Thread: I'm in a quandry - need some advice

Welcome Brian,

I'm sure you will get a variety of opinion on this one. But the first suggestion that stands out to me, is to remind you that you don't NEED "bash plates, sliders, bull-bar, wheels & tyres, lift rods, long-range tank, roof-rack and bull-bar" to get into 4wding.

A V8 D4 is a very very capable 4wd without any of those addition. The best advice when it comes to mods is to only add the things that help you achieve what the car won't alone.

So if you are only just starting to get into 4wding, i'd suggest to take it slow - keep your wallet in you pocket and work out what you want to do that the vehicle can't do as it is. Then go for it...

I'm sure this thread will have a mountain of suggestions for you....

Originally Posted by Bytemrk

Welcome Brian,

I'm sure you will get a variety of opinion on this one. But the first suggestion that stands out to me, is to remind you that you don't NEED "bash plates, sliders, bull-bar, wheels & tyres, lift rods, long-range tank, roof-rack and bull-bar" to get into 4wding.

A V8 D4 is a very very capable 4wd without any of those addition. The best advice when it comes to mods is to only add the things that help you achieve what the car won't alone.

So if you are only just starting to get into 4wding, i'd suggest to take it slow - keep your wallet in you pocket and work out what you want to do that the vehicle can't do as it is. Then go for it...

I'm sure this thread will have a mountain of suggestions for you....

cheers Mark - ok truth be told i'm a little bit more than 'getting into' 4WD'ing. i've already done quite a bit of off-road driving in the wife's D4V8. I used to have a set of compomotive wheels with Goodyear SilentArmour tyres but sold them a couple of years ago thinking I was getting rid of the car - bad move - now I need them again!.

The only plate I need immediately (on order with GOE) is the EAS bash plate. I've loaned a set of GOE rods from a good bloke called Guthrie and have managed to do some amazing feats off road (e.g. murdered Lenndard Track a couple of weekends ago!)

I do need rims, tyres, rod, second battery/Traxide and (some) bash plates. You're right in that the rest can probably wait.

Key decision point for me now is whether to keep the V8 or trade it for a lower-mileage SDV6

G'day Brian,

That does change things a bit.... you obviously know more than I assumed, and have a better view of where your priorities lay.

If it was me.... I think the decision between V8 you know and an SDV6 that is new to you, would be guided by what my off road plans were.

The V8 has a big advantage in my view as you know the history of the vehicle - the V8's have all the nice stuff they go off road really well.

If however, lots of long distance outback touring was my plan - personally I'd rather the diesel. If you are happy with the range you have and are unlikely to visit areas without unleaded available... I'd keep your trusty V8.

Which ever you decide, as you move forward with additions, I'd strongly advice you to keep a close eye on weight. The D4 is heavy to start with and add all the fruit and can easily go way over GVM.

Good luck with your decision....

With the price of new bits & pieces (bull bar, etc) maybe you would do well finding a diesel with all the fruit already there (?). You may come out better in the long run. Interested in hearing others opinions. Good luck with your decision.

Good thought Go fish,

More than half the fruit on mine came from the previous owner and saved me a packet....

Originally Posted by BrianElloy

hi folks

I currently own an '11 D4V8 - its just clocked 100,000 kms and its my wife's driver. I'm pretty keen to get into 4WD'ing and camping and as such I'm thinking about getting my wife into a SantaFe or something (she just needs "a car"), and taking over the Disco.

Here's my issue..

Should I keep the D4V8 petrol and mod it (like bash plates, sliders, bull-bar, wheels & tyres, lift rods, long-range tank, roof-rack and bull-bar) or should I sell it and trade "down" to a younger, lower-mileage D4SDV6/HSE.

selling my V8 and trading down to a SDV6 is pretty much even. The benefit is getting into a lower mileage car on which to make the mods, the downside is that the V8 is rarer, a known quantity (all i've had go wrong are lower A-arms and a water pump).

Keen to get some opinions .....

cheers, Brian

Hi Brian,

I used to be a V8 and petrol man but last 2 vehicles have been diesels. I currently have a 2016 D4 DTV6 ( new ) and have added all the "fruit" brining the weight of the D4 up to 2,960kg ( no passengers but full taken of diesel ). I get about 8.8 L /100km on the hoghway and 10.5L/km city cycle driving "gently". As I have calmed down with my driving over the years, I love the type of power the diesels give out - no high revs and really good smooth torgue when 4WDing and negotiating difficult parts of tracks. If you can live without the more explosive power of the petrol V8, I would certainly consider the diesel option. As previously mentioned, you probably don't have to add all the "fruit" like I did and just work out over time what you really need.

Good luck with you final decision

Shame about the Compos being sold because offroad tyre selection in 18 is still better than 19/20.
I agree with Mark's summary and based on what you've mentioned here I'd be keeping the V8.
If it's not a long-commute daily driver or remote outback tourer, the diesel is not really required.
And you should have less maintenance expenses with the V8, all other things being equal and typical.

Cheers,
Scott

I am with Scott and Mark, keep the V8. The 5.0 na has a good reputation for reliability, good torque and power levels (similar to 4.2SC) and comes standard with some nice stuff like ediff. There is some value in knowing a vehicle from new. I agree too, shame about the Compomotives. But you could try 265 60 20 tyres before shelling out for new wheels. Something like this has a very good load rating.
265/60R20 KANATI/SUMMIT TRAIL HOG 265 60 20 2656020 TYRE WAKERLEY BRISBANE | eBay

Although there is a lot more choice in 265 50 20 tyres