Thoughts on an approriate truck for my needs

[Ashes]

Firstly,
thanks to all who replied in my thread about the merits of a Land Rover over a LandCruiser. Your responses certainly allowed me organise my own thoughts and help me see things more clearly. The amount of responses, openness and willingness to share ideas from the forum members blew me away!

Please excuse the following essay/ramble...

The mistake I've made so far is to try and think too far ahead of myself and plan for a trip that's 18 months out with no guarantee at the moment that it would go ahead and from a position where I've got practically zero knowledge on what I need and certainly no experience. Definately a case of walk before you run on this one.. If a big round Aus trip becomes a locked in reality in 12 months time, as apposed to the 50/50 proposition, then I'll hopefully have experience, skills and knowledge to know better what I need as it gets closer.

I've done a lot of thinking and reading over the last few days and figure now what I need to do is reframe my requirements over the 12 month period to put me in a position where a round Aus trip becomes can become a reality and something the whole family really wants to embrace and enjoy and be actively involved in the planning.

caveat...I reserve the right to change my mind and requirements as I see fit!!:D

A few different aspects to consider

Driver training (need a vehicle above)
- Join a club

Mechanical training
- not sure on this one, courses, club (I haven't researched this one yet)

Camping setup/practice
- we are all new to this so will need to accumulate the gear and get some practice in
- can start this in the backyard without the vehicle

Route/planning/itinerary
- family activity, get the kids to research and provide idea's on what they want to see and do (must cater for everyone)

Luggage storage/trailer
- we have a Crumbledoor with a tow pack, so not reliant


Vehicle requirements for the next 12 months
- Auto so the Mrs can drive it
- Maybe a mid/medium 4x4 so size wise the Mrs doesn't mind driving it around town and gets used to the larger size, driving position
- 7 seats (5 permanent passengers - 2 adults, 3 pre-teen kids)
- Needs to be comfortable, safe. Air con, ABS, airbags etc. A real enjoyable truck to drive.
- Really don't want to commit more that about $20k on the vehicle initially
- needs to be a very capable (ie a real off road capable 4wd, not a softroader)
- Should actually be mechanically capable and setup to cope with a round Aus trip. In case we really like the vehicle, it suits our needs we and decide to keep it!!

To me this looks like about a Disco 2 (2001-2002 maybe) would fit the bill. I'd appreciate your thoughts in this area, alternate vehicles, year/model considerations, fuel considerations. If I'm spending less on a truck, I'm happy to commit earlier to a purchase.

I'll ask the other questions regarding camping/luggage etc in the other areas or as a different topic as they are are just as important as the actual vehicle. But would initially like your thoughts on a 2000+ Disco or an alternate that fits my vehicle needs

thanks

[Big D]

We have had our 99TD5 Disco now for 18 months and couldn't be happier. We purchased the car for a number of reasons, daily use, towing a camper, future trip around Aust (originally planned for 2009 but have since chopped it into two bits, Melb to Darwin in mid next year and the coast some time after that).

Here are a couple of our experiences:-

Once the wife started driving I thought that I had lost the use of the car. Good sight lines, etc makes the Disco a comfortable shopping trolley as it does as a tourer.

The seating is a bit tight for adults in the second row of seats. We have two 5yo sons still in booster seats, sitting between them my shoulders are jammed between the booster seats. There would be more shoulder room with the removal of the booster seats. The third row seats are definitely kids only as there is no leg room.

We're still learning to pack the car for vehicle based camping. It all fits but not easy to get to. A cargo barrier and some shelves should help with this.

Regards
Derek

[Quiggers]

Many here mentioned about towing an off road type trailer to help with your trip.

Might be worthwhile starting to plan your trip as the many trip experts here will no doubt help with some good solid advice.

An extended trip (done well, and considering you have a young family) takes many many months of planning...

Personally I'd take a Disco2 Diesel, but that's just me...

GQ

[Tank]

Firstly,
thanks to all who replied in my thread about the merits of a Land Rover over a LandCruiser. Your responses certainly allowed me organise my own thoughts and help me see things more clearly. The amount of responses, openness and willingness to share ideas from the forum members blew me away!

Please excuse the following essay/ramble...

The mistake I've made so far is to try and think too far ahead of myself and plan for a trip that's 18 months out with no guarantee at the moment that it would go ahead and from a position where I've got practically zero knowledge on what I need and certainly no experience. Definately a case of walk before you run on this one.. If a big round Aus trip becomes a locked in reality in 12 months time, as apposed to the 50/50 proposition, then I'll hopefully have experience, skills and knowledge to know better what I need as it gets closer.

I've done a lot of thinking and reading over the last few days and figure now what I need to do is reframe my requirements over the 12 month period to put me in a position where a round Aus trip becomes can become a reality and something the whole family really wants to embrace and enjoy and be actively involved in the planning.

caveat...I reserve the right to change my mind and requirements as I see fit!!:D

A few different aspects to consider

Driver training (need a vehicle above)
- Join a club

Mechanical training
- not sure on this one, courses, club (I haven't researched this one yet)

Camping setup/practice
- we are all new to this so will need to accumulate the gear and get some practice in
- can start this in the backyard without the vehicle

Route/planning/itinerary
- family activity, get the kids to research and provide idea's on what they want to see and do (must cater for everyone)

Luggage storage/trailer
- we have a Crumbledoor with a tow pack, so not reliant


Vehicle requirements for the next 12 months
- Auto so the Mrs can drive it
- Maybe a mid/medium 4x4 so size wise the Mrs doesn't mind driving it around town and gets used to the larger size, driving position
- 7 seats (5 permanent passengers - 2 adults, 3 pre-teen kids)
- Needs to be comfortable, safe. Air con, ABS, airbags etc. A real enjoyable truck to drive.
- Really don't want to commit more that about $20k on the vehicle initially
- needs to be a very capable (ie a real off road capable 4wd, not a softroader)
- Should actually be mechanically capable and setup to cope with a round Aus trip. In case we really like the vehicle, it suits our needs we and decide to keep it!!

To me this looks like about a Disco 2 (2001-2002 maybe) would fit the bill. I'd appreciate your thoughts in this area, alternate vehicles, year/model considerations, fuel considerations. If I'm spending less on a truck, I'm happy to commit earlier to a purchase.

I'll ask the other questions regarding camping/luggage etc in the other areas or as a different topic as they are are just as important as the actual vehicle. But would initially like your thoughts on a 2000+ Disco or an alternate that fits my vehicle needs

thanks
Have a look in the Markets section (top of page), there are some good buys there, in your price range, and it will give you a good indication of prices and what is available and what options may be fitted, Regards Frank.

[Ashes]

Just discovered the market section....

I guess a key question in the Disco is Turbo Diesel or V8. I assume the TD is the better choice in the outback for economy and fuel availability and I guess the extra torque is better for towing and low speed obstacles? I assume the V8 is obvioulsy better in terms of acceleration.

For a daily driver, do people generally prefer the TD or V8? I haven't driven the V8 yet so I'm not sure myself which I prefer. Is the V8 a much smoother and quieter ride compared to the TD?

[Tank]

Just discovered the market section....

I guess a key question in the Disco is Turbo Diesel or V8. I assume the TD is the better choice in the outback for economy and fuel availability and I guess the extra torque is better for towing and low speed obstacles? I assume the V8 is obvioulsy better in terms of acceleration.

For a daily driver, do people generally prefer the TD or V8? I haven't driven the V8 yet so I'm not sure myself which I prefer. Is the V8 a much smoother and quieter ride compared to the TD?
The V8 is better around the city and long hauls by far, BUT the penalty is fuel consumption around 20l/100klm. Turbo diesels (esp. manuals) can be a pain in stop start traffic and will require strict adherences to Scheduled maitenance, Diesel auto helps overcome turbo lag, also auto is superior off road, Regards Frank.

[Quiggers]

Somewhere back in motoring journo history (about 1994) I vaguely recall several motoring mags testing the Disco 1 update.

the 3.9 V8 drank lots (had one and it does)...
the diesel was fine, but the tranny of choice
(according to these 'experts') was the auto...

I don't think anyone would be negative about the ZF auto, it's a fine piece of gear, and you dont have to push a pedal, row the gearstick or change clutch plates...

GQ

[camel_landy]

The Auto box in a Disco does work very well...

Driver Training - It will probably be worth going on a course to learn the basics of 4x4 driving. Sure, there's plenty of people around to help you but you won't know if they're teaching you bad techniques from the start.

Mechanical Training - Get yourself a workshop manual (RAVE CD) and see if you can find a friendly specialist. If you explain that you want to learn as you'll be hitting the bush, most workshops I've found are usually happy for you to get involved while they work on your car.

Route - I find that getting a big map & marking all the places you want to go works best. Overlay this with the outback roads and then join the dots using as many of these roads as possible... :D

Camping practice - Well, there's only one way of doing this. ;) Go away for as many long weekends, the odd week and make sure you stay in different places each night. This will teach you the importance of packing your truck properly. You'll also find that the more you do it, the less you'll end up taking.

Remember - Weight is your biggest enemy.

M

[weeds]

Camping practice - Well, there's only one way of doing this. ;) Go away for as many long weekends, the odd week and make sure you stay in different places each night. This will teach you the importance of packing your truck properly. You'll also find that the more you do it, the less you'll end up taking.

M

When I was planning my simpson desert trip I went camping with friends for a long weekend.....they thought it was the funniest thing watching me setup and packup three times over the weekend even though we didn't move campsites

It was a good exercise but all in vain as megs and the youngest boy stayed home and I talked my dad into coming so with two blokes and a six year old we cut down on a bit of weight.....didn't put a tent up for the whole trip...bliss

[waynep]

For a begginer to all this, Ron Moon's books are pretty good starting point. As well as describing the drives he gives tips on vehicle set up, camping etc etc ....
There are similar books by other authors too.
But as others say there's nothing like getting in plenty of practice before the big trip. Go away with other experienced people where possible. We've learnt so much from just observing how others do it.

Have a look at the 4WD Clubs but be prepared to try a couple before you find one that suits you. Look for ones that have frequent camping trips and their own Driver Trainers. You'll be able to tell after one meeting if they are your type of people.

As for what to take etc, we aim for anything carried in the vehicle to have at least two uses .....
doesn't always work out that way of course but if you can cut down on the amount of "stuff" you carry it makes life on the road a lot easier.

[5teve]

i Cannot give trip advice as i have not had the pleasure of doing one yet, however its worth checking out local auction houses etc as that is where i picked my 2002 DII td5 auto from. full service history (dealer) and 80000km on the clock. few dings here and there but nothing major! i paid slightly over your 20k mark... by a grand..

the one thing i would say if you get the auto... or the manual for that matter... and you get the td5... is get it chipped! nothing major just something like a 140kw chip.. it actually decreases fuel consumption on the auto as the gearbox has more torque to play with so runs lower revs when running about. it also makes things nicer in general to drive especially on the freeway where hard acceleration no longer requires a violent kick down. im getting roughly 800k's to 80-83l (in a 90 litre tank) of fuel. and thats mainly made up out of stop start traffic driving... im waiting to do a long run and see if it changes!

not wanting to rain on the parade... it is worth checking out on here some issues with the td5... there are the odd scary major one (but rare considering how many of these things are driving about especially over here!) but mostly there are small niggles and irritations that landrover should of sorted out but havent...

the one advantage you have tho... is this forum.. the guys here are great... never come across a place like it... always willing to help and have a chat.. certainly gives the landrover owning experience a whole new boost!

Thanks

Steve

[Ashes]

Thanks for the pointer on the books. The internet is a great resource but I still prefer sitting down and reading. I'll be hunting some good books shortly.

The more questions you ask, the more advice you are given (good thing). I hadn't considered a power upgrade chip on the TD5. I'll do a forum search on this as I'm sure there are plenty of posts on this upgrade. I have been looking at the accelleration figures on the TD5 and trying to convince myself they didn't matter and for that reason I hadn't ruled out the V8 entirely.,

Vehicle niggles...A 5yo car/truck out of warranty can be a lottery. Even more so if you aren't real mechanically minded and have limited background on key things to check. I'm hoping when the times comes to pull the trigger I'll be able to get an unbiased 2nd opinion before I buy.

Hoping to go for a few test rides this weekend to firm up my shopping list. A 2002ish TD5 is on the to drive list!

[29dinosaur]

You might like to check out this thread (http://www.aulro.com/afvb/showthread.php't=46816)

[graceysdad]

Sounds like you will have a ball either way, everybody makes a balls up here and there with preparation, there is an old army proverb called the 7Ps, Prior Preparation and Planning Prevents **** Poor Performance, this is so true and dont forget the dunny paper.