Upgrade the Surf to.........what?

[Bird]

OK, the upgrade has to wait.
The Surf is in the workshop for some work and they found that some teeth were missing from the front crown wheel.

perfect time to trade it in before divvying out coin on repairs!

[WilSurf]

I know, but don't have the cash for an upgrade.
Not to the upgrade we want.

[Burnsy]

I feel your pain Wil, as we had similar decisions to make last year and have since poured over $6000 into our car.  Pity yours is a surf and not an 80 as it removes another upgrade option. 

I am currently seriously looking at going the conversion to a HDFTE on our 80 (electronic turbo diesel from a 100 series) when we do upgrade as the conversion is more affordable than buying a 100 series upgrade (petrol 80 ain't worth much as a trade these days).  It also means we are happy spending money on the 80 to keep it in good condition until this happens.  Total care in Sydney do the conversions and the plan is that we would drive to Sydney, spend a week or two there site seeing while the upgrade is done and then continue north on a lap.  Two or so years till long service is due so we have till then to save the money.  If someone in Perth starts doing the conversions before then we would look at getting it done here.

[WilSurf]

Don't understand you regarding this: "Pity yours is a surf and not an 80 as it removes another upgrade option"

I know someone who is doing engine conversions in Perth. He does the Lexus V8 in a Surf.
How hard can a HDFTE in a 80 seriesbe compared to that? As long as the engine bay is big enough.
Did you ask around in Perth?

[Burnsy]

Don't understand you regarding this: "Pity yours is a surf and not an 80 as it removes another upgrade option"

I know someone who is doing engine conversions in Perth. He does the Lexus V8 in a Surf.
How hard can a HDFTE in a 80 seriesbe compared to that? As long as the engine bay is big enough.
Did you ask around in Perth?

I was of the understanding you wanted something larger that the surf so would probably not bother upgrading it?  I was just making the point that having the 80 has given us another upgrade option, that you may not consider worthwhile on a surf if you are chasing a larger vehicle. 

There is no-one in Perth that does the FTE upgrade at the moment, only the FT.  The engine electronics being all tied into the immobiliser and key apparently make it a pain of an upgrade so people steer clear of it.  Given the FTE's are more readilly available I think people will start doing the FTE upgrades more in the near future.

[dazzawhipple]

Wil,

I went from the Pajero to a 105 cruiser N/A, its only as slow as the right foot but I wanted something for touring with less electronics to go wrong,

The space in the cruiser is something else, steered clear of the Patrols too many issues with mates ones, There is not one 4x4 on the market without problems, my decision for my 105 was based on the fact, that underneath the 100 body is a 80 series (I have the live axle not the IFS)

to your decision on which one to go for, both have good and bad points

[WilSurf]

Yes, the upgrade will be because of a bigger car (the girls are getting bigger) and better towing capacity.

I will ask if my mate can do it. He has done a couple of Lexus V8s in a Surf including electrics.

Dazza,
Our eyes are in the direction of the Cruisers.
But, if I had it my way.........
Solid axles, V8 diesel...........

[Matto]

But, if I had it my way.........
Solid axles, V8 diesel...........

Well, you're on the right side of the country I guess...
http://www.brunswickdiesels.com.au/new/for-sale.php

Ahhh - the things I'd buy if I had the money! Good thing I don't have that temptation!

http://www.carpoint.com.au/all-cars/dealer/details.aspx?R=11270984

http://www.carpoint.com.au/all-cars/dealer/details.aspx?R=11084330

http://www.carpoint.com.au/all-cars/private/details.aspx?R=10985833

http://www.carpoint.com.au/all-cars/private/details.aspx?R=11017358

http://www.carpoint.com.au/all-cars/private/details.aspx?R=11006591

http://www.carpoint.com.au/all-cars/dealer/details.aspx?R=10569936

(that last one's got my name all over it - keep your grubby WA hands off!!  )

Good luck!
Matto

[Matto]

Oops - can't forget this one. Now, I know you've got a lazy $110k sitting around burning a hole in your pocket...

http://www.carpoint.com.au/all-cars/dealer/details.aspx?R=11245661

Thanks!
Matto

</offtopic>

[WilSurf]

They are all utes Matto, and mostly manual as well.
The lazy $$ have burned through the hole as all I can see is a hole.................

Regarding the Brunswick diesels, they are petrol engines bored for diesel.
So not strong enough.

[Bird]

Regarding the Brunswick diesels, they are petrol engines bored for diesel.
So not strong enough.

I think several dozen people on a few forums would highly disagree with you...

[WilSurf]

I know, everytime we say something it is like opening another can ofworms.
What I haveread on many forums is that the material of the brunswick diesels are not thick enough.
Anyway, will keep looking.

[WilSurf]

Burnsy, I asked my mate and his reply is:

Yes we can do this and his best way of getting everything would be to track down a 1/2 cut and transfer everything over. It won't be cheap either

So, if you are interested let me know and I will direct you to him.

[Burnsy]

Burnsy, I asked my mate and his reply is:
So, if you are interested let me know and I will direct you to him.

Will keep this in mind Wil as I was not aware that anyone here in WA was interested.  I don't however want to be a guineapig and when and if I do it, whoever does it will need to have a few FTE conversions under their belt with references before I spend the money. Last thing I am interested in is buying a $20,000 head ache.  Might win lotto before then though and just buy a 100 series

[Jason B]

1 100 series with all the fruit coming up.

http://cgi.ebay.com.au/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=120785576641&fromMakeTrack=true&ssPageName=VIP:watchlink:top:en

[Matto]

1 100 series with all the fruit coming up.

http://cgi.ebay.com.au/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=120785576641&fromMakeTrack=true&ssPageName=VIP:watchlink:top:en

That there be a nice truck. Turboed 105-series with, as you say, ALL the fruit! No good for Wil, being a manual, but I'm sure someone will get themselves what looks to be a good unit.

Good spotting Jason - I'm coming to you when it's time to buy - you seem to have a nose for finding interesting vehicles!

Thanks!
Matto

[WilSurf]

Yep, no good indeed.
But it is always fun to have a look at them........

[WilSurf]

Right,
We have set our eyes and ears on a 100-series Landcruiser.
Now the question which one: the HZJ105 or the HDJ100.

Pros for the 105: solid axle, less electrics
Cons for the 105: less power and torque, need a hair dryer

Pros for the 100: power and torque, comfortable
Cons fo the 100: price, maybe IFS

[Bird]

Now the question which one: the HZJ105 or the HDJ100.

Pros for the 105: solid axle, less electrics
Cons for the 105: less power and torque, need a hair dryer

Pros for the 100: power and torque, comfortable
Cons fo the 100: price, maybe IFS

What price difference is there? and what spec levels on those prices...

if your doing 90% road/dirt roads, I'd go IFS.

[chisel]

Apologies if this is covered earlier in the thread but if you are seriously thinking about a cruiser then get yourself a login on lcool.org and have a good browse around in there - perhaps even ask a question or two.

Unless you're doing pretty extreme 4wding the IFS 100 will get you anywhere you want to go.  Plenty of stock 100 IFS wagons go to the cape and just about everywhere else each year.

I'd probably throw a 200 series petrol into the mix as well.  Similar price for used ones as a 100 series turbo-diesel.  They'll use more fuel but not as much as a 100 petrol.  They'll be even more comfortable/quiet/powerful - not that the 100 isn't already comfortable or powerful.

[WilSurf]

Hi chisel,
I am on lcool and it doesn't make it any easier.

[Matto]

Now the question which one: the HZJ105 or the HDJ100.

Newbie question - aren't all 105's manuals?

Might make your decision easier.

Of course, if you really want the 105, you could always swap in the 1HDFTE + an auto box. Go on, you know you want to.

Good luck!
Matto

[WilSurf]

No, there are also automatic HZJ105.
Best thing will be the VDJ engine: the diesel V8.

[WilSurf]

News flash!!

An upgrade for the Surf has been found and will be parked in front of the house at the end of the week.

It is not a Toyota.
.
.
.
It is not a Nissan.
.
.
.
It is a Lexus LX470.
Basically an upspec'd Landcruiser.

[Captain]

Sounds great Wilco, how did you get onto that    Somehow I think you will like it 

Cheers

Captain