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Thread: If you were going to buy an RRC again...

  1. #1
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    If you were going to buy an RRC again...

    Tell me,
    If you had your time over, what would be the top 5 things that would make or break your purchase of a Rangie.

    I'm curious to know, because it seems that over the last few years, the prices of poor condition heavily modded rangies have jumped, while pristine originals have seemingly flattened.

    Somewhere in the middle are the not-cosmetically-perfect vehicles, like mine, which is what makes me wonder.

    How much emphasis do you place on cosmetics / enhancements over mechanical maintenance and upkeep?
    Roads?.. Where we're going, we don't need roads...

  2. #2
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    Well - maybe!

    I have owned 8 of these beasts so I think I can speak from experience about things that would matter to me.

    The 85 "Phase 2" was arguably one of the best ever made with the 5 speed manual and short shift. It had very few electronics to go wrong, coil suspension and despite being Lucas, even the electrical bits worked - well most of the time. The color was described as "Sahara Dust" more correctly thought of as "Camel **** Brown" If I still had it, I'd get it repainted in a better color, upgrade the 3.5 engine for more power, replace the seats with P38 ones, upgrade the lights with LEDs and a light bar and put BFG KO2's for better handling.

    The other one I'd be tempted to keep/buy would be my current 91 Hi-Line that has just had the engine changed for a 4.0 with top hat pistons, cross bolted mains and Hi-comp pistons. It now has P38 leather seats, Myrtle wood trims, BFG KO2 tyres, an external wheel carrier and decent lights. The paint is a bit average in places due to its life in the bush, but nothing that can't be fixed. This one is like yours - not pristine but highly practical, just the way I like it.

    In summary, if I wanted to buy another Rangie, my list of 5 issues would be:

    85 through to 92 with absolutely NO rust,straight body panels and a good color,.
    Proven professional maintenance (from a specialist shop - not a dealer)
    Upgraded engine and engine management system - a 4.0 or 4.6 though a worked 3.5 would be an option
    Coil springs and good tyres
    Clean, well maintained interior with effective air conditioning
    Last edited by p38arover; 23rd May 2020 at 12:25 PM. Reason: swear filter dodge

  3. #3
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    If I was buying another, I would be looking for rust free and the best (and unmolested) interior I could find. Mechanicals, not so important as they are generally easier to sort.

    A lot would obviously depend on the price to I guess...
    '93 D1 V8 auto
    '93 D1 200Tdi 2-door, ARB's, MD transfer, sill tanks, winch, 2"lift.......
    '95 D1 V8 auto......gone
    '86 V8 RRC.....gone

  4. #4
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    Is there such a thing as an RRC with no rust?
    Roads?.. Where we're going, we don't need roads...

  5. #5
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    yes my 91 was fully rustproofed.
    Even the upper tailgate was clean , well almost.

    Regards PhilipA

  6. #6
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    Mine is not exempt from upper tailgate surround corrosion, despite having cleaned it several times, and rustproofing the locks etc.

    I don't know of any standard upper tailgate that hasn't got it... Always wondered about the 1 piece alloy one, but was told it's a massive PITA to fit.
    Roads?.. Where we're going, we don't need roads...

  7. #7
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    Quote Originally Posted by Mercguy View Post
    Tell me,
    ....over the last few years, the prices of poor condition heavily modded rangies have jumped, while pristine originals have seemingly flattened.
    I would have said the opposite to this from what I see for sale on the net.

  8. #8
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    Quote Originally Posted by Mercguy View Post
    Is there such a thing as an RRC with no rust?
    Well, that upper tailgate is certainly a problem,but that is a relatively simple (if expensive) fix. However, walk away from ANY vehicle with rust in the door frames, foot-wells and/or structural elements under the body skins. "Country" cars usually avoid these problems. I once bought a Range Rover that had been driven regularly on Frazer Island and I learned the hard way never to do that again

  9. #9
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    I test drove about 13 2 doors before I saw the ad for my POS.

    Paid about 3k over the odds at the time for the privilege of the 350 and being on gas.

    Pretty stock otherwise, just a 2" lift.

    The original body (white) got rusty and I chanced upon a running 81 ish red 2 door that had good parts I needed, such as body, upper tailgate, radiator, etc.

    Came with a spare motor, a complete uninstalled BW 35 conversion, lpg system, etc that all got sold.

    Also was running a Ritters Ford C9 LT95 conversion which was / is a real work of art and now sitting reco'ed behind the 350.

    Super strong, reliable and very cost effective for parts.

    It's still in the process of getting Maxi's front and rear........... the front (which is actually a laminated county diff) is in, the rear still needs the bearings sitting 2 feet away from me installed.

    Has 15x7" rims with Rostyle centres installed. Off set means no flares. A really lucky purchase.

    What would I look for now?

    Exactly how it is now but not red. Red ones used to be worth 1k more back in the day, but forget it unless it will spend most time indoors.

    I suppose the whole deal is a combination of British design and innovation blended with US mass produced strength and reliability.

    cheers, DL

  10. #10
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    Quote Originally Posted by aussiebushman View Post
    Well, that upper tailgate is certainly a problem,but that is a relatively simple (if expensive) fix. However, walk away from ANY vehicle with rust in the door frames, foot-wells and/or structural elements under the body skins. "Country" cars usually avoid these problems. I once bought a Range Rover that had been driven regularly on Frazer Island and I learned the hard way never to do that again
    hi have tinted screen 2 door front seats and back rust free tail gates rust free top widow back fuel tank front guars d all cheap jim
    Russell Rovers
    Series I Parts Specialists
    russellrovers AT gmail.com
    Phone 0428732001

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