have more bottom-end poke and better
economy thanks to less heavy-footing
togetmovingoffthelights.
Other engine options exist, including
a single-turbo diesel and a 2.5L petrol
engine.Ican’tcommentoneitherbut
Idon’texpectmanybuyerstochoose
those unless purchase price is the
overriding concern.
Between the ground and the chassis
livesasolidrearaxlewithalockable
differential,whileupfrontyouget
independently sprung axles. The fully
lockingreardiffisanicesightandone
that’s becoming more common in the
ST-X’s class.
Lockable diffs monster traditional
LSDs in the traction game by – you
guessed it – locking the drive between
the two rear wheels. Although some
LSDs come close to the performance of
alockeddiff,anysmallamountofslip
removesdrive–abadthingonslippery
rampsandsteepclimbs.Withalocked
diff,ifonewheelontheaxlelacksgrip,
the other can continue to drive you
forward. The front diff is open but the
hubs are automatic, meaning there’s noneedtogetoutandlockthemin.
Youselect4WDviaarotaryknob
in the cabin. High-range 4WD can be
selectedonthefly;toselectlowrange,
youhavetobestopped.Inevergot
thechancetotestthelocker;Iwas
hoping to but the ramp at Quarantine
Bay, Eden, NSW, was just too good –
even trying to unsettle the Navara by
peggingthethrottletothefloorwith
3500kg of Surtees 850 on the back!
Selecting gears wasn’t a concern
either,theST-Xrunninganewseven-
speed auto that’s fast-changing andInner sprung
mattress
The boat you want is now easier to find tradeboats.com.au^65