Thread: "upgrading" to a county 110

Welcome to the forum.

Take a close look at the turbo installation as they were never a factory fitment on that model - backyard alterations can be good or they can be a headache.

Rust is an issue that isn't on your list, it obviously affects only the steel components, but these can be hidden - like door frames and the firewall (engine bulkhead and footwell front).

At the age of the vehicle you need to be aware that many components will be worn (eg. switches on the steering column, wiper & heater motors).

If it has had supplementary wiring fitted for any purpose (cb, dr lights etc) it can be sus if fitted by a home handyman. Be aware that all the electricals are 30yo.

If it has factory aircon you'll find it isn't all that good and you'll need a tame aircon man to do any work on it.

Other things come to mind (suspension bushes & shocks, driveshaft splines & unis, gearbox and diff noises, brake & clutch hydraulic leaks etc etc etc).

Price is quite subjective - civvie asking prices seem to be mostly under $10k, similar ex-army models being resold seem to be asking mostly over $10 - the ex-army ones wouldn't suit as mostly they only have 2 useable seats.

Child restraint mounting bars have often been fitted behind the back seat - run a search on this site.

Despite all the above, if you do join the adventure of owning one, I hope you'll enjoy it as much as every other owner of one that I know does

Interesting to see someone local planning on a County! You are likely to see my blue one with an AULRO tyre cover in Dubbo most Tuesdays!

As indicated, probably the most critical point is probably rust. Particularly firewall and chassis.

As pointed out, the turbo will be a conversion, which may be either well done or botched. One point worth noting is that for roadworthiness demisters are mandatory, and there is a significant possibility the heater (and hence demisters) has been removed to make room for the turbo.

Most Countys were fitted with factory airconditioning, which is not particularly good, and is likely to be not working - and without it you do not really have good ventilation, as it blocked off the vents under the windscreen.

1985 should have the LT95 four speed box, which is the only one that really stands up to the Isuzu without careful handling.

As mentioned, there are no factory child restraint anchors - usual fitting is a bar across behind the back seat, which will need to be engineered.

The Isuzu is far more popular than the V8, and it is not unusual for the V8 to have been replaced by an Isuzu. This can lead to a couple of problems - the transfer high gear ratio is different for the two, and unless changed as well, it will be undergeared. And, of course, there are good and bad conversions.

The factory installation has an electric engine shutoff, and for this vintage vehicle this is mandatory - a shut-off lever is not allowed.

If you want to talk to me about it, send me a personal message on this site, and I will send you my phone number.

John

Hi

As a owner of a 85 County since new there is a fair bit that would probably need attention by now.

Rust in bottom of door, footwells, firewall, rear member, chassis outrigger (look in behind front wheel and ahead of rear). If you can weld this may not be deal breaker depending on how bad it is.

Most mechanical parts will be worn by now without maintenance. Propshaft splines, gearbox shafts, kingpin bearing/bushes, rear axle ball joint, suspension bushes, swivel seals, tie rod ends, steering box, etc. Some are expensive (steering box $700+), lots are surprising cheap and available.

Wiring insulation will be brittle and will probably need attention. Time more than money really here. You will have to do your own work

If there a lot of receipts and its straight, looks and drives well I'd pay good money they are great truck. If it's in poor nick the repairs will exceed the asking price for a loved one so walk away and keep looking.


I'm sure others will have tips too.

Clive

Makes no sense to me,you can buy a low millage Tdi Discovery for less money and they are a much better vehicle in every way.You are buying a money pit compared to something that has parts off the shelf,no brainer IMHO. Pat

I could not let that slip by ... You seem to be forgetting the " enjoyment and satisfaction" factor pat303

In any case I can't think of anything I have ever needed for an '80s 110 that was not available "off the shelf" either.....

I would drive the 110 in preference to the D1 300tdi auto .... and I've got both

More room, more style, more satisfaction

[QUOTE=87County;2406288]I could not let that slip by ... You seem to be forgetting the " enjoyment and satisfaction" factor pat303

Yep, the enjoyment and satisfaction always outweighs the negative, even when broken down in the middle of nowhere!

Originally Posted by PAT303

Makes no sense to me,you can buy a low millage Tdi Discovery for less money and they are a much better vehicle in every way.You are buying a money pit compared to something that has parts off the shelf,no brainer IMHO. Pat

or a ****ty old commodore or Hyundai... but that's not the point is it !


Oh and if you think a D1 is better in every way than an Isuzu County then you haven't driven at least one of them off road !

Well lets look at it,on another thread their is 5 or so low millage D1's,very cheap to buy,service and run,all parts off the shelf,A/C that works,child restraints standard,simply buy and drive.110,it'll have rust,no child restraints,slow,noisy,aftermarket turbo and if the LT95 has ANY issue it'll cost more to fix than what it's worth.Yes 110's are great vehicles but this is a family wagon,the D1 is the better buy. Pat