Just bought a Patrol, anyone want my Forester?

2jz929

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Joined
Jul 18, 2009
Messages
249
Location
CQ AUS
Hey guys, unfortunately very soon i will no longer be a subaru offroader. Love the car to bits, but it was time to move onto something bigger and more capable.
I ended up buying a 4.2td GU Patrol that has already been fitted out for touring. Its got (just a few):
- ARB front bar
- 9500lb Premier winch with Warn solenoid block
- Kaymar rear bar with twin tyre carrier
- ARB compressor
- ARB front and rear air lockers
- 20L water bladder in rear quarter
- rear draw system
- 146L long range tank + 35L axillary tank
- 30mm spacers + 3" suspension lift
- Roof mounted console
- Cargo barrier
- GME UHF
- Motson 40% power upgrade package
- 33" Cooper ATR's come with it

Should do the job nicely, here's some pics courtesy of the previous owner on their cape trip. It was owned by a couple that did it up to tour Australia and now don't need it.

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NOW BUY MY FORESTER - 2003 XT FORESTER $16000 WITH ALL THE GEAR
 
Cheers. Its got just over $20k worth of gear in it, and i paid around $3k more then the normal asking price, so i'm a happy man.
I'll have to learn how to really four wheel drive now, as the car is a hell of a lot more capable then i am.
The thing that blew me away was the perfect condition it was in, inside of the car looks brand new. The last owner was quite a conservative guy that just built it to get where he needs to. Very keen to try out the air lockers and low range crawling.
 
Cheers guys. Feels like I'm betraying the subura as its such a good car, ha ha.
 
Congrats!!!:ebiggrin: That is a sweet looking Patrol.:cool: You will miss your Subie, but you will find the love for the new ride.
 
nice neat looking GU
you sure it's a 4.2TD?
where's the bonnet scoop?
only the 4.5 & 4.8 petrol models have the scoopless bonnets
 
That's right the 4.2 turbo diesels never came with the bonnet scoop... that's the 3.0's needs with the top mounted intercooler. Some guys swap the bonnets over when they fit a top mount but then it's not worth the effort since a front mounted one can work so much better.

Mate, welcome to the club... eek! You're the 4th convert on here in a short period of time... me included!!:lol:
 
Ha ha, yeah, thanks guys. We all convert at some point, when you want more strength, ability and SPACE!

Its a GUIII, the 4.2's weren't intercooled until '04. Its had a power up package though, so a high flowed turbo, 3" exhaust and tune. I will fit a water/air intercooler when i get, similar to the setup i have on my 929.

I finally get to pick it up tomorrow!!! Will take more pics of draws, tyres carrier, etc then.

There is a big price difference between the petrol/2.8/3.0 and the 4.2s, so i made sure it was a genuine factory 4.2TD.
 
Ha ha, yeah, thanks guys. We all convert at some point, when you want more strength, ability and SPACE!

Its a GUIII, the 4.2's weren't intercooled until '04. Its had a power up package though, so a high flowed turbo, 3" exhaust and tune. I will fit a water/air intercooler when i get, similar to the setup i have on my 929.

I finally get to pick it up tomorrow!!! Will take more pics of draws, tyres carrier, etc then.

There is a big price difference between the petrol/2.8/3.0 and the 4.2s, so i made sure it was a genuine factory 4.2TD.
As to ... 'ability'... but for big @rse Japanese trucks cutting up tracks there wouldn't be a problem. :poke:
 
Before I got a Patrol I would have agreed with you re: track damage being caused by the bigger vehicles. However, what I've found is that the GQ I drive now leaves virtually no damage to the tracks simply because of constant traction (thanks to excellent wheel travel, correct tyre and pressure in them, and the option of a locker in the worst case), minimal speed and good wheel placement. Most significantly, it's the lack of traction that causes track damage and there's just far too many drivers out there on the tracks in poor conditions (such as straight after heavy rain) spinning their tyres just so they can flick mud all over their car like it's a trophy to take home. I'm sick of seeing guys simply flooring it to get over an obstacle that a better setup vehicle traversed easily. In the end, no matter what the vehicle, the wheels lose traction and bits of the track goes flying... in those cases I totally agree that the bigger the truck the bigger the damage. I'm disgusted by that behaviour as much as anyone avoid it like the plague.

The other big problem is actually smaller cars going around obstacles and actually widening the tracks instead of simply sticking to the existing wheel ruts which are, in most cases, the safest option with the most compounded soil and having the ability to control the direction of travel rather than sliding off the line. I stand by those rules whether I'm in the L-series or the Patrol.

My old L-series is beautifully light and causes less damage than a bigger truck without traction... but it's still capable of spinning it's tyres easily and causing damage to the tracks. Bigger isn't necessarily better, but it's not necessarily the culprit for track damage.
 
Totally agree subalex, just thought I'd have a dig (as per avatar). :ebiggrin:
However, I think the attitude of some so-called 'experts' in the 4X4 media is absolutely disgraceful, and accounts for so many 'recreational' drivers seeming to think the point of driving is to make tracks impassible.

Not having to carry the '2.5 kid' family I do have the luxury of not needing absolute volume. Mind you, the Outback is much more 'L-series' in its load dimensions than is the Forrester.
One of these years I'll fit L-series low ratio gears in my manual box, and if anyone ever makes a locker for the OB...!:lildevil:
 
I have 4" lift and twin lockers, if im causing track damage, then the forester wouldn't have got there anyway. Don't get me wrong, i love my forester to bits and don't want to part with it, but im also realistic when it comes to its abilities.

Picked it up today, what a awesome car. The fella nearly cried when i drove it away.
 
Barry, fit the low range ratio from the L-series and you'll then start wishing you had L-series approach and departure angles, the things you'll be able to crawl up! The thing is that Subaru have always had the complete package just a little less than perfect. Take the L-series for example: great low range reduction and suitability for lifting and room for much bigger tyres... but a gutless engine. Then there's the Outback (I had an '02 model): great engine and comfort levels... but lousy low range and no room for bigger tyres. The only vehicle with the greatest compromise is the Forester, perhaps the 1st gen with the nearly as low-low range as the L-series. Get an LSD from an STi and swap the front diff ratios to match and you'd be grinning from ear to ear... at least I would be :)
 
Finally took some photos today. Been in low range twice since i had it, once with the previous owner to show me how stuff works on his property, and yesterday to test on the lockers on a smallish ledge. So different to drive, but a very practical car.

3" lift font and rear, with 30mm coil spacers and airbags in the rear, on crappy 285/75/16 cooper ATR's (33's).
IMG_1323.jpg


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Kaymar twin tyre carrier rear bar, has high lift jack points, tow points and tow bar. Ill have to get another tyre for the second spare rim.
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ARB winch bar, with premier winch and warn solenoid and IPF driving lights (rubbish).
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Interior is prestine. Can see the locker switches, came with a GME3400 UHF, and has an Outback roof console.
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Rear draws with fridge slide. You can also see the hose for the water bladder in the rear quarter, and the cargo barrier. Has another storage unit up on the roof that you can't see as well. It has 181L of fuel on board as well.
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And thats about it. Has a piranah dual battery system and high output compressor with fitting for tyres, etc. The previous owner has set it up really well, so all i have to do is enjoy it. The only plans i have is to get my own fridge, fit up a factory style intercooler set up and change the winch to synthetic rope.
 
Awesome Set up Mate :cool:
 
Now that is a very sweet ride. :monkeydance:

Only one problem though.... It's toooooo clean :lol:

Regards
Mr Turbo
 
Ha ha, yeah, the guy had it professionally detailed, and i haven't had the opportunity to ruin all his good work :(

Driving something so big, heavy and slow is going to take some getting used to. But living in Central QLD with lots of big red hoppers around, and getting right into my camping, it was the logical step. Still don't want to sell the Forester, but being a teacher doesn't pay well enough to keep it :(
 
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