Hey Guys! New to the Terrano!

[s2k_adz]

Hey Guys!

I am looking to buy either a Terrano II or a Maverick to replace my faithful Vitara which I do love to pieces! I have recently passed my trailer towing test so I am now looking for something I can tow a car trailer with as well as some soft offroading!

Which do you guys think would be best for me for a bit of offroading and a bit of towing? The SWB or the LWB? I think I would preferably want an auto although I am not too bothered about this.

I know the gearbox is the Terranos weak spot as well as rust? How can I test its all good and isn't going to be a problem?

Here is my Vitara

Adz

 

[makeitfit]

Gearbox weakness was a small issue with some of the early ones I think. Not a problem on the TDi though.
LWB for more usability SWB for more off road action :sly

 

[briggie]

is this the adz we all used to love ?

 

[s2k_adz]

Im not the Adz with the dirty frog or whatever I've seen in show us yours. His Terrano looks awesome!

Is the LWB lots worse off road? It seems you can get a much tidier LWB for less money than the SWB.

The auto box should do well offroad to shouldn't it?

 

[zippy656]

Lwb is great just sometimes cant do as the swb

Just like a landy 90 or 110

 

[R1cho]

welcome

i've not come across anything i cant do in my lwb

 

[zippy656]

welcome

i've not come across anything i cant do in my lwb

The mind boggles

 

[danielj]

2.7 tdi LWB great for towing but LWB can have disadvantages in tight spots off road because of its size. Vitara is a capable offroader but so is the Terrano/Maverick. There is a great feeling though when you stick the LWB Terrano in 4WD Low just as the 4WD kicks in that you don't get in the Vitara.

 

[Dynamics]

Welcome...

 

[rustic]

Welcome...

Welcome to the club.

An Auto can't tow as much as a manual.

The LWB is a better tow car in my opinion, as the wheel base is longer.

I tow a 26 foot trailer inc boat, just over 2 tonne, straight as a dart.
Mine is nearly 18 years old too...

best regards,

Rustic

 

[stinka]

Lwb is cracking offroad and at 104 inches its probably the shortest Lwb out of all of them

 

[s2k_adz]

Thanks for all the messages guys! Seems like a friendly place!

Ive missed out on 3 of these now, all SWB ones. Starting to think long might be the way!

Rustic what is the non intercooled model like compared to the newer intercooled one? Are the engines identical so you could add the intercooler? Why is it the auto can pull less?

Its hard finding info on the LWB offroad. Seen some photos including yours Stinka on here but thats about it!

 

[makeitfit]

SWB is better off road for sure. Simply as a result of the wheels being closer together (wheel base) brake back angle is better.That's how well the truck can go over a hump before getting stuck. Then the departure angle is loads better on the swb compared to the LWB , that's the longer arse end of the LWB getting bashed as you come down off a steep decent .
SWB can also manouver in smaller spaces etc. Those I think are the main differences and why the swb are more popular offroaders.
That's not to say you cant use a LWB obviously.
Auto's are pretty good off road too butI'm not sure about the engine braking side of things

 

[s2k_adz]

I would be looking to lift it and put some mud tyres on it whatever and to be honest it's only some light green laning I'd be looking to do. No driving through bogs etc at this stage!

Going to see a 1999 SWB near me tomorrow for £1300. Missed out on two nice ones for £750 now.

 

[s2k_adz]

Well the £1300 is also sold! This is getting frustrating!

 

[stinka]

Buy makeitfits monster maverick

 

[R1cho]

Auto's are pretty good off road too butI'm not sure about the engine braking side of things

engine breaking on the auto is poo to say the least :lol

 

[s2k_adz]

Right! I have taken a bit of a gamble and put down a deposit on a 2001 SWB Commercial with 157k on it. It looks in pretty good condition bar damage to the drivers sill which has been pushed in. Shouldnt be too hard to pull out with a porta-power and as its a separate chassis there should be no nasty damage to how it drives if I understand rightly?

I pick it up next weekend!

 

[s2k_adz]

From what I have read 157k is nothing for a Terrano right?!

 

[makeitfit]

Good choice