Sold Dollywobbler's RAV4 - Force Ale - £SOLD

[oldcars]

Check the tow hitch under the bellows is well greased. Mine was a bit sticky and caused the same issues as you when slowing from speed. Replaced the bellows and grease up and the brakes are better and i have had no issues since.

[dollywobbler]

Tow hitch is f*cked. It's got a ruddy hole in it! May have to do something about that. It and the moving parts are well greased. 

 

Also f*cked is the timing belt tensioner. It has been chirruping away for a fair while when cold, but generally settles down. Not this morning though. It sounded like engine internals getting to know each other. Whipped the alternator belt off just to rule out that, but still very much there, and very horrible indeed. So, that's out of action until I can get a cambelt kit fitted. Wondering about farming the job out, largely because the weather has been absolutely atrocious of late and access looks pretty grim. May yet swallow a brave pill though.

[dollywobbler]

Drove this to the garage today. Sounded bloody awful. I became convinced that the tensioner was going to let go but fortunately, it didn't. Work due to commence on Tuesday.

 

That leaves us with just the Nippa working and on the driveway at the moment. Will be dragging the XJS out of storage, but that's due to go back soon. Best get the 2CV sorted quickly...

[Cleon-Fonte]

That leaves us with just the Nippa working and on the driveway at the moment.

 

This is merely the universe's roundabout way of telling you the fleet needs additional members. After all, what would happen if the Nippa broke down (not that Daihatsu oily bits break, of course, but a justification is a justification)?

[dollywobbler]

I'm certainly not ruling out a little purchase...

[andy18s]

Would sir be interested in a little 214?.....2 weeks mot but only needs a set of tyres.... £250

[dollywobbler]

Not what I'm after at the moments. Sounds good value though!

[Asimo]

What are you after at the moment? Tatty 12 year old Subaru Legacy or Honda Civic suit?

[dollywobbler]

I've got my eye on something, just need a friendly insurance quote. The usual 20-year age limit applies.

[chaseracer]

Blue AX?  Ah, too late...!

[dollywobbler]

Blue AX?  Ah, too late...!

 

Gawd no! Absolutely detest being in the things. The Nippa feels like sheer joy in comparison.

[dollywobbler]

Quick update. Not a lot to report really. RAV hasn't been used much, other than to finally reclaim the caravan from the Shitefest field, drag it to a 2CV event, then drag it back to Wales. I've been too busy poncing around in the XJS and Puma (now both gone) and then doing silly Colt Capers for the RAV to get much of a look in. So, I took it greenlaning tonight.

 

 

In short, I reminded myself that it's far better on road than off it! The three real killers are the lack of a low box, the lack of suspension travel (I managed to get one of the rear wheels airborne on what looked like flat ground!) and the lack of ground clearance (with the exhaust hanging particularly low along the centre of the underside). There was a lot of cringing, and I had to engage the diff lock far too soon. 

 

Still had a bloody marvellous time though!

[mouseflakes]

I think you were trying to tell us as much in your video review DW, but in not so many words.

 

 

It all makes sense* now.

[dollywobbler]

More antics.

 

My mate picked up this Delica from Wigan last night. It has no front axle. So, we had to find a way to get it off the trailer. Eventually, we managed to ease the front end off onto some blocks, and then pulled the trailer out. Because my friend's driveway is so uneven, I had to engage the difflock again. I dread to think what it's done to the clutch too. In conclusion, I think you need a proper 4x4 for proper 4x4 stuff! Said friend will shortly have a Delica for sale...

[dollywobbler]

I may have found something of a dream car. Does anyone fancy exchanging some money for the RAV? It owes me £800.

[oldcars]

I may have found something of a dream car. Does anyone fancy exchanging some money for the RAV? It owes me £800.

[dollywobbler]

Ha! No, it's far better than that...

[oldcars]

What, a MG6 

Sorry to go off topic but was your old Prelude in Classic Car Mart feature this month? Was a great read.

[dollywobbler]

What, a MG6 

Sorry to go off topic but was your old Prelude in Classic Car Mart feature this month? Was a great read.

 

Yes, I think that must have been a reprint of our roadtrip feature. My Prelude, Dugong's Piazza. Struggling to believe that this trip was actually this year. Prelude seems an age ago!

[oldcars]

Yes, I think that must have been a reprint of our roadtrip feature. My Prelude, Dugong's Piazza. Struggling to believe that this trip was actually this year. Prelude seems an age ago!

It was a great read, enjoyed it.

[dollywobbler]

It was a great read, enjoyed it.

 

Excellent. It was an absolute farce of a day. We mostly seemed to lose each other and get lost...

[Lacquer Peel]

[dollywobbler]

Really could do with shifting this on if there's another vehicle joining the fleet. £700 anyone? Can deliver along the M4 corridor!

To recap. MOT March, very solid, tow bar with working electrics. Had cambelt and water pump over the summer, and a full set of Michelin Latitude Cross tyres. Twin pop-up or removable sunroofs, four seats (loads of legroom in the back), electric mirrors and windows. The odd dent and blemish.

 

Brakes aren't too shit hot (need a good shove), and there's a bushy clonk on occasion from the suspension. Drives well though, heater is good and visibility truly remarkable. Enough headroom to wear a top hat. 30mpg within easy reach.

[LostnotFound]

My better half has made positive noises about this. In a boring question that'll get me run out of this town, can I just ask if it has ABS? They were only an option on these weren't they?

[dollywobbler]

My better half has made positive noises about this. In a boring question that'll get me run out of this town, can I just ask if it has ABS? They were only an option on these weren't they?

 

It does not have ABS. However, it does have a driver's airbag, so that cancels out right?

[LostnotFound]

It does not have ABS. However, it does have a driver's airbag, so that cancels out right?

 

Unfortunately you don't know my history of being ham-footed and locking up various cars and sliding into various things.

 

It'll make a bargain for someone, they are a lot more tempting than most later attempts at suv / soft roaders.

[Angrydicky]

Seriously? Let me get this straight, you won't drive a car without ABS?

 

I think you need to grow a pair, personally.

[Jim Bell]

Abs is just a light that fails tests. I dont see the point of it.

[loserone]

 a boring question that'll get me run out of this town

 

Seems you were right!

 

I wouldn't personally worry about not having ABS as long as it has decent tyres and well maintained brakes.  However, I've only had two cars with ABS, and they've both weirded me out when driving on loose surfaces / snow

[dollywobbler]

I'd say the brakes on the RAV need work really. I doubt you'd get into a scary lock-up situation at the moment. The grip levels far outweigh the stopping power. 

 

It isn't terrible - it has towed stuff up and down steep hills with nae bother - just a bit of a shock if you're used to over-servoed moderns.