1987 Holden Jackaroo DLX 4x4 Short Wheel Base review from Australia and New Zealand
"Fun off-road machine"
What things have gone wrong with the car?
The exhaust manifold cracked 2 months after I bought it.
It needed a new carby after one trip to the bush.
The power steering pump failed and the seal blew after 10 000 kilometres.
Needs new suspension bushes regularly.
General comments?
After buying the short wheel base Jackaroo from a farmer there were several things that needed replacing. This consisted of a new fuel pump and carby, gearbox seal and bearing, suspension bushes (front and back), a serious tune up and a power steering pump. All up it has cost me around $3500.
At this point it hasn't missed a beat. The addition of some wider tires helped considerably in off road performance. The suspension travel is limited due to the firm rear leaf springs and independent front suspension, but it otherwise goes quite well off-road in sand.
It's not the most powerful motor the 2.3 litre 4 cylinder, but the addition of some extractors gave it some well needed power, now producing somewhere around 90kw's. If you want a cheap and easy to drive 4x4 that's cheap to run and provides plenty of laughs, the Jackaroo is a good bet.
Recommended Reviews:
  | has the power of a 3.8L commadore with the size and room of a troopcarryer |
| Fun and reliable |
| Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? | No |
| First year of ownership | 1998 |
| Most recent year of ownership | 2002 |
| Engine and transmission | 2.3 litre petrol Manual |
| Performance marks | 7/10 |
| Reliability marks | 10/10 |
| Comfort marks | 5/10 |
| Dealer Service marks | |
| Running Costs (higher is cheaper) | 9/10 |
| Distance when acquired | 200000 kilometres |
| Most recent distance | 288032 kilometres |
| Date of Entry | 13th April, 2002 |