4WD Coaster bus conversion.

Hi Steve,
What about a OKA? They are already made as 14 seater buses and are pretty damn capable
Matt

Hi Steve
There's a couple running around Maryborough- Qld. My mate has one, and is converting it into a camper. Got the 1hz diesel engine. From what he knows, the were originally converted in Darwin.

Wouldnt the tour bus conversions be the way to go? Hino, Canter, Isuzu...already 4wd and the cabin and seating is just a drop on?

That way if you do trade at times...you simply remove the cabin and fit to the new Cab/chassis?

I would expect a Coaster conversion to cost substantially and then lose alot in resale at the end of economic life.

All the best

Matt.

Fred Black at Out Of Town 4WD in Newcastle has converted quite a few, using Spicer diffs.
They use a heavy duty version of an 80 series front suspension setup and replace the rear duals with a single wheel better suited to 4wdi ng. There are a few running around on the dunes at Stockton carrying tourists. they go really well especially when a turbo is fitted to the 1HZ on older buses. The later model turbo's pull really well too.

Steve

Have you seen these ones? Amesz 4wd buses and coaches

Good luck and tell us what you've bought

Cheers
Ted

G'day Steve ,,

give John And Jan a ring ,, he seems to poke his nose into all sorts of things ,, he may be able to give you an idea !!


Oz North Mechanical Repairs
Darwin NT - 08 89 84 44 58

All the best ,, Neil ..

J & D developments in Melbourne. Talk to John they are the ones that do most of the tour buses and are very helpful when it comes to problems or repairs

The only people I know who have had Okas have found they were very expensive to keep going. If Canters break for the sort of stuff you intend doing, I doubt very much that a Coaster 4wd conversion would be succesful. I just don't reckon those bodies are made for the sort of flexing they will get with halfway serious offroad work. If you really want to go down this path, I'd be looking at ex army vehicles. Basing an operation on two troopies might still be a better option in the long run.

Yep, JD Automotive Developments in Melbourne is the only one that does that a lot.
They do know what they are doing but the older shape Coaster (pre 93) was more succesful than the current shape.
Both series (especially the later shape) had problems with cracking front bottom and rear top window pillars after extensive use off road.
I bought 1 off NTAT (ATA) and it'd done 860.000 kms, but only 110.000 as a 4x4...
It'd cost them 38K to convert back in 2000. I believe it's now around 55k.
Sahara has sold all theirs after merging with some other company I believe.

the one on Ebay might suit as a trial, untill you are happy with it's performance etc.

I found mine grossly underpowered after decking it out as a camper and had it turbo charged. Fine for a while untill you get used to the extra power and want more..

got a Mog now...

good luck

Thanks for your replies, It looks like I might go the Isuzu truck conversion.

As I said I have till next year so I will keep you posted.

Cheers Steve.