Best 4WD for police duties in Alpine/Bush area???

[Tim - Stratford]

My 2 bobs worth,

Nissan Patrol, Mitsubishi Pajero, Base model 200 series cruiser. I discounted the 76 because of leaf springs and safety features. These are not in order of preference.

Jas,

Good balanced response. The only drama I had with the Patrol was getting stuck in/on 3 foot of snow. The DSE guys with us in a 76 with diff locks and four chains got stuck too - but got out quicker.

Some members have formed opinions on hear-say and rumours - so there's a bit of sifting to do. My all time fav was the 105 Cruiser - honest but slow. Never been in a 200....hopefully they choose them! 

Tim

[JU5T1N]

I think the VW Amarok is a worthy option & seems to tick your boxes....
http://www.volkswagenaustralia.com.au/Amarok/Amarok_Web.pdf

[Jason B]

Jas,

Good balanced response. The only drama I had with the Patrol was getting stuck in/on 3 foot of snow. The DSE guys with us in a 76 with diff locks and four chains got stuck too - but got out quicker.

Some members have formed opinions on hear-say and rumours - so there's a bit of sifting to do. My all time fav was the 105 Cruiser - honest but slow. Never been in a 200....hopefully they choose them! 

Tim

Tim

Our vehicles were the same, compared to the Police vehicles we used in the day. A number of our 100's has double lockers, all of our vehicles have 2 inches of lift (our 76's have 3700kg GVM upgrades), full Toyota or Nissan, front and rear bar options with winches, we had cooper STT's fitted, and diamond snow chains to suit, our vehicles out performed both the Police and NPWS vehicles because there departments didn't upgrade them from standard (apart from bull bar and winch, they had standard issue tyres  ). We live in our vehicles (extended patrols, sleep in swags, cook eat sleep etc) so we can justify the equipment.

It is my opinion that both the Nissan or Paj (and cruiser preferably  ) would have been as capable as our vehicles with the same upgrades. Honestly whenever the Talbingo cops needed to do a job in the Park in winter they would ring and wake up the fishpig (me) to assist. Operational protocols a lot of the time required that they use a Police vehicle (even though we had radios in our vehicle/and HF/sat phone) they would want me to follow them as we could just about conquer anything in a timely manner with two trucks (and to be fair the Paj's and Nissans did an admirable job considering their spec).

There are plenty of good base vehicles to choose from, however getting your management to spend the money needed on upgrades to make them a capable all round unit will be the stumbling block.

Regards


Jas

[shanegtr]

There was a news article regarding the 70 Series last week - that they only have a 5 year shelf life left in Aust due to new ANCAP restrictions on commercial vehicles - they'll need side/curtain airbags to continue and Toyota don't agree with it....hopefully they just add them!......and also an 18mths wait on the GX 200.

Nothing to do with ANCAP restrictions, BHP is making a shift in that all vehicles onsite will be 5 star rated - weather other mining companies follow suit who knows. But the majority of 7# series sold are to mining/fleet. Toyota are not going to do anywork to the 70 to make it 5 star. Also seen a toyota bulliten the other day that the factory diff lock option will be dropped

[Bird]

But was it a troopy or a workmate?

this one

[90Cruiser]

Dept don't want to go back to Toyota as they receive no assistance from them as we're a minuscule market.  76 has the issue of passenger airbag so won't be entertained.  Cannot be any alterations to vehicle other than factory fitout as they are all tested from the factory at MUARC and are signed off from there.  The issues/hassles with getting BFG AT was rediculous.  Tyre was within specifications but when Patrols were approved by MUARC, Dueller 693 were on it.  Dept won't stray from what the factory engineers sign off on.  To Nissans credit they came out to rural police area and were involved with meetings and testing.  It'll be Patrols for some time yet.

[Darcy7]

Vic SES use patrols almost exclusively. There are a few hiluxes but there's been issues with bullbars and winches overloading the front suspension.

I would like to say a new 75 series be the go but if you're over 5'5", you're going to find the drivers seat too cramped. I sat in one a few weeks ago and I was surprised how little room there was. I'm no beanshoot at 5'11" but I felt like my knees were up near my chest...!

[speewa158]

l personally want our  to have a bit of comfort , but in a sound & able  4B . Get a Pajero fleet , stackem full fo extra bits then sell them off at 60KM . A very handy tug . Good for them good for us Win/Win 

[Vk3bq]

while not police, i work for optus, and we have mixed 4wd's for 20* years.

however, the fibre repair team (fix the connections between the major capitals when the break or farmer fred back hoes through them) retain old but still going strong toyota troop carriers. only thing that will get into the back of omen during a flood event to fix a fibre break..

*they settled on klugers for the general operations cars a couple of years ago, then someone in fleet/an accountant ticked the "cheapest" box on the BULK order. 12 weeks later, 25 front wheel drive klugers arrived was a fun 2 years not being able to access sites in the rain - was great for parking at the shops though

[GeeTee]

, then someone in fleet/an accountant ticked the "cheapest" box on the BULK order. 12 weeks later, 25 front wheel drive klugers arrived was a fun 2 years not being able to access sites in the rain - was great for parking at the shops though

Hah if that wasn't so serious it'd be damn funny!

[Redback]

200 series Cruiser

Disco 4

Mainly for there offroad settings

[Patr80l]

Someone mentioned the Amarok.  There is another one from the Volkswagen Group......

[Crisp Image]

After driving our SES partol I do not like them so much. Sure they are a capable vehicle but I just do not like the feel.
As for  I know the SAR section were told that they could not even change the tyers they run even to a more aggressive AT because of restrictions (they said lease but I am sure it is internal policy).
I would think the 200 series would be my choice. Imagine fitting 5 adults in a Prado at the end of a search to bring the lost home? I would not. I love my Prado but they are not a big vehicle.
At work they would not come at 200 series so we are getting Partols which we break in no time. (remember these vehicles are driven by lots of people and 24hrs a day)
Good luck in the search for a suitable vehicle and I hope that the purse strings stretch to a safe and competent vehicle.
Regards
Crisp Image

[Bird]

I think this shows a common failing in modern 4wds and their sad deterioration into shopping trolleys.  There is no *clear* winner in this case...

200
7x
Patrol
Paj
Prado

What about a bendy chassis Dual Cab Ute with a dogbox on the back.

[MDS69]

I can't believe that an essential emergency service has to fit in a box that clearly isn't suitable. I know there are budgets etc but there should be some room to move for certain applications.

[Smoko]

Lada Niva is the go






Smoko

[Kangaron]

Good to see the attitude of the braid hasn't changed.
I recall taking delivery of the first V8 divvy wagon, a 253, no heater or demister, vinyl seats and fitted with re-treads.
The DDI however had a nice set of wheels on his Premier.

[fuji]

this one

A bad driver always blames his car!!
The one at the back looks a bit bogged too!

[Tim - Stratford]

Good to see the attitude of the braid hasn't changed.
I recall taking delivery of the first V8 divvy wagon, a 253, no heater or demister, vinyl seats and fitted with re-treads.
The DDI however had a nice set of wheels on his Premier.

[fuji]

Thats a blast from the past, the DDI! Havent heard that for a long time. Actually there was a nice 200 in the carpark last week apparently a loaner for the braid? WTF?

[Bird]

The one at the back looks a bit bogged too!

he was... the dude in the purple (isnt that a valiant colour?) one was recovering the 100.. Robe always rocks!

[Jenko67]

The Qld Police Service has a few different options out there but from a driver training perspective we use a 200series GX (has snorkel, bull bar and winch) and a Prado GX (2006 model with only 86000km on it) that will be replaced with a Hilux dual cab very soon. I love the 200 GX but it could do with a suspension upgrade.... rather sloppy on the road.... When I worked in Charleville there were troopies and landcruisers plus normal sedans...

Life is tough when my job is to train police how to drive (well manage the police who do and I do get to drive all the different options and we also trial new models the QPS is considering implementing).......

Regards

Scott

[Jason B]

Life is tough when my job is to train police how to drive (well manage the police who do and I do get to drive all the different options and we also trial new models the QPS is considering implementing).......

Regards

Scott

My old man was an instructor (Cars and bikes) at the NSW Police Driver Training centre for 11 years when it was at St Ives. He left when they relocated to Goulburn because he didn't like the cold. LOL

[speewa158]

Lada Niva is the go




Heated back windows ,,,,,, keep your hands warm as you push it 

[Tjupurula]

The Qld Police Service has a few different options out there but from a driver training perspective we use a 200series GX (has snorkel, bull bar and winch) and a Prado GX (2006 model with only 86000km on it) that will be replaced with a Hilux dual cab very soon. I love the 200 GX but it could do with a suspension upgrade.... rather sloppy on the road.... When I worked in Charleville there were troopies and landcruisers plus normal sedans...

Life is tough when my job is to train police how to drive (well manage the police who do and I do get to drive all the different options and we also trial new models the QPS is considering implementing).......

Regards

Scott

They could cettainly do with your services out this way Scott.  Some of the police that come out here drive a 4wd like it is a town petrol car, and they get into some bad situations.
Regards
Tjupurula