edessex
Part of things
Posts: 514
Club RR Member Number: 42
|
Small van suggestions?edessex
@edessex
Club Retro Rides Member 42
|
Sept 26, 2017 17:31:06 GMT
|
It looks like my Astra might not be long for this world. Those who don't know it, it's an old Mk3 that I've ended up using for greenlaning/off-roading as well as daily duties. I'm intending to do the same with the next vehicle. Whatever I get, I'll need to jack up the suspension, I had settled on a VW Caddy van Mk2, as it's got leaf rears and the front wishbones have two horizontal bushes, so I think the whole lot can swing down. The Astra has one horizontal and one vertical bush, the latter of which prevents the wishbone from being angled down too far, making raising the suspension very difficult. So, the general preferences are: -£1000 or less to buy -running, useable, and with some MoT -diesel, manual, 2wd -easy to raise (i.e rear cart springs, horizontal bushes on wishbones) -able to tow a min of 1000kg -as light as possible -as fuel efficient as possible, nothing under 40mpg -van body or high estate -ideally pre-1995, but open to later I like Vauxhalls/Bedford's, and would love a Rascal, but it can't tow enough and they're all petrols. I've recently considered Bedford Midi's, what are they like? How big are they? Sounds daft, but not found many photos of them next to other cars! Just to be clear, this isn't a wanted ad. I'm after advice on what else might fit my rather narrow search!
|
|
Last Edit: Sept 26, 2017 17:59:24 GMT by edessex
|
|
|
|
|
Sept 26, 2017 19:37:27 GMT
|
Hi there mate I had a citroen berlingo 2.0 hdi it was a works van. Then I bought it from them as it was good on fuel easy to maintain parts are a doddle to get hold of. I used it to go mountain biking and enjoyed it had 2 side doors and a rear tailgate style door. I had it until some c##T ran a red light and totalled it. But I would have another in a heartbeat. Prices are from 500 pounds to anything you can afford. Also Peugeot partner same body and pretty much everything else. there are plenty out there. Usual websites. hope this helps.
|
|
|
|
edessex
Part of things
Posts: 514
Club RR Member Number: 42
|
Small van suggestions?edessex
@edessex
Club Retro Rides Member 42
|
Sept 26, 2017 19:48:14 GMT
|
I have looked at the Berlingos before, my main worry was French electronics ...as part of the off-roading I regularly drive through water deep enough to go over the bonnet.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Sept 26, 2017 19:59:29 GMT
|
fiat doblo
|
|
|
|
edessex
Part of things
Posts: 514
Club RR Member Number: 42
|
Small van suggestions?edessex
@edessex
Club Retro Rides Member 42
|
Sept 26, 2017 20:03:36 GMT
|
I do like them, but they're quite modern engines, and I don't think they would tolerate what I'd use it for.
Needs older tech engine really.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Sept 26, 2017 20:11:40 GMT
|
ihave mine 9 years tough as ole boots mega laod spa ce sliding ddors , big enough to sleep in
|
|
|
|
|
|
Sept 26, 2017 20:13:01 GMT
|
Sounds like you need a wee suzki jimny or a the wee suzki vitara commercial on stilts but never had any probs with the electrics on any of our 45 berlingos.
|
|
|
|
edessex
Part of things
Posts: 514
Club RR Member Number: 42
|
Small van suggestions?edessex
@edessex
Club Retro Rides Member 42
|
Sept 26, 2017 20:16:17 GMT
|
It's water and mud. All sensors, bearings, etc, take a real beating. A lot more than regular use.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Sept 26, 2017 20:19:36 GMT
|
curve ball time... renault migraine scenic rx4... didnt they do a kangoo too? berlingo would probably top my list though.
|
|
'80 s1 924 turbo..hibernating '80 golf gli cabriolet...doing impression of a skip '97 pug 106 commuter...continuing cheapness making me smile!
firm believer in the k.i.s.s and f.i.s.h principles.
|
|
edessex
Part of things
Posts: 514
Club RR Member Number: 42
|
Small van suggestions?edessex
@edessex
Club Retro Rides Member 42
|
Sept 26, 2017 20:24:49 GMT
|
Yeah they did a 4x4 Kangoo too, called a Trekka.
But I'm after a 2wd anyway.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Sept 26, 2017 20:34:21 GMT
|
I hired a Midi twice about 20 years ago. They're certainly a bit bigger than the likes of the Combos, Partners and Caddys of this world, but not as big as a Transit. It's a bit difficult to size them without being next to one because they're effectively a one-box design unlike the above which are based on small hatchbacks. The most unusual thing about them is that they have a column gearchange, which although it took a bit of getting used to, actually works quite well. However, don't forget that when I tried it, the van was only 18 months old. No idea what delights the linkage may give you once it's worn.
From what I remember they weren't the most comfortable and also they rot like anything, so finding a good one may be difficult unless you're good with a welder. I can't remember the last time I saw one.
|
|
|
|
edessex
Part of things
Posts: 514
Club RR Member Number: 42
|
Small van suggestions?edessex
@edessex
Club Retro Rides Member 42
|
Sept 26, 2017 20:42:59 GMT
|
I did try and read up a bit on the Midi's, the column change suffered issues as it got worn, the later models had normal floor mounted gear levers.
I don't mind going bigger than a Caddy, it would be useful as I could sleep in it (I don't like tents, and I'm too tight for hotels). But too big is pointless as I already own a 2004 Vauxhall Movano, although that is a high roof.
Smaller than a transit is good. I was assuming Nissan Vanette size (the curvey ones, I'm less familiar with the boxy ones)?
|
|
|
|
|
|
Sept 26, 2017 21:20:11 GMT
|
Did they sell the Kia Pregio in GB? I had one and loved it. Did 90.000km without one issue.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Sept 26, 2017 21:23:38 GMT
|
vanette s are to hard to run , transit connect , check back sills , weak point
|
|
|
|
|
|
Sept 26, 2017 21:23:57 GMT
|
How about a Transit connect, the first ones have leafs, not sure about the front bushes though, they are pretty tough little things.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Sept 26, 2017 22:08:17 GMT
|
|
|
Last Edit: Sept 27, 2017 18:22:18 GMT by MkX
|
|
|
|
Sept 26, 2017 22:13:53 GMT
|
The Caddy 9K are a brilliant machine. Basically MK2 Golf underneath, However that means vertical rear wishbone bush. the later Caddy 2K are MK5 Golf and again great, maybe even easier to mod.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Sept 26, 2017 22:42:58 GMT
|
What about an old Vauxhall Corsa van? Or a little pick up with a truckman top, something like a VW Caddy?
|
|
|
|
|
|
Sept 26, 2017 23:35:50 GMT
|
How about something with a bit of lift already? How 'Vanny' does it need to be? - ie could a wagon with blacked out windows and rear seat delete do the job? Not sure of diesel options but I'm thinking - what about honda HRV... Proper soft roader - 2wd but high. Vanlike. They're cheap as chips at the moment. Petrol only in Mk1 though. Or a mk1 2wd freelander van?
|
|
|
|
jonk
Part of things
Posts: 154
|
|
Sept 27, 2017 6:50:05 GMT
|
Going back to the berlingo/partner - the Hdis may be complex but the earlier 1.9 non turbo xud engine is available too and that's got to be as simple as they come. I have one and there is not much to it.
Also available in the expert van, which would look comical if it was jacked up, 406 (maybe only turbos) and 306/xsara estates. Or a xantia estate for adjustable suspension, but probably not what you want to be driving through deep water?
|
|
|
|
|