Cool.....a new area but............. - Page 3

FastDoc · 02-04-2010, 05:30 PM

I wish we could get little trucks or SUV's with 4 cylinder diesels here.

SpudRider · 02-04-2010, 05:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FastDoc

I wish we could get little trucks or SUV's with 4 cylinder diesels here.

Amen, brother Bill!

Spud

FastDoc · 02-04-2010, 05:58 PM

It would have to be simple, basic, affordable. Maybe a stripped Jeep (kinda pricey anyways), or like a Ford Ranger. There were diesel Rangers fro 85-88 or so. They are sought after now by Ranger guys

.

Imagine a 80HP or so diesel in a little truck or SUV. you could get 50 MPG+, have a biodiesel option when (not if) the SHTF, and it would last forever. Some guy was selling a diesel Rabbit p/u (remember those) on CL here. I'd have looked at it but I blew my 'spare' $ on my ATV!

Weldangrind · 02-04-2010, 11:28 PM

You could always investigate crossing the Northern border to buy a SUV. We've had diesels in lotsa stuff for thirty years. Even the Smart car is available as a diesel in Canada.

katoranger · 02-05-2010, 09:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Weldangrind

You could always investigate crossing the Northern border to buy a SUV. We've had diesels in lotsa stuff for thirty years. Even the Smart car is available as a diesel in Canada.

They get all the good stuff up there. I can't think of anything on the new market that really fits. The tracker/sidekick would be a good fit. The samurai is for off-road.

I have had jeeps. Really like the cherokee, but the newest ones are 10 years old. All the newer models stay away from.

The sidekick came in a 4 door too. I was looking at some of those.

Reveeen · 02-05-2010, 09:50 AM

Hold the phone. Most folks that buy diesel cars/trucks do so because they are cheap (not the vehicle, the owner). Stick a OHC little diesel engine in a vehicle, an engine with a timing belt that HAS to be changed regularly, and I will show you a very poor survival rate over 100,000km. Add that to the fact that car guys aren't interested in touching one and I *think* you will find very few lasting here to a ripe old age. The only ones that seem to last (in my neck of the woods) are: Mercedes, Toyota Land Cruisers, and old Internationals (Nissan).

I have seen and done the nicest conversions into 1 ton pick-up trucks with 53 series Detroit engines. I'd like to do a conversion with a DT466, but that hasn't happened yet, maybe sometime. I have my eye on a Nissan (International), that is lingering, waiting for a new home.

katoranger · 02-05-2010, 11:41 AM

Alot of gassers need their timing belts changed too. My isuzu diesel chevette made it to 150K running strong. The car just fell apart. The MB was well passed 300K. Getting tired, but still ran and it was neglected.

Most little diesels are good for about 200K with proper maintenance. Also the operator needs to know how to care for them. The turbos need a cool down period after driving.

The jap 4cyl diesel require more preventative maintenance. So do the VW diesels.

Allen

FastDoc · 02-05-2010, 12:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by katoranger

Alot of gassers need their timing belts changed too. My isuzu diesel chevette made it to 150K running strong. The car just fell apart. The MB was well passed 300K. Getting tired, but still ran and it was neglected.

Most little diesels are good for about 200K with proper maintenance. Also the operator needs to know how to care for them. The turbos need a cool down period after driving.

The jap 4cyl diesel require more preventative maintenance. So do the VW diesels.

Allen

I always liked the old 240D's. With a 4 speed they could almost outrun a good riding lawnmower, but very solid and nice driving cars. With an automatic I don't think they could outrun a dog chasing them down the street

katoranger · 02-05-2010, 01:02 PM

My 300d was slow until the turbo got spooled up. It was like driving a slingshot. The smell of fries coming in through the sunroof was interesting. The guys on bikes behind always pulled off into the fast food places.

Burned about 1000 gallons of vegetable oil, trans fluid, used motor oil through that thing.

Cal25 · 02-05-2010, 05:07 PM

I have to confess that I am looking to buy a VW powered sandrail. I used to own a honda Odysee and while it was a blast to drive, It beat the heack out of me with its limited or non existent suspention.

I still enjoy the dual sport but would like to share some off roading with my girlfriend. My brother has a very nice one but uses it only as a street vehicle.

As far as mini trucks go, I was out on a ride on the bike last year and stumbled on this place.
http://northtexasminitrucks.com/index.htm
They had trucks and minis unlike those I had seen before. Check out there sold vehicles.

Rago · 03-09-2010, 03:05 PM

Got me an 87 Samurai on 33x12.50 tires. It's straight, rust free, & in overall good condition.... other than needing a motor. I'm actually dropping the lift somewhat & taking it back down to either 30's or 31's. Gas mileage didn't suffer much with the tires, but 63hp isn't enough to spin them to highway speeds. :?

02-04-2010, 05:30 PM	#31
FastDoc Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Southeastern Washington desert Posts: 14,761	I wish we could get little trucks or SUV's with 4 cylinder diesels here. __________________ Happy to serve.
	0

02-04-2010, 05:58 PM	#33
FastDoc Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Southeastern Washington desert Posts: 14,761	It would have to be simple, basic, affordable. Maybe a stripped Jeep (kinda pricey anyways), or like a Ford Ranger. There were diesel Rangers fro 85-88 or so. They are sought after now by Ranger guys . Imagine a 80HP or so diesel in a little truck or SUV. you could get 50 MPG+, have a biodiesel option when (not if) the SHTF, and it would last forever. Some guy was selling a diesel Rabbit p/u (remember those) on CL here. I'd have looked at it but I blew my 'spare' $ on my ATV! __________________ Happy to serve.
	0

02-04-2010, 11:28 PM	#34
Weldangrind Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Sardis, BC, Canada Posts: 25,977	You could always investigate crossing the Northern border to buy a SUV. We've had diesels in lotsa stuff for thirty years. Even the Smart car is available as a diesel in Canada. __________________ Weldangrind "I figure I'm well-prepared for coping with a bike that comes from the factory with unresolved issues and that rewards the self-reliant owner." - Buccaneer
	0

02-05-2010, 11:41 AM	#37
katoranger Join Date: May 2007 Location: Altamont, Kansas Posts: 15,103	Alot of gassers need their timing belts changed too. My isuzu diesel chevette made it to 150K running strong. The car just fell apart. The MB was well passed 300K. Getting tired, but still ran and it was neglected. Most little diesels are good for about 200K with proper maintenance. Also the operator needs to know how to care for them. The turbos need a cool down period after driving. The jap 4cyl diesel require more preventative maintenance. So do the VW diesels. Allen __________________ You meet the nicest people on a Honda Clone.
	0

02-05-2010, 01:02 PM	#39
katoranger Join Date: May 2007 Location: Altamont, Kansas Posts: 15,103	My 300d was slow until the turbo got spooled up. It was like driving a slingshot. The smell of fries coming in through the sunroof was interesting. The guys on bikes behind always pulled off into the fast food places. Burned about 1000 gallons of vegetable oil, trans fluid, used motor oil through that thing. __________________ You meet the nicest people on a Honda Clone.
	0

02-05-2010, 09:50 AM	#36
Reveeen Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: orbital platform Posts: 741	Hold the phone. Most folks that buy diesel cars/trucks do so because they are cheap (not the vehicle, the owner). Stick a OHC little diesel engine in a vehicle, an engine with a timing belt that HAS to be changed regularly, and I will show you a very poor survival rate over 100,000km. Add that to the fact that car guys aren't interested in touching one and I think you will find very few lasting here to a ripe old age. The only ones that seem to last (in my neck of the woods) are: Mercedes, Toyota Land Cruisers, and old Internationals (Nissan). I have seen and done the nicest conversions into 1 ton pick-up trucks with 53 series Detroit engines. I'd like to do a conversion with a DT466, but that hasn't happened yet, maybe sometime. I have my eye on a Nissan (International), that is lingering, waiting for a new home.
	0

02-05-2010, 05:07 PM	#40
Cal25 Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Terrell and Grapevine Tx. Posts: 1,585	I have to confess that I am looking to buy a VW powered sandrail. I used to own a honda Odysee and while it was a blast to drive, It beat the heack out of me with its limited or non existent suspention. I still enjoy the dual sport but would like to share some off roading with my girlfriend. My brother has a very nice one but uses it only as a street vehicle. As far as mini trucks go, I was out on a ride on the bike last year and stumbled on this place. http://northtexasminitrucks.com/index.htm They had trucks and minis unlike those I had seen before. Check out there sold vehicles.
	0

03-09-2010, 03:05 PM	#41
Rago Join Date: Dec 2009 Posts: 80	Got me an 87 Samurai on 33x12.50 tires. It's straight, rust free, & in overall good condition.... other than needing a motor. I'm actually dropping the lift somewhat & taking it back down to either 30's or 31's. Gas mileage didn't suffer much with the tires, but 63hp isn't enough to spin them to highway speeds. :?
	0