at has 275k on it. What should he be looking for and is one model (GQ,GU) better then the other. He has been advised not to get the 2.8 turbo ?? Any help I can pass on to him would be appreciated. Not interested on Toyota. I did tell about the 80 series petrol but wants diesel which is dearer in the cruiser range then what he wants to spend. Regards Steve M
Reply By: Member - Barnesy - Monday, Apr 28, 2008 at 03:13
Monday, Apr 28, 2008 at 03:13
GQ Patrol series 1 1988- around1992. Series 2 1992-1997. I'm not sure about any real differences between the two, the main areas such as engine, gearbox, drivetrains are the same. Tell them apart by the dummy tailights. GU 1997-current and out of price range.
He will be on a winner if he chooses a GQ with the 4.2 diesel. For 12 grand he will be able to find a good one around 1994. Obviously the later the model the better due to fewer km and probably less use. But when buying a 14 year old 4wd it really comes down to individual condition of the car.
The GQ 4.2 diesel is renowned as a tough and reliable 4wd. People regularly get 5-600 000km out of those engines they aren't racing engines but very reliable. As mentioned the gearbox and other drivetrain components are tough as nails.
The 2.8 has smaller gearbox and other drivetrain components negating the best advantages of the Patrol.
They do need 5000km oil changes so if buying privately and the owner doesn't know the type of oil filter it needs then think about service history.
I would suggest getting a thorough pre-purchase
check by a specialist 4wd mechanic. If it's been
well maintained (meaning regularly serviced and not thrashed off road) he probably won't have many problems but it pays to have it checked to make sure.
If this one he's looking at doesn't stack up then keep looking to find a good one.
Barnesy
AnswerID:
300877
Reply By: Member - joc45 (WA) - Monday, Apr 28, 2008 at 11:25
Monday, Apr 28, 2008 at 11:25
Would recommend the 4.2 diesel GQ or a Ford Maverick - same beast. Not a ball of fire, but very reliable. I had a Mav for 250,000, only replaced a rear axle oil seal and a viscous fan coupling in 12 yrs of very reliable 4wding. And the GQ has very few plastic bits to fall off. Early GQs in DX option had a 1 1/2 bench
seat, which wasn't all that comfortable, tho the driver's
seat was ok. Later DXs had buckets, as did the STs. The ST was a lot better equipped.
Some early GQs developed hairline cracks in the welds of the front diff housing, which were easily re-welded.
Check for oil weeping in area.
Rubbers in the front leading arms were known to occasionally chop out after some years, causing a bad rattle under the floor.
cheers, Gerry
AnswerID:
300918