'75 2-door Rangie. Advice Please

[A*D*A*M]

Greetings all,

After giving up on Rangie ownership about 2 years ago, the memory of the pain must have subsided enough that I'm looking at a '75 2-door that the guy down the road has for sale. My last Rangie was a '93 that I was relying on to be my daily driver and tourer. Didn't quite work out for me. Anyway, a few questions about one I'm eyeing off at the moment...

It has a 4-speed Manual box (I assume LT95?) with attached transfer. Are the TC and transmission in the LT95 strong? Is low range ratio good for off roading? Are they stuipid expensive to get fixed if (when) they break. Anything else I should know about this box / transfer combo?

I'm hoping by going old-school there are a few less electrics to go wrong in this one and any that may cause issues will be simple enough to bypass, replace or re-do. Ideally nothing that will leave me stranded anyway (?). Dizzy has been converted to electronic so hopefully all good there.

The engine has got an edelbrock manifold and rochester carby (no idea of size or model) replacing the standard twin carbs. Any feed-back on how this combo goes on a 3.5 with above-mentioned elec dizzy and standard motor?

I know the engine isn't a power-house and will drink like a fish. This one won't be a daily driver and will only be for playing in the hills on weekends. It does sound cool with extractors and bigger exhaust though!

The steering box has a leak. I'm guessing fairly big bucks if this packs it in?

10-spline diffs on this model, but with standard tyres (for the time being)and not so powerful motor it shouldn't be an issue in the short term. I can look at diff options later down the track.

Aside from rust (inland car, hopefully not too much of a problem), what else do i need to look out for in an old 2-door rangie?

And finally, what is a fair price? The car isn't in too bad shape for a nearly 30 year old bus but is certainly not immaculate. The body has some dents from giving trees a bit of a rub. No obvious rust on first pass, but it has had a fairly poor respray in the last 5 or so years. Looks good from 10 metres away though. Engine sounds smooth, haven't driven it yet. Interior also looks OK for the age. Aircon doesn't work (aftermarket add-on).

Any advice / pointers are greatly appreciated,

Adam.

[C.A.Moseley]

I replaced steering box not that long ago, was told they go for around $500 reco'ed exchange so i bought a second hand unit $150. which now leaks from seal on out put! I'm going to just drop pitman arm and replace it with unit in car.

As for the 3.5, I'd do the upgrade to the 3.9 asap or when it starts to show signs of wear. I didnt wanta touch the efi so im still running a carb setup. might get there one day.

The best thing abuot the wiring in these old girls you can rewire them in a weekend. If something goes wrong out the bush just put a jumper lead from battery to coil and arc a spanner across the starter and keep going!

[dont_follow_me]

gearboxes are good, strong and will take alot of punishment and can be picke dup cheaply. they have a drinking problem, but will rev hard all day but like mine, if its a weekend truck, then I dont mind putting $40 in it for a good day out

dont worry about any oil leaks from anywhere, start worrying when it doesnt leak, then you know to top the oils up

axles will hold out with skinnies, I still have 10 splines in mine with 33's and a ARB locker...if your careful they will hold out for a while, but keep a spare set in the back

check the chassis for rust and tailgate, that is probably the worst areas but all panels are easily sourced and replaced.

I reckon, from what you described, around the $1000 mark would be okay.... but depends how much you are willing to pay and its hard to tell without seeing it

;let us know how you go

[A*D*A*M]

Well, when I mentioned to my beloved that I was considering getting another Rangie, she was not entirely supportive (to put it mildly).

So while I was attempting to sell the benefits of Rangie ownership and how this one would be much better and more reliable than my last one and how it would cost us hardly any money at all and how I would be a much better person for owning a piece of motoring history...

...someone else bought the car.

Dude was asking 3K. Don't know what he sold it for but seemed a bit steep to me. It was in fairly good nick though.

Maybe next time. Cheers guys for the advice,

Adam.

[phippsey]

Yeah mate, $3k seams steep

I sold my 3yrs ago for $1.6k, 2" lift, 31MTR, LPG.

I would be aiming <$2k for what you're talking about, unless smick.

good hunting (am thinking for one myself ) - -no, should pay off house more hmmmm

[4.42doormangierangie]

Hey,

I have 2 of them and absolutly love em!! I have one with a 4.4 p76 with a holley 350 cfm 2 barrel and another with completly original interior in fantastic condition. I have done alot of things to my modified 2 door. 33" bighorns, 2 inch lift, 40mm body lift, fiberglass flares, 8" rims offset, castor correction, 4 bolt power steer. I love it off road it has a mega low range stock out of the box. I got the car for nothing (lucky) and have built it up over a year. my brother has an 87 with all the bells and whistles and they both run together. The only downfall would be the carby it doesnt liek angles and i've tried almost everything to get it to run better on steep angles. Gas seems to be the only way to get around it.


My reccomendations would be to grab it, as a simple fun truck you'll love it. they are a little noisy and not as refined as the 87 onwards, but you'll have just as much fun and you can sink it in deep rivers fill the car up with water and not worry about the smell from the wet carpet all the way home.

be prepared for the old issues - its not a new car and you have to prepared for that. I think i've nearly changed everything in the original car.......mmmm


cheers. If you need any parts PM me