Which Engine is a better towing unit?

[Bonus]

Howdy, I thought I would do a new thread as I am a bit confused. I have taken these specifications off an old thread:-

Engine Specs

TB42 (89 Model)
4.2 litre, water-cooled petrol engine.
4 cycle, 6 cylinder in-line OHV.
Crossflow cylinder head, high camshaft.
Bore x Stroke: 96 x 96mm.
Displacement: 4169 cc.
Compression Ratio: 8.3.1.
Max. Power: 125kW @ 4200r/min (DIN).
Max. Torque: 325Nm @ 2800r/min (DIN).

TD42
4.2 litre, water-cooled diesel engine.
4 cycle, 6 cylinder OHV.
Crossflow cylinder head, high camshaft.
Bore x Stroke: 96 x 96mm.
Displacement: 4169 cc.
Compression Ratio: 22.7.1.
Max. Power: 85kW @ 4000r/min (DIN).
Max. Torque: 264Nm @ 2000r/min (DIN).
_
Do these figures say that the petrol engine is a more powerful for towing? I have a 1800KG boat that I want to tow to Fraser and I thought that the petrol would be a better engine for the job. I am looking for a good GQ petrol wagon to buy. Which engine? thanks Russ________________

[GUDeano]

Petrol is more powerful but at higher RPM. The diesels are pretty slow without a turbo.

The petrol is a better bet if you can afford the fuel bill.

Otherwise a longer term solution is to buy the diesel turbo it.

The TD42 is capable of up to 200kw and 600Nm with some pump turbo and intercooling mods.

[truckster]

Petrol goes 20/100 without a trailer.... just someting to think about

[colect149]

Seven years ago we bought an 89 petrol / gas patrol LWB manual to tow a 2000 + kg yacht from Melbourne to the Whitsundays and back. The plan was to sell it when we got home and go back to our old tow vehicle which was an EF Falcon. Seven years down the track, one trip to the Whitsundays, two trips to The Hawksbury, one to Port Stephens and innumerable trips to the Gippsland lakes and clocking up over 100,000 more km (Now done over 350,000km) we still have the Patrol. Does not scorch the earth, but as a tow hack it is fine, and it does a good job as the family car as well, my only critiscm is the turning circle. Seven years and I still can't get used to it.

[red92gq]

Currently have my 2nd petrol/gas maverick 1st 1 was better as a tow vehicle not sure why just seemed to have a bit more poke
but in general both have been quite good
2 mates have standard td42's, they both use a bit less fuel when towing but don't seem to tow any better than my tb42

[Bonus]

Do some TD42's come out standard with a turbo charger or is it an aftermarket product? Thanks Russ

[89 GQ]

After market turbo's. If you can find one get one.

[MikeH]

TD42 came out with a turbo on some of the Safaris.
Safari is a high roof import GQ with 24v electrics.
The 24v electrics make them about $1000 cheaper to buy.

[sea safari]

i have both factory turbo and non turbo td42 and a 2000kg boat at the moment. the non turbo is better to tow with as it pulls better from stopped,better in traffic. without the boat they are both the same speed. but the non turbo i have the pump screw wound right in and i haven't started to tweek the turbo one yet. i might leave it alone because everyone is having overheating problems with tweeked turbos. the non turbo is sold this week and i'm not sure that i keeping the right one.
and my turbo safari is swb low roof 12 volt!!!but 2 batteries standard.
non turbo 24 volt everything.
and also read that petrols have head problems.
td42 mate non turbo you wont look back,

[Bonus]

Thanks for all your info, it is greatly appreciated. I will probably put a detroit locker in the front diff. All I need is a motor that will tow the 1800Kg boat at 80-90kms and have enough stick to pull the load through Indian Head when it is soft. Do all GQ's have LSD or diff lock in the rear diff? Maybe a naturally asp. diesel TD42 may do the job. At least that way it is probably more reliable and better on fuel. Thanks Russ

[Esses]

As far as I know all GQs have an LSD in the back. Personally, I prefer my Petrol/LPG TB, especially for soft sand.

[sea safari]

gq either are lsd or non lsd with locker on the rear and all have lsd on the front

[Esses]

You're right, I'd forgotten about the locker option. Are you sure about the front LSD?

[Bonus]

They all have LSD in the front? HMMM.... Can someone else verify this? Russ

[truckster]

and all have lsd on the front

Um.. no they dont. None had factory LSD front end.. people for some reason put Pathfinder ones in the front..

[Bonus]

Truckster, I have heard that the LSD's in patrols are fairly reliable and last. Is this correct? What about putting a patrol LSD in the front? It may be a cheaper alternative to a Detroit locker if I can get a second hand one. Have you had experience here? Russ

[truckster]

Truckster, I have heard that the LSD's in patrols are fairly reliable and last. Is this correct?
correct. Nissan LSD is one of the better ones, and if your not sure, get it serviced, adn tightened, and its 75% of what a locker is anyway.

What about putting a patrol LSD in the front?
Wont fit, splines are all wrong. Pathfinder ones do... But theres plenty of downsides to it too.


It may be a cheaper alternative to a Detroit locker if I can get a second hand one. Have you had experience here?
yes, as we all know, 4wding is fuggin expensive, and doing things on the cheap lots of times wont work out, and in the end costs you the original amount you DIDNT spend + the amount you DID spend..

FWIW, I think with lockers, your better off saving up and getting ARB/TJM air lockers. Others will have their opinions, but do it right, do it once.

IMWO, most people never use lockers, but have them for many reasons -
- they read that hardcore people do, so they think they are hardcore (mainly young blokes)
- Insurance for travelling alone (Nomads)
- They dont really know (Tooraks)
- etc

You see lots of people who do touring that fit them up, and spend 99% of their time on the tar, where they are not needed. But when you talk to them, the first thing they point out is "shes got lockers mate"...

YMMV

[Bonus]

Thanks Truckster, Smaller axles in the front, and I gather the crown wheel and pinion are the same as the rear. Oh well, Detroit in the front and I will have my diff fellow see to the tightening of the Lsd. Just got to find one now. Thanks Russ

[sea safari]

so front isn't lsd? i'v e pulled concrete trucks out ,me being on tarmac to get more traction and all four wheels skid,even if you turn into lock. i would have thought one would spin and the other stop. so either the front is locked permanently or it lsd. there's no way its a single spinner.
its a 92 swb td42 man.
my mates said **** stu the wheels skidded all 4 turning that slow we could read the tire writing slowly.

[sea safari]

and the rear lsd are noisy grunting things compared to the lockers.
truckster your right i am mainly a tarmac 4x4 but being a builder i straighten houses, pull trucks and must be the most likely of anyone to demand the most out of strength of a factory locker. you probably said because you don't have one. i'd say.

[Tracteur Tom]

Front diffs are open from the factory. If yours is not, then its been modified. Check it out.

[Bonus]

Sea Safari, Truckster is not having a go at you. I think he is just generalising. Your Patrol probably has a locker in the front which someone has put in after the factory. Manufacturers usually would not put lsd's or permanent locked diffs in the front as they can be dangerous for the inexperienced as they tend to effect steering dramatically. Looks as if you scored well when you bought your car. Russ

[sea safari]

thanks russ. i don't mind .i'm actualy a bit scared of the 4x4ing now, i've destroyed a freelander and a discovery and a pajero with trees and mud, and ruined a safari loosing and recovering it in the sea. so with my new to me like new safari i now worship it, hasn't even got a car park ding in it. but from experience the rear lockers are good. my new one with the lsd is strange , a bit tight ,skidds in wet going around corners and in dry you can hear it tring not to slip. good luck finding your car, i'd pick the nicest one and try it then make it better

[Derb]

Hi Fellas. Late 2 bobs worth to an old thread. The 4.2 litre normally aspirated diesel engines are just downright embarrassing when towing, overtaking or just trying to climb a damn hill. They can't pull the skin off a rice pudding. They are a wonderful engine which should never have been allowed to leave the factory without a turbo bolted on. Once they are converted they run more economically, don't pour the black stuff out and turn out some decent horsepower. A lot of the Jap-Import models were available with factory fitted turbos so they should be finding their way into the wreckers yards by now and would be a cheap retro-fit. There doesnt seem to be the same huge leap in performance from turbo'd to intercooled though. Bang for your buck just isn't quite there. Once turbo'd though, they are bloody awesome for towing. Cheers, Derb.