D22 2013, ST-R - Questions

[Jem]

Hey,
Firstly sorry for another questions post regarding thinking about buying this car.

I looked through a couple post but wanted to reconfirm with some other questions before I purchase one.

1. Any one with this car know how much the quality of oil may affect shitting the timing chain? I presume like most cars if I change the oil/filter regularly she will be right, but wondering if anyone has had experience on whether the quality matters as I would be looking to make mine last.
2. How good would you say she is on long road trips? / Taking her out camping in general. I am not looking to tow whatsoever, so power isn't a stress, I can put up with the slow acceleration too.
3. I cannot recall the name, but the clicks it makes when you put the wheel in full lock , I think this is known for the d22, I hear a simple doorstopper from bunnings should fix that up? Just wanted some peoples experiences

otherwise how much does it cost you to maintain her? (if you have one currently)
Also some good tyre choices for off -road would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks

 

[KevinE]

I've owned mine since new - same model 2013 D22. I'd previously owned a 2010 from new prior to buying this one.

They were a very inexpensive Ute to buy new. I paid $26,990 drive away with 12 months rego. The down side of that is that because they were so cheap new, a lot of them weren't looked after very well by their 1st owners. It also means that they are very affordable used Ute option for young drivers who can sometimes tend to not look after things.

Having said that, if you know who has owned it & trust them to have serviced it regularly, it should be OK.

Mine is still very much stock & has only ever cost me servicing, batteries & tyres. I tow an 8x5 caged trailer with it pretty much daily & its still on original clutch & brake pads.

Answering your questions;

1. I run whatever suitable oil is on special through mine, never had any issues with the timing chain.
2. It's been all over the outback & have never had any issues.
3. The steering stops do make an awful noise, I live with it.

I do a huge amount of outback dirt roads with mine. You'd think that the air filter would clog up with red dust, but it actually stays very clean. So the filters last a long time. I change engine oil & filter every 5K/6 months & other fluids every 5 years.

But, these aren't trendy, they're slow, they're clunky & they lack the latest technology. They're also small compared to later offerings.

 

[Rocknral]

The stopper noise is something you get used to. I know it sounds ungodly at times ,but just put some grease on them every month if it bothers you.
If you are doing some rough driving camping, winding up the torsion bars in the front would help, and definitely a better rear spring pack. Even an extra leaf and helper Spring would be better for rear loads. The back seat is not for adults. On longish drives 2hrs + they will hate it.
My other vehicle is a '14 Colorado, and it is way ahead of a d22. Bigger, smoother. If you're getting a d22 at a good price, go for it, but I agree Kevin, about the same vintage, there are better options.

 

[AngryWO2]

I have a 2014 D22, second owner first owner was a farmer, as Kevin mentioned any suitable quality oil, mine has 135000 plus on the clock never had timing chain issues. I go camping towing a CUB weekender camper trailer never any issues, one good thing with the D22 it’s simple design makes it robust in normal 4x4 driving. I periodically use a fuel additive and have installed a idrive, which makes a difference but I’m aware it’s a 98kw and don’t try to compare it with other twin cab 4x4’s. I’ve added a catch can, and remove the intercooler every 6 months and clean it with kero, my steering makes a noise if I over steer. To own a D22 is to love a D22, enjoy.

 

[suelodge]

I've had my 2008 d22 since new. It now has 230000kms on the clock so I decided it was time to do the timing chain as I've recently heard some horror stories about timing chains wrecking motors and I've started doing more kms than usual. Got done 2 weeks ago, cost 3000k ouch if I had of know I wouldn't have got it done. It had 2 chains apparently, now I'm thinking1 is loose as I'm hearing a strange slapping noise when oil heats up. Is this possible or am I being paranoid??

 

[Gnavara]

I've had my 2008 d22 since new. It now has 230000kms on the clock so I decided it was time to do the timing chain as I've recently heard some horror stories about timing chains wrecking motors and I've started doing more kms than usual. Got done 2 weeks ago, cost 3000k ouch if I had of know I wouldn't have got it done. It had 2 chains apparently, now I'm thinking1 is loose as I'm hearing a strange slapping noise when oil heats up. Is this possible or am I being paranoid??

3k seems cheap. The timing chain kit itself cost me 1500. And according to various sites the job takes 18 hours.

However the noise could be one of the belts not being tightened properly. So maybe try that first.

 

[Spencer 98208]

The stopper noise is something you get used to. I know it sounds ungodly at times ,but just put some grease on them every month if it bothers you.
If you are doing some rough driving camping, winding up the torsion bars in the front would help, and definitely a better rear spring pack. Even an extra leaf and helper Spring would be better for rear loads. The back seat is not for adults. On longish drives 2hrs + they will hate it.
My other vehicle is a '14 Colorado, and it is way ahead of a d22. Bigger, smoother. If you're getting a d22 at a good price, go for it, but I agree Kevin, about the same vintage, there are better options.

Im looking at purchasing a 4x4, not looking to tow, but will be taking it on some long trips and the odd bit of camping / beach driving. I’m looking at either a 2014-STR or a Colorado LT 2018, both around the 100k mark. Any suggestions/ insight would be great.

 

[KevinE]

Im looking at purchasing a 4x4, not looking to tow, but will be taking it on some long trips and the odd bit of camping / beach driving. I’m looking at either a 2014-STR or a Colorado LT 2018, both around the 100k mark. Any suggestions/ insight would be great.

The Navara STR that you're looking at is a D22 model if that helps?

I've been driving my current one since new (2013) If looked after properly, they're a very reliable Ute. But they're very basic & they're clunky. They have torsion bar front suspension, which is quite a hard ride & can be noisy.

The rear seat leg room is not great if you have older kids?

But all I have to do is turn the key & it starts. It's been on some very long, rough trips & it hasn't ever caused me any grief.

Some pro's for the 2014 version of the D22 are that it came from the factory with 2 x cranking batteries under the bonnet. The engine starts perfectly fine on one battery unless you live where there are freezing temps. It's pretty much already set up for a deep cycle battery to be put in, wired via a VSR to the main cranking battery for fridges etc.

Also the D22 has free wheeling hubs, which to me at least, is a massive plus.

But, if it were me, I'd probably buy the Colorado.

 

[KevinE]

I have a 2014 D22, second owner first owner was a farmer, as Kevin mentioned any suitable quality oil, mine has 135000 plus on the clock never had timing chain issues. I go camping towing a CUB weekender camper trailer never any issues, one good thing with the D22 it’s simple design makes it robust in normal 4x4 driving. I periodically use a fuel additive and have installed a idrive, which makes a difference but I’m aware it’s a 98kw and don’t try to compare it with other twin cab 4x4’s. I’ve added a catch can, and remove the intercooler every 6 months and clean it with kero, my steering makes a noise if I over steer. To own a D22 is to love a D22, enjoy.

Looking at your profile picture & wondering if you're still serving?

I'm guessing that you're RAE?

I started my journey in green in RAINF (3RAR) & ended up in RAE in the reserves (3 Field Sqn), after I discharged from the regs.

I've been out a very long time now though.

 

[AngryWO2]

Yes RAE started as reserve then transferred to ARA, spent 7 and a half years at kapooka as the RCO last posting was to 4CER as training WO in 2012, med discharged 2017. Still difficult being a civilian, have my assistant dog Norris.

 

[KevinE]

7.5 years at Kapooka, you must have enjoyed it there!

I hear what you're saying about re entering civilian life. I was still quite young when I discharged, so I was lucky. I was able to start another career, which was a learning curve & kept me busy. Did that for 10 years, then was made redundant. Been working for myself ever since.

 

[AngryWO2]

7.5 years at Kapooka, you must have enjoyed it there!

I hear what you're saying about re entering civilian life. I was still quite young when I discharged, so I was lucky. I was able to start another career, which was a learning curve & kept me busy. Did that for 10 years, then was made redundant. Been working for myself ever since.

Good to hear you succeeded, I did 30 years. my down fall.

 

[Sadlaah]

Gday, how’s it going just a quick question for ya’s

I’ve got a 03’ D22 and the battery in my key has gone flat, but the key won’t unlock the doors manually

Any ideas on my next move thanks in advance