4×4 classics from the 1980s

In no particular order, these are the best 4x4 classics from the 80s, and the ones you should consider buying for an almost vintage project. 

 I really don’t have a soft spot for new vehicles. There… I said it. Sure, modern trucks are reliable, safe and capable of performing the task at hand, but so are hand-knitted socks, and I don’t really like those either (sorry, Mum). When you take away the rust holes, the slow engines and the rough riding suspension fitted to trucks made in the 80s, you take away that fun factor that got us hooked on off-roading in the first place. 4×4 classics from the 80s are simple fun with a capital F!

So if you are like me, and would prefer to be bouncing – rather than gliding – down a track, 4×4 classics from the 1980s could make plenty of sense. That, and you might be broke like me, and let’s be honest, there are some absolute bargains out there if you are prepared to put in some elbow grease. Besides, most will still have the luxuries we all demand, such as power steering, air-conditioning and armchair-like seating. Make no mistake about it, though, they are still very much truck-like. Just not as truck-like as say a G60 Patrol, Series Land Rover or early 40 Series ‘Cruiser, with the only comfort item being an ashtray and windscreen wipers that might even still work!

In no particular order, these are the best 4×4 classics from the 80s, and the ones you should consider buying for an almost vintage project.

Range Rover Classic

The original Range Rover stormed the Australian market in 1972, and by 1986, four-door models with automatic transmissions and electronic fuel injection were available, making them rather ahead of their time. Australians loved the 4×4 Range Rover Classics too, with sales here overtaking mother England by 1985. There are no surprises here; you have a comfortable 4×4 that is also extremely capable, fitted with a throaty V8 engine, flexy coil springs on all four corners and disc brakes all ’round, too.

This is the stuff dreams were made from on paper, however, much like communism, some things work better in theory than in practice. Now, we’d like to try and avoid the line every other publication seems to follow and say the early Range Rovers were unreliable and that if you bought one made on a Monday or a Friday, you would have trouble. But really, they are… and you will! They do make a tremendous platform for a project vehicle though, or a cheap toy if you are mechanically minded and have stocks in big oil.

Toyota Hilux

Ah, the mighty unbreakable HiLux. One of the 4×4 classics from the 80s that still to this day, is one of the most popular vehicles sold on the new car market. Not just the 4×4 market, but the entire new car market locally and overseas. They just plain work at the end of the day. Sure they were slow and had little problems like rust or the weak(ish) diff centres if abused, and if you like rock-crawling you will have busted a few tailshafts or CV joints by now, but they have a habit of being able to always get you home no matter what. And for that, we have to say bless the old Luxy.

The 80s saw the introduction of the 4Y petrol engine, which later paved the way for the legendary 22R 2.4 petrol motor, as well as the 2L 2.4 diesel motor that later advanced into the 2LTE turbo-diesel motor found in import Toyota Surfs. The real benefit of the HiLux though, was the mass amount of ground clearance built in from the factory as well as the shear magnitude of modifications you can perform with nothing more than a spanner and can of WD40. Oh, a well-sorted live-axle HiLux at full flex is a thing of beauty; those front ends sure like to boogie with the right mods!

 Suzuki Sierra

Hands up who started their off-road career in a Suzuki Sierra? Yep, me too. It was an LJ50 that my great uncle used to bounce up near vertical mountains or float over muddy quagmires with us kids in the back, smiling from ear to ear. And that is what these 4×4 classics from the 80s are all about – the fun factor. They literally are like a motorbike with four wheels and are about as easy to work on and cheap to run as a postie bike, too.

Look for a post-1988 model, and you even get the benefit of wide-track axles, which increase stability and raise the gearing for lower revs on-road. Hard-top, soft-top, LWB, SWB and ute variants were all available too, so there is a Sierra to suit any purpose. Well, unless that purpose is transporting large, valuable and fragile items. In that case you would be better off using just about anything else, because Zooks ride rough. They are also as slow as a wet week, and about as refined as a meth addict during detox. But if you can live with that, you will find yourself supported by a fraternity of fellow like-minded Zookers, and once you’re in, you won’t ever want to leave.

Toyota Landcruiser 60 Series

Leaf springs… comfortable? No way. Actually, yes way! The 60 Series proved it. The 60 and later 62 Series took the best bits of the legendary 40 Series and made them even better, kind of like taking a gold bar and wrapping it in money. “They had issues though”, I hear the wise-arse in the pub corner mutter, and he is right. Not that I’m at the pub.

Any-who, it’s rust and they just love the stuff. If you manage to find a rust free example, it just means the previous owner has had it cut out, so be sure to bring a magnet along on your inspection and run it over the roof gutters, turrets and rear wheel arches in particular. Other than that, these 1980s 4×4 classics have a tough-as-nails driveline, the option of petrol or diesel engines, manual or automatic gearboxes and even the venerable 12HT factory turbo-diesel in the last years of production. This engine is as rare as a rust-free 60 Series. Find the two combined, then do whatever it takes to make it yours!

But be aware that the 60 Series was only available as a four-door wagon, so if you are chasing a different variant, such as a ute or SWB, perhaps the 60 isn’t for you. Or perhaps you should take a look at your life choices, as the 60 Series rates very highly as one of the all-time 4×4 classics!

Nissan Patrol MK

Whoa, calm down GQ owners…hear us out!

Anybody who has ever twisted a set of auto-locking hubs will appreciate that the GQ Patrol was a bloody good 4×4, sold in Australia from 1988. They are solid, reliable and very capable off-road, but the MK Patrol (the last of the M series Patrols), in many ways, did things better. Firstly, there was a choice of L28 petrol engine (which has race heritage) or the SD33 3.3L six-cylinder diesel and then finally, the magic SD33T turbocharged engine. Also, the SWB version had a removable rear roof that was perfect for warm summer days or even those who enjoy a spot of hunting. It also paved the way for the GQ in terms of design (they actually share a few of the same panels), so have some respect for your elders you lot!

These days, it seems the MQ and MK Patrols have been forgotten as 4×4 classics, which is a shame, as they can be picked up for the price of a hot meal. The SD33T would have to be one of the best production factory turbo-diesel engines ever made, something it took Nissan many years to better with the TD42T found in the GU Patrol. We won’t mention the RD28T found in the GQ and later GU though, as these had a habit of cracking heads at around 200,000km. Long live the MK.

Notable mention: the Pajero

Just like the timeless mullet, the Pajero is all business up front and party at the back thanks to its independent front suspension and live rear axle. The comfy IFS allows for a nice ride and decent handling for a vehicle of its age, and the solid rear axle does its best to put power down to the ground. The Pajero was also one of the first 4x4s offered in Australia with a turbo-diesel engine, and finally, provided a comfortable, Japan-built off-road vehicle to the masses. No offence Rangie fans.

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