Time to buy a 6x6

[Silenceisgolden]

Well with the help of this forum, I have decided that I want to buy a 6x6.

Is there anything in particular to look for? I know all the usual things with older vehicles, but is there anything to especially check on the 6x6?
Is there any particular style (ambo, troop carrier etc) that tends to have had an easier life in the services?
Whatever I buy, I will be stripping it and building a motorhome on the back. (I hope that is not sacrilege!). If I bought an ambulance, is it reasonably easy to rip off the ambo body? If I get a soft-top, is there any problem removing the roll bar - that is, would it weaken the remaining structure?
On my single cab TD5 130 I can feel the chassis flexing a bit over bumps, feels almost like out of round wheels for a few moments. Does the trayback 6x6 do this?
Does anyone have an idea how much it would cost to replace the diffs with 3.54's?
Any and all suggestions gratefully received!
Thanks, Paul

[123rover50]

Leave the 4.7 diffs in and just go to 900 x 16,s :)

Keith

[101RRS]

And where you buying 9.00x16s these days?

[Mick_Marsh]

Firestone, Avon Veteran, Vintage & Classic Military Tyres | Antique Tyres (http://www.antiquetyres.com.au/tyre-brands/military-tyres)

And I think the Michelins are still available.
9.00 16 Tyres (https://www.aulro.com/afvb/101-forward-controls-and-variations/50234-9-00-16-tyres.html)

[stealth]

STA or Coker Tyres in the States. Pricey but available. Just bought some 1100 x18 for another project.

[Silenceisgolden]

Leave the 4.7 diffs in and just go to 900 x 16,s :)

Keith

Thanks for the suggestion, but I had trouble finding 9.00x16's ten years ago when I had a 101 and an S2B. Besides, they make a very heavy wheel - in fact, I am hoping to find some alloys to fit whatever Perentie I buy so that I can change a flat without crippling myself!

[alan48]

Hi,
on my 101 camper I fitted 315 ? 16's to 8 inch 101 rims i bought from Caddocks in UK and they were great--may have been Maxxis -can't remember but yes wheel/tyre was heavy so agree alloys would be an improvement but steel is stronger--but how often would you break an alloy rim anyway? Good luck--some fair value 6x6's out there. Ambo is heavy though and almost up to max weight so maybe non ambo one the way to go. There are some nicly fitted camper ones in Nth Coast NSW as at recent Expo. Alan[bigsmile1]

[123rover50]

Thanks for the suggestion, but I had trouble finding 9.00x16's ten years ago when I had a 101 and an S2B. Besides, they make a very heavy wheel - in fact, I am hoping to find some alloys to fit whatever Perentie I buy so that I can change a flat without crippling myself!

You are right. I am 72 this month and starting to feel the pain too.
I have the Alliance 900 x 16 on the 2A FC with the spare under the tray. Its hard enough, but with the 6x6 I use a cheap electric winch under the bumper going to a block up the top. It makes getting them up and down relatively easy. Once they are down getting them on to the hub is then OK.

[Jackofalltrades]

The advantage with the 6x6 is rear suspension, if you have no use for that

is probably easier buying camper van,

roads are pretty good these days

be prepared to fix stuff and spend money,

would be good to know out of the 600 built how many actually need no work from the auctions,

They are the best Land Rover ever built, great value, generally I think they are over priced due to condition,

the 4.7 diffs are Correct for that motor,

If you want to go fast get a ford,

[Silenceisgolden]

The advantage with the 6x6 is rear suspension, if you have no use for that

is probably easier buying camper van,

roads are pretty good these days

be prepared to fix stuff and spend money,

would be good to know out of the 600 built how many actually need no work from the auctions,

They are the best Land Rover ever built, great value, generally I think they are over priced due to condition,

the 4.7 diffs are Correct for that motor,

If you want to go fast get a ford,

Thanks everyone for the replies.

Jackofalltrades, I wanted to up the ratios for less noise, not higher speeds. We seldom drive on bitumen so speed is not much use. As to the rear suspension, I am hoping that the extra flotation of the dual rear axles will be better in deep desert sand. Do you have any thoughts on this?

[weeds]

Thanks everyone for the replies.

Jackofalltrades, I wanted to up the ratios for less noise, not higher speeds. We seldom drive on bitumen so speed is not much use. As to the rear suspension, I am hoping that the extra flotation of the dual rear axles will be better in deep desert sand. Do you have any thoughts on this?

No issues on sand....same approach as a 4x4.

I’ve had 6x6’s at GVM on the beach without issue.

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2017/11/57.jpg

[numpty]

Thanks everyone for the replies.

Jackofalltrades, I wanted to up the ratios for less noise, not higher speeds. We seldom drive on bitumen so speed is not much use. As to the rear suspension, I am hoping that the extra flotation of the dual rear axles will be better in deep desert sand. Do you have any thoughts on this?

On our last two Edjit journeys we've taken a 6x6. In 2014 we drove cross country for 7 days in the northern Simpson and the vehicle was incredible. It had no more difficulty than the 110's and 130 travelling with it.

[Silenceisgolden]

Thanks Weeds, thanks Numpty. That all sounds good, I am really looking forward to getting one of these and setting it up for long trips. I guess I will need to get bigger fuel tanks if they do chew more fuel than an Oka. Even with 210 litres in the Oka we sometimes need jerry cans - bloody big country, this!
Cheers,
Paul

[nismine01]

Subject to having equal weight on board two extra wheels on the ground is fifty percent more grip and surface area. Worked well in the desert heavily loaded for our SAS.

If I had the money, ah there I go dreaming again.[bigwhistle]

Cheers

Mike

[Jackofalltrades]

Thanks everyone for the replies.

Jackofalltrades, I wanted to up the ratios for less noise, not higher speeds. We seldom drive on bitumen so speed is not much use. As to the rear suspension, I am hoping that the extra flotation of the dual rear axles will be better in deep desert sand. Do you have any thoughts on this?

sorry mate needed to figure out your logic, make sure you hadn't gone goggle eyed for the extra axle, (think that happens a bit)

Diff ratio is nothing to with noise, thats a diff problem, either bearing or mesh, wrong oil

Oh the rear suspension is impressive for ride and handling on bad surfaces no question there, extra brakes are nice to

Buy the later bushranger with ROPS on the back, if your doing proper touring has the extra stuff for distance, run the 235/85 on army rims, (bigger tyres more weight eats the GVM etc)

go and drive one, think I would stay away from the auction if your doing long runs, (unless your set-up for overhaul)

But you have 130?

not sure if I already had a good 130 that I would go for the extra work of the 6x6, that depends on coin & time etc

You will need safari roof, I would go with ladders over winch


I bought mine as a plate form it can do everything I need to, and accept all the compromises, big plus I have leg room,

[weeds]

Diff ratio is nothing to with noise, thats a diff problem, either bearing or mesh, wrong oil


I think the reference to noise is lower the engine revs.......as sitting on $1.05 in a 6B she is at max revs

[Jackofalltrades]

6x6. road speed 80-90 km (not that loud) do wear ear muffs long runs until sound proofing done

on steep hills 60km empty or loaded

thats the speed reality,

they are short on displacement, windage effects them, hills,

4.11 to 4.7 diffs deepening on gearbox engine combo generally give 80-90km usually only done to provide torque for load carrying / offroad


the lose of speed is offset by the handling, ride, cab space, payload, cheap consumables, over engineered, jacking points, wider track, etc

[Silenceisgolden]

Thanks Weeds and Jackofalltrades, Yes Weeds, it is the reduced engine noise I was looking for with the higher ratios.
Jackofalltrades, the 130 is great, but I am getting soft and want a fully comfortable camper on the back. The 130 doesn't have the payload capability or really the low down engine torque needed to carry a bit of weight over sand dunes. Also the standard Defender cab is too small to fit the amount of sound proofing I want.
Whatever 6x6 I end up buying, I will probably get the KLR beefed up turbo.
Is there anywhere on-line that I can find the history of any vehicle I am looking at if I have the ARN?
Cheers, Paul

[Cannon]

You could try here: The Registry of Ex Military Land Rovers. Australia, New Zealand and elsewhere. (http://remlr.com/)