Thread: ex-govt deefer; good or bad?

There are a couple of people on here with the ex-government 130's. From their reports, they are loaded up and it is worthwhile checking the chassis outriggers and suspension mounts for cracks in the welding.

Ah,

Ex-Telstra 130 - Strengthend chassis/diff

Specs on Ex-Telstra 130 Crew Cabs


Cheers
Simon

I really don't think it is either positive or negative - each vehicle has to be looked at on its merits. As you say, being a fleet vehicle, it should have been properly maintained - but being a fleet vehicle it is likely not to have been treated like the driver would treat his own vehicle.

I don't know about the vic railways ones, but the similar ones I have seen in NSW have been pretty heavily loaded in use. This suggests that careful inspection for a cracked chassis would be a good idea. I seem to remember they tend to crack near the front tray mounts, but someone with direct experience might want to comment. (repairable, but something to beat seller down on)

John

It all depends on which department the vehicle has come from.
We bought a Land Cruiser in 1990 at auction that was from the Australian Museum, two years old, 60,000 km, lots of accessories (I don't think the winch had ever been used) & very well looked after.

Other agencies, such as State Rail, I wouldn't even think about.

But that's just me.

I agree with Larry i wouldn't touch an ex rail vehichle, even if i knew the allocated driver or how well it was maintained. In NSW the ex Railcorp track reco and construction fleet has been changed over in the last 18mths from the old Ford Couriers to the latest 4.0l model and the new hump backed Tritons, the old Couriers being sent to auction or sold in general sale to RC staff, (the latter happened to very few) keep in mind there were hundreds of these vehichles, most of them specced up with winches, canopies, bullbars, lights etc. $1100 was close to the top price payed for most of them.
Any other Gov. Dept. i would think think the vehichle was worth a good look at. Railways fleet, you would want JC himself to go over it, but then again he was a carpenter, not a mechanic.

Cheers

Originally Posted by Boxhead63

Railways fleet, you would want JC himself to go over it, but then again he was a carpenter, not a mechanic.

Cheers

Originally Posted by Boxhead63

I agree with Larry i wouldn't touch an ex rail vehichle, even if i knew the allocated driver or how well it was maintained. In NSW the ex Railcorp track reco and construction fleet has been changed over in the last 18mths from the old Ford Couriers to the latest 4.0l model and the new hump backed Tritons, the old Couriers being sent to auction or sold in general sale to RC staff, (the latter happened to very few) keep in mind there were hundreds of these vehichles, most of them specced up with winches, canopies, bullbars, lights etc. $1100 was close to the top price payed for most of them.
Any other Gov. Dept. i would think think the vehichle was worth a good look at. Railways fleet, you would want JC himself to go over it, but then again he was a carpenter, not a mechanic.
Cheers

Actually, I AM a Mechanic



JC

All the ex railway 130's that I have looked at have been in atrocious condition. They are certainly given a hard life. I am not sure if kilometers traveled on the track shows on the odometer. Maybe someone could clarify this.

Motivation or drive for these vehichles is the same as if they were on the road. Yes, mileage is clocked up, but generally speaking the motors are left idling for hrs. on end. Therefore, the hrs. these things run for is anyones guess. I couldn't imagine this would be to good for them. LR or not.