Well!!! Now I need new transport

[Moondog55]

Decisions decisions
Insurance company just rang, they have a maximum payout of $3k so because the old ute was worth more than that I get $3k plus the car back, as-is.
Now I don't know whether to fix it ( $2000-) or wreck it for parts and use the money to buy something about the same and retro fit the HD tow pack bits and pieces [ about $700-] I'm really tempted to repair as someone previous to me spent a LOT of money on this engine

[neilmny]

Has it been reliable Moondog, I think a person can buy a lot of trouble unless it comes from someone you trust.......... better the devil you know.

[Moondog55]

That's how the Boss and I are thinking; perhaps enough left over to do the brakes and new M & S tyres on bigger [ legal ] rims for greater ground clearance

[Moondog55]

Wow! and "WOW" again
Insurance write off maybe but I just got my ute back and a check for about $2700- will arrive soon and I just dropped it off at the panel beaters for a quick but roadworthy repair using a mixture of new and second hand parts which is ball parked at $1200 to $1500. New radiator but second hand [wrecker sourced] bonnet

[cajun]

I would call that a definite win!

[Strider]

And still enough leftover for those tyres you wanted!

[Moondog55]

And still enough leftover for those tyres you wanted!

Well maybe the tyres I need, I want the "Big,macho" ones to match my mustache The 235/70 look pretty good

[Strider]

235/70R15 is almost the same size as 30x9.5R15 from memory. Except the latter is available in stronger constructions.

[Moondog55]

I thought the Imperial measures tyres were much taller; they certainly look it and the book says they need the wider rim 7inch not 6.5

[andrewa]

Excellent outcome. Didn't realise that insurance companies still could come to such outcomes. I thought they just took your car away, and paid you x minus $500 dollars? Like they did 20 yrs ago!

A

[Strider]

Yeah they might be an inch taller actually. Don't rule out upgrading rims if necessary. Sunraysias are only $50-60 each, or so.

[Moondog55]

If I upgrade it will be to mag/ally alloys as I have a half dozen 6 * 15inch steel rims sitting here
I can always put the 6*14 alloys on the trailer with high-milers or similar tyres and then I'd have multiple spares or even the extra 15inch rims on the trailer

http://yokohama4-px.rtrk.com.au/Tyres/D ... -Star.aspx
The extra clearance wouldn't go astray , the RY818 is probably not the best tyre for mud and slush tho ; hence my thoughts on the Geolandar

[Nuts]

I have those ATS 30/9.5. they are on 15x6 rims. Popular tyre for Mitsubishi vans, maximum height before you need a hammer and grinder.
They seem pretty good on wet gravel and slush (in rear wheel drive), clog quickly in mud off-road as you'd expect, cheaper end of the established brands iirc (they have been on 4 yrs) they were recommended as a good wet-tar/AT compromise. (which likely means they use a slightly softer compound)

[Moondog55]

Might actually grab a set of 4 mags off-of ebay for the ute and sell through the 14inch mags, then I would have the same wheel and tyre on both the trailer and the car

[photohiker]

Good plan to have same sizes!

[Moondog55]

One new radiator plus new water pump plus hoses/gaskets/etc
$790-
But an annoying little squeak I had gotten used to is gone.

I guess next in the queue is getting all the front end bushes replaced and good for another few years [ or decades old Fords don't die they just slowly rust away] and finding some storage space in the vacant hole under the tray.
I do like the way the new wheel and tyre combo drive and I'm looking forward to getting it onto a wet dirt track

[walkon]

old Fords don't die they just slowly rust away

Moondog you should be chucked off bushwalk.com for this blatant lie. Ford excelled in the golden era of rust buckets XA B C... and unfortunately kept it up into the 90's. I'm amazed that there are any left they rust so much, from experience every week the cars lose 10kg of corrosion.

Why would you want to get the car onto a wet road? do you drive in waders? Or are the seats upholstered in plastic? Old fords aren't known for their weather proofness

[Moondog55]

old Fords don't die they just slowly rust away

Moondog you should be chucked off bushwalk.com for this blatant lie. Ford excelled in the golden era of rust buckets XA B C... and unfortunately kept it up into the 90's. I'm amazed that there are any left they rust so much, from experience every week the cars lose 10kg of corrosion.

Why would you want to get the car onto a wet road? do you drive in waders? Or are the seats upholstered in plastic? Old fords aren't known for their weather proofness

Not possible Iron oxide weighs MORE that the initial steel does, you must be thinking of the bits that fall off while driving

[andrewbish]

Moondog you should be chucked off bushwalk.com for this blatant lie. Ford excelled in the golden era of rust buckets XA B C... and unfortunately kept it up into the 90's. I'm amazed that there are any left they rust so much, from experience every week the cars lose 10kg of corrosion....Why would you want to get the car onto a wet road? do you drive in waders? Or are the seats upholstered in plastic? Old fords aren't known for their weather proofness

Outstanding work, Walkon. Take a bow.

[Moondog55]

I have to find a wet road because I can't afford the fee at the skid track in Seymour. I just want to find out how sticky this rubber on slick roads
Andrew it that a vote in favour of Holdens??