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Searching for dependable Missionary Truck

Get a frigging Land Rover Defender 110 and call it a day. Parts are easy to get down there, the diesel rattles along happily with good mileage, and they offroad fantastically in their stock configurations.
 
My brothers, sisters, in-laws and farmer friends drive Toyota diesels, from HiLux to 4Runners to pickups. One brother drives a Nissan Patrol. Used diesels are readily available in Australia. With the money saved compared to buying new, you can plan and stock ahead. Have a steering damper installed. Add helper springs front and back. Consider a snorkel. Ship it with spare parts: fuel/air/oil filters, shocks + lots of extra bushings, tie rods, ball joints, u-joints, alternator, bulbs, fuses, tubes of silicone dielectric grease (extremely humid there, world's largest tropical jungle island), etc. Ocean/maritime shipping would be closest to Port Moresby from Australia's East Coast or Darwin up North.
 
if he needs cab space, wouldnt a crew cab 73-87 body 1 ton turned into a CUCV (minus the slush box) work out ok? dana 60, corporate 14 bolt, SM465, 6.2L NA mechanical, Crew cab long box.

sounds pretty durable to me, and best of all, simple. That idea relies on him buying the truck and parts from US, and the ability to get it shipped. If that is difficult, I would hop on the toyota or land rover bandwagon.
 
This is the last he's sent me....was wondering about the miles/injectors/etc...

"Here’s the listing that I found on craigslist. I have a friend that lives in NC about 30 minutes from there so I could have him check it out. We have a month before we get back from PNG so I’m not in TO big a hurry. Just been doing a lot of surfing lately, and price is the major issue. I guess my main question on this one would be is the 355k to many miles to be considering it. The other would be how much and how big a job would it be to replace the injectors. I’d just do it myself if I had the tools. Haven’t done carfax or anything. At this point I’m not sure if we’ll even ship it to PNG. Now I’m concentrating on finding a good dependable vehicle that I can haul things with while I’m on furlough. If you can send me the info. or you want to call the guy with your questions that’s ok too. Just let me know what he says."

The advertisement has been deleted, but this was it:
"2004 FORD F350 SRW,4X4,6.0 DIESEL,CREW CAB,XLT,FX4, HIGH MILES 355K EXACT,ALOT OF TRUCK FOR THE MONEY THOUGH,HAS ALL POWER OPTIONS THAT WORK,4WD WORKS GREAT,5 SPEED AUTO TORQSHIFT,POP UP GOOSENECK HITCH,BRAKE BOX,REECE HITCH,CD,COLD AC,ALUM.WHEELS,HTD.TOW MIRRORS,GOOD WORK TRUCK ,COULD USE A COUPLE INJECTORS TO RUN PERFECT.$5900."
 
if he is considering an early 6.0L PSD, I think a 6.5L would give him all the destruction and shop work he needs while saving the mission money. :)

I think he is wanting something way too fancy to be put on a tropical island. I dont think the power windows are gonna be happy.

so, back to my CCLB 73-87 chevy with 6.2L 4spd NP205 Dana 60, and corporate 14 bolt idea. manual windows and locks of course.
 
I just posted his preference in vehicle and trusted that he knew about what is or isn't available in the sticks of Papua New Guinea. I simply posted this thread trying to figure out what he could keep an eye out for from the states. And I just assumed he was looking for a dodge/chevy/ford because all of his support comes from the states. He's the second generation missionary for the same area, so I'll trust him when he says the only reliable support he has is here... (Maybe I should've included all that in the first post?)
 
well, If 100 percent of the Missions support is from the US of A, some sort of american truck would definitely be the ticket.

does he have good mechanical skills? if someone fabbed up a dream truck could he work on it? 12V cummins, 6 speed ally, all in a 73-87 chevy maybe?
 
GM Guy said:
well, If 100 percent of the Missions support is from the US of A, some sort of american truck would definitely be the ticket.

does he have good mechanical skills? if someone fabbed up a dream truck could he work on it? 12V cummins, 6 speed ally, all in a 73-87 chevy maybe?
Click to expand...

I'm sure he could. I don't know the extent of his mechanical abilities, but he was a sheet metal work here in the states between college and moving back to Papua New Guinea. They have diesel generators, a diesel tractor, and whatever vehicle they currently have that they keep running...so I'm sure he knows a little bit about working on vehicles. It sounded like his budget was 6-9k, so the build was kind of tossed because we figured that'd be too expensive, but he does already know about the 12 vlv legacy. But, I do like your thinking on the build.

Anyhow, that's why I was wondering if a late 80's 3/4 ton suburban with a solid front end and 6.2 diesel would work for him. (They did have a solid front end, right? Or am I just being ignorant now?)
 
yes, every squarebody 4wd burb I have seen has a solid front axle.

he could probably rebuild the slushbox, but I think a SM465 would be the better choice for tranny choice. maybe throw a detroit locker in the 14 bolt for simple durable, reliable traction.
 
Just did a quick search on my phone-can't do a searchtempest search, but I emailed him a couple of finds...

http://nd.craigslist.org/cto/2986896851.html
http://indianapolis.craigslist.org/cto/2926662728.html
http://louisville.craigslist.org/cto/2917604207.html
http://greatfalls.craigslist.org/cto/2912371479.html

It sounds like he'd be willing to travel for the right truck, so if you know of a truck here, please don't be afraid to post or pm me. I think I remember him saying that he'll be in Indiana for a bit before heading to Oklahoma...
 
L98TPI said:
Get Craigs List Notifier app on your phone. You will wonder how you ever got by with out it if you are a CL fan.
Click to expand...
I couldn't find it. :-(. I do have Craigslist pro though. Or something to that effect.

Update on my friend's search: his father in law purchased a gas vehicle for state side driving, so he doesn't know what his plan will be for when he returns. I told him he'll have plenty of time to think about it while on furlough.
 
treegump said:
I couldn't find it. :-(. I do have Craigslist pro though. Or something to that effect.
Click to expand...

I just looked it up in Google Play Store (Google changed that name too) and it looks like the name has changed a bit to Craigslist Notification. They guy that wrote it had a bit of trouble with the Birkenstock sandal wearing bunch at CL and had to change the name before so maybe they relented and got off his back.

I like this app since I can get a notification of something matching my filter as often as every 10 minuets. And I can set up multiple searches for the same thing getting around some of the shortcomings of CL's search engine.

Now if I just had the cash to spend :D The yard would be littered with trucks :eek:
 
GM Guy said:
if he needs cab space, wouldnt a crew cab 73-87 body 1 ton turned into a CUCV (minus the slush box) work out ok? dana 60, corporate 14 bolt, SM465, 6.2L NA mechanical, Crew cab long box.

sounds pretty durable to me, and best of all, simple. That idea relies on him buying the truck and parts from US, and the ability to get it shipped. If that is difficult, I would hop on the toyota or land rover bandwagon.
Click to expand...

haha sounds like my truck minus the duals and a 6.5 instead of the 6.2.

if its all slower speed grunt pulling work that would be a great idea, dirt cheap, simple, and reliable.
 
I'll let him know of the CUCV idea if he's still interested in purchasing a truck to take over. Not sure though...haven't chatted with him since he made it back in the states.
 
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