Cuppa's Blog

Submitted: Saturday, Mar 08, 2025 at 20:42
ThreadID: 149845 Views:1917 Replies:1 FollowUps:4
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Well we are back on the road again at last!

If you are interested in our home on wheels here is a look at our OKA.
OKA description
See 'My Profile' (below) for link to our Aussie travel blog, now in it's 8th year.

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Reply By: Member - McLaren3030 - Sunday, Mar 09, 2025 at 07:58

Sunday, Mar 09, 2025 at 07:58
Hi Cuppa,

Looks very impressive. Back in the 1990’s, I felt that these were the ideal off road capable touring vehicles. Whilst still “chunky” in their appearance, I still think they give the modern “Expedition” trucks a run for their money. Do you mind me asking how much approximately you paid for the vehicle?

Macca.
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Follow Up By: Member - Cuppa - Sunday, Mar 09, 2025 at 08:02

Sunday, Mar 09, 2025 at 08:02
Hi Macca, Ta. I'd rather not say how much it cost. Suffice it to say we paid what we had to to get it, knowing the chances of getting our money back on it in the future are not good.
See 'My Profile' (below) for link to our Aussie travel blog, now in it's 8th year.

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Follow Up By: Member - McLaren3030 - Sunday, Mar 09, 2025 at 08:06

Sunday, Mar 09, 2025 at 08:06
Hi Cuppa,

No problem, I understand, just interested to compare the cost with a “new” expedition truck.

Macca.
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Follow Up By: Peter J4 - Tuesday, Mar 11, 2025 at 07:43

Tuesday, Mar 11, 2025 at 07:43
Macca we have an Oka and have oned it since 2010, it was an RAAF comms van for the first 15 years of its life. It was hardly used at 70k kms so unlike most was in pretty good nick. I converted it to a comfortable camper and fitted a Cummins 6BTi and a 6 speed Allison auto so it is very comfortable to drive.
You need to remember that most Oka's were built in the 90's and the early 92 - 93 models are now over 30 years old.
Very few were sold directly to private owners so most were used commercially and by the defence forces, any that survived commercial use then needed lots of TLC to restore them to a usable condition. Many had done huge k's and were pretty well flogged to death or had been used in the mines and rusted away.
Many Oka's that were bought and refurbished by private owners are now either gone to the great wrecking yard in the sky or have been refurbished for another lifetime with new owners.
You can buy an Oka for virtually scrap value or you can buy one that is pretty much top notch, with upgraded everything from drivetrain to the camper body or full motorhome fitout.
As far as prices go a basket case can be had for little money or you can buy one that has been rebuilt to new or better than new with a modern drivetrain with auto trans and a full insulated motorhome on the back. The latter will cost you anywhere from $80k to $250k depending on the time since the rebuild to the quality of the motorhome. Your choice as it really comes down to what YOU can do as far as repairs and servicing as they will require both.
They don't have all the doodads but are an honest working vehicle with a ride totally unlike a cabover truck, more like a decent 4wd.
A new cab chassis with a Cummins and Allison transmission will set you back around $250k and yes they are available new but with a long build time.
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Follow Up By: Peter_n_Margaret - Tuesday, Mar 11, 2025 at 08:51

Tuesday, Mar 11, 2025 at 08:51
We have had ours since 2003. It was an ex tour bus with 300,000km on the clock. I built the motorhome conversion in 2004-5 and we have since more than doubled its km. It still has the original motor.
The work it needs to keep it on the road is proportional to where it has been, and it takes us anywhere we want to go in spectacular fashion.
I am currently building another (in between trips) which will be registered under 4.5T.
Cheers,
Peter
OKA196 motorhome
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