[Surfer82]

Hi everyone!
Well I have been doing a bit of research over the past few weeks and have decided to by a 2003/4 GV with the 2l four cylinder engine. I think I will get the 3 door version but haven't quite made up my mind yet. I was thinking the 3 door as the short wheel base might be better off road and give slightly better fuel economy and performance over the 5 door?

So looking for feedback on anyone who has got one either short or long wheelbase. If I buy one with 140000 that has been looked after can I expect another 100000 out of them? What's fuel economy like with the auto and manual? Are the autos troublesome? Are j20a engines expensive to rebuild? Are parts cheap and plentiful? Can u 1in body raise the 3door?

Sorry for all the questions but would be nice to know experiences from people who own them as to me they look like a great little rig that have plenty of potential!!

Cheers

Pete.

[klutched]

Hey Pete, welcome to AZ.

Why a 2L 4cyl over the 2.5L V6?

Talk to Joe on here, he has a SWB and LWB but the lwb is a v6.

Don't think you can do a Body lift on any of the GV's 02+ because of ABS and airbags.

[Surfer82]

Thank you for the welcome!

Oh darn.. The reason behind my thinking is the swb GV will give me better fuel economy as I have a bit of a lead foot. I also want the 03 onwards is I like the more modern interior. Would I be reasonably happy off road with just a 2in suspension lift? Just want to make the right choice as I'm selling my 2011 pajero with a 2.5in suspension lift and 32 in tyres which I was happy with. Putting some money into house deposit and the downsize to a GV sounds like a good idea!

[Surfer82]

Thanks for the welcome klutched.

The reason for me wanting a swb 2l is more for the fuel economy as I admit I have a bit of a lead foot. That is a bit of a downer in relation to body lift. I only want the 03/04 as it has the newer interior and was also thinking about the lower kms travelled. I have briefly seen a few guys on here with a 2in lift and a 1in body lift and would really like to make my truck look the same. Maybe I will be happy enough with just a 2in suspension lift and a size up in tyres? I want to make it a bit capable but I am no off road fanatic. Just want to go do some harder tracks every now and then as well as beach, camp trails ect. My 2011 paj TD that I am selling for a house deposit is perfect for me with just a 2.5in lift and one size bigger tyres. With the traction control and the named components it is a really capable 4wd.

[Sco-tie]

Surfer82 wrote:

Hi everyone!
Well I have been doing a bit of research over the past few weeks and have decided to by a 2003/4 GV with the 2l four cylinder engine. I think I will get the 3 door version but haven't quite made up my mind yet. I was thinking the 3 door as the short wheel base might be better off road and give slightly better fuel economy and performance over the 5 door?

So looking for feedback on anyone who has got one either short or long wheelbase. If I buy one with 140000 that has been looked after can I expect another 100000 out of them? What's fuel economy like with the auto and manual? Are the autos troublesome? Are j20a engines expensive to rebuild? Are parts cheap and plentiful? Can u 1in body raise the 3door?

Sorry for all the questions but would be nice to know experiences from people who own them as to me they look like a great little rig that have plenty of potential!!

Cheers

Pete.

Yes a 3dr should get better economy than the 5, Manual will definitely get better economy than the autos from reading others on here. Would be better off getting a 2.5 v6 as they use about the same fuel as the 2L v4 coz you wont need to push it so hard to make it go but expect around the 12L/100km + if you are a lead foot, they need to run on premium for best results. Performance wise the v6 gets some good pep with a few simple mods and exhaust. Should easily be able to get a good Gv and do it up a bit for 14g. You may want to take one for a bit of a test drive as you are coming for a larger car with clearance the GVs smallness may be a bit new to you if you're not used to zooks. you would be best off doing a 2-3in lift and 245/75 tyres for the most bang for your buck as you can do a BL coz if the air bags etc. Suss out some other AZers GVs for what they have done and also there is a thread going round talking about what to look for in a 2nd hand GV. I think the engines are pretty simple as far as they go so if you are engine savvy i wouldn't think you would have much trouble other than space. Parts are pretty easy to come by as many are interchangeable between other zooks or custom made for those known fail points.

Hope that helps, Good luck searching and keep us posted with what you end up getting

[russgt]

Hi mate,

I just bought a 2004 v6 GV. I bought it for $12k, have spent about $2,400 buying a JML bull bar, 2 x75w 7" HID spotties, wiring loom off Royce, 50mm Lift from Out Door Auto, and some 225,75,16 tyres off gumtree. I get about 11l/100.

That will be a 3" over standard lift. Personally think that is more than enough to be a very capable 4x4. (Already is without the lift and tyres).

I would go the v6 over a 4cyl. Both will use fuel if you are a lead foot however.

[klutched]

Surfer82 wrote:

Thanks for the welcome klutched.

The reason for me wanting a swb 2l is more for the fuel economy as I admit I have a bit of a lead foot. That is a bit of a downer in relation to body lift. I only want the 03/04 as it has the newer interior and was also thinking about the lower kms travelled. I have briefly seen a few guys on here with a 2in lift and a 1in body lift and would really like to make my truck look the same. Maybe I will be happy enough with just a 2in suspension lift and a size up in tyres? I want to make it a bit capable but I am no off road fanatic. Just want to go do some harder tracks every now and then as well as beach, camp trails ect. My 2011 paj TD that I am selling for a house deposit is perfect for me with just a 2.5in lift and one size bigger tyres. With the traction control and the named components it is a really capable 4wd.

No worries, Instead of going a body lift (which you don't need unless you want to run 32s+) go a 3" coil on 245/75R16 (30s) mts/ats. Will be nearly unstoppable. If you want a tamer look go for 2" on 225/75R16s.