Originally Posted by
disco gazza
Hi Jim, he needs a true 4x4,not a pretend one with AWD.
There will be times when a 4x4 is required on the farm and a small soft offroader will not cut it.
....
DG
How true! and what budget?
Assuming non softroader, but not a really hard core twin beam axled beast(LR/Patrol/Cruiser) type and that a IFS type true 4WD is ok, and that say a $5K budget to get 'er going, I'd suggest the Holden Frontera.
Basically a nicer riding Rodeo.
Not as capable in really hard tracks, but if big axle articulation isn't a requirement, the Frontera is fairly capable. I'd say a bit more so than the harder riding Rodeo.
I've had both. Rodeo (dual cab) is practical for family, other than the need to put more sensitive family oriented stuff in the tub, mum/dad/2kids wasn't a major issue.
But the Frontera was more family friendly in that the sensitive family stuff(ie. the stuff you don't want dusted/wet/vibrated to high heaven) the rear load space in these deceptive little 4WDs is very good.
Where the D1 had height as the benefit, the Frontera had width and length. So depended on what you loaded up in the rear.
From observation, I reckon all Fronteras had standard roof rails/racks.. so kids bikes and stuff went up there. Handy for a geek photographer looking for a different vantage point too 
Mine was reliable enough, but if on LPG, the motors weren't up to the task(of longevity) .. worn valves if on LPG. Quite economical, and more than enough power in them.
It was also on LPG(how it was got) and I had valve issues, and pushed it as far as I could till it had to go. The only other issue was it needed pretty much all suspension bushes to be done too... very loud and crashy on rough roads.
Somethign like that I'd expect you'd pay in the 2-3K region for a rough, but usable vehicle .. maybe $5K for one in 'pay and go' condition.
Honorable mention goes to a Nissan Pathfinder too. Mate had one at the same time. Quite family friendly size, good power, but much more aggressive on the bowser(and hip pocket).
Where I'd get easily 10 or even 9lt/100 in the Frontera, his Pathfinder would get into the 12's!
In terms of 4WDing, Frontera type 4WDs are capable, but IMO, they seem to require pushing harder. I never dared to try harder bush tracks(ie. high country types), but my common off road experiences between the Frontera type IFS and the Disco1/RRC .. has been sandy tracks out in the centre(and Vic).
While the Frontera had power to burn in low range, compared to my RRC and now D1, they seemed to need it more. It really felt like they scraped the front cross member or belly, or something when in wheel ruts, and even tho the LR axle had diff pumpkins doing same, the D1/RRC didn't feel the need for the power that the Frontera and Rodeo had by comparison.
ps. the Frontera comes with LSD as standard, and it helped it in soft sand(my primary off roading experiences in them).
Arthur.
All these discos are giving me a heart attack!
'99 D1 300Tdi Auto ( now sold :( )
'03 D2 Td5 Auto
'03 D2a Td5 Auto
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