Club 80-90 Forums

Thanks Russel. Good info.

Seems 16s run 2000+ more then 14s do. I have the equipment and tools to do it, what would it cost for parts and material to build up a 14?

way way too much,by the time you gather all the parts itll be more money than actually buying a 16" and it still wont drive like a heavy duty van,cj.

Thanks CJ. Figured it was worth asking.

Hi Lloyd,

Have to agree with Syncrosimon. The 16 ex Finnish army ambulance I got from Busman is the biz. Rock solid, rigid and no mods required. Just did 7000km in France, Italy and Spain this summer no probs and almost 20,000km in total since purchase (I need to upgrade the front brakes for the Alpine roads though!).

Take a cheap flight to Brussells and train to Ghent (only cost me 60euros total from Ireland) and Mike will pick you up and look after you. If you don't buy, treat it as a day out but if you drive something like I've got you'll be smitten.

Good luck.

Tony

Thanks Tony. That's good to know. Will have to get ahold of Mike and see what he's got and price range. I assume the lower the mileage the better their condition usually is.

All UK RHD 14s seem to have both lockers, quite a few 16s don't, if that's important... also, wouldn't consider RHDing a LHD

HarryMann wrote:All UK RHD 14s seem to have both lockers, quite a few 16s don't, if that's important... also, wouldn't consider RHDing a LHD

Very interesting. I just assumed RHD 14s were like all the others. Good info to know.

RHDing a LHD... you mean converting a LHD to RHD??? or driving a LHD on RHD roads???

Good information from everyone. Keep it coming. The more I can learn the better.

Lloyd

lhd buses in uk are no problem imho. and great when you go abroad
Dont even waste time thinking of converting l to rhd
16inch rear brakes are a bit special and bits going obsolete but IG16 and co will keep you sorted in all probability. Hi top factory style is very practical as a camper but sometimes a bit limited as an off roader in the uk and elsewhere with walls and trees but in big spaces no such worries and if you are prepared to trim and cut down when absolutely necessary you can stil go pretty much anywhere in the uk as Russel and Andy will testify.

Good to hear from you Aidan! How was your holiday?
Why would I convert to RHD? I'm a yank! Drove on the wrong side for 40 years. I can drive RHD on the hard, but would need alot of practice to learn wheel placement and clearances offroad.

I'm pretty sure I want a 16", and almost as sure of hi-top. Just not sure what hitop. But if I start with one of the ambulances models, I could always change the top.

What ring and pinion do most of the 16" use? What is RPM at 65mph? What is their tire size? Especially the Finnish military ambulances, but what is in whatever models would help. Might help me figure out other models to look at or if Finnish ambulances are too low geared.

Thanks,

Lloyd

My Finnish Ambo will sit quite happily at 130kmh on the motorway and if pushed will get to 145kmh which is 90mph in old money. It doesnt have a rev counter, but a rev limiter at 5400 which I have never reached.

The tyres are 205 r 16, Finnish Nokian Hakepelitta snow and ice which are also excellent on the road and wet and seem fine for the gentle off roading that I do. Side wind stability doesnt seem bad, and is certainly better than a 2wd T3 in any syncro.

The gear box code is AVR. I seem to think that 65mph is around 3600rpm.
I dont feel the need to get a rev counter now, as I would rather listen to the engine anyway, and you soon instinctively know whats what. She'll do 60mph in third anyway.

Heres a few more pics now she is stripped out.
[IMG]http://i199.photobucket.com/albums/aa28 ... 030409.jpg[/img]
The factory high top strengthener I am always going on about.
[IMG]http://i199.photobucket.com/albums/aa28 ... 030406.jpg[/img]
The cab now. Simple.
[IMG]http://i199.photobucket.com/albums/aa28 ... 030415.jpg[/img]
And some rather charming art work left by the Finnish Fitter I presume.
[IMG:768:1024]http://i199.photobucket.com/albums/aa28 ... 030404.jpg[/img]

If you are bored watch this. It's a grand tour of my van.

http://s199.photobucket.com/albums/aa28 ... 030417.flv