Club 80-90 Forums

All these different final drives our vans came with, Who chose what van got what? All seems a bit complicated for the buyer? And there doesnt seem to be a rule, i mean like panel van=5.4, Caravelle=4.86, pick ups= 6.16. They seem to be fitted to all models.
And whats this thing with one syncro not being enough? Find myself now trawling the net looking for one to use as a work van (so cheap and cheerful) Head say's i'm crazy for even looking, heart tries to moderate by saying "hey, it's an investment, can even get a windowed van and black out the windows" Head says "lalala im not listening, get a astravan"

14" Petrol generally had 4.86 with either 185 or 205 tyres
but 4.57 with 185 or 205/70/14 tyres was an option, seems to be mostly on high end vehicles -'velles, westies, oettingers, but not exclusively and
5.43 was an option again on both 185 and 205 tyres, mostly load luggers, panel vans, dokas

14" TD generally had 5.43 on both tyre sizes but also 5.83 less often in uk, again probably load luggers but not exclusively, again on both tyre sizes

choice would be determined by terrain and use (towing etc..) as well as body type and customer preference

16" Petrol generally 5.43, some 5.83, very occasionally 6.16

16" TD 5.83 but more often it seems 6.16

the 16" boxes make less sense than the 14" ones as for instance they didn't have the 0.78 TD 4th gear except on TD with 5.83 (equivilent then to most common 14" TD but geared to suit the bigger tyres)

And 16" was offered with more tyre size choices, dependent on market and tyre availablity and type, eg M&S option etc...

there are also variations according to market, so the Aussies and South Africans seem to have had almost exclusively 5.43 Petrols, the yanks mostly 4.86 petrols

If it's a work van then you want rhd uk spec standard vehicle imho to start with for insurance purposes, commercial insurance can be less flexible so if your engine and body type aren't on the database it can be difficult, that's not to say you can't have a modified vehicle on a commercial policy just it can be harder to do and you'll have less choice of insurers ime

Just typed a long response that just disappeared so here it is again in a nutshell ....

T4

Good Point Lloyd, The main conundrum is always fuel type followed by what handed a van is. I think its fair to say though when buying as far as gearbox goes you have to like it or lump it after buying. As you know its only when you start to mess with them and go none standard that the gearing becomes abit of an obsession as does tyre size, and oil temperature, and mpg, and BHP V Taulk

jed

Nicely answered Aidan
Jes, T4 does make the most sense, they seem to be less available in petrol than a T3 though? (due to me living in the LEZ I need petrol if I'm buying an older van)

Nice T4 Syncro on ebay (petrol)

jed the spread wrote: and mpg, and BHP V Taulk

jed

Shh, people get upset at the mention of these things. Best to talk about decouplers...

Syncrobaz wrote:Nice T4 Syncro on ebay (petrol)

wonder what the reserve is?

Like I said before but a TD can and I'll swap you my petrol

If i found a T3 syncro td in my price range i'd faint, when i come to i'd be up for a engine swap

Ok I'll even go for any diesel even a 1.6 na

armyphil wrote:Ok I'll even go for any diesel even a 1.6 na

You crack me up mate

jed

jed the spread wrote:

armyphil wrote:Ok I'll even go for any diesel even a 1.6 na

You crack me up mate

jed

He's never driven one then...

toomanytoys wrote:

jed the spread wrote:

armyphil wrote:Ok I'll even go for any diesel even a 1.6 na

You crack me up mate

jed

He's never driven one then...

Oh I have but I'd take that over these WBX engines

armyphil wrote: Oh I have but I'd take that over these WBX engines

I bloomin wouldnt..... and I'm sorry.. the wbx does have its faults, but its not a bad lump if its properly built and not been bodged about....