Chop the 80 series or use the 2011 hilux???
Submitted: Tuesday, Feb 25, 2014 at 18:06
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kdnosmith
Hi everyone, we have been travelling since june 2013 in our 80 series and campertrailer which has been great not missing a beat but now we have our old dog back which we missed terribly so his coming with us. So now we need a ute as his on the larger size. I know people will say get rid of the dog but we arnt getting rid of him again his coming and we are more then happy with that.
Our 80 series was rebuilt and intercooled before heading off so it only has about 25,000kms on the clock for that motor and has all the bells and whistles you can think of. Because we travel mostly by ourself with 2 kids we need to make sure we can get out if stuck or do minor repairs on the road. So its a great truck in all but do we spend the $15,000 to $18,000 to have it chopped into a dual cab. Or we have just brought a 2011 hilux with 45,000kms on it. It needs about $15,000 worth of gear to go on it to make it up to touring standed as it has nothing on it.
One day we want to chop the 80 then the next day go with the newer car!! 22yr car vs 3yr car!! Tuff proven truck vs unknown truck!! To many options.
Any advise would be great.
Thanks.
Reply By: Member - Bruce C (NSW) - Tuesday, Feb 25, 2014 at 19:35
Tuesday, Feb 25, 2014 at 19:35
Get a cargo barrier and fit it in the back of the 80 series and rearrange the loading to help the dorg settle down in the back. A good mate is a good mate, don't leave
home without him.
Whatever you do, considering you have spent a heap on the 80 series, hang on to it, get your monies worth out of it. The later ones wont do what you are going to do any better.
The 80 series is virtually indestructible anyway.
That's my 2 bobs worth.
Cheers, Bruce
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Follow Up By: Member - John and Val - Thursday, Feb 27, 2014 at 17:55
Thursday, Feb 27, 2014 at 17:55
Agree Bruce. The only reasonable/comfortable place for the dog to travel would seem to be in the back of the 80 series, on top of the drawers, assuming once the fridge is out they are left with a flat floor (if not it shouldn't be too hard to arrange a flat floor space). Put the fridge on the drawbar of the trailer.
If their dog is anything like ours it would not be too happy travelling effectively on its own in/on the tray.
Cheers,
Val.
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Follow Up By: Member - Bruce C (NSW) - Thursday, Feb 27, 2014 at 18:39
Thursday, Feb 27, 2014 at 18:39
Hi Val,
An old bloke said to me many years ago "If you want to make a mate of your dog, take it everywhere you go in the back of the ute, if you want to make it a really good mate take it in the front with you".
I proved that with my Bluey and she thought she was just it in the front of the ute. She truly was a good mate and I do miss her although it has been many years now since we had to put her to sleep. Cancer.
I am pretty sure there would be a good spot in the back of the 80 series where dog could have a pillow to
camp on. It would not need much room, just a few more stops along the way as it is old, as the OP says. We need more comfort stops as we get older. LOL
Well I do anyway.
Cheers, Bruce.
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Reply By: Razerback - Tuesday, Feb 25, 2014 at 21:25
Tuesday, Feb 25, 2014 at 21:25
Mod the 80 series without chopping it? Clearly if you chop the 80 you haven't used clear logic imo. Or tow a trailer.! the 2011 Hilux will be a simple purchase or wait for one that has the gear you want and buy that one. If resale value is important then the 2011 Hilux wins because it appeals due to age, running costs, and reputation.
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Reply By: Member - Noldi (WA) - Wednesday, Feb 26, 2014 at 13:01
Wednesday, Feb 26, 2014 at 13:01
I would not invest $15k in a 22 yr old vehicle, but thats me
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Follow Up By: Member - Noldi (WA) - Wednesday, Feb 26, 2014 at 13:01
Wednesday, Feb 26, 2014 at 13:01
But I agree about taking the dog
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Reply By: kdnosmith - Wednesday, Feb 26, 2014 at 14:10
Wednesday, Feb 26, 2014 at 14:10
Thanks for the input guys. We have a carrgo barrier and the back has a draw system with fridge in the back so there is not enough room for our big fella after that. We just got the idea to maybe put a cage on the front of our campertrailer if we take our bikes off which is possible. Going to talk with a guy that makes trays, cages ect tomorrow to see if would work. Travel safe.
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Follow Up By: Nutta - Wednesday, Feb 26, 2014 at 23:03
Wednesday, Feb 26, 2014 at 23:03
So with the draws in the back you would have to move them anyway for the chop?
The dc cruiser lc70 sounds good!
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809715
Follow Up By: kdnosmith - Thursday, Feb 27, 2014 at 16:51
Thursday, Feb 27, 2014 at 16:51
Hi Nutta, yes the draw system and fridge will have to go if we chop it. To many options thats is the problem we are lucky to be in this position but i doesnt make it any easier.
FollowupID:
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Follow Up By: Member - Frank P (NSW) - Thursday, Feb 27, 2014 at 17:39
Thursday, Feb 27, 2014 at 17:39
A cage on the front of the CT?
It's not going to be a very nice environment for an old friend. If he gets adequate ventilation he'll be breathing nothing but dust and exhaust. Poor bugger won't last long doing that.
Cheers
FollowupID:
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Reply By: Ozrover - Wednesday, Feb 26, 2014 at 14:39
Wednesday, Feb 26, 2014 at 14:39
Trade both vehicles in on a 78 series dual cab...
I thought about cutting up my old 80 series & putting a Brunswick V8 diesel in it, but it was still going to be a 20 year
old car!
Love my Dual Cab LC.
Just a thought.
AnswerID:
527268
Reply By: Member - Scott M (NSW) - Wednesday, Feb 26, 2014 at 15:08
Wednesday, Feb 26, 2014 at 15:08
kdno, my father is currently turning his 80 series into a tray back so he can change his camping options from his custom made trailer (which is getting too heavy to lug around and difficult to set up due to age) to a tray-top camper.
Like you, he doesn't want to part with the 80 as it's a known quantity (with 450k gearbox rebuild just done) and has a lot of kit he doesn't want to replace.
Not sure I agree with his approach, however I'll keep an eye on the job and let you know how it went.
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Follow Up By: Phil P - Thursday, Feb 27, 2014 at 07:06
Thursday, Feb 27, 2014 at 07:06
My 2c.
The dog is part of your family so travelling with him/her will be great.
I would not invest any more in the 80 Series. There are many Hilux Utes out there that have done 250,000 plus klim on them.
The only thing to also think about is the comfort level (space) of the rear seats vs the 80's Series.
I'd upgrade the Hilux, I prefer newer vehicles over older vehicles any day of the week.
FollowupID:
809723
Reply By: Member - Bruce C (NSW) - Thursday, Feb 27, 2014 at 18:54
Thursday, Feb 27, 2014 at 18:54
KD,
If you are going to put a cage on the drawer bar of the trailer for the dog, Mate, it would be better to leave him at
home instead as that would be way kinder than what you are considering.
Get some stuff out of the back of the vehicle and make some room for him. The fridge and other stuff wont suffocate on the drawer bar whereas the poor bloody dog will.
Have a heart, after all he is your mate.
Cheers, Bruce.
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