Heck if you are going to take out the camper regularly, you'd be better off buying a tow truck to drag it around the country.
franc123,
Jan 4, 1:54am
I don't think it would matter what petrol engine you fitted into it, it would never be economical, clearly you'd get more go from either a Holden 3.8 or Ford 4.0 but its doubtful whether you would use less than 15L/100km highway in that application.These engines gain much of their good economy from good aerodynamics, high gearing and lock up converters in the vehicles they are fitted to, not because they are necessarily that efficient as an engine.I'd look at whether a Nissan TD42 would fit into it, there was a period where fitting LD28's was the fashion but these weren't wonderful in that application either, no doubt good donor engines and suitable gearboxes are getting hard to find now.By contrast there are loads of good TD's around, heck even a 27T might do the job OK
thejazzpianoma,
Jan 4, 3:22am
You probably won't like this suggestion. but if it were me.
Before I went to the trouble and expense of changing the motor for possibly little gain in economy I would look at what the camper is worth as it is. Then I would consider whether it would cost much more to get a common rail van (say a $5000 Ducato) and convert that to a camper. I sometimes even see some that are partially converted under 10K.
The thing with the Ducato and the likes is you have loads of grunt (you literally pull out and pass etc like you are in a car. and not a slow car either) and you are looking at something like 8l of diesel per 100km. You can also knock it around town if you want when you are exploring and it won't use much more.
Otherwise, see if you can get a common rail diesel to fit the Ambo you have. just not sure how you will go with the ECU etc.
automan5,
Jan 4, 4:29am
Far out, my 4.2 litre turbo in my vx landcruiser just did 730km on 73litres fully loaded . You need a big lazy 6 and taller diff gears budmine pulls just over 2grand at 100ks with tons of torque
msigg,
Jan 4, 4:37am
Wouldn't be worth doing too much to it. Anyway you are getting free accomodation and thats expensive as well so there a savings for ya. Just ease off the gas pedal sit on 85-90km will make a big difference. jazz has a point anything newer will always be better, as in driveability, resale etc.
lookoutas,
Jan 4, 7:30am
If you put a 9" in, at least you will have the option of changing ratio's if ya not happy with what ya got.
thejazzpianoma,
Aug 10, 2:02pm
Common rail is the big revolution in campers, the golden oldie camper generation are catching on fast though and anything already converted is expensive. For them the running costs, easy progress and quiet non-agricultural driving experience is huge.
They just have to learn to respect the torque. its that group more than any that seem genetically programmed to destroy clutches and flywheels in short order.
Admittedly partial or full conversion of a van is still a big undertaking. but at least you get something worthwhile and valuable out of it.
Since the public registrations are closed, you must have an invite from a current member to be able to register and post in this thread.
Have an account? Login here.