1997 P38A HSE V8 good foundation for tough truck?

**PaulP38a** · 19th February 2013, 12:57 AM

Originally Posted by DT-P38

Make an offer to Paul and buy the Hard Rangie.

Yeah, thanks Dave... was thinking the same. Most of the work is already done

Keithy - my EAS is perfect as you would expect, and augmented with EAS Emergency Bypass and on-board air for tyres and cleaning. The HEVAC behaves nicely most of the time (and I am including the Nanocom Evo when I sell the Hard Rangie for re-calibrating the blend motors if/when it plays up). No oil leaks recently since I changed the sump gasket (yes, it does have oil!).
Roof lining is perfect. Already has 4.1 diffs to match the 33" tyres and a rear air locker (disconnected air line as the solenoid leaks!)

Problems/issues: mine is a 4.0 pov pack not a 4.6 HSE, the driver's seat has a tear in it, it is not "pretty" (a few scratches and minor dents) and I don't wash it very often, the ball joint boots are cracked, steering wheel is off-centre (rotation), speedo is out 15% (use the 7" touch screen head-unit/GPS instead/ until you do the maths in your head, or buy the $200 re-calibration box).

Regardless of what happens to Hard Range, whether I sell it or close it down, the ability to lift a P38 with EAS another 50mm in order to fit 33" tyres and capability to improve off-road clearance under diffs will continue in some form...

If someone buys Hard Range, the HRA Lift Kit is a "hero product" as Dave says, and the new owner will be a fool to not continue with it.

If I close HRA down, I will happily share the insights we have gained over the years (our IP) with the P38 community, as it will no longer be a commercial interest.

My advice to Steve is to get a 99+ model if you can. Overall, they are a better package than the pre-99 models as they have 4W TC and a more efficient Engine Management System. My 99 4.0 has at least as much grunt as my previous 95 4.6.

My final thought about the P38 - if you drive it, you will want it. If you are not totally smitten with the P38 when you drive it, then run away... there is a major issue with that particular car, or with you

Cheers, Paul.

**Steve223** · 19th February 2013, 05:35 AM

Originally Posted by DT-P38

Make an offer to Paul and buy the Hard Rangie.

Lol yea if I had more clue about the whole mechanical site that would be tempting but I guess they selling because it does not generate the revenue they want. As important as it is to do what you love you still need to earn a crust otherwise the fun goes quickly....

http://www.carsales.com.au/private/d...-1997-14331478

**Steve223** · 19th February 2013, 05:37 AM

Originally Posted by Keithy P38

Good work mate!

Have you got another one in mind just in case it falls through?

Keep in mind with your inspection that its a rover, so small oil leaks are common but big ones are an owner who does not maintain his seals! And the roof lining is probably sagged!

Key things to look out for are the HEVAC "chequebook" symbol (could mean blend motors are gone or worse), the air suspension may have seen better days or could be completely overhauled, and sunroof and air con drains sometimes leak - a sign that the drains need unblocking, generally nothing worse.

Got a link so we can have a glance at it?

The car supposedly is like new just used by rich family as the occasional drive, though roof lining starts to sag otherwise apparently in 1a condition

**Aussie** · 19th February 2013, 05:43 AM

I think their meaning purchase Paul's P38 not his business

**Keithy P38** · 19th February 2013, 06:27 AM

It appears straight and tidy from the photos! The interior has been looked after - a sign its had an owner that really looks after it. Looks good!

Or as mentioned above, Paul's Hard Range P38 is for sale with lift kit, 33's and rear locker and diff gearing all ready to rock at $11k!

Good luck mate!

**mtb_gary** · 19th February 2013, 09:04 AM

Steve
Looks good! With a lot of sitting around not moving check the rubbers (tyres, boots, hoses etc for perishing signs) as well as water in the oil from condensation. With such a straight clean looking original car at one level it seems a pity to want to modify.
Gary

**Steve223** · 19th February 2013, 12:11 PM

Originally Posted by mtb_gary

Steve
Looks good! With a lot of sitting around not moving check the rubbers (tyres, boots, hoses etc for perishing signs) as well as water in the oil from condensation. With such a straight clean looking original car at one level it seems a pity to want to modify.
Gary

thanks will, yes agree Nearly a pity to start modifying the car But if I buy it has to be the play can't have three cars just for driving on the street. car is Just listed so I will wait a couple of days and make an offer With the modifications I still would need to make I would not offer more than 8k So not sure whether he would go for that

**Keithy P38** · 19th February 2013, 12:20 PM

There's only one way to find out!

Here are 3 that I would be looking at... Very good condition and value for money.

http://carsales.mobi/cars/details/?R=13876708

http://carsales.mobi/cars/details/?R=14334651

http://carsales.mobi/cars/details/?R=14087459

**benji** · 19th February 2013, 01:43 PM

[QUOTE=Keithy P38;1860263]Paul + 3 other people on this forum run 33's with bags still under the bum! The old 33's come in many fashions, and I believe it to be the 255/85's that offer the least trouble.

Sorry; yes it can be done, but AFAIK not without the HRA lift kit (which I didn't think was going to be available); or at least thats what I thought....

**Keithy P38** · 19th February 2013, 02:26 PM

You are right, with standard bags/heights you won't fit 33's without scrubbing.

Little mis-communication but no harm done!

I think if you were prepared to have stuff fabricated yourself you could make the lift kit up, would be time consuming but could still be done.

Thread: 1997 P38A HSE V8 good foundation for tough truck?

Thread Tools