Outer Limits 4x4 Board

hey guys, ive got a 1989 75 series ute, it was a daily driver/ week end warrior untill the motor decided to go, that was about 6 months ago. as yet ive not done anything to it. i had planed on building it up to run some light comps and use on week ends.

i still want a project, but have been thinking that a dual cabbed 60 would suit me better. means i can put my seat that little bit further back, and would be more comfortable. plus the ability to carry 2 more people than a 75 and alot more comfortably. 5 in a dual cabbed 60 would be worlds apart from 3 in a 75.

i have a pros and cons list to

75 pros
already has a locker,
ive rebuilt the rear diff compleatly and the front swivel hubs, so i know they are good.
its already a ute
all the pannels are in excellent nick, and there is only one small amount of rust.
i already own it

75 cons
cab is to small
wheel base is narrow
engine is worthless ( i want a 12ht)
i will happily sink way to much into it and it will still be small and cramped

60 pros
wider
more room
may come with a 12ht(doubtfull)

60 cons
i dont know its history, and will have to spend extra time and money looking at other things,


when it really comes down to it, its all about the room on the inside making it more comfortable to drive for long periods of time.

and then the final part, how do i work out what my useless, un drivable(gearbox is on the ground) 75 series is worth.

the only thing i can think of is stripping it down, and selling it on ebay in pieces. that way i can keep some of the things i want, like the locked diff, the swivel hubs the cvs, the gearbox and transfer case. the 33s are staying with me regardless.


what would you do in my position??

If you can find a buyer for it as is who will pay a price you can live with (not necessarily stoked with) I say sell it.

Unless you have lots of spare time, lots of patience and love pulling stuff apart, then stripping and ebaying it is a PITA. plus you end up having to get rid of the left overs no one wants

I started parting out my old 80series, I kept a few bits I really wanted. By the time all the tyre kickers come and go, sales fall through etc, I got sick of it pretty quick, for me, it wasn't worth the headache.
I ended up selling it partially stripped, I let go stuff I would have liked to keep. In the end, I did OK in parts sales, and the sale of the whole thing, but certainly didn't clean up.
I was glad to see it go, it was kinda heart breaking stripping my old truck.


looking at your pros and cons for the 75, the cons look like they out weigh the pros.

I say look for a 60 and hold out for one that you will be happy with.

If you own the car and you have the space keep it, buy your 60 series chop it into a ute and steal parts off as you need it. Tell people you got it buy what they need..

you're missing a pro for your 60 list..
- its exactly what you want.

I found this the biggest motivator. Once you have what you want you're happy with what you've got.

I'm sure you could find a 60 sahara with 12ht thats got a rusting out cab thats for a price that suits you, you might just have to hunt around or wait for it to turn up.

Whats the go with the 75? can you spend minimal on it to make it your daily again until you find and sort out the 60?

Shorty I have a daily now. So I'm in no rush to sell or buy. I got a couple guys at work who may have some one they know interested in the 75. It only needs rings and rear main to run right again.

Having no tray and a stuffed motor. If I keep the gearbox and rear diff center. its basically a cab on a chassis with a front diff and rear diff housing. How much is that really worth?

It's a good cab. No damage. Only one tiny spot of surface rust. I've seen the cabs sell for 2 grand.

If I were to put it on eBay, where would you put it at for a starting price? I may get it ready to go then put ot up here for a little while then put it on eBay. But ill need wheels and tyres for that too. As I'm keeping my 33 bighorns.

Cheers guys. I find selling things hard. I don't wanna rip people off. but I also don't want to rip my self off.

Alistair