Hiace Shenanigans

[panhard65]

I did have a 940, it was great in many ways but a very thirsty barge and gave me a lot of problems (not really its fault, I paid far too much for it and it had been badly treated and neglected by its previous owner) so I'm not as big a fan as I was!  I would prefer a van for the height, I did consider a Synergie/806/Ulysessses as it's effectively an Expert/Scudo which hasn't been carrying bricks around for 15 years but not sure, I think they might still be a bit on the short side as mentioned above.

You are welcome to come and try my 806 for size I have been using it as a van and can get most 125 motorbikes in it. I even had a 750 Honda but that had a broken fairing. I am 6 foot and could sleep in it ok but there isn't a lot of extra room. The van versions are the same length only taller. The other thing to think of is tolls. The cost of a van over the bridge into Wales is about twice as much as a car and the 806 is classed as a car.

[83C]

Mk.6 Transit. I spent 9 months living out of one, good to drive and reasonably cheap to run.

[SherpaMog]

Late nineties Renault Master, none turbo. Will run forever, and not rust, unlike almost anything else.

They really are good.

[wuvvum]

The 2.8 TDI Masters aren't bad either - still a simple old engine, but more power and taller gearing that the 2.5 so cruising at 85 is quite relaxed.  They do have a bit more of a tendency to nom their gearboxes though.

[Lacquer Peel]

Vanettes are ace. I found mine surprisingly comfy and good to drive, they are slow but willing, reliable and run on veg happily. I think they're a good size for a van, not massive and easy to park being narrow with a good turning circle. My friend converted his Cub to a camper and it seemed to have plenty of space.

[I_am_Diesel]

Vauxhall Arena. An upmarket Trafic with 'Al Voxhols r shyte' kudos.

[chodweaver]

More left field: Kia Sedona if you can't stand the idea of the Chrysler equiv. If you can though, diesel is supposed to be reasonably frugal, while 3.3 is obviously not, but will get you to Scotland without a comfort break. Avoid manual box unless previous owner has had it from new and knew what they were doing.

TL: DR The comfiest night's sleep I've had in a vehicle that wasn't a camper was in one of these. And it should be within budget, possibly even with Lpg.

Sent from my GT-S5830i using Tapatalk 2

[RobT]

Phase 2 or 3 Renault Espace? Nice looking things IMO and just remove the rear seats, black out the windows, and hang a chintzy curtain behind the front seats.

 

Not mega money either. Here's one in budget

 

 

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Renault-Espace-2-0-16v-1999MY-Alize-7-seater-with-part-service-history-/272403285251?hash=item3f6c804503:g:qYMAAOSwmLlX9iVI

[andy18s]

I'm steering well clear of Voyagers having seen the general opinion of them on here! I have emailed the seller of that red Maxus but it's been on for 9 days so might have gone, I haven't had a reply yet.

 

This one also looks like it could be a bargain if luck were on my side but I'm a bit confused by the description - he says the crankshaft bearings need changing but then he says the symptoms are that it'll start fine in Neutral but if he presses the clutch it won't start - that sounds like something completely different.

 

Anyone want to weigh in on the likely diagnosis? If the engine's not making any odd noises (and I do realise this is taking into account the seller's interpretation of things) I can't see it being a crankshaft problem as surely that'd be knocking pretty badly but I am no mechanic and it might be completely knackered. I'm assuming if it is crank bearings it's so much scrap metal as that must be a big job.

 

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/LDV-Maxus-120PS-Spares-or-Repair-/331996157769?hash=item4d4c835749:g:04sAAOSwZJBX~AKAhttp://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/LDV-Maxus-120PS-Spares-or-Repair-/331996157769?hash=item4d4c835749:g:04sAAOSwZJBX~AKA

 

Sounds like he thinks the thrust bearings have dropped out

These control the end to end float of the crank, measured in micro-millimetres

Pushing the clutch will try push the crank forward,and if its enough to lock the engine up then its fucked.

Totally

[surprisingskoda]

Surprised nobody has come out with the sensible van choice! While transits are a good idea, they like to rust at this price bracket. However you'd easily have a choice of usable fiat ducato, citroen relay, Peugeot boxer vans at that money.

A SWB one of those without bulkhead, could be had in 2.0 hdi or various other sizes. Fiat comes in 2.3jtd which is a superb engine but boxes a bit weak on them.

Solid van, some rot but it's not 99% of them all, more 50.50. Few electric issues but not the world's end, nothing like as major as those brands would make you think.

Not uncommon to find an ex garden centre or carpet sales one either, they come up all the time and Ebay is littered with them.

[Honey Badger]

Honda Shuttle might be a good idea, 2.3 engine and double wishbones all round for teh handling.

 

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Honda-Shuttle-2-3i-LS-Auto-/232105622602?hash=item360a92bc4a:g:TbwAAOSwLF1X9rFm

 

 

[wuvvum]

Problem with the Boxlaycato is that they are stealth rusters.  With a Vito or a Transit you can see from 20 feet away that it's going to be rotten as a pear.  A Ducrelxer can look clean as a whistle on the outside, but meanwhile the inner sills and rear crossmember will be merrily rotting away to nothing.  Plus they eat gearboxes like northern blokes eat pies.  They are a nice drive though if you get a good 'un, 2.0 HDI / JTD is a good engine, reasonable on fuel and will sit at 80 if it has to, 2.8 goes like a bat out of hell.

[Junkman]

You guys never learn now, do you?

 

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/1994-Dodge-Ram-van-/222277618828

[wuvvum]

Bearing in mind that a LWB Sprinter was considered to be too large, I think a LWB RAM will be completely out of the ballpark.

[phil_lihp]

Thanks for all the good suggestions!  I've got no love for US stuff and that's way out of budget but that Dodge would certainly be different!  If I had that sort of budget I'd be getting a Hiace - tantalisingly, one's turned up for £1600 less than 10 miles away but I just can't justify it at this stage.

 

I've got considerable fear of Renaults and an Espace is one brave pill too many for me (says he who's owned an XJ40) - that one's a 2.0 petrol as well unfortunately and I want a diesel so I can travel longer distances without bankrupting myself.  Same goes for the Shuttle although I do like the look of that.

 

I've looked at Relays/Boxers as the size would be good but they all seem to have something major wrong with them, I've driven a modern one several times and quite liked it but I haven't found one in budget that hasn't got either major corrosion or engine/gearbox issues.  I'm also not going to touch the 1.9 non-turbo diesel as it would be quicker to walk!

 

On the other hand, this absolute beauty is on the radar, plenty of MOT and low-ish mileage plus a fairly hopeless and misspelt description so bidding has stayed low so far although I'm aware that the Vanette/Cub is a compromise.  Cosmetically, it's pretty horrific which is quite appealing - if I did win it, I could leave it like that and take it to some nice, genteel camp sites to make new friends, or a couple of hours with the T-Cut will make a world of difference (or indeed a roller and a tin of paint, come to that).  A quick search on UKVehicle reveals it to be a 2.3 which is for winners.

 

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/172368382798?_trksid=p2055119.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT

 

 

It'll have to stay cheap but I'll keep an eye on it, only 10 hours to go.

[Mally]

Needs a battery judging by the wire to the bonnet, would have kept it to myself for a few hours.

Bang your max bid on it in the dying seconds, not too early.

[phil_lihp]

Indeed, if there's a wild bidding war among the Autoshite masses for a Ferrari-red, mid-engined 74BHP rocketship then I'll happily step aside and focus my attentions elsewhere!

 

I'd guessed about the battery, I've bid on eBay motors lots of times and as usual will stick my own maximum on it prior to the end, then leave it to run - means I can then let it run its course and if I don't win that's fine, I haven't then been tempted into constantly topping up my bid beyond what it's actually worth to me.

[andy18s]

I passed a swb low top transit yesterday that's priced up at 595....located opposite RAF Ternhill in N Shropshire

I'll get some pics if interested..

[RobT]

If it's mechanically good like the seller states then worth a shot a Phil. I notice it's in Kent too, so my delivery service/collection assistance is available!

[phil_lihp]

Well that escalated quickly, it's shot up to nearly £400 all of a sudden which is probably all I'd consider it worth as a gamble given the risk of what else might be wrong with it - I'm assuming more than described given the vague description.

[dollywobbler]

LDV Cub is a WINNING suggestion. Like the Vanette, but a bit bigger, and with a shite-trumps badge on the bonnet.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/ldv-cub-nissan-vanette-2-3-diesel-windows-seats-short-test-/291910973843

[Sheefag]

Well that escalated quickly, it's shot up to nearly £400 all of a sudden which is probably all I'd consider it worth as a gamble given the risk of what else might be wrong with it - I'm assuming more than described given the vague description.

 

It appears to have lived by the sea for a few years, a little visible rust may be the tip of the iceberg.

 

raymond Field

sea cottage,east cliff parade

Herne Bay

Kent

ct6 5hu

 

[phil_lihp]

I didn't know the Cub was bigger, I thought it was a re-badged Vanette with a classier badge.  I'd seen that one and the windows/seats are a good thing but the swiss cheese floors put me off, it doesn't look like a massively expensive repair though.  Shonky gearbox but who uses 3rd anyway?  Will watch and see if it stays cheap.  That tatty red one's price is going up at a rate of knots, someone must know something I don't.

[dollywobbler]

Cub is a Vanette Cargo, which is more van shaped, and less " Serena with no windows."

 

Surely a Crusty Cub is the very height of desirability?

[Sheefag]

That tatty red one's price is going up at a rate of knots, someone must know something I don't.

 

Aye, Raymond Field I'll wager.

[phil_lihp]

I may have found something quite bargainous of the Expert/Dispatch/Scudo variety, windows and rear seats, tidy bodywork, long-ish MOT and no real faults etc.  Only problem is it's in Bridlington which is a long, long way away.  Hmm - anyone up that way (East of York)?

[drum]

I can't help with Bridlington other than to take the chance to share the work of the fabulous Jake Thackray.

 

[Mally]

Well that escalated quickly, it's shot up to nearly £400 all of a sudden which is probably all I'd consider it worth as a gamble given the risk of what else might be wrong with it - I'm assuming more than described given the vague description.

 

It's the Lurkers....I did warn you!

[phil_lihp]

Well, I have a van.  I was persuaded to dig much deeper and get what I really wanted, I'm really pleased I did and this one turned up at a good price less than 10 miles away.  I went and picked it up tonight and it's...um...ace.  I am dead chuffed with it.

 

 

The seller is a roofer who'd owned it for the last 9 years and has just replaced it with a 10-plate one which, apart from the front end and engine, appears to be entirely identical both inside and out.  It's got 10 months MOT, has done 145,000 miles and drives very nicely.  It had two new rear shocks for the last MOT as well as a bit of welding around the rear suspension area, he's had a local mechanic service it apparently and it's about due but there's no paperwork for this so I'll get that attended to soon.  He has barely left Bideford in it in the last 9 years apparently as all his jobs have been local so it's going to have a shock!

 

As far as the inside goes, the plan is to first strip out the battered ply lining and insulate it - it's actually surprisingly not loud inside but will definitely benefit from being quieter and warmer.  Fresh ply and carpet lining next, then a bed and storage.  The side sliding door's a bit battered but really only needs some adjustment and a repair to the lock mechanism will see it right, a bit of scruffiness is fine.

 

Mechanically, timing belt and oil change in the next couple of months will be a sensible precaution but more pressingly I have also noticed that the clutch is biting right at the top of the pedal, it doesn't seem to be slipping but it's also not loaded to the roof with shingles so I can't be 100% sure it doesn't at all.  Even the slightest pressure on the pedal makes it slip so it's very, very close.  I can't find confirmation of whether these are adjustable, there seems to be some pedal adjustment from what I've read which I will play with at the weekend but I'm going to budget in a new clutch just in case.  It does seem that these are hydraulic, not cable but I'll have a closer look at it in the daylight.

 

It didn't take long for it to be pressed into service, either - it's transporting a garden shed to a new home at the weekend!   

[hairnet]