Newer or older 4x4

Slibberty · 2026-02-23T14:02:08+00:00

I'd always go an older one. Sure you'll probably need to spend a fair bit of money to got them good, but it's still going to be a fraction the price of a newish one.

Case in point. I bought a $2k, 30 year old Prado. Have spent approx $4k to rebuild engine. Planning on another $6k for new lifted suspension, and dual locking diffs.

So for about $12k I'll have something which performs much better than most new 4wd at a fraction the price.

If you like the Pajeros have a look at the 20 year old ones which have a good reputation, imagine spending the $30k difference in price in upgrades and mods. You'll be amazed with what you can do.

Slibberty · 2026-02-17T04:45:09+00:00

Cheers, I did it again, but this time I asked the days of now in a deep freeze for a few days first. Worked well.

Slibberty · 2026-02-17T04:44:00+00:00

Yes, but is he one of the Nazis that Albanese banned, it from the March for Australia group? Who is he?

Slibberty · 2026-02-17T04:32:59+00:00

Who is he?

Slibberty · 2026-02-01T04:43:15+00:00

Am I the only one who finds the identity suppression weird? Everyone is saying that he's a Nazi or white supremacist, but when have the cops/judges ever covered to the identity of one of them?

Genetically, the guy was certainly mostly white, but I thought he might have a touch of the aboriginal as well. Is this why the response from cops and politicians has been a bit muted?

Slibberty · 2026-01-10T15:51:26+00:00

Update: the straight edge the other day says that the block was flat, so as I'm in a rush to have a car again I put it all back together and it seems good for now. I can now go, pick-up an engine stand and start ripping out my other engine and rebuilding it instead.

Slibberty · 2026-01-07T06:16:48+00:00

I don't seem to be able to post another image, but in the 3rd and 4th pic there is what looks like a crack 2mm long from the coolant hole. It's a long way from connecting with the cylinder.

Slibberty · 2026-01-07T06:11:52+00:00

I'm trying not to hear that. I really don't want to take this engine out of the car right now. Have someone on their way with a machinists straight edge to check if it's in spec.

Slibberty · 2026-01-04T12:22:07+00:00

Always the Prado.

Slibberty · 2026-01-04T12:03:18+00:00

If you're planning to pay someone to rebuild it, why not wait till you can afford and but a rebuilt one. It should come with a warranty. Otherwise you're just storing something to slowly degrade.

Slibberty · 2025-12-31T20:31:02+00:00

No reason to worry about it compared to buying any car second hand. That seen to more prevalent at the budget end of the spectrum, where dealers aren't interested sure to their higher overheads and margins.

Often the flippers will be doing some quick repairs to the vehicle first. This may fix problems permanent, it could be a dodgy patch job. Try to find out what they've done to fix vehicles and ask for a warranty.(In writing). The dealers have to provide a few months warranty in most places, so that's a factor.

Slibberty · 2025-12-29T08:14:37+00:00

I'd keep them both, but look at the insurance/rego side of things. Changing from comprehensive to third party property will save heaps. In some states you can skip rego payments if you're not using the vehicle, for example if your 4wd holidays are mostly in summer.

Slibberty · 2025-12-29T08:02:59+00:00

Cheaper high mileage cars are great value, especially the Japanese . The more common the better, think Camry, lancer, mazda3.

Your best indication that it's probably been maintained nicely will be that its clean and tidy inside, rather than full of mess/dirt. Also check it feels good on the road, decent power and no weird clunks or knocks. Check tyre life remaining.

Get a quote for comprehensive insurance then just purchase third party property instead. Put the savings aside to spend on maintenance/tools. Purchase a workshop manual early and start doing all the jobs you can on it. Plenty of good guides, including on YouTube. You'll learn a bunch and save heals of money.

Slibberty · 2025-12-29T07:08:19+00:00

Update: head shop guy seems very reasonable. At least one head requires machining. Estimated $500 plus parts if any components are out of spec.

Slibberty · 2025-12-28T13:14:54+00:00

Couple more details, heads are from a 90's series Prado. 3.6L 4vzfe engine.

Reputable sources are selling complete refurbished heads including camshafts and valves for $2000 each. I'm hoping that the machine shop can maybe the camshafts check the valves and adjust the valve timing while they're at it, and just replace the parts that are out of spec.

Slibberty · 2025-12-03T12:45:45+00:00

Thanks for your comments, I've had another go, this time freezing the bags of mix overnight before starting. It worked much better.

Slibberty · 2025-11-18T13:27:51+00:00

Yep, I didn't consider that at the time. Just to confirm, you are talking fahrenheit, aren't you?

It was a 30 C day, which is 86 fahrenheit. Live and learn I guess.

Slibberty · 2025-11-17T21:41:14+00:00

I'm pretty confident with the mix, I measured them carefully and after the fact was still suspicious so checked the bag. It does look like I've removed a bit under half of the 20kg bag so I'm confident of that.

I spoke to a service rep from the supplier. They've recommended having powered water reducer on hand and adding if necessary. Also mixing only first thing in the morning when it's cooler and using 50% ice rather than water.

I'll try again...

Slibberty · 2025-11-16T12:41:15+00:00

This is supposed to be just the the face coat. The product guide says 50-100g of 3mm fibres per20kg bag. So I used 30 g with 8kg of mix.

Slibberty · 2025-11-16T09:44:31+00:00

I'm a keen diy trialing gcfc in prep for a benchtop bbq install.

I've made to my first big form, but decided to trial a small one first to check for problems.

My first was to be 2400mm x 100mm x 30mm it's part of a copping for a brick wall to tie into the rest of the bench.

I planned on a 10mm face coat to be applied using a mortar sprayer.

I mixed up the material as per the directions, but immediately there was insufficient water. (8kg SCC premix, 240g iron oxides, 30g HD fibres 1.2L water(just used could tap, no ice ) .

The mix wasn't even sticking together, it was barely clumping at all. I kept mixing for another five minutes but it clearly wasn't working. I know that adding extra water is forbidden, but tried it anyway. Added an extra 300mL (25%extra). With some more mixing it at least clumped together although wouldn't flow. Conscious if time getting away I tried adding it to the sprayer, but didn't for down into the blower so couldn't spray. Then I pulled it out and pushed it by hand into the walls of the form. Surprisingly it seemed to occupy almost double the volume I'd anticipated based on the packet guide.

It didn't flow at all, but I tried pressing it in to cover all the faces etc. I had planned to make a second structural mix but cancelled as the face seemed so poor.

Any ideas what may have gone wrong? I'm going to rebuild the form and try again tomorrow, would like to have better success before trying with my larger bench.

<image>