[sierra0814]

Hey everyone, I've searched the forums for the last couple of days looking for some information on building up a Sierra as a tourer, I haven't really found any other threads except of course building draws and the usual tech talk. The story is that I want to build up my SJ70 into a capable tourer for just myself as driver no passengers. What's everyone's views for a sierra as a tourer and what do u think I could do to make it a better tourer?

[Gwagensteve]

Whilst it's been done, I'm going to say no, especially when you add "capable"

Sierras are capable because they are light. Tourers aren't light. Heavy sierras aren't capable and they aren't reliable.

You have 450Kg of payload to play with, which includes you, the fuel in the tank, water the washer bottle....everything. Sierras that are running well over GVM become very maintenance intensive. Add in some parts that are a pain to fix trackside (I'm thinking rear wheel bearings and axle housing failures, mostly) and it's not always happy times.

Best to start with something with a little more payload so the car isn't working so hard all the time. If you're already willing to pack light enough to fit everything you need into a Sierra, then a hilux with the same stuff in it will be very happy and comfortable by comparison.

[sierra0814]

Yeah I own a 4wd hilux as well but seeing as its just myself, I was thinking I might get away with using the sierra as a light tourer, simple draw design, enough water, swag etc. I understand your points and this is what I'm looking for some feedback be it positive or negative.

[alien]

Moph on here drove from Radelaide to Perth and did a trip up North and back (about the same distance) without too much trouble.

Don't know how though.. Noisy, Bumpy, Tiny fuel tank, Noisy, Bumpy...

Depending on the type of touring you want to do, you're probably better off with a Falcon wagon with an LSD in the back... 98% of touring is on bitumen, with 1% gravel and mayyybe 1% of that actually requires 4WD to gain access. Reaffirming this theory was taking a bog stock Hyundai Excel and TRYING to break it offroad (and failing) then selling it the next day. It drove everything within reason that was thrown at it (or should i say it was thrown at).

Of course if you're doing some hardcore track somewhere you'll want a 4WD like a cruiser or patrol, but if you're staying to tourist destinations you likely don't need 4WD.

[MrRocky]

Did a 1000km trip in the lwb over xmas and had ample room with plenty to spare that was with the canopy on and 40ltr engle, 20 ltrs fuel, swag, clothes, food esky, spares ect... the jimnys and swb sierras struggled for space and took an hour to repack every morning. Not to mention they all had to run roof racks with stupid high jerrys ect.... that being said if i were doing that regularly i would adjust the springs and susp to suit.

[MrRocky]

A passenger adds considerably to the weight

[Gwagensteve]

We had a club member many years ago who drove her WT hardtop around Australia. Long range tank, engel, OME springs draw unit, 215's A/T's

It was a complete dog to drive offroad. It was super heavy and the weight was completely in the wrong spot. Basically, it drove like any car at or over GVM - really badly.

A lwb obviously allows the weight to be put in a better spotand makes the car easier to pack, but it doesn't add to the actual payload.

I have no idea why anyone would want to drive a car at or over GVM, with little room and poor cruising ability, for long distances/periods. It just makes everything a struggle.

[ZUZUKI]

A bit left field, but it is at least a Suzuki, but why not look at a Vitara or even Grand Vitara wagon?
If your SJ70 is in decent nick, you could swap into a mid 1990s Vitara & there wouldn't be a lot of change over price into a late 1990's GV.
A bit of suspension, 225/75/16 A/T or M/T, depending on where you are planning to drive. Rear diff lock only if you really need to get up the 1% of tracks you are likely to encounter as a tourer.
We did a slow lap of Aust. in a 1999 GV 2.5V6 manual (towing a 1.1ton trailer, with more gear than we ended up using or needing, for myself, the wife & a 3y.o.) with the above set up (less the M/T & diff lock bits). Had a couple of 'stuck' moments, mainly due to the trailer.
Fair degree of comfort, A/c, P/S, decent ride etc over a Sierra, would be lots of space in a wagon for 1 person.
Only 2 issues I see. 1) Still got a small fuel tank, so range is limited, especially with V6 versions, but a long range tank will help this.
2) Snorkle options hard to come by with the GV.
That's it...great 'package' otherwise.
Rgs, Michael