Member - iMusty (VIC) replied:

I will sell you my coaster bus for $105,000

.

BenSpoon replied:

The things are ridiculous.
I went for a short ride in an army one once- have heard that Oka's can do similar stuff, but was amazed nonetheless.
From memory there is a donaldson filter at the base of the snorkel too. I seem to recall there was a fording depth of 1.8m- If you do get to see one, most have signs on the dash about it, and preparations required. Most army ones have press-studs stuck on the roobar for a water blind.
I've had to work on a few, and driving them at first is no easy task. 8-speed box, twin T-cases, high and low, air handbrake, lockers... you have 4 different levers between the front seats and are left scratching your head for which is which. Having to break in thru the manhole in the roof when you lock the keys in the cab is always novelty though.

signman replied:

Mate
There's a good one for sale up at Rainbow Beach. Its a hardtop 'radio ' truck-404 series. Low mileage R/H/D/ Brought out from Der Fatherland by a couple to tour Oz- but had to return home. Has the winch- external gennie etc etc. Would be good to convert to a camper. All the usual fruit- f & r lockers, extended final drive etc.

theshadows replied:

Dont now about hiring them but I have driven them. the split zf 9 speed was a typical road ranger box but the motor was a beauty. I have been told that there are sycro mesh boxs out there as well as auto ones.

only a 1.2 mtr fording depth though in still water . the best thing are the approach and departure angles. BTW dont forget to take a kidney belt and ear plugs they are very noisey.

the reason the snorkel is so high is to stop sucking dust into the air filter, the higher the better in road equipment. take a look at semi' the air clearnersare 2.5 metres off the road for that reason.

shadow

Member - Blue (VIC) replied:

The one's I drove in the army were awsome... 2wd to 4wd to diff locks on one switch. Fully pressurised driveline in 4wd, hand throttle made a great cruise control(automatically disengaged when the exhaust brake was activated), great ground clearance, great entry/departure angles, excellent ramp over angle and then there was the turret... How huge do you feel when on manouvers and you burst out through the turret with an f88 Aus styer and unload a couple of magazines at your unwitting enemy(all blanks of course)... The gun does become an issue in civie world though...

Damn it Wolfie, that jellyfish is getting around...

govo replied:

I also spent some time driving these while in the army..awsome 4wds to drive,very rough though until you lower the tyre pressures.I still laugh at the day i had my army licence test, a instuctor warrant officer made me drive thru Brissy in peak hour traffic in a 6wd International .These things had a crash gear box in them and we both thought it was a hoot to come up behind cars with me double and triple clutching till i found the right gear, you should have seen the looks in the rear vision mirrows.The warrant officer had tears coming out his eyes and was cacking himself laughing( found out later this was a favourite trick of his ).

120scruiser replied:

Agree awsome 4wd's especially when fitted with the big balloon type tyres. Unstopable.

Member - Toonfish replied:

miss da moggs i duz
80kmph theoretical in reverse
never tried it out
but i do remember a course in bastardization by changing a fake flat during a creek crossing

mongrels

timglobal replied:

So, they're noisy and industrial, but a great laugh. Scratch that - an awesome beast.

That much I had already gathered. BUT can anyone point me in the direction of a set of keys for one???

A little less conversation, a little more action as someone said?

I sincerely PROMISE to post all still and moving footage of my expedition(s)

I might even invite Jeremy Clarkson...

Tim