4x4 Advice

Udo

Hi,

Planning a move from petrol saloon to Landcruiser (circa 2004) commercial model. Will be used for mostly road use with some towing, but not much.

Am confused about the following:

SWB Vs LWB - some people have said that SWB are not that steady on the road esp. for towing. I was leaning toward a SWB simply because I don't need the space in a LWB. Is a LWB a better buy?

Manual Vs Auto - I would prefer a manual. Is a manual more/less fuel efficient?


Thanks for any help

Slig

Short wheel base are a lot more unstable when towing at speed, especially with full time 4x4. The LWB is alot more comfortable both for towing and every day driving, more aqward to park etc. but the space in the back will come into play more than you think.

Automatics are more uneconomical. 4x4s generally arent cheap to run.

Udo

Thanks a million. Maybe I'll go with the LWB and work on my parking skills

gofaster_s13

The automatic landcruisers come standard with more power(can't remember how much more) they are slightly harder on diesel but are a far nicer drive as they tend to be less lurchy changing gears also for off roading/towing the automatic gearbox is always a better bet.

YourCourier.ie

The LWB auto is a beautiful drive. Test drive both auto and manual then decide.

Slig

Dont nail yourself down to a landcruiser either, test drive a mitsubishi pajero aswell. Economy is about the same but they are much nicer to drive IMO. I'd have the 3.2 SWB in the morning if I could get rid of my own:(.

macnab

just to clarify a point, the Swb is not unstable as such, but because there is less distance between axles it is bouncier on the road (like all SWB jeeps) also i think the LWB will have a higher legal towing weight, and finally yes the Auto box seems to be very popular to those in the know.

macnab

I would choose the Toyota over the Mitsubishi, just a personal thing.

Udo

Thanks - that is really interesting. A friend of mine did have a nice SWB pajero for a while which I like she changed it to a commercial Sorento recently. I had considered a Kia but have heard mixed reviews. I'll try the Toyota and the Pajero automatics and see how I get on.

Thanks a million for all the help

colm_mcm

gofaster_s13 wrote: »

The automatic landcruisers come standard with more power(can't remember how much more) they are slightly harder on diesel but are a far nicer drive as they tend to be less lurchy changing gears also for off roading/towing the automatic gearbox is always a better bet.

Both models have the same power output. there's a difference of around 5mpg between manual and auto, partly because the auto has one less gear and revs higher when cruising.

cant agree re: auto box for towing/offfroading

gofaster_s13

Automatic is far more suited for off roading and trailer work, it can change gear faster than any person and is always in the right gear for the situation

Slig

macnab wrote: »

I would choose the Toyota over the Mitsubishi, just a personal thing.

Horses for courses I suppose. I personally think the landcruiser is way over hyped and over priced , boring to look at, sit in and drive.
The pajero might not have the name (also pajero means something rude in Spanish) but at least its got abit of flair.

Traditional

had a pajero for 10 years little or no trouble , but the new look is desperate , its for woosy boys , a landcruiser or a 270 merc now changing soon anyone know where i might get a bargain ?

Mycroft H

gofaster_s13 wrote: »

Automatic is far more suited for off roading and trailer work, it can change gear faster than any person and is always in the right gear for the situation

Not all the time...... It suits the right gear for the jeep speed, dosnt really account for a slippery surface be it mud of ice.

Manual is far more controlable, plus more reliable.

O.A.P

Unless your towing a skatebord size trailer LWB is the only way to go. Id have a manual too but Iv no experinece towing with an automatic just prefer the control over the load

fig mclough

O.A.P wrote: »

Unless your towing a skatebord size trailer LWB is the only way to go. Id have a manual too but Iv no experinece towing with an automatic just prefer the control over the load

i agree, would an auto not be harder to sell in a few years tan a manual??????

i hav not seen many which were auto!!!