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  1. #1
    MEMBER Fred's mowing's Avatar
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    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
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    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




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  3. #3
    MEMBER Fred's mowing's Avatar
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    Default Re: your vehicle

    ford trader.jpg

    There you go!
    Cheers Fred

  4. #4
    Member Andy B's Avatar
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    Default Re: your vehicle

    Quote Originally Posted by Fred's mowing View Post
    ford trader.jpg

    There you go!
    Cheers Fred
    Is that Mrs Monroe in the ugg boots?

  5. #5
    MEMBER Fred's mowing's Avatar
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    Default Re: your vehicle

    Quote Originally Posted by Andy B View Post
    Is that Mrs Monroe in the ugg boots?
    Yes, & the young bloke on her shoulders just turned 21.
    Oh, & little miss pumpkin head just came back from working in the states.
    Where does it go?
    Cheers Fred.

  6. #6
    Senior Member edbeek's Avatar
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    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

  7. #7
    MEMBER Fred's mowing's Avatar
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    Default Re: your vehicle

    Quote Originally Posted by edbeek View Post
    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
    201206270922
    This is why we use Bevereley hillbilly wooden hungry boards.
    We continuously condense our loads & its much safer than steel.
    Cheers Fred.

  8. #8
    MEMBER Fred's mowing's Avatar
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    Default Re: your vehicle

    Ok, could'nt get the vid to work so a pic it is.2012-06-27 09.40.23.jpg
    Cheers Fred.

  9. #9
    MEMBER Fred's mowing's Avatar
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    Default Re: your vehicle

    Some nice setups there.
    Does anyone have a policy re turning over vehicles at a certain age/km's?
    Just the economics of it?
    Effort & availability of parts, consideration into putting money in as the vehicle gets older because every part of its gettin older.
    Throwing good money after bad or not?
    Or do u just deal with it as it comes along?
    Same could be said about tools, but thats another story!
    Cheers Fred.

  10. #10
    Senior Member AJD Mowing's Avatar
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    Default Re: your vehicle

    Maybe even Old Beach??
    I grew up at Lauderdale..
    AJD Mowing Giving Back Your Life

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

  11. #11
    Member Of Forum TassieXJ's Avatar
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    Default Re: your vehicle

    Quote Originally Posted by Fred's mowing View Post
    Some nice setups there.
    Does anyone have a policy re turning over vehicles at a certain age/km's?
    Just the economics of it?
    Effort & availability of parts, consideration into putting money in as the vehicle gets older because every part of its gettin older.
    Throwing good money after bad or not?
    Or do u just deal with it as it comes along?
    Same could be said about tools, but thats another story!
    Cheers Fred.
    The plan is to upgrade every three years, depends on market.
    I do on an avg of 40,000 kms per year

    Im hoping to do the same with the rideon, but need a bitt more work.

    Could be a waste of money, but nice to just hop in and go, no down time

  12. #12
    Member courty's Avatar
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    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

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  13. #13
    Member Treecat's Avatar
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    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

  14. #14
    Member Treecat's Avatar
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    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

  15. #15
    Senior Member m287j's Avatar
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    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.

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