Outer Limits 4x4 Board

Im looking for a Early model 45 series Crusier, preferably a tray back, diesel in decent condition.

can anyone tell me what pros and cons these have, the fuel econ of the old diesel and what engine choices etc i have and to look out for?

also, how much should i expect to pay?

meant to add, whats a better option (petrol or diesel) if im to later swap to a petrol v8 or wont it make any differance?

off the top of my head:

diesel or petrol probably wont make any difference unless you put a fuel injected V8 in, if the engine is older than the rig you have to run straight gas (well at least in vic anyway)

H series diesels in the 45 and F series petrols.

there are more petrols around. and cost less to buy.

2F is really torque'y because of its long stroke. but as a result redlines at 4000rpm (i think it puts out more torque than the diesels but the diesels rev harder)
only downfall of the 2F is the location of the distributor.

really rigid rear suspension.

not intended for comfort just like all the older leaf sprung rigs.

only takes minor mods fits big rubber. (if you get the 2F, 35s make a better highway RPM, as you only need to sit on 90km/h to do 100km/h)

good base platform.

chevs fit real well in them and are a popular conversion, so lots of help is around.

theres a bit more that im forgetting i know but cant think right now.

MaccA

look out for rust around the spring hangers and body mounts

hing i don't like about the 2f is the huge amount of juce they suck.

2F is really torque'y because of its long stroke. but as a result redlines at 4000rpm (i think it puts out more torque than the diesels but the diesels rev harder)
only downfall of the 2F is the location of the distributor.

my H (pre 1980 diesel) redlines at 4000rpm as well. the 2f is a tradie of an engine, strong, but drinks heaps... 2F actually puts out more low end grunt than some of the popular V8 swaps. my H powered 45 wagon gets around 100k's for 10bucks (never bothered working out the L/100k). that figure is constant basically, city driving, road touring. better can be reached down hill unloaded with a tail wind and little throttle openings. but the same figure holds about constant with 5 people and gear enough for 3 weeks in the bush.....

look for rust in the floors. if you don't like the harsh ride and don't carry much load, take out an overload spring or 3. and engine swaps into these are mostly a known quantity, because it's all been done before

1B W.O.T. = 4,100 R.P.M.

id prefer a diesel and sothing fuel economical

yeah 2Fs are really heavy drinkers. i think id get better fuel economy with my 383. (part of the reason for the conversion)

i would like to see a turbo 2f, i was going to do it, heard the torque gets enormous but the revs stay the same. and i wanted something a bit revier with enormous torque.

diesels dont wipe the smile off ricers face as good as V8's can.

the conversion doesnt cost that much.

LPG isnt all bad, $7 gets me 100kms when goin pretty hard.

MaccA

I am about to pick up a stroked blue 308 for my shortie. no heads or timeing chain and wraped up in a vl commodore with a stuffed gearbox. cost me ....... nuthin lmao. I want to put it on gas partly so it will run on aingles but mostler couse of fuel cost. 383fj45 you sound very happy with ur v8 swap so ur comments are very encourging

you get better lpg milage than my lpg2f there 383... but when i start earning enough to eat, i'm thinking about turboing the 2f, apparently they don't like it much cause they only got 4 mains bearings, but i'll happily destruction test it if i got the funds for an engine swap anyway.

and distributer positioning is aweful on a 2f, and the earlier models don't seem to block water ingress as well, later ones had a little tray thing to redirect water (at least my 45 does)

mate runs a 2f in his 45 ute, it has a huge steel tray and weighs like 3.5t

he runs three 50l gas tanks and loves it!! really good econ and also plenty of power, but flick it to juice and watch the gauge drop!!