We did our Homework miss.....

Submitted: Thursday, Jun 22, 2006 at 13:53
ThreadID: 35177 Views:3368 Replies:9 FollowUps:11
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and we have saved thousands on doing research and finding out how to do things ourselves....

Draw system that i finally covered in carpet yest in 1 day while looking after Kasey and Amy ( 2 3/4 and 10 months)
then the cargo barrier : $298 brand new with postage
rear wheel carrier : $740 brand new with postage
2'' & 3'' lift : $710 put in

I know that buying a 4wd brand and getting ther people to do the work is a lot easier and more convenient for some but its amazing how much you can save by doing the research and hard work yourself and getting other brands apart from the standard 4wd ones!!

SO...WHAT HAVE YOU DONE THAT HAS SAVED YOU THE BANK !!! ???

Laura b
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Reply By: TerraFirma - Thursday, Jun 22, 2006 at 14:08

Thursday, Jun 22, 2006 at 14:08
According to the latest RACV report the Landcruiser Diesel is the most expensive vehicle to keep on the road..? Now my guess on this is that the 5000km service intervals are the deciding factor here as surely the fuel saved would make this cheaper to run weekly than the petrol model.?

So if it is the 5000 service intervals I would be doing these myself to save the bank , it can't be that hard to change oil, filters and clean an air filter..!
AnswerID: 179888

Follow Up By: MikeyS - Thursday, Jun 22, 2006 at 14:54

Thursday, Jun 22, 2006 at 14:54
I think you'll find that the biggest expense in the RACV reports for any vehicle is in finance and depreciation costs. But the diesel Cruiser costing more than most means these non-running costs are pretty frigtening.
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FollowupID: 436073

Reply By: ro-dah-o (WA) - Thursday, Jun 22, 2006 at 14:39

Thursday, Jun 22, 2006 at 14:39
20l drum of engine oil- between $76 and $101 depending on sales. That does 4 services (3 if I change the gearbox and transfer oil)

Oil filter every second service- isuzu genuine about $11 (from memory, buy a few at a time and its cheaper still)

an hour of my time (Like to take my time)

workshop consumables (grease, rags, morning coffee)- a couple of dollars here and there

Mineral turps to clean the air filter- a couple of bucks every couple of services

$40 at the most compared to the $160 that Ive been charges at holden, pretty good saving to me
AnswerID: 179893

Follow Up By: Longreach - Thursday, Jun 22, 2006 at 14:49

Thursday, Jun 22, 2006 at 14:49
Might have missed something here. Why does changing the gearbox & transfer case oil get you less services out of a 20 litre drum of engine oil ?
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Follow Up By: ro-dah-o (WA) - Thursday, Jun 22, 2006 at 15:23

Thursday, Jun 22, 2006 at 15:23
rodeos can use engine oil for gear box and transfer case- states so in manufacturers handbook. Hooray for me
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FollowupID: 436079

Follow Up By: Longreach - Thursday, Jun 22, 2006 at 15:30

Thursday, Jun 22, 2006 at 15:30
Well, as they say, you learn something every day.
Cheers
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FollowupID: 436082

Follow Up By: Member - Axle - Thursday, Jun 22, 2006 at 18:48

Thursday, Jun 22, 2006 at 18:48
Hard to believe engine oil is good enought for transfer case for australian conditions. I changed from 80w/90 to 85/140 gear oil in the landy transfercase and found it to be a lot better. (noise wise and viscousity issues).
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FollowupID: 436112

Follow Up By: ro-dah-o (WA) - Thursday, Jun 22, 2006 at 18:55

Thursday, Jun 22, 2006 at 18:55
hard as it may be, I have had no problems with noise and lubrication. We havent had alot of cold weather in WA yet, so I wil be keeping an eye on it to see if it makes geear changes and the like any more difficult. If it does, Ill consider changing, but until then its more within my budget and does the job.
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FollowupID: 436115

Follow Up By: luch - Thursday, Jun 22, 2006 at 19:20

Thursday, Jun 22, 2006 at 19:20
We use engine oil in our Rodeo as indicated by the manufacture and have no trouble even in the cold weather
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FollowupID: 436118

Follow Up By: ro-dah-o (WA) - Friday, Jun 23, 2006 at 08:43

Friday, Jun 23, 2006 at 08:43
Thats good news as I was unsure of how it would go. Thanks for the info
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FollowupID: 436202

Reply By: revhead307 - Thursday, Jun 22, 2006 at 14:50

Thursday, Jun 22, 2006 at 14:50
Nice work Laura!

I buy most stuff either 2nd hand or on special...Ebay has saved $$$ on certain car parts etc. as has garage sales.

A few things that've saved money:

1) Removed towbar from my old Patrol, and Installed and wired up to the Safari (including the 24v - 12v controller, as its an import)

2) Always wired up accessories, spotlights, installed car stereos, Amps, subs etc.

3) Custom made rear storage lockers that bolt up to the cargo barrier, and go over the wheel arches, for recovery gear and stuff.

4) sourced a door and front wheel arch panel from privately wrecked Patrols ($175 total, instead of $800+ quoted from wreckers) installed myself.

5) Installed and wired 3rd (aux) battery in Car, sourced 2nd hand 24 - 12v battery charger $$$ reduced.

6) Buy broken equipment and repair if i can as a hit and miss hobby lol (like my $2.50 GME tx3200 UHF which now works perfectly and took an hour to fix)

Bean counter by trade....bean counter by nature (with just a little petrol flowing through the veins)

Rev

AnswerID: 179895

Follow Up By: Member No 1- Thursday, Jun 22, 2006 at 16:39

Thursday, Jun 22, 2006 at 16:39
typical bean counter...always thinking of how to or counting how much one can save..hehehe
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FollowupID: 436092

Reply By: Member - Bruce and Anne - Thursday, Jun 22, 2006 at 14:57

Thursday, Jun 22, 2006 at 14:57
There is a service station in town (Nanango) where I take the two MUs I supply oil and filter, he checks every thing and allows me to get under the vehicle to check what I wont also. Labour $65 and washes the wind screen and check tyre pressures. I cant bet that and especially when I can hang around while he does it, I like to know what people are doing to my trucks.
Cheers Bruce
AnswerID: 179896

Reply By: Michael ( Moss Vale NSW) - Thursday, Jun 22, 2006 at 15:05

Thursday, Jun 22, 2006 at 15:05
Laura!! Imagine the money you could save if you had a Commodore instead!!! :)
Patrol 4.2TDi 2003

Retired 2016 and now Out and About!

Somewhere you want to explore ? There is no time like the present.

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AnswerID: 179898

Follow Up By: Member - JohnR (Vic)&Moses - Thursday, Jun 22, 2006 at 15:30

Thursday, Jun 22, 2006 at 15:30
Actually Michael, she could have had two Patrols like you had she headed that way as they are listed as the cheapest heavy duty 4by.
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FollowupID: 436083

Reply By: brian - Thursday, Jun 22, 2006 at 15:45

Thursday, Jun 22, 2006 at 15:45
Had drawer system professionally made by a matefrom ply wood $250 has worked for last 5 years.
AnswerID: 179901

Reply By: Member - Brian H (QLD) - Thursday, Jun 22, 2006 at 16:45

Thursday, Jun 22, 2006 at 16:45
Never tell the wife what i've done or got, I figure she will find out at some stage, I kinda leave it in the NEED to know basis :).

And just in case she reads this i'm not saying LOL.

Brian
AnswerID: 179913

Follow Up By: Member - Bware (Tweed Valley) - Thursday, Jun 22, 2006 at 18:10

Thursday, Jun 22, 2006 at 18:10
Haha, I never tell how much I've saved because then she thinks she has more to spend.
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FollowupID: 436106

Reply By: Member - Tony W (VIC) - Thursday, Jun 22, 2006 at 19:16

Thursday, Jun 22, 2006 at 19:16
it is amazing how much you can save just by ringing around and quoting other peoples prices, must be alot of mark up, never assume the salesperson knows more about the product than you , but is good to get someone who does and willing to help ,very rare thats my 2 cents worth anyhow
tony
AnswerID: 179936

Reply By: chump_boy - Friday, Jun 23, 2006 at 11:12

Friday, Jun 23, 2006 at 11:12
We just buy our expensive items direct from the manufacturer in China, saves us a bucketload. Sometimes we have to buy 5 or 10 of something, but there are usually enough people around to relieve us of the extras.....

Some items are just ridiculously priced - $3 for 300watt inverters - but you have to buy a minimum of 10000 units.......

It kinda helps working for the chinese government department that runs the ships to Australia......

lol

Cheers,

Chump
AnswerID: 180047

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