I've only previously posted in the cooking sections, but have been gleaning wonderful information from other forums. I need some advice!
I'm seriously considering throwing the tent and the dog (poor dog!) in the back of a car next year and checking out the east coast, minimum 6 months, maybe permanent. I have had some 4wd experience, and USED to own a (very pretty!) Jeep, sold it when I chose to do the urban thing for a few years but getting VERY itchy feet. The Jeep was brand new, but I don't have that kind of money now! I know nothing about cars, apart from where to put the petrol...usually...and could do with some advice on choosing a vehicle. I've heard Toyota Land cruisers are pretty reliable, but I am talking a 1977 series 40 model. I guess I am concerned about sinking what little I have into something that's pretty old. Any advice?
Cheers,
Alex
GaryKelly said
05:07 PM Aug 15, 2014
Old shall not weary them. Two main things I would suggest (given the little I know) is a straight rust-free body and mechanically sound. Be prepared to spend a few bob on repairs in any case.
Aspirations said
10:58 PM Aug 15, 2014
Thanks Gary! Appreciate it. If I go ahead, I'll post a pic!
Cloak said
07:25 AM Aug 16, 2014
Up until recently we only had the most rudimentary camping gear and a very basic Jayco Dove. We didn't have a 4WD so just used our old town car.
We always longed for something bigger and grander but never got around to it.
Didn't stop us from going to places we like. Sometimes less is more and to really experience the great outdoors a basic setup is just fine.
Alex just give it a go is my suggestion. A couple of weeks away and you won't want to come back...
The Doo crew said
09:42 AM Aug 16, 2014
Sold the cooks brand new Grand Vitara & purchased a 1978 Daihatsu Wildcat (excelent bodywork tired motor) that needed a little work. Motor rebuild was just $1600.00 Towed behind our Coaster every time we went bush she was worried about scratching the new one as it reduced the trade in value of her previous Suzuki down to nothing due to the paintwork damage. This old girl is a razzer, go anywhere, fun to drive & it turns heads wherever we go, the scratches are reminders of our travels. I personally prefer the older vehicles (pre electronics) as any issues are an easy fix, and cheaper!!
Aspirations said
09:46 PM Aug 16, 2014
Thanks Steve and Mike! Your comments are encouraging! Very much appreciated! Particularly "less is more" and "the scratches are reminders of our travels". I'm trying to organise things so that if I don't want to come back, I don't have to so thanks for that!
Hearing the older ones are an easy fix is also reassuring. Whenever I take my car in for a service and my mechanic updates me on "stuff", he wonders how I have managed to live all these years...(Car goes = all fine, car stops = something wrong, right? I have turbo? Really? Yep, I'm THAT "mechanically challenged"!)
inthegloaming said
08:51 AM Aug 21, 2014
I bought my 1999 Landcruiser Troopie a year ago after looking for about 5 months, and had it converted to a campervan with pop top roof. I got an RACV inspection before I settled on the price. I have just come back from a nine weeks trip with a 4WD club from Melbourne to the top end and back via the desert roads. Works well for me as a single, but the living is really simple. I have an RV shade shelter that is easy to put up on the back of the car and also a simple sun awning that can be rigged on a purpose built channel on the left side, right side or rear of the car depending on the angle of the sun. This model Toyota is really reliable and after an initial replacement of worn parts and new off road tyres my 4WD workshop guys only need to do the regular maintenance.
Hi Maggie.
Looks a bit like my Landrover equivalent
Aspirations said
05:08 AM Sep 9, 2014
Thanks Maggie! Looks like a neat set up. Appreciate your comment and pic, thank you!
I ended up deciding not to go ahead with the one I saw. I felt sorry for it, and thought it would do much better in the hands of a collector! Will keep looking!
The 2 of them, I feel are an inspiration for living out of a Crusier for extend times of the year..
they plan to custom build their own camper, which will make number 3 for them..
Hope you enjoy their Story, have a read and get inspired..
I know that I am..
Juergen
Aspirations said
03:29 AM Sep 27, 2014
Juergen thanks for that! Wothahellizat(s) amazing! Love it!
jules47 said
09:03 AM Sep 27, 2014
Hi Alex (Aspirations) - if you want some inspiration, read Yeoeleven's blog - this man will be 78 in November '14, and started on the road when he was 74! Never having done camping at all previously, so a complete novice - he is one of the most inspirational on this site. His first vehicle was a very old Hi Ace, decorated with hippy signs, peace signs etc., with the basics. He has since upgraded to a 1990 Coaster, absolute luxury after the Hi Ace.
I have never seen him down or unhappy, he is positive and will inspire you for sure!!
This photo shows Yeoeleven (John) in the black t shirt and the dopey grin!! At Greens Lake, in Victoria, a summer haven for Grey Nomads.
-- Edited by jules47 on Saturday 27th of September 2014 09:03:56 AM
Hi all,
I've only previously posted in the cooking sections, but have been gleaning wonderful information from other forums. I need some advice!
I'm seriously considering throwing the tent and the dog (poor dog!) in the back of a car next year and checking out the east coast, minimum 6 months, maybe permanent. I have had some 4wd experience, and USED to own a (very pretty!) Jeep, sold it when I chose to do the urban thing for a few years but getting VERY itchy feet. The Jeep was brand new, but I don't have that kind of money now! I know nothing about cars, apart from where to put the petrol...usually...and could do with some advice on choosing a vehicle. I've heard Toyota Land cruisers are pretty reliable, but I am talking a 1977 series 40 model. I guess I am concerned about sinking what little I have into something that's pretty old. Any advice?
Cheers,
Alex
Thanks Gary! Appreciate it. If I go ahead, I'll post a pic!
We always longed for something bigger and grander but never got around to it.
Didn't stop us from going to places we like. Sometimes less is more and to really experience the great outdoors a basic setup is just fine.
Alex just give it a go is my suggestion. A couple of weeks away and you won't want to come back...
Hearing the older ones are an easy fix is also reassuring. Whenever I take my car in for a service and my mechanic updates me on "stuff", he wonders how I have managed to live all these years...(Car goes = all fine, car stops = something wrong, right? I have turbo? Really? Yep, I'm THAT "mechanically challenged"!)
I bought my 1999 Landcruiser Troopie a year ago after looking for about 5 months, and had it converted to a campervan with pop top roof. I got an RACV inspection before I settled on the price. I have just come back from a nine weeks trip with a 4WD club from Melbourne to the top end and back via the desert roads. Works well for me as a single, but the living is really simple. I have an RV shade shelter that is easy to put up on the back of the car and also a simple sun awning that can be rigged on a purpose built channel on the left side, right side or rear of the car depending on the angle of the sun. This model Toyota is really reliable and after an initial replacement of worn parts and new off road tyres my 4WD workshop guys only need to do the regular maintenance.
Looks a bit like my Landrover equivalent
I ended up deciding not to go ahead with the one I saw. I felt sorry for it, and thought it would do much better in the hands of a collector! Will keep looking!
Welcome and greetings..
Have a Read of what rob has done...
Rob Gray Living on the Road.
I hope he gives you some idea's..
The 2 of them, I feel are an inspiration for living out of a Crusier for extend times of the year..
they plan to custom build their own camper, which will make number 3 for them..
Hope you enjoy their Story, have a read and get inspired..
I know that I am..
Juergen
Hi Alex (Aspirations) - if you want some inspiration, read Yeoeleven's blog - this man will be 78 in November '14, and started on the road when he was 74! Never having done camping at all previously, so a complete novice - he is one of the most inspirational on this site. His first vehicle was a very old Hi Ace, decorated with hippy signs, peace signs etc., with the basics. He has since upgraded to a 1990 Coaster, absolute luxury after the Hi Ace.
I have never seen him down or unhappy, he is positive and will inspire you for sure!!
This photo shows Yeoeleven (John) in the black t shirt and the dopey grin!! At Greens Lake, in Victoria, a summer haven for Grey Nomads.
-- Edited by jules47 on Saturday 27th of September 2014 09:03:56 AM
Here is a pic of John and his old Hippy van (Hi Ace) taken at a camp near Bluff Knoll (Stirling Ranges WA) a few years ago.
And yes, John climbed it to the top (I stayed behind to guard the vehicles, at least that was my excuse)