Buying a County V8 - why we shouldnt?

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Originally Posted by isuzurover

They sound good though. I have often though that a V8 county chopped into a cab chassis with the chassis overhang removed would be great offroad.

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Can't remember the standard 110 high range gearing,but if it is the same as Stage ones at 1.33:1, then swapping this for the 0.996:1 and fitting 4.7:1(ashcroft HD C+WP in front) diffs gives near identical high range ratios but real balls in low range with around 65:1 low 1st verses 48:1 standard. The Perentie 6x6s are geared this way.
As we all know now,the earlier posts, re converting to LPG have become rather moot in recent weeks. but the only way I know to get decent range with the gas cylinders mounted underneath, without compromising ground clearance too much is to modify the chassis behind the rear spring towers, similar to the Army Perentie 4x4s. On those the chassis mod was done to allow the spare wheel to be carried underneath, but would serve the purpose of mounting multiple gas cylinders equally well.If the proposed purchase has 'a bit of cancer' on the rear crossmember, it might be worth considering this mod. I have seen a Rangerover classic with similar chassis mod done by an LPG conversion company.
Bill.

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Originally Posted by jakeslouw

The only thing the V8 County needs is.....

a top-hat linered 4.6 engine!

The low comp 3.5 is barely adequate. The twin carbs would be seriously iffy by now, and a nice Motronic EFI with Megasquirt ECU doing the sequential injection off the cam timing would improve the entire vehicle.

Just IMHO of course.....:D

Not biased, I just own one of the 3.5 V8 Counties.......

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Mines a 4.4 P76 ... has plenty of go. ;)

Tiki.

Tikirocker your county looks very :cool: in dual cab form....

I just picked up an 85 4spd V8 2owner, just needs a tidy up, will
post a pick soon..

Jeff

I bought my 85 County V8 two years ago and I am still in love. I have the 5 speed gearbox, which is as slow as a wet week between changes. The v8 has 240k on it and is a little tired but no smoke out the back.

Mine is the model with A/C . The A/C doesn't work and most folks say its not worth the trouble making it go because they were very ineffective. Having the A/C installed means no front vents and that is a real drag.

Any work behind the dashboard is a nightmare so be prepared for that. Getting in behind the air vents is a real challenge. The air and heater controls are all vacuum operated, with plastic bits crumbling from age.

I get 18k/litre plain unleaded petrol driving around Sydney with plenty of stops and starts.

I neglect my 4.7litre LC in preference to the LR which has "character" and sounds great.

My chassis is good but I do have rust in the doors. It seems to me the previous owners washed underneath thoroghly after a drive in salt water but did not flush the doors out. I have cleaned them up but one day new frames will be the go.

I paid $4k for the County (unregistered) and thought I had a bargain. I have tripled that with a new clutch, rebuilt gearbox, rebuilt front and rear brakes and a heap of other bits and pieces...even new rubber hubcaps.

Here she is:(note the rear door mod.)


I have emptied the rear and turned it into a personal camper:

I bought my 85 County V8 two years ago and I am still in love. I have the 5 speed gearbox, which is as slow as a wet week between changes. The v8 has 240k on it and is a little tired but no smoke out the back.

Mine is the model with A/C . The A/C doesn't work and most folks say its not worth the trouble making it go because they were very ineffective. Having the A/C installed means no front vents and that is a real drag.

Any work behind the dashboard is a nightmare so be prepared for that. Getting in behind the air vents is a real challenge. The air and heater controls are all vacuum operated, with plastic bits crumbling from age.

I get 18k/litre plain unleaded petrol driving around Sydney with plenty of stops and starts.

I neglect my 4.7litre LC in preference to the LR which has "character" and sounds great.

My chassis is good but I do have rust in the doors. It seems to me the previous owners washed underneath thoroghly after a drive in salt water but did not flush the doors out. I have cleaned them up but one day new frames will be the go.

I paid $4k for the County (unregistered) and thought I had a bargain. I have tripled that with a new clutch, rebuilt gearbox, rebuilt front and rear brakes and a heap of other bits and pieces...even new rubber hubcaps.

Here she is:(note the rear door mod.)


I have emptied the rear and turned it into a personal camper:

V8 county a good starting point for a isuzu conversion, just look at rijidij thread on his conversion. Murray loved his V8 but would not go back now that he has gone to the turbo isuzu.

I think you'd still be ahead with a V8 running on LPG over a Diesel these days ... costs alone are enough, and you still retain the power with a V8. Something to consider ...

Tiki.

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Originally Posted by Tikirocker

...and you still retain the power with a V8.
...

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:D:D:D

Take a properly set up 4BD1T for a drive...

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Originally Posted by isuzurover

:D:D:D

Take a properly set up 4BD1T for a drive...

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Would love to Ben ... next time you are in my neck of the woods please swing by! You can have a go with my 4.4 V8 County as well. ;)

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Originally Posted by jbell110

Tikirocker your county looks very :cool: in dual cab form....

I just picked up an 85 4spd V8 2owner, just needs a tidy up, will
post a pick soon..

Jeff

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Let me guess, it was a white one (blue stripes) from around the Healesville VIC area?