Best 4x4 in the 1960's, 70's

[mick taylor]

What was the best 4x4 in the 1960's and 1970's and why do you think or as to why.

I would say that the old WW2 Jeep is still the best all out 4x4 ever for the harshest terrain, but I had an argument with a dude in the early 80's as I said that the Overlander wagon would be the best for me in the late 70's or the 1978 5.8L auto 4x4 F100 for a ute.
And the 1960's was them V8 auto Jeep wagons over all.

Just look at how them big wagon Patrols and all sold in the 80's and on people loved them, but old mate claimed only them old land rovers and Patrols and toe jo were worthy, but why buys such bland as that nowadays. I said yes they were fine in the bush but on the road they were crappy to drive.

[jstanovic]

Range Rover, when they were running...

[Bossxr8]

Yes, definitely the Rangie. The only one that didn't drive like a terrible truck.

If you overlook reliability though.

[rods falcon]

Definitely the Range Rover. Took Nissan and Toyota 20 years to catch up in terms of chassis and suspension.

[Qld-RTV]

For a 4wd wagon? Definitely the Range Rover, I believe Leo Geoghegan drove one and commented that they needed to licence the Range Rover to the japs so they could have some measure of reliability and build quality....
Any doubts.... The Darien gap expedition should remove!
https://www.hagerty.com/media/automo...n-gap-history/
http://www.range-rover-classic.com/H...ver-darien-gap

For a 4wd ute? depending on how heavy duty you want it, either an F100 or an F350....

[ozpacman]

No contest - the FJ40. It brought reliable and dependable 4WD capability to the masses.

[Bossxr8]

Originally Posted by ozpacman

No contest - the FJ40. It brought reliable and dependable 4WD capability to the masses.

And it was a horrid, rough as guts truck. Awful to be in.

Reliable, yes.

[jaydee]

I had a 1972 ex army LWB Land Rover with a Holden red motor and Dodge heavy duty clutch back in the 80's.
That was one tough old girl, but driving on the highway was a nightmare.

[Sar4890]

FJ 45's crap to drive if you arent a midget but virtually bullet proof. Ive never driven an F truck so i cant comment.

[Franco Cozzo]

Not a car and only 2WD but Ural Motorcycle when actually running or not tipped on its side

[nstg8a]

Originally Posted by Bossxr8

And it was a horrid, rough as guts truck. Awful to be in.

Reliable, yes.

But scarily much more comfortable and nicer to drive than a similar era land rover.


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[wodahs]

[Swordie]

"Ask the Leyland Brothers". It was impressive what they did in the early days with their 4WDs exploring Australia.

[hayseed]

Originally Posted by Franco Cozzo

Not a car and only 2WD but Ural Motorcycle when actually running or not tipped on its side

A 2wd Motor bike..??

[ozpacman]

Originally Posted by Bossxr8

And it was a horrid, rough as guts truck. Awful to be in.

Reliable, yes.

I agree Boss, but back in the 60's if you bought a 4WD it was because you needed it to do your job. There wasn't really a 'recreational' 4WD market as we know it now.

I remember my dad bought two Cruiser utes for his earthmoving business in the 60's. I think they were actually imported and distributed by Thiess Bros. The old man rated them very highly and became a Toyota man for life.

Whenever I get an early 'Rover fan bragging about early Land Rover reliability I simply ask them how many Landcruisers have they seen with Holden red motors fitted.

[ozpacman]

Originally Posted by hayseed

A 2wd Motor bike..??

Urals are generally a sidecar outfit and the sidecar wheel is driven with the motorcycle's rear wheel - hence 2WD.

[FERG_51]

Originally Posted by wodahs

image

My boss had an XY 4X4 in the 80's. We used to tow his off road buggy to events with it, had power steering fitted and was a very capable tow vehicle. Stupid me should have bought it when he upgraded to his F truck.

[FERG_51]

Those early cruisers were tough as nails and set the precedent for the massive following Toyota has now. Special mention to the early patrols as well.

[Franco Cozzo]

Originally Posted by hayseed

A 2wd Motor bike..??

Indeed - can drive both rear wheels, connected by a shaft:

https://www.imz-ural.com.au/gearup



Did the 1940s one have 2WD? Dunno

[DJR-351]

Originally Posted by ozpacman

I agree Boss, but back in the 60's if you bought a 4WD it was because you needed it to do your job. There wasn't really a 'recreational' 4WD market as we know it now.

I remember my dad bought two Cruiser utes for his earthmoving business in the 60's. I think they were actually imported and distributed by Thiess Bros. The old man rated them very highly and became a Toyota man for life.

Whenever I get an early 'Rover fan bragging about early Land Rover reliability I simply ask them how many Landcruisers have they seen with Holden red motors fitted.

.......ex Mt Newman Miner and lifelong Landcruiser owner here

https://tv.thiess.com/thiesstv/album...video/86677786

In 1958, Sir Leslie Thiess was the first person to import the Toyota LandCruiser to Australia. He put 13 of the cars to use on the Snowy Mountains Scheme, and over the next 20 years the 4WDs were used on a range of mining and construction projects, including the massive Mt Newman Mine in Western Australia. In February 1961, Thiess (Sales) Pty Ltd was appointed sole importer of Toyota automotive products for Australia and Papua New Guinea....

[XR Martin]

Holden Overlander... But in all seriousness the FJ40.
Jeeps were more of a novelty (like they still are)

[Vesper Martini]

Originally Posted by FERG_51

Those early cruisers were tough as nails and set the precedent for the massive following Toyota has now. Special mention to the early patrols as well.

Though the Hilux was around in the late 60s it wasn't until the 3rd gen had 4WD
This classic NZ ad from 1982,
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pyHBKX29_Q8

check the last scene with the FJ40. "Well there is one other way you can get in here, and that's it right there"

[Bossxr8]

Originally Posted by ozpacman

I agree Boss, but back in the 60's if you bought a 4WD it was because you needed it to do your job. There wasn't really a 'recreational' 4WD market as we know it now.

I remember my dad bought two Cruiser utes for his earthmoving business in the 60's. I think they were actually imported and distributed by Thiess Bros. The old man rated them very highly and became a Toyota man for life.

Whenever I get an early 'Rover fan bragging about early Land Rover reliability I simply ask them how many Landcruisers have they seen with Holden red motors fitted.

Due to reliability, or because the LR engines were so gutless that a red motor was actually a power upgrade?

You know something is truly gutless when a crappy red motor is actually an upgrade on something

[Electrolyte Burns]

Only got rid of my 82 Hi-lux about three years ago due to a seriously rusty cab.

[mick taylor]

Originally Posted by wodahs

image

Yes the XY 4x4 back in 1972 no one could bag such as that.
In Australia what year did the F100 and F250 4x4 become popular, I do not remember them getting about much until about 1977 really when they took off in sales.

I remember the 1974 F250 4x4 were about and the earlier 4x4 were about but bugger all were about from what I remember or seen. I think they were a full import and cost must of been to high and that's why the XY 4x4 ute came about I believe.

Before that we had another 4x4 Jeep with a Ford 6 cyl in them from new with a 144 and then 170ci and some with a big 200ci I think, they were made in Brisbane Moorooka ? and they were what led to the creation of the Brisbane built XY 4x4 I do believe.

Not to mention they still would of made a XA ute 4x4 but the XA with it's long doors being a coupe ute was not as strong as the XY ute design and the XA ute only came out late 1972 Sep 72 I think.
I think the XY 4x4 was being made up to Jan 1973.

Not to mention to all who know that the XA-B-C were a rust bucket at the best of times.

[mick taylor]

Originally Posted by Bossxr8

Due to reliability, or because the LR engines were so gutless that a red motor was actually a power upgrade?

You know something is truly gutless when a crappy red motor is actually an upgrade on something

What I seen of the Land Rovers by around about 1975 most had put a 186 Holden in them and yes that was power compared to the 4cyl rubbish that they came out with, my mates dad back in 1978 had a 6cyl in his and this engine was pulled down, I spun out looking at the pistons in it with a huge wave on the top and only one intake valve in the head and a exhaust valve in the block, I though WTF ! never heard or seen that before. but she just had new rings and bearings fitted etc but if you went beyond that cost way too much so you would just toss it and fit a Holden 6 in it.
I seen Ford 6 in some but only the XR 200, the 221 had too much torque and the XA 6 was to big to fit in I believe.

The 186 was the most respected reliable engine by far and one dude I know had the big 202 in his but they broke axels with all that torque.

Back in the day I would have old people boasting that they had the big 6 in their HQ Holden, they claimed that was a lot of power back then I was like what ! but if you had come from a 138 grey to a red 202 well you have to think about that, remember Falcon called the big 170 in the XM-P a 170 Pursuit and the 200 a Super Pursuit up to the XR.

[Tassie f100]

Here,s one to test your memory Mick.I had a very early Landcruiser which came with a 4 sp gearbox,but only single range transfer case.Around about 1960 the Cruisers came with a 3 sp gearbox and a dual range transfer.

[hayseed]

Originally Posted by mick taylor

Yes the XY 4x4 back in 1972 no one could bag such as that.
In Australia what year did the F100 and F250 4x4 become popular, I do not remember them getting about much until about 1977 really when they took off in sales.

I remember the 1974 F250 4x4 were about and the earlier 4x4 were about but bugger all were about from what I remember or seen. I think they were a full import and cost must of been to high and that's why the XY 4x4 ute came about I believe.

Before that we had another 4x4 Jeep with a Ford 6 cyl in them from new with a 144 and then 170ci and some with a big 200ci I think, they were made in Brisbane Moorooka ? and they were what led to the creation of the Brisbane built XY 4x4 I do believe.

Not to mention they still would of made a XA ute 4x4 but the XA with it's long doors being a coupe ute was not as strong as the XY ute design and the XA ute only came out late 1972 Sep 72 I think.
I think the XY 4x4 was being made up to Jan 1973.

Not to mention to all who know that the XA-B-C were a rust bucket at the best of times.

I think there was a big delay in getting the jeep running gear out of the States which made the Project late & run into 1972..
Plus there was some new ADR's come into effect in 1972 .. IE; collapsible Steering Column, head rests which killed it Off..

[Pis-ton broke]

Originally Posted by Bossxr8

Due to reliability, or because the LR engines were so gutless that a red motor was actually a power upgrade?

You know something is truly gutless when a crappy red motor is actually an upgrade on something

on a farm i work on in the 1980's. they had an fj with 250 ford motor and a landrover with a 202. they went ok, (on the farm)

[hayseed]

Originally Posted by Tassie f100

Here,s one to test your memory Mick.I had a very early Landcruiser which came with a 4 sp gearbox,but only single range transfer case.Around about 1960 the Cruisers came with a 3 sp gearbox and a dual range transfer.

Dad had a 3 speed Cruiser. from memory it was an early 70's model..