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Spotted on the side of the road in Canning Vale, Perth - June 2011. It was love at first sight - but not the original concept of a tired F100 that could do with a coat of Zinga Liquid Galvanising Film to serve as a promotional vehicle for for my daytime job.
A return trip in August and I knew that I wanted Plan B to kick in but it was a case of getting the ducks in a row to be able to buy it.
So why did I like it? The body and interior is in great but original condition - shows some signs of it's 33 years but still in great condition. But then I fell in love with the idea of the diesel power, a Cummins 6BT engine with turbo power hooked up to the Allison AT545, a 4 speed auto. In a previous life I had sold my 1972 F100 with 400M power and C6 auto because of the crippling fuel cost as it got about 2.5Km/L. I figured that this combination should be a lot better. It is also part converted to 4WD with the front diff housing fitted but half shafts, diff centre and drive shaft yet to be installed (need to engineer a dog leg to get around the trans). I find the balance of body/suspension lift is also just right - you feel like king of the road without being unable to take it to the supermarket for people in fear of the monster trucks.
Another consideration but a bit difficult in city traffic and I'd probably need to find a new garage pretty quickly as it would be a difficult proposition to get over the line on the home front.
December 2011 after much consideration it was bound for a new home in Hobart via the Indian pacific to Adelaide then a leisurely cruise to Melbourne on the Great Ocean Road. I wouldn't say the truck had lightning performance but it gets off the mark at a respectable pace and pulls like a train. Fuel consumption was a pleasant surprise at 6.5Km/L. You know that you are in an old truck as it feels pretty agricultural to drive and is also pretty noisy at present. At highway speed it lopes along comfortably and is a bit quieter when off the throttle.
Our return trip was not without problems - a significant engine oil leak, wind pressure from a passing truck caused a tear in the sun visor, solenoid problems caused starting hassles, the master cylinder was pretty spongy by the time we reached Melbourne and the last straw was a blowout near Campbelltown (Tas) resulting in a bit of body damage.
All in all I have work to do before it can be registered in Tasmania, but am not disappointed with the venture.
2016 update - I just love this truck and can't wait to do more on it, play with the fuel pin and turbo to tweak a bit more grunt without ruining the economy. At present it gets about 6.5km/litre.
I will also install air bags and may try our slide on camper on it's back.
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