Hi from Zimbabwe, and in need of advice

[paddyzw]

Hi Guys, new here so hello!

Need a bit of advice, I'm looking for an offroader but struggling to make a choice.

I'm from Zimbabwe which poses a few problems, our fuel is often a dubious, good quality parts are hard to find, genuine parts are super expensive as are fuel injection techs that know what they are doing. I had a Hilux 3.0 diesel which did me really well except for having to spend over US$1000 every few years to get injector pump and nozzles serviced. The final straw though was when I just didn't have the money to get it done when it started giving trouble so pushed on for a while and ended up damaging the bore and head on one cylinder from a leaking nozzle, so sorted that out, sold it and decided that I'd replace it with something with minimal electronics and no fuel injection.
I'd rather sacrifice on fuel economy and pay a bit more every time I fill up and know that I can repair pretty much everything myself.
I also have a Nissan 720 with an L18 engine which is almost indestructible, I would almost be happy with a 720 4x4 but it'd be a bit under powered for towing a boat and the wife says we need something a bit more family orientated and not so old looking, so station wagon or double cab it is.

Toyotas here are more expensive just because it's a Toyota so I'm going to go with Nissan, the options I have come up with are:

MQ 160 Patrol with the L28, experience with the L18 tells me that the L series is an awesome engine, easy to maintain and repair, and the solid front axle should be better for rough terrain than the independent front suspension on the newer vehicles. However I think it'll be difficult finding one which isn't going to be a lot of work on body and interior to get it smart.

Y60 Patrol with the RB30S, have seen a couple of these at car dealers so should be easier to find one in good condition but newer vehicle so higher price. I would expect the newer engine to be more efficient and powerful than the older one but I have no experience with this engine so don't really know.

D21 Hardbody double cab with a VG30S. If I can't find one with the VG30S I could get the VG30i and change the inlet manifold and fit a carb if the injection / electronics give trouble that's going to be expensive to get repaired, but again have no experience with this engine. The pick-up would be more suitable if I need to use for work because I can take the canopy off and get under a gantry to load stuff in the back which I couldn't with the Patrols, but also not sure how well it'll handle on real rough terrain, never had any problems with the Hilux but don't want to end up being the guy who always gets stuck.

So now the question is, what is the difference in performance on and off road, fuel consumption and reliability between the three? hoping someone with a bit more experience can give me some info.

cheers

[PapaSmurf2k3]

Honestly, out of the 3 you listed, you really can't go wrong. I'm not sure as to what setup they have in your country, but you could always ask the sellers what they've gotten for fuel economy, etc.

You're probably at the point that you could go test drive everything you listed and see what talks to you the most/see what you like the most.
Welcome to NICO!

[Rogue One]

Do keep us update on how things go. We'd also love to see pictures too!

[AZhitman]

Welcome aboard!

While I like the idea of the crew cab D21 Hardbody, it's certainly a smaller truck. Since we didn't get the Patrons here, I can't speak much to them, but I do know that the older Patrols were as capable as any Jeep or FJ.

Curious to see what you wind up with - Hope you'll take pics of everything you consider!

[Desert Rat]

that early Patrol would be the simplest and easiest to maintain.

[float_6969]

Old Patrol is my vote. It would be SO easy to work on.

[nissangirl74]

Patrols are awesome!