I've just returned from a trip to some sandy tracks with sand dunes in an Isuzu 75-155 and what you have shown is very relevant to the techniques required and the major differences between a light 4x4 truck and a 4x4 ute. The Canter, as shown is a very serious 4x4. The physical size is the only drawback, and after doing Goog's Track in our fully loaded truck with our slide-on, I would have really liked to have had that chainsaw. Great review, looking forward to the second instalment.
@@L2SFBC I don't know it that well, this was the first time, but listening to the two way chatter it seemed that some who had done the track at least once before, were saying that the last year being a wet year, had produced quite a growth spurt in the area. It certainly was reasonably green, if you know what I mean. We were armed with a battery operated reciprocating saw, door open and standing on the tyre and floor enabled some judicious pruning. But honestly our truck at 2200mm wide on the tray made it very tight, not to mention the slide-on camper at around 3.3m high.
Reminded me of the first time I drove the Land Rover 101 Ex Military Gun Tractor. A kin to driving a block of flats around 😉. Obviously very capable & as always, horses for courses. Thanks Robert 👍
One of the great benefits of a vehicle such as this is the ability to have an Engine Brake/Retarder fitted to the transmission - this is especially beneficial when fully loaded or towing
Great Review Thanks. Always loved the FUSO Canter FG 4x4 with their factory GVM and dual cab option, towbar, super single alloy wheel options, and you can buy slide on camper bodies new or used for the FUSO Canter FG. They had a pair of automatic FUSO Canters at the Daimler Rocklea truck dealership in Brisbane, QLD around 2018 or so - said they had been specially ordered to encourage purchase orders by Rural Fire Brigades to choose the FUSO Canter FG 4x4. One was single cab auto and other was dual cab auto. Yes, Owned a 2015 Suzuki Jimny for 6 years 150,000km & never an issue - factory tyres at factory pressure on dry sand and shallow mud all good, but wanted a ute with more storage for tools and higher towing ability again. Driven a Ford Ranger 4x2 as company ute with electronic safety pack and loved it - wanted my own 4x4 Ford Ranger.
Couldn’t agree more, it is way better than overloading a Ute. Is this like the FUSO cheap Asian Unimog ? I’ve always been curious about forward 4x4 but no I’m not in a hurry to get an Express van It does make me think what might have been if we had more options …..remember the Forward Control Land Rover ?
Over 4500kg GVM it's 100, under it's posted speed imit. The Canter can be configured as over or under 4500kg, which is also the limit for a car licence.
@@L2SFBC But from my understanding if you want to get super singles as do almost everyone, then the overall lift will be too high for a normal car so you’re forced to register it as a truck, which sucks if you don’t need all that extra GVM.
That was a great video but the biggest issue is budget when deciding between vehicles. While the Ranger or LC300 cant hold a candle to the load ability and general off roading ability of he truck. I and most every person who does 4wding or tows a caravan spend a relatively small amount of time actually doing these activities and the vehicles is more a domestic use for probably 80% or more of the time. There is no way my wife would use the truck in town to go out for dinner etc.
@@L2SFBC Of course, I Will do - A french couple very interesting is on the way for a long journey with a super 4X4 Canter camper, they are crossing Canada now ua-cam.com/channels/cAYsmp-yPoUdtQPvAU25OA.html Kind regards, Patrick
Its pretty hard to not consider the truck when towing...Better still a body on it and nothing to tow. How do prices compare with the Ranger and the Fuso as shown?
Hard to say..go into that a bit in the next video. Overall the Ranger will be cheaper but you can easily spend less on the Canter. Consider a Ranger with a GVM upgrade, engine mods, all the fruit...that'd be more than a Canter. A Global Xplorer motorhome on the camper is around $260k.
I can't really say as while I have driven both, not recently nor back to back and for not long enough to say. If you are looking for a much less truck-like experience than I can say the Iveco won't provide that, and as it isn't cabover it should be slightly softer in ride.
We had Trans-spec 3.5tonne 4x4 fuso canters in the mines. Had a ugly pope mobile fibreglass cabin on the back. Under no circumstances would I travel off road in one for leisure. Christ it was scary in the mud. Handled pretty bad. Fuso branded Kidney belts should be issued with them. We did get them into some strange places, was capable but so was a company hilux in 2wd I'll stick to 650kg payload personally haha.
They took a serious beating considering it was for crew transport to operational areas in a mine in pit ect but everyone equally hated them BMA/bhp I believe banned them they had a few get into slides and fall over causing death. Probably why where we worked braught them EDIT it was an ATW 3.5 tonne fuso not a trans spec*
Over 4500kg GVM it's 100, under it's posted speed imit. The Canter can be configured as over or under 4500kg, which is also the limit for a car licence.
@@L2SFBC The vehicle you were driving had "National Heavy Vehicle" plates, which means it has a GVM greater than 4500kg (probably 7500kg). The 100kph limit applies regardless of how much weight you are actually carrying. This also means you would need a LR licence (at a minimum) to drive it. If under 4500kg you could drive it on a car licence, however it wouldn't be fitted with "National Heavy Vehicle" plates. If people go down this path (de-rating a truck GVM), they need to consider what payload they are left with.
@@harryhino2267 I imagine your voice being the nasally parody that Jeremey Clarkson uses to describe the boffins that begin sentances with, "Well actually..."
19.44. I call you out, no way a ranger & van @ 5.3 tonne ascends here without loosing speed. If so, absolutely no reason for ford to have spent so much development into a V6, who'd need it. I know the climb well, even a V6 @ 5.3 tonne would struggle to hold 100 ascending it, you're full of yourself. Yes the ranger is good, not that friggin good though.
This is Part 1 of 2 - in Part 2 we'll take a look at Canter setup and tech differences.
I've just returned from a trip to some sandy tracks with sand dunes in an Isuzu 75-155 and what you have shown is very relevant to the techniques required and the major differences between a light 4x4 truck and a 4x4 ute.
The Canter, as shown is a very serious 4x4. The physical size is the only drawback, and after doing Goog's Track in our fully loaded truck with our slide-on, I would have really liked to have had that chainsaw.
Great review, looking forward to the second instalment.
Yep I've had to chainsaw enough out the way in the Ranger sized vehicles let alone something bigger! I don't recall Googs being that overgrown though?
@@L2SFBC I don't know it that well, this was the first time, but listening to the two way chatter it seemed that some who had done the track at least once before, were saying that the last year being a wet year, had produced quite a growth spurt in the area. It certainly was reasonably green, if you know what I mean.
We were armed with a battery operated reciprocating saw, door open and standing on the tyre and floor enabled some judicious pruning. But honestly our truck at 2200mm wide on the tray made it very tight, not to mention the slide-on camper at around 3.3m high.
Reminded me of the first time I drove the Land Rover 101 Ex Military Gun Tractor. A kin to driving a block of flats around 😉. Obviously very capable & as always, horses for courses. Thanks Robert 👍
One of the great benefits of a vehicle such as this is the ability to have an Engine Brake/Retarder fitted to the transmission - this is especially beneficial when fully loaded or towing
Good point!
Great Review Thanks. Always loved the FUSO Canter FG 4x4 with their factory GVM and dual cab option, towbar, super single alloy wheel options, and you can buy slide on camper bodies new or used for the FUSO Canter FG. They had a pair of automatic FUSO Canters at the Daimler Rocklea truck dealership in Brisbane, QLD around 2018 or so - said they had been specially ordered to encourage purchase orders by Rural Fire Brigades to choose the FUSO Canter FG 4x4. One was single cab auto and other was dual cab auto.
Yes, Owned a 2015 Suzuki Jimny for 6 years 150,000km & never an issue - factory tyres at factory pressure on dry sand and shallow mud all good, but wanted a ute with more storage for tools and higher towing ability again. Driven a Ford Ranger 4x2 as company ute with electronic safety pack and loved it - wanted my own 4x4 Ford Ranger.
Thanks Paul, interesting post!
Good video with fair comparison.
Personally I traded up my GQ patrol for a Chevrolet blitz
I would like to have one as a overland truck
Excellent review, thanks
Thanks for watching! Please share!
LOVE MY 2010 ISUZU 4X4 CREW CAB 300/75 AS TRAVELING WELL AS GOOD DIESEL FUEL AS UP 1350KM ON 280LITE OF DIESEL
Couldn’t agree more, it is way better than overloading a Ute. Is this like the FUSO cheap Asian Unimog ?
I’ve always been curious about forward 4x4 but no I’m not in a hurry to get an Express van
It does make me think what might have been if we had more options
…..remember the Forward Control Land Rover ?
Would love more FC options!+
@@L2SFBC Dyna/Delta cab on a 80S LC
YES!
Looking forward great 👍 trucks 4x4 drivers Like one ☝️
One thing to be aware of is that the maximum speed limit is 100km/h for trucks on Heavy Vehicle registration even when the posted limit 110!
Over 4500kg GVM it's 100, under it's posted speed imit. The Canter can be configured as over or under 4500kg, which is also the limit for a car licence.
@@L2SFBC
But from my understanding if you want to get super singles as do almost everyone, then the overall lift will be too high for a normal car so you’re forced to register it as a truck, which sucks if you don’t need all that extra GVM.
That was a great video but the biggest issue is budget when deciding between vehicles. While the Ranger or LC300 cant hold a candle to the load ability and general off roading ability of he truck. I and most every person who does 4wding or tows a caravan spend a relatively small amount of time actually doing these activities and the vehicles is more a domestic use for probably 80% or more of the time. There is no way my wife would use the truck in town to go out for dinner etc.
Agreed - some people can afford a dedicated tourer, and others sell their house or similar to go touring.
Could you make improvements to your audio particularly from within the truck. Were you both wearing mics and if not why not, cheers Phil
We both were, but I left some background noise in so you could get an accurate idea of what the interior noise is like.
Hi I’m seriously looking into a Canter or a NPS. Any chance you could do a comparison? What are your thoughts between the two? Thanks
I would if I could get them at the same time. I did just offer my Patreons an exclusive chat with people that build them.
Good job!
Thanks Patrick, please share!
@@L2SFBC Of course, I Will do - A french couple very interesting is on the way for a long journey with a super 4X4 Canter camper, they are crossing Canada now ua-cam.com/channels/cAYsmp-yPoUdtQPvAU25OA.html
Kind regards, Patrick
Which companies would you recommend to convert the bare bones truck to a fully kitted out one?
I'd speak to AAV4x4 and All Terrain Warriors to begin with.
What year canter is that's and what do they do to get those tires and ride hight on that truck
Its pretty hard to not consider the truck when towing...Better still a body on it and nothing to tow.
How do prices compare with the Ranger and the Fuso as shown?
Hard to say..go into that a bit in the next video. Overall the Ranger will be cheaper but you can easily spend less on the Canter. Consider a Ranger with a GVM upgrade, engine mods, all the fruit...that'd be more than a Canter. A Global Xplorer motorhome on the camper is around $260k.
@@L2SFBC Thanks Robert.
Thanks.
You're welcome please share!
I am surprised that it has lift blocks (spacers) on the front axle. Longer, re-arched springs would be better.
there's disadvantages to very tall springs, less stability.
Hi Rob, how did this drive compared to a iveco daily?
I can't really say as while I have driven both, not recently nor back to back and for not long enough to say. If you are looking for a much less truck-like experience than I can say the Iveco won't provide that, and as it isn't cabover it should be slightly softer in ride.
We had Trans-spec 3.5tonne 4x4 fuso canters in the mines. Had a ugly pope mobile fibreglass cabin on the back.
Under no circumstances would I travel off road in one for leisure. Christ it was scary in the mud. Handled pretty bad. Fuso branded Kidney belts should be issued with them.
We did get them into some strange places, was capable but so was a company hilux in 2wd
I'll stick to 650kg payload personally haha.
Did yours have the suspension change and single tyre mod for the rear? Makes a difference...as does different seats. Why bad in the mud?
They took a serious beating considering it was for crew transport to operational areas in a mine in pit ect but everyone equally hated them
BMA/bhp I believe banned them they had a few get into slides and fall over causing death.
Probably why where we worked braught them
EDIT
it was an ATW 3.5 tonne fuso not a trans spec*
Do you need a special drivers permit for a truck like this?
If it is set to a GVM of over 4500kg then yes you need a Light Truck license, if not then a car license will do - this is for Australia.
Anyone doing duramax or Cummins swaps ?
What licence do you need to have to drive this
Car license if under 4500kg, light rigid if over. Would recomend setting the vehicle up for over 4500kg so you get the payload.
I just don’t get the point of the comparison w a barely modified old ranger
110Kph?? Max speed for a heavy vehicle is 100Kph!!!
Over 4500kg GVM it's 100, under it's posted speed imit. The Canter can be configured as over or under 4500kg, which is also the limit for a car licence.
@@L2SFBC The vehicle you were driving had "National Heavy Vehicle" plates, which means it has a GVM greater than 4500kg (probably 7500kg). The 100kph limit applies regardless of how much weight you are actually carrying. This also means you would need a LR licence (at a minimum) to drive it. If under 4500kg you could drive it on a car licence, however it wouldn't be fitted with "National Heavy Vehicle" plates. If people go down this path (de-rating a truck GVM), they need to consider what payload they are left with.
I have a HR manual license and we talked about 110 but didn't actually get there! Also driven other Canters at 110.
@@L2SFBC You might want to remove the text overlay at 4:20. "Reached limit of 110km/h" says to me you actually got to 110km/h.
@@harryhino2267 I imagine your voice being the nasally parody that Jeremey Clarkson uses to describe the boffins that begin sentances with, "Well actually..."
This is a truck with a car engine,this thing should have a 4-6 litre engine might then think about buying one.
Too slow?
@@L2SFBC No not the speed but put a load on it and put a caravan behind it and see what happens,I think it would struggle.
19.44. I call you out, no way a ranger & van @ 5.3 tonne ascends here without loosing speed.
If so, absolutely no reason for ford to have spent so much development into a V6, who'd need it.
I know the climb well, even a V6 @ 5.3 tonne would struggle to hold 100 ascending it, you're full of yourself.
Yes the ranger is good, not that friggin good though.
Audio is terrible. Unwatchable.
Unlistenable you mean? I left some noise in to give an idea of interior noise of the vehicle.