Airforce Isuzu 79 rangie question

[discopete]

Hi all,
just tracked down a 79ish rangie that I thought had a vm diesel but the owner says it's an isuzu put in by the airforce. He reckons it also has difflocks put in by airforce as well. Has anyone heard of such a vehicle?

Pete

[87County]

not really!!

and I don't think that even with an Isuzu that it would fly...

(coulda been when they were really short of aeroplanes I suppose)

(vm diesel was late 80s - others will know exactly when...)

[Phoenix]

I've heard oc rangies with claimed military service, but i've never seen any proved (or found any in the rego books of the time for the army, the air force books have been lost)

[3toes]

RAAF purchased vehicles seperate from Army, hence RAAF used Toyota Landcruisers whiles Army had Land-Rovers.

In eighties there came an element of standardisation in that if was a signals vehicles used Land-Rover from Army. RAAF continued to purchase Toyota Landcruisers for rest of fleet. These were all basicly civilian spec Toyotas.

On this basis chances of the vehicle being re-engined with an Isuzu to meet military RAAF spec are slim at best. That it was once owned by someone who worked for the RAAF seems more likely.

[discopete]

Perhaps this guy means Army, or perhaps he is full of it. I'll go and have a look on Monday. Would the Army have ever used rangies?

Pete

[101RRS]

From about the early 70s - Army used landies and some land cruisers, RAAF mainly used landcruisers, Navy had landies, landcruisers and Ford Broncos. In my 30 years in the military, I never did see a military Range Rover - let alone one with an isuzu engine.

I think this is a ring-in - as someone said - a RR owned by a Raafie Chappie and over the years the RR has morfed into a RAAF RR.

Garry

[Lotz-A-Landies]

I had Range Rovers right through the 1980's and before that series Land Rovers and I would have noticed any RR in NSW with RAAF plates. (Not suggesting that I was all places in NSW at all times.) Furthermore, I am sure it would have been a topic of conversation in the RR Club during the VM diesel period when I was a member and so as others have said, it's probably a furphy!

The only RRs that we know were owned by any Australian (Federal) Government Department were 2 door rangies by the ABC and that was only in the early 1970's.

Diana

[discopete]

Thanks everyone. The morphing theory is a possibility. Spoke with JC today and he was saying it may have some army/raaf running gear. I'll find out more on Monday.

Cheers,
Pete

[101RRS]

Also - wouldn't a 79 RR be a year or two, too early for an Isuzu landie - but I am not up on these issues.

Garry

[Blknight.aus]

you will probabley find that its a rangie with a RAAF isuzu engine in it.....

If I find it Im bringing it back.

[discopete]

you will probabley find that its a rangie with a RAAF isuzu engine in it.....

If I find it Im bringing it back.

Luckily its location is classified information at this point. :cool::D

Pete

[discopete]

Bit of an update. Looks like it's not ADF/RAAF engine. From my understanding these have 12 volt starters, this one has a dual batt setup and special switch that runs 24 volt to start then reverts to 12 volt. And unfortunately no roller transfer conversion. Will post more in new thread when I pick it up tomorrow.

Pete

[abaddonxi]

And pics.:D

Congratulations, Pete.

Simon

[discopete]

And pics.:D

Congratulations, Pete.

Simon

Pics tomorrow. But be warned, this is probably the worst condition isuzu RRC you will see. The engine has definitely outlasted the rest of the car.

Pete