Independent LawnMowing Contractors Of Australia Forum
Page 1 of 14 1234567891011121314 LastLast
Results 1 to 15 of 206

Thread: your vehicle

  1. #1
    MEMBER Fred's mowing's Avatar
    Join Date
    Oct 2008
    Location
    bayside melb
    Posts
    3,223

    Default your vehicle

    What do u have?
    Does it suit your needs?
    Whats your dream work vehicle?
    What mods/alterations have u done to your vehicle?

    Just thought I'd start a thread to get some ideas happening.

    My vehicle is a 94 Mazda T4000 dual cab tipper.
    Fairley recently my mate built a mower/toolbox thats bolted across the front of the tray.
    Now I dont have the need to pull a trailer but still have that option.
    Obviously my greenwaste carrying capacity has decreased but, I still have 4-5m3 which for me is sufficient.
    Ive had this vehicle for the last 14yrs & its been the most reliable vehicle Ive ever had, its been mag!
    One clutch & the usual consumables, tyres, batteries etc.
    Ive serviced the vehicle reguarly myself, it now has just turned over 300 k's.
    I payed 20g 14yrs ago & after doing a little research reckon its still worth about 10-12g.
    The thing is, how long will it keep purring away?
    Do u guys have policies on how long u keep your vehicles?
    The way I see it is I have 3 options.
    1. Just keep going the way i am.
    2.Put in some doe.
    3.sell & buy a newer truck.
    Im leaning toward putting in some doe.
    Thing is, i would'nt even know where to go to get a truck referbished as such.
    How will I go for parts in the future? the truck is 18yrs old now.
    This vehicle has been great to me & there is no sign of any major probs.
    Just minor stuff like chipped windscreen, worn interior, rusting tray floor, carp radio, waning appearance etc.
    So, lets hear your thoughts on work vehicles, what u got, what u want & perhaps, what u think I should do?
    Ive already posted pics of my truck in the ute/truck deck out thread, lets see yours.
    Out of interest my previous truck was a single cab Ford Trader with a 14m3 rock body.
    It was legal but did'nt look it, Ppl would stare.
    Will scan the photo & post up a pic later.
    The motor was still going strong to the day I sold it.
    The cab just rusted out to the stage when it rained u needed to do this
    Cheers Fred.

  2. #2
    Member Redeye's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2009
    Location
    Shoalhaven ,NSW
    Posts
    5,548

    Default Re: your vehicle

    2002 mazda bravo 2.4l, only 76 000k's, only mods are the toolboxes....love it, am taking off the tray probably next month to treat the surface rust and repaint with POR 15.
    IMG110.jpg




    http://curraronggardening.com/

    "All sin is washed away in the Holy goodness of Beer"
    Book of Redeye, Psalm 69

  3. #3
    MEMBER Fred's mowing's Avatar
    Join Date
    Oct 2008
    Location
    bayside melb
    Posts
    3,223

    Default Re: your vehicle

    ford trader.jpg

    There you go!
    Cheers Fred

  4. #4
    Senior Member edbeek's Avatar
    Join Date
    Nov 2010
    Location
    South Burnett, Qld
    Posts
    1,874

    Default Re: your vehicle

    Fred, If you are still happy with your trucks performance, I'd just put some money into it to tidy it up a bit. You might easily get another 100k km out of it without any majors.
    The only thing is it would not have much book value so you are probably not getting much of a tax advantage from depreciation.
    A few grand on new upholstery and replace the floor of the tray(and replace those Beverley hillbilly wooden hungry boards ) and it will look schmick again.

    I had a much loved '98 Mitsubishi Triton that had 280k on it when I replaced it but I felt it was getting to the stage where I wasn't confident that it would remain reliable doing the things I was asking of it.
    I got a '05 Hilux 6 months ago and just getting a bit confident now, that it's not going to let me down. Electronic controlled this & that gives me the creeps.

    005rs.jpg

  5. #5
    Member courty's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jan 2010
    Location
    Gold Coast, Qld
    Posts
    2,347

    Default Re: your vehicle

    2004 Courier 2.5T Diesel
    Have been running this for about 18mths now. It originally had two of the big tool boxes on it but I have replaced one with a box like red eyes that houses hedger,multi and attachments. Can fit 2 mowers on the back if I want to go trailer less and still have plenty of room for chaff bags.I have a plan for whippy racks but I just need to get down to my brothers to make it a reality.

    "I'm not alone cause the tv's on yeah,I'm not crazy cause I take the right pills.... everyday" Jimmy Eat World

    http://www.dreamlawnsandlandscapes.com

  6. #6
    Member Treecat's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jan 2012
    Posts
    71

    Default Re: your vehicle

    More photos Courty?

    I run a very similar set up(same ute, alloy tray, single large tradies alloy toolbox(quick release set uo for easy removal) that stores kombi's,chainsaws, hedges etc

  7. #7
    Senior Member m287j's Avatar
    Join Date
    Nov 2005
    Location
    West Pennant Hills, NSW
    Posts
    915

    Default Re: your vehicle

    002_opt.jpgI just upgraded my ute last week to a 2002 Holden Rodeo dual cab with canopy. Prior i used to have a VR V8 ute which ran great but was starting to cost a lot in repairs and not so reliable anymore.

    For me, i don't believe in spending big amounts on a work vehicle, just an unnecessary work expense, mind you if i had the money i'd love a showpony like a totally unpractical HSV ute. The wife has the expensive car, go figure.
    As long as my ute is reliable, presents well and has air conditioning i'm happy. These days with 3 kids, a 4 door ute is what i need. The canopy is great, i just keep my tool boxes in there, chemicals etc.
    I use my trailer every day as it has the ride-on in it so tray space is not a huge thing for me.

  8. #8
    Senior Member PaulG's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2010
    Posts
    4,991

    Default Re: your vehicle

    This is not mine obviously but I was eyeing it off earlier this evening. Considering they had an average condition AU2 with steel tray (wooden floor) on the lot for $10K I don't even want to think what the price was on this one (it wasn't stickered).


    20120621_190835.jpg

  9. #9
    Senior Member 4 Gardens's Avatar
    Join Date
    May 2009
    Location
    Calwell ACT
    Posts
    662

    Default Re: your vehicle

    Quote Originally Posted by m287j View Post
    002_opt.jpgI just upgraded my ute last week to a 2002 Holden Rodeo dual cab with canopy. Prior i used to have a VR V8 ute which ran great but was starting to cost a lot in repairs and not so reliable anymore.

    For me, i don't believe in spending big amounts on a work vehicle, just an unnecessary work expense, mind you if i had the money i'd love a showpony like a totally unpractical HSV ute. The wife has the expensive car, go figure.
    As long as my ute is reliable, presents well and has air conditioning i'm happy. These days with 3 kids, a 4 door ute is what i need. The canopy is great, i just keep my tool boxes in there, chemicals etc.
    I use my trailer every day as it has the ride-on in it so tray space is not a huge thing for me.
    Matt, I had one of these for a couple of years, it was great, room for the kids and also great to lock up tools with canopy.

  10. #10
    Senior Member holdenhead's Avatar
    Join Date
    Sep 2007
    Location
    Victoria
    Posts
    560

    Default Re: your vehicle

    IMG_0606.jpg
    here's what I have, 2006 Mazda Bravo 137000ks, Great Truck, Got this coz it doubles as our Holiday vehicle so we can tow the van. I brought it with 50000ks on it 2.5 years ago. The guy before me brought it new and spent lots on it, 130lt fuel tank, lift kit canopy, tub liner, rack, awning, reverse camera's, UHF, on board compressor etc. Brought it for $25000. bargain

    Cheers Rick

  11. #11
    Member Treecat's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jan 2012
    Posts
    71

    Default Re: your vehicle

    What do u have? early 2000 ford courier

    Does it suit your needs? Mostly, I am only new to running my own business and work for myself for the flexible hours(8 week old son, who i want to see grow up) so can get away without dragging a trailer(prefer not to anyway) being able to tip and 4wd would be handy though...
    Whats your dream work vehicle? Late model toyota hilux single cab 4wd(extra cab with longer tray?) tipper with the toolbox mounted so it could be tipped leaving the box stationary or removed and a cover bolted in its place.

    What mods/alterations have u done to your vehicle?just the normal stuff
    Rake/hoe/broom holders on the back of the "ladder bar", work light, toolbox(quick realese so i can remove it in 5 once most of the stuff is out of it) that houses(depending what im doing) chainsaw,kombi hedge trimmer,fuel,mulch fork,normal fork, small shovel,spares etc. extra tie down points on top of toolbox(means ratchet straps don't run over the door) fire extinguisher,first aid kit,small tool box and other a random tools are stored behind the seat.

    considering under tray storage but not sure exactly what i want to do. any set up tips welcome
    Attached Images Attached Images

  12. #12
    Senior Member AJD Mowing's Avatar
    Join Date
    May 2011
    Location
    Southerland Shire NSW
    Posts
    2,877

    Default Re: your vehicle

    IMG_2783.jpgIMG_2680.jpgIMG_2827.jpg

    This suits me fine at the moment but if I get to the stage where I need more than 1 helper I want something like you Fred but I like the VW flat tray with the duel cab..
    AJD Mowing Giving Back Your Life

    http://www.ajdmowing.com.au/

  13. #13
    Member Redeye's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2009
    Location
    Shoalhaven ,NSW
    Posts
    5,548

    Default Re: your vehicle

    like the idea of your quick-release toolbox, Treecat, going to think about this one




    http://curraronggardening.com/

    "All sin is washed away in the Holy goodness of Beer"
    Book of Redeye, Psalm 69

  14. #14
    Senior Member BobC's Avatar
    Join Date
    Dec 2010
    Location
    Pakenham Victoria
    Posts
    238

    Default Re: your vehicle

    Like Matt, I run a 2002 Rodeo ute. Mine is the Space Cab version and is fitted with a lockable canopy.

    If I know I'll not be needing the trailer, there's still enough room to carry a couple of mowers, brushies and blower etc.

    The Space Cab still leaves me enough room to store personal stuff.

    Works for me.

  15. #15
    Member of forum Stump's Avatar
    Join Date
    May 2011
    Location
    Epping, Vic
    Posts
    869

    Default Re: your vehicle

    This is what roll with most days. I do have an 8x5 caged and signed mowing trailer that I try to leave at home as much as possible.

    Ute 007.jpgUte 002.jpgUte 003.jpgUte 004.jpg
    I want to die peacefully in my sleep like my Grandfather.....not screaming in terror like the passengers in his car!!!

Page 1 of 14 1234567891011121314 LastLast

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •