In Australia - Where are the Jeeps?

[Ozian]

Yes, Jeeps are definitely in the minority over here, especially in the more remote areas for the reasons already explained above. You'll find a lot more closer to the major cities, as that's where the (remaining) Jeep dealerships are located. It's still a small percentage of 4wds in a sea of Toyotas, Nissans and Mitsubishi. That's ok though, as it's a bit of fun standing out from the pack.

The reality is that it's not reliabiilty that is the real issue with the Gladiators and Wranglers compared to those other brands, but more the parts availability in remote areas. So, if you do end up breaking down the ability to find replacement parts in a timely manner at a reasonable cost is severely limited. Still, there are a number of us that don't let that stop us from exploring the most remote areas of Australia in our Jeeps... we just make sure that we're prepared with key spares (which anyone exploring these areas would do anyhow).

I have explored some extremely remote and challenging areas in my 2020 Gladiator Rubicon (Simpson Desert, Fink Gorge, MacDonnell Ranges, Oodnadatta Track, Flinders Ranges, etc), and it hasn't left me stranded yet. Same for quite a few other Jeep owners/adventurers I know. Can't say the same for others I've been with in thier Toyotas and Nissans, but that's a real touchy subject with the rusted on fanboys of those vehicles over here.

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[Stuntman Mike]

When you said, discontinued, do you mean the JT or the diesel engine? If it is the diesel, what are they replacing it with?

The Jt is discontinued in Europe. Jeep is not selling it through official dealers here anymore.

 

[Hugh Jorgan]

Places that get the hilux and 70 series tend to use those. I’ve been dailying wranglers for 20 years but I’d never look back if the 70 came here (to the USA).

yeah, all true. nice u know your wranglers and use them.

For me, if jeep could get the quality/reliability 50% better, and offer the right engine options for the market, I’d rather have the jeep.

the Toyotas are amazing in their own right. As everyone has said. Yet they lack the character and specific dna of a jeep. Ie the pure offroad bent in suspension. Ie the 76 wagon flex’s like a shopping trolley. It’s also pretty dull interior wise. It has a purpose. It’s not about any form of excitement or pulse.

I’d take the right jeep in a heartbeat. But they don’t make it. And I doubt they will

 

[Hugh Jorgan]

Back home now (Florida, USA) and I totally agree with you about reliability as THE major factor in the Outback. I spoke to a couple of guys near Alice Springs (Central Australia) when I noticed they were driving Toyota Hi-Lux diesels (along with about 75% of other people). One guy simply mentioned reliability and parts. He said in a couple of days he could get whatever he needed with the flights that come into the area or the trains and busses that cross the Stuart Highway (north/south). I would have been ashamed to tell him about my living within a 45 minute drive of at least a dozen dealerships and not being able to get a lot of parts for my JTR if needed. I kept my mouth shut and just commended him on his truck.

Although being a Jeep guy for life, I would most likely have a diesel Hi-Lux in my driveway if I lived in Australia or New Zealand. I did notice that Mitsubishi and Mazda are also very popular closer to the cities, followed by the occasional Ford Ranger. But driving all over the place for about 14 days (2250 km. or 1,400 mi.), I must admit I saw only one, yes one Jeep dealer in Australia and another one in New Zealand. So goes life.

Nice trip! Amazing work. You saw the place alright. yeah you nailed it regards the Toyota secret weapon. The dealer network.

they got that sorted since waaaay back like early 70’s. Credit to them for connecting the dots and realising how to build a mote around their business here in aus. It’s vital. As u suggest.

btw with all the brands you mentioned ie isuzu masda nissan Mitsubishi vw Toyota(hilux) AND Ford, they all get built in the same business park in Thailand.

Personally find them all the same and very boring vehicles. They share alot of small components under the skin. Not for me. Semi fit for human consumption imho. Reliable though. Can’t stand the ford full of flimsy plastic shite in the cabin but ppl love them here. Shows how bad the taste is ..

 

[Mr Miami]

Nice trip! Amazing work. You saw the place alright. yeah you nailed it regards the Toyota secret weapon. The dealer network.

they got that sorted since waaaay back like early 70’s. Credit to them for connecting the dots and realising how to build a mote around their business here in aus. It’s vital. As u suggest.

btw with all the brands you mentioned ie isuzu masda nissan Mitsubishi vw Toyota(hilux) AND Ford, they all get built in the same business park in Thailand.

Personally find them all the same and very boring vehicles. They share alot of small components under the skin. Not for me. Semi fit for human consumption imho. Reliable though. Can’t stand the ford full of flimsy plastic shite in the cabin but ppl love them here. Shows how bad the taste is ..

Thank you affirming, as a resident, of the things that this Gringo saw when doing the trip. What really shocked me was how the available parts (Toyota) flow across such a wide, virtually uninhabited (by our standards) region, the Outback.

I did notice that virtually every Hi-Lux had the big bull bar / grill guard (or whatever you call them) on the front to the trucks. I guess these are for more than looks. With all the dead animals I saw on the Stuart Highway, I guess those bars are for protection when hitting a kangaroo or wallaby? I saw 20 or so dead ones driving to Darwin and a few cattle along the way. I can't imagine what hitting a cow at 130 kph (82 mph) at night in such a desolate region must be like.

 

[Hugh Jorgan]

Thank you affirming, as a resident, of the things that this Gringo saw when doing the trip. What really shocked me was how the available parts (Toyota) flow across such a wide, virtually uninhabited (by our standards) region, the Outback.

I did notice that virtually every Hi-Lux had the big bull bar / grill guard (or whatever you call them) on the front to the trucks. I guess these are for more than looks. With all the dead animals I saw on the Stuart Highway, I guess those bars are for protection when hitting a kangaroo or wallaby? I saw 20 or so dead ones driving to Darwin and a few cattle along the way. I can't imagine what hitting a cow at 130 kph (82 mph) at night in such a desolate region must be like.

yes sir good gringo that’s why I was impressed with your report! You really got out there and saw it warts n all. A lot of the city folk here don’t even do that. Don’t even know their own country. What makes it tick and what keeps the lights on. Gringo did great!

originally called a roo bar. Bc that’s definitely what they’re designed to take the impact from. Nowadays wanta be tough guy rednecks /(Cw fresh ink to prove it)here are mainly to blame for them being called bull bars.

believe me when I tell u they won’t take a cow or anything like a bull. Heaven forbid a camel, who usual roam in pairs..

Generally an impact with a big roo (kangaroo) at anything like 100+kms/hr will cause vehicle damage through the roo (bull) bar and leave the bar with a certain permanent tilt backwards from the impact side.

many such unprotected impacts immobilise and write the vehicle off on the spot.

much of the roadkill you saw would have been caused by road trains. They do not brake or deviate as it’s too dangerous and drive right though roo’s, cattle and ..even a pair of camels. can be a disturbing sight to come across.

they say this country runs on trucks and it truly does, and explains alot of the roadkill you saw plus the parts availability for that Toyota dealer network

Nice work hope you get back there oneday and likewise it’s a dream to roam through the great USA in a jeep oneday ..

 

[Mr Miami]

yes sir good gringo that’s why I was impressed with your report! You really got out there and saw it warts n all. A lot of the city folk here don’t even do that. Don’t even know their own country. What makes it tick and what keeps the lights on. Gringo did great!

originally called a roo bar. Bc that’s definitely what they’re designed to take the impact from. Nowadays wanta be tough guy rednecks /(Cw fresh ink to prove it)here are mainly to blame for them being called bull bars.

believe me when I tell u they won’t take a cow or anything like a bull. Heaven forbid a camel, who usual roam in pairs..

Generally an impact with a big roo (kangaroo) at anything like 100+kms/hr will cause vehicle damage through the roo (bull) bar and leave the bar with a certain permanent tilt backwards from the impact side.

many such unprotected impacts immobilise and write the vehicle off on the spot.

much of the roadkill you saw would have been caused by road trains. They do not brake or deviate as it’s too dangerous and drive right though roo’s, cattle and ..even a pair of camels. can be a disturbing sight to come across.

they say this country runs on trucks and it truly does, and explains alot of the roadkill you saw plus the parts availability for that Toyota dealer network

Nice work hope you get back there oneday and likewise it’s a dream to roam through the great USA in a jeep oneday ..

Well, unless you are in Alaska, nothing quite like the Outback here in the Lower 48 as we call them (all of the States excluding Alaska and Hawaii). Even on our most remote highways, there are rest stops with food and gas pretty much everywhere, at least within an hour or so of where ever you happen to be. Not like the Outback where I nearly ran out of gas leaving Tennant Creek driving north in my little 4x4 Suzuki Jimmy thing. (In retrospect, I should have rented something larger and more comfortable but that's history now. I learned that the thing only has about a 10 gallon gas tank [40 liters or something]).

Anyway, a trip around the USA would be nice if you can ever work out the details. If you drive in a big loop in your itinerary, you can drop the vehicle off at the same place you rented it and save a lot by avoiding one-way/drop-off charges. Best of luck!

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