 |
 | Home | Contact Us | FAQ | Search & Site Map | Link to Us |
 | Sign In | Join | Other 45 Sites in Network |
Car Forum / Australian Car Forums / 4x4 Cars (Australian group) / February 2007Smallest 4WD to tow a 3.8m/25hp Tinny? Sierra?
Hi All Just bought myself a 3.8m / 25hp Tinny and I'm thinking that my trusty '85 FWD mazda 323 that saw me through uni will not be upto the task of launching / retrieving the thing on a boat ramp (correct me if I'm wrong). So, maybe I'm looking at returning to the land of the fourbie (I did have a nice Hilux xtra cab before the days of poverty) Anyhow, I'm kinda shying away from the idea of a bigger 4wd (purely for fuel cost reasons) Would a sierra cope with this tinny and some camping/dive gear? did sierra's have a factory EFI model or were they all carbs? If not a sierra, what would I need.... and what would it be like on fuel compared to say a 4runner, which would be ideal if not for fuel costs. Cheers Warwick > Hi All > [quoted text clipped - 15 lines] > fuel compared to say a 4runner, which would be ideal if not for fuel > costs. Well, I used to own a Wrangler and it could only tow 900kg due to the wheelbase. so I would have thought a Sierra/Jimny would be a whole lot worse than that! Perusal > Cheers > Warwick Check around. Small does not necessarily mean more economical with 4wds. Maybe a SWB diesel Toyota or Patrol. Suzukis are like fat chicks. They're OK until your mates see you. > Check around. > [quoted text clipped - 3 lines] > > Suzukis are like fat chicks. They're OK until your mates see you. lol is barnsey speakin froom experience :) > Check around. > [quoted text clipped - 3 lines] > > Suzukis are like fat chicks. They're OK until your mates see you. > Check around. > [quoted text clipped - 3 lines] > > Suzukis are like fat chicks. They're OK until your mates see you. Yeah the Sierra will do it fine, I tow the same combo dingy as that with my 1 litre sierra, lotsa beach launches also, my old man pulls a 14 foot centre console 40hp dingy with his 1.3 sierra no probs, ramp and beach launch. My mates are usually still playing with tyre preasures in thier w.nker tankers and I am already there. Give me the fat chick any day. w.nker Tankers! LOL! I drove my Samurai 140000 miles around North America; it was still running very well when I traded it for a Sidekick. The Sam was the best vehicle I have ever owned. You could have pulled your craft with either; a Sierra would do well. Best wishes from the banks of the mighty Ohio. Fat chicks rule. >> Check around. >> [quoted text clipped - 8 lines] >My mates are usually still playing with tyre preasures in thier w.nker >tankers and I am already there. Give me the fat chick any day. > Check around. > [quoted text clipped - 3 lines] > > Suzukis are like fat chicks. They're OK until your mates see you. Except for the fact they are so damn good offroad..... but don't let the truth get in the way of a good yarn Barnsey!! SWB = good ramp over They have great entry and exit angles due to piss-all overhang. Great on beach due to light weight Parts grow on trees, especially with motor in common with the Swift. They cost stuff all. Show me somewhere a bog stock 100 series, Patrol, Hilux, Navara etc etc will go, that a stock Sierra will not. PS: I don't own one I've just seen them kick a.s in the sand dunes and at 4WD motorkhanas..... whilst the $40K - $100K fourby owners weep (with their hand on it as usual) > > Check around. > > [quoted text clipped - 18 lines] > 4WD motorkhanas..... whilst the $40K - $100K fourby owners weep (with their > hand on it as usual) The SWB is a big bonus, escept when you're trying to fit the family in. Otherwise I'd still have a Wrangler! :) Perusal >> Check around. >> [quoted text clipped - 6 lines] > Except for the fact they are so damn good offroad..... but don't let the > truth get in the way of a good yarn Barnsey!! I've owned 2 in the past. One was a 98 hard top.....I took over the lease from my father in law, but I had to give it back after 6 months, due to my FILs bad business brain. (Long story) The other was a 86 NT with a 1.3 Swift transplant which I intended to do up for a daily driver and a cheap bush basher. Both were bloody good fun to drive, but not practical for my needs. I now have a 7 seater 97 GQ 2.8 TD that gets 10L/100ks and a 05 Nissan Pulsar........not sure what it gets. I think 5-6 L/100ks We just bought it last week. The Patrol only gets used for camping and trips away, not much around town driving. Economy wise, I think you need to look at the bigger picture than just fuel consumption. Economy is not a great concern for the Patrol. We've only done 5-6000 Ks in it in the last 12 months. Anyway, I'm not bagging Suzukis. If they suit your needs, they're great. I've known lots of people who've owned them finish up with Patrols or Cruisers eventually though. Sooner or later, you'll want more comfort and power. > Hi All > > Just bought myself a 3.8m / 25hp Tinny and I'm thinking that my trusty > '85 FWD mazda 323 that saw me through uni will not be upto the task of > launching / retrieving the thing on a boat ramp (correct me if I'm > wrong). Check the tow capacity of the Mazda, I wouldn't be surprised if it towed it ok. I often used to see a 4.5mtr tinny with a 65hp being launched at Williamstown behind a 1989 Honda Prelude and much to my surprise the car seemed to do the job easily. > So, maybe I'm looking at returning to the land of the fourbie (I did > have a nice Hilux xtra cab before the days of poverty) > > Anyhow, I'm kinda shying away from the idea of a bigger 4wd (purely for > fuel cost reasons) If fuel costs are a major consideration buy a 4WD with LPG. Diesels are relatively cheap to run, a diesel Hilux wouldn't use a lot more fuel than the Mazda. Daryl >> Hi All >> [quoted text clipped - 18 lines] > Diesels are relatively cheap to run, a diesel Hilux wouldn't use a lot > more fuel than the Mazda. A cheap Toyo Surf would do you (2.4 Turbo). Chuck an oily rag in there once a week and ya laughing. > Daryl > Hi All > [quoted text clipped - 18 lines] > Cheers > Warwick My V6 4runner doesnt use that much fuel. I get about 460Kms per 55 litres. Thats 11.9 l/100kms. Way better than my 06 Rodeo 4x2. > Sierra will pull a boat of that size, great off road aswell, What I dislike bout them is they only average 10 ltr per 100km where as my 4runner returns the same being diesel. more room better ride and just keeps going Hi, I have a a 85 4Runner 2.4D with 300K on the clock. It is stock standard except for the extractors. I launch a 700kg glass boat no worries. Towing it long distance is a bit slow. Usually sit on 85 or 90 km/h. I regularly tow a 400kg camper with 2 kayaks on the roof of the 4Runner and get about 12L/100km sitting on 105 km/h on the flat with no wind. In the hills you just need to keep the revs up around 3000. Around town I get 10.5 to 11 L/100km. On highway not loaded sitting on 90 -95 km/h I get better than 10L/100km. The 4Runner or Hilux 2.4 Diesel should handle your tinny no worries. The turbo should be better I guess but have no experience with them. Cheers Trev > Hi All > [quoted text clipped - 18 lines] > Cheers > Warwick > Hi, > I have a a 85 4Runner 2.4D with 300K on the clock. It is stock standard [quoted text clipped - 8 lines] > The 4Runner or Hilux 2.4 Diesel should handle your tinny no worries. The > turbo should be better I guess but have no experience with them. Turbo Surfs would leave you way behind in the NA diesel but your Mazda would still tow and launch a boat that size with no problem at all, be a lot quieter and more comfortable than a Sierra Kev >> Hi, >> I have a a 85 4Runner 2.4D with 300K on the clock. It is stock standard [quoted text clipped - 15 lines] > > Kev Ive not owned but have driven several 2.4 Turbo Surfs. My 84 2.4 was a non turbo. On a drag race between my 84 (sokid front end) and a mates 88 (IFS), he had me till 60ks then I gained between 60 and 100 then at 100 he gained slightly. That was untill I fit the big bore exhaust and I kept up with him until 120 then I moved ahead slightly. He he, I used less fuel, was faster and 10x more reliable than his and he still refused to fit the bigbore, dumb a.s. Thanks for that Scotty. I've often wondered what the turbo 2.4 would be like. The 4Runner 2.4D is the perfect car for me but often wonder what I would replace it with when it finally gives up on me. The only newer 4WD that comes close is the Surf and I intended to eventually buy one but after what you said, now I'm not so sure now. Cheers Trev >>> Hi, >>> I have a a 85 4Runner 2.4D with 300K on the clock. It is stock standard [quoted text clipped - 23 lines] > was faster and 10x more reliable than his and he still refused to fit the > bigbore, dumb a.s. > Thanks for that Scotty. I've often wondered what the turbo 2.4 would be > like. The 4Runner 2.4D is the perfect car for me but often wonder what I > would replace it with when it finally gives up on me. The only newer 4WD > that comes close is the Surf and I intended to eventually buy one but after > what you said, now I'm not so sure now. the Surf will leave a non turbo for dead mine with the family and camping gear for a week running on 3 cyl(due to a bent valve from a timing belt breaking) still left a mates Hilux(same year model-85 as my 4Runner) behind, and all he had on was a bit of stuff for him and his woman in the sand the extra power from the turbo makes soft sand running very easy I've still got my old 82 Hilux with an 85 2.4L non turbo engine and it is much slower than the 4Runner turbo I had Kev > Thanks for that Scotty. I've often wondered what the turbo 2.4 would be > like. The 4Runner 2.4D is the perfect car for me but often wonder what I [quoted text clipped - 4 lines] > Cheers > Trev Hey, if its power your after, Ill sell you my RV6 SR5Ltd, 3litre V6 petrol. Nah Scotty it's got to be diesel. I do most of my 4WD stuff up through the Flinders and Middleback Ranges and I like the engine braking and the low rev torque of the diesel. The 85 4Runner 2.4D is perfect for around town and on the bush tracks where I go fishing and kayaking. The only problem I have is when I really load it up on holidays, it is underpowered. I can live with this the few times a year I do this. With a car that is over 20 years old I like to think about what my next car will be. At the moment the Surf or 4Runner are the only ones I would consider. The Cruiser is too big and thirsty and I need room inside to carry oars and kayak paddles. Cheers Trev >> Thanks for that Scotty. I've often wondered what the turbo 2.4 would be >> like. The 4Runner 2.4D is the perfect car for me but often wonder what I [quoted text clipped - 7 lines] > Hey, if its power your after, Ill sell you my RV6 SR5Ltd, 3litre V6 > petrol. > Nah Scotty it's got to be diesel. I do most of my 4WD stuff up through > the Flinders and Middleback Ranges and I like the engine braking and the [quoted text clipped - 8 lines] > Cheers > Trev Ive seen one thats had a Turbo added after market. It was actually a small Garrett Turbo from a digger of all things. With good airbox, big bore exhaust and new injectors it went pretty damn well. Not as good as petrol but still well enough. From all accounts it was an easyish modification that didnt cost him much [ I think the turbo dissapeared from his work place workshop ;o) ] The exhaust mod if the best that I did to mine. From the Manifold back, I was fortunat enough to have a good friend do it for me so cost Im not sure on. Extractors are the way to go if ya can get em, just wrap em up in heat tape if ya keen on doing deep water crossings as the cold water will crack the welds on mild steel and the tape will frend off extreme temp changes on the steel. Dont be fooled by people telling you that you require a 3inch system as you will only be wasting time and money there. 2 1/4inch okay unless Turboed then go for 2 1/2 inch tube. I exited my tail pipe just behind the passenger wheel arch so as not to hook the tailpipe up while offroading. (Its illegal but f.ck it, Id rather risk the 1:10000 chance that someone who cares fines me than gettign teh pipe caught up on a rock or sand. > Nah Scotty it's got to be diesel. I do most of my 4WD stuff up through the > Flinders and Middleback Ranges and I like the engine braking and the low rev [quoted text clipped - 7 lines] > Cheers > Trev A 4.2L diesel troopy would not use much more if any fuel than a diesel 4Runner it'd have more power and a heap more room an 80 series will be similar, and with a bit slipperier shape may even use a bit less fuel I can get 10L/100klms if I try from mine I get about 11/100 at the moment @ 105-110 with the aircon on but if you do get another 4Runner get a Surf you'll love the extra power from the turbo engine, you may even be lucky enough to get a 3.0L turbo model or you could go for one of the Import Prados, they look like a stretched Bundera, or a narrowed and shortened troopy with 4 doors Kev A mate of mine brought a auto toyota surf, and he's having real problems towing his off-road camper. Seems the auto oil-cooler is inbuilt in the radiator and the engine overheats in hilly terrain (sealed not off road) The auto warms up under load and in turn heats the radiator water and ends up boiling. He's in the process of trying to fit a aftermarket auto oil-cooler, but is limited with room (don't ask me, i havn't seen under the bonnet). He has no problems with it until he starts towing in the hills. so thats food for thought if you spot a auto to buy (check for external oil-cooler) > A mate of mine brought a auto toyota surf, and he's having real problems > towing his off-road camper. Seems the auto oil-cooler is inbuilt in the [quoted text clipped - 7 lines] > so thats food for thought if you spot a auto to buy (check for external > oil-cooler) this may be due to the fact the standard radiator isn't really up to the task more than the trans cooler causing the problem, but and external cooler will definately be better than the built in cooler Kev go here to http://www.toyotasurf.asn.au/forum/index.php for info on surfs long thread and fixes for overheat problems >> A mate of mine brought a auto toyota surf, and he's having real problems >> towing his off-road camper. Seems the auto oil-cooler is inbuilt in the [quoted text clipped - 13 lines] > > Kev >A mate of mine brought a auto toyota surf, and he's having real problems > towing his off-road camper. Seems the auto oil-cooler is inbuilt in the [quoted text clipped - 7 lines] > so thats food for thought if you spot a auto to buy (check for external > oil-cooler) Id suspect that some valves or oil ways may be blocked in the auto. Myold auto never even budged off normal except extreme off roading with muddy water over the rad etc > > A mate of mine brought a auto toyota surf, and he's having real > > problems towing his off-road camper. Seems the auto oil-cooler is [quoted text clipped - 11 lines] > Myold auto never even budged off normal except extreme off roading > with muddy water over the rad etc Yet another overheating Surf owner determiend to spend money on everything except that which will actually cure the problem. A hot slush box isn't helping things I admit, but it is simply not possible for it to cause coolant overheating, for one thing the heat exchanger is too damm small to do so. Both the 2L-TE and 1KZ engined Surfs have potential cooling issues, the 2l_TE being worse, partially becuase they are all older nad partially because the cooling system has less "headroom". I'll assume 2L-TE, but most of the following can apply to 1KZ engined Surfs as well. Is the coolant a good quality coolant as opposed to something with a bit of antifreeze in it? Toyota "red" coolant meets specs, I use Alfloc long life mainly becuase I am more sure of its anti-cavitation properties. Next are all shrouds in place? Is the electric fan working? Is the thermo clutch on the engine driven fan working properly? Even if it has not leaked out all its fluid, the "engagement" level set in Japan is not adeqaute in Oz. If it isn't leaking, remove it and set its adjustment clip to the "hardest" position. If it has leaked, the seals are cheap and you can actually buy the fuild from Toyota (and probably elsewhere as well, fortunately it is not too expensive). Is the radiator in PERFECT condition? Remember the coling system is just adequate when everything is in perfect order. If it visually OK, it is worth getting the tanks taken off and "rodded out" so that you know it is clear. BTW, if the radiator is gunked up, you can bet the block is too - Alfloc make a good "degunker". Lastly, if all the other stuff checks out, it's time to pull the water pump. There are two areas that will bugger you. The first is the pump itself, prolonged use of inappropriate "coolant" will cause the impellers to corrode with obivous bad effects on the pump's ability to "pump". But the real "gotcha" can be corrosion of the aluminium "plate" that mounts the oil pump, water pump and injection pump, fortunately press-in repair inserts are available, a new one is $500+. Best of luck. -- I used my Honda Civic SW to tow my 13ft Fibreglass/8HP loaded up with camping gear and generally found it was fine - except the Honda had trouble on boat ramps. Power OK but not enough grip on the front wheels (Front Wheel Drive) to pull the boat up the ramp. Often needed a helping hand from bystanders. Since you have a tinny which should be lighter, I reckon any of the small 4WDs should be OK, unless of course you are a bloke in a hurry David > I used my Honda Civic SW to tow my 13ft Fibreglass/8HP loaded up with > camping [quoted text clipped - 9 lines] > > David I used to tow our 16Ft 135HP Fibre glass ski boat (All up inc trailer 850Kgs) with our Mazda 626, never had any issues unless I got up it a bit on a slippery ramp and spun the front wheels. The 4runner has no issues and I can almost drown the whole trailer when I launch with the 4x4. The 626 Im a bit reluctant to get wet. |
Reply to this Message |
 Sign In
 Join
 My Latest Posts My Monitored Threads My Blog My Photo Gallery My Profile My Homepage Start New Thread Enable EMail Alerts Rate this Thread
|
©2008 Advenet LLC Privacy Policy - Terms of Use
This website includes both content owned or controlled by Advenet as well as content owned or controlled by third parties.