First 4x4 - GU Patrol vs newer model dual cab ute.

377 Views 23 Replies 10 Participants Last post by AndrieK, 12 d ago

angrywombat

Discussion Starter · 14 d ago

Looking to buy my first 4wd. Will definitely be used for camping, however the extent of "technical" tracks I will be doing are unknown as I've not done any 4wding before.
I'm in Perth WA, and have a budget of $35-40k.
I know I've posted on a forum biased towards patrols, but any thoughts on buying a 10-15 year old patrol vs a newer model DMAX or the like?
For my budget in WA I can get a 2010ish year Patrol with ~100,000km.
The same will buy me a newer DMAX or Hilux with similar kms or a Triton with far less kms.

In my head, the sensible thing would be to buy a newer vehicle, however I really like the look of patrols, and it's really the only vehicle in my price range that has solid axles (bar Jimny and Jeep which I'm not interested in)
Like I said I'm not sure how hard I'll send it on the tracks, but the idea of a tougher driveline and solid axle vs IFS gives me some comfort and "future proofing" if I do choose to do harder tracks.

Thanks for your time, appreciate any insight.

1 - 20 of 24 Posts

nigel3780

· #2 · 14 d ago

I went through this same decision last year, my single cab no longer fits the family.
Looked at all the dual cabs, came close to buying a hilux, I have been borrowing a mates 2022 hilux to go away hunting and camping. Its quite capable offroad and comfortable to drive, there just isnt enough room.
I decided to build a dual cab patrol instead.
You may find one within you budget if you are patient. If you arent against having a wagon then I would look at the 100 series as well.

Reactions: 1

warthog

· #3 · 14 d ago

Dmax will go better and use less fuel.
Probably better airbag protection in a collision too.
Side airbags are most definitely a life saver.
If you are putting your young family in it then get the side airbag equipped goer.

Patrol can be made to have better articulation and suspension travel at the expense of vehicle dynamics.

Marko_SJ

· #4 · 13 d ago

warthog said:
Side airbags are most definitely a life saver.
If you are putting your young family in it then get the side airbag equipped goer.

Lack of side airbags are probably the biggest negative to the GU platform vs "modern" vehicles.

IMO by the time you throw bigger tyres mods onto an IFS I think fuel economy will be a near on dead heat of probably 10-12l100 vs 12-14 for the 3.0 Patrol.

Batt's

· #5 · 13 d ago

Wagons a usually more comfortable to drive but are heavier and have less storage space. A dual cab will have a firmer ride as the rear usually has old school leaf springs but that can be improved on with quality brand shocks and springs and when the vehicle carries some weight for a trip or if it's permanently set up ready to go. A dual cab with a tray has a lot more room for storage area than a wagon or style side ute if you carry a lot of gear which will happen as the yrs go on we all keep finding things to add. With a tray you can also fit under tray tool boxes for more storage it all helps to keep the weight low and your less likely to need a roof rack which creates wind drag and makes the vehicle more top heavy, more prone to hitting overhanging tree branches and height restrictions in some car parks. Also if it's going to be your daily driver for work and your first 4wd a more modern auto ute for the city would be easier to drive and better on fuel. Check the size of the engine out because a 4 cylinder is cheaper on rego where the 5 cylinder 3.2ltr ford/mazda will be classed as a 6 cylinder so cost more but check that with your state r.t.a.

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Reactions: 1

AndrieK

· #6 · 13 d ago

If we’re talking wagons I’d rather look into an MU-X / Everest / Fortuner / Pajero Sport than a D/Cab ute. I’ve spent a fair bit of time in D/Cabs and the one thing I find is that they can do a lot of things but none particularly well. Everything is a compromise with them.

If you don’t NEED a tray / tub a D/Cab is just going to frustrate you.

Reactions: 1

Squalo

· #7 · 12 d ago

In recent years dual cab 4wd systems have improved to the point where they stack up pretty well against the old school articulation-oriented 4wds under most traction situations. But the feeling of doing a challenging track in a Patrol (or Landcruiser) vs a dual cab cannot be compared. You just know you are in a purpose-built offroader, as opposed to a work ute that happens to have 4wd.

In short, if 4wd is the defining requirement stick to the big girls, if a daily runaround that doubles as a camping vehicle then dual cab (or wagon equivalent).

geeyoutoo

· #8 · 12 d ago

A friend of mine has a new dual cab Triton, not top of the line with all the bells and whistles, to me it is a dangerous vehicle for newbies to try, it brakes traction on the rear end easy as in a little bit of moisture, I would not be recommending this as a first 4by by any stretch of the imagination.

warthog

· #9 · 12 d ago

geeyoutoo said:
A friend of mine has a new dual cab Triton, not top of the line with all the bells and whistles, to me it is a dangerous vehicle for newbies to try, it brakes traction on the rear end easy as in a little bit of moisture, I would not be recommending this as a first 4by by any stretch of the imagination.

Probably depends on the tyres a bit.
My old slug, still with the ht18, used to do that with the old Mickey Thompson ATZ 4 rib tyres.
They went rock hard and had no grip in the wet whatsoever. As evidence by my slow old girl spinning both rear wheels.

geeyoutoo

· #10 · 12 d ago

warthog said:
Probably depends on the tyres a bit.
My old slug, still with the ht18, used to do that with the old Mickey Thompson ATZ 4 rib tyres.
They went rock hard and had no grip in the wet whatsoever. As evidence by my slow old girl spinning both rear wheels.

Of course it does, but someone without experience buying one is not a great thing, this triton is new, only a few months old so new tyres. If it loses traction so easy on tar/concrete, hows it gonna go on gravel????

warthog

· #11 · 12 d ago

geeyoutoo said:
Of course it does, but someone without experience buying one is not a great thing, this triton is new, only a few months old so new tyres. If it loses traction so easy on tar/concrete, hows it gonna go on gravel????

Easy to stop it. Lift the right foot.
I expect tyres are going to be changed if it goes off road.
I don't see it as a design flaw. Just poor tyres, a lighter rear end and more power than our old girls have.

It will still have better airbag protection.
Depends on what he wants it for I guess.
The old trol can go well off road, but not so good, or safe, on road imo.

geeyoutoo

· #12 · 12 d ago

Poor tyres, yes a design flaw. Would you let a child of yours buy one and go for it? I certainly wouldn't. Just returned from a 5300k trip, saw more vehicles in places you think HTF did that get there? The answer is due to people who think there skills/vehicle are top notch.

warthog

· #13 · 12 d ago

I wouldn't let my kids buy a car without side airbag protection.
That was a compulsory addition to any car they bought for the first one.
The most dangerous time on the road in their driving career. No crumple zone for side impact.
Seen them reduce injury and save lives on multiple occasions at work.
Absolutely no question as to their efficacy ime

Reactions: 1

geeyoutoo

· #14 · 12 d ago

Maybe, maybe not, the old GU is solid and hasn't undergone the panel reduction others have.

Reactions: 2

rgren2

· #15 · 12 d ago

OP has one post and hasn’t been back.

geeyoutoo

· #16 · 12 d ago

rgren2 said:
OP has one post and hasn’t been back.

Does that really make a difference? Others will follow at some time.

warthog

· #17 · 12 d ago

geeyoutoo said:
Maybe, maybe not, the old GU is solid and hasn't undergone the panel reduction others have.

The issue is head/body strike with the body of the vehicle and no crumple zone.
Been to a number of fatalities with no side airbags.
Worse hits with curtain airbags and people have survived.
One particular one a few years back was a small VW SUV, hit by a single axle tip truck that went though a red light. Hit to the drivers side b pillar and pushed the car 20 metres down the road.
The young male driver self extricated with no obvious injuries. His mum in the front passenger seat had a fractured clavicle where she hit his shoulders.
He was a goner without that curtain airbag imo.

rgren2

· #18 · 12 d ago

geeyoutoo said:
Does that really make a difference? Others will follow at some time.

Dunno, usually if you pose a question and put a poll up, you’d be on it like a fat kid on a cup cake. In and out looks suss to me. 🙄
Probably just me being a little 🤔 suspicious.

geeyoutoo

· #19 · 12 d ago

rgren2 said:
Dunno, usually if you pose a question and put a poll up, you’d be on it like a fat kid on a cup cake. In and out looks suss to me. 🙄
Probably just me being a little 🤔 suspicious.

As said others will follow, we have between 200 and 400 guests on at any given time, many read this section.

AndrieK

· #20 · 12 d ago

Y61 got three ANCAP stars in 2011. A death trap by today’s standards.

www.ancap.com.au

Nissan Patrol Safety Rating & Report | ANCAP

Explore ANCAP nissan Crash Test Ratings

www.ancap.com.au

My daughter is turning 16 in two weeks so will be on her Ls soon. Will need to get her a set of wheels in a couple of years, so started keeping my eye on the market. She wants a Golf, which I’m OK with since I grew up on VWs, but I’ve already decided nothing older than Mk7.

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