Light Truck (<8t Pantech) Research...Mech.'s/Operator Help???

[GypsyGoldAu]

Currently doing some background research for business future growth, and i am hoping either some mechanics or operators of light trucks may guide me to a wise choice for purchase.

Which motors are stronger, yet fuel efficient?..., should i go Pet./Gas or say Turbo diesel? Which tail lifts are least issues, back lift, or split tuck-away?...that sort of info, you know?....i'd basically like to compile a pro & con list and leave 'brands' till last as a precursor for buying...(ie; not brand loyal so much, except if a proven quanitity...)

I am aware from my limited reading that each 'brand' does have individual 'star' performers, and it is these i'd like to cull down to perhaps 2 or 3 choices...i'm also thinking 3t > 4.5t is on the small - light side for my intended expansion if that helps narrow it down. Seems some have great motors, but crappy g/box for example, or strong bottom end, but gutless due to epi or some such....

Side & rear access where possible is also preferred, and should it matter, i'm also interested in dual cabs, so i have somewhere to crash if i'm caught out on a job out of town.

I do have an HR licence, but imagine the 6-8t would max. out beyond my requirements, and my upper & maximum price would be in the $35K range???...and at worst, 10 - 15yr old max.

The weight limits have more to do with the rear volume to work in, rather than the transport of bulk/heavy goods. As my service offerings increase i will have a need for 'space', as much of my gear is hand tools or storage..

Many thanks to those willing to share your experience with this newbie.... :Y:

Gypsy

 

[OzzieAu]

Check out the hire companies to see what type of setups / brands they offer... there's a wide range out there, you could even hire something suitable to give it a shakedown. Fuso, Canter, Isuzu have good reputations.

 

[7.62marksman]

We run an isuzu 450long 8.5t with fold away rear lifter 750kf ezi lift
Have had this now for 8 years done 250k
Problems
Exhaust brakes took ages to find the problem

 

[Tathradj]

With a Pan you could set up a small folding area for those late night halls
in the back.
Save a Dual Cab and the cost.
Izuzu stand out for me as a mechanic. The early split box's had issues and
also rust but that seems to have been addressed.
Running gear and chassis wise very well built. Small trim issues but apart from that,
Very reliable.
When looking second hand, Naturally a good service history and be aware of panel
repairs especially in the roof area.

 

[xcvator]

Go diesel , most cost efficient/power ratio,
If the truck is over a certain weight ( can't remember what) there is a rebate available per litre of fuel used
Go for a simple 5 speed box, any more than that is probably over kill
Avoid electrical split diffs ( if it looses power in low range it's a long slooooow drive home)
Late model Jap trucks are generally slow and under powered for their size/capacity but parts are cheap
European/American trucks have better power/load ratios but spare parts can be a killer

If you can access/hire a crane when needed a flat bed tray truck may do the job with a shipping container fitted out to your requirements or even a tilt tray with the shipping container on.

Do you need rear lifts, would aluminium ramps be ok, Ausramp in Carrum Downs make a good product

Budget on about 3-5 klm's per litre of diesel

 

[B5MECH]

Check out the hire companies to see what type of setups / brands they offer... there's a wide range out there, you could even hire something suitable to give it a shakedown. Fuso, Canter, Isuzu have good reputations.

If your going in to the truck range turbo diesel only
Good advise OA :Y: I used to service the local council new fleet which are the Mitsubishi range fuso and fighters and are top trucks, have also serviced a few other brands, Isuzu build top trucks, guy I do a bit of labor work for runs a fighter and he loves it, he did have a problem once and the dealer threw a computer at it which was a fail they ended up replacing the turbo which he refused to pay for, he did have some hydraulics problems with his crane and when it was repaired they left a bit of ***** in the system and it occasionally gets stuck but he knows which line to pull and hose out with degreeser and hydraulic line on and off it goes, he's a heavy lift flat bed truckie
Lysaght runs one I used to service and they loved it to, brakes last for ages on them
There becoming one of the most common trucks on the road, very reliable trucks :Y:
The laws in NSW are hell right now and major crack down is happening so wouldn't like to own a HR license at the moment
Probably a bit more lenient down there in Mexico :lol: :lol: but then again I'm sure being a truck it would be a little different
Have you thought about a large trailer, something like link 8)
https://www.google.com.au/search?q=...AUIBigB&biw=1138&bih=528#imgrc=6tfmu90Z8_8jiM:
At least then you can dump it and drive around with dragging all the weight
All you need then is a good tow vehicle
Depends on the weight your going to carry I guess
I have rented a few Fuso's from 2 different companies and they are the most common rental around, they go well, was a bit top heavy when I overloaded one moving my shop to storage but that was heavy machinery
Maybe an owner will pipe in soon, In newer trucks I've serviced more Mitsu's than the other brands, so really can't say they are better than..... but there a top truck :Y: big decision, do you need a truck or a trailer would suffice
Edit; the council here only run Mitsubishi trucks now

 

[Moneybox]

I would say Turbo Diesel is a definite in a reasonably modern truck. As xcavator says, all you need is a standard 5 speed box in a vehicle of that size. We went Isuzu simply because more than 50% of the trucks in that range over here are Isuzu. They are a good reliable vehicle with some crappy plastic fittings inside that have no bearing on performance. I was thing the same as Tathradj, have a hinge down bunk in the pan. It saves wasting space in the cab and give you a much more comfortable bunk space.

 

[Davent]

I been eyeing this off......day dreamin though....

https://www.gumtree.com.au/s-ad/stratham/campervans-motorhomes/2002-mitsubishi-canter-4x4/1141805755

 

[GypsyGoldAu]

Gee, go and do a few hrs work and the thread gets flooded...thanks folks...

A few ideas there for me to ponder, though i don't see a trailer for my set-up, as i have a 24' van to pull behind the truck (sorry for leaving that out)...as i said, this is for the future, and i will be full time on the road travelling and plating as required...especially as the industrial repair side takes off...

Keep the feedback coming....Thanks & cheers

Gypsy

 

[Gem in I]

We have 2000 Isuzu pantec with over a million ks, well would be it sits around 700thou range (took a couple of years to fix auto elec problem my bad) 4.5t but got it weighted to 10 kilo under so drivers lisc. okay plus parking on residential streets over an hour also good. Only getting this far I believe we do most sevice/repair ourselves ie cooling problems, diff change and basic service but what we can't we found good truck mechanics as the dealer only had glorified service mechanics where the manager has a fear of oil apparently but this is good for business as they try to sell a new truck to you every 3-5 years. Just something also to consider. But great hardy truck all round and I have seen a lot of old hinos out there as well.

If it wasn't so old and had such a hard life I would cut holes in the side Pantech with gas struts to make windows and sell tacos where ever I stopped with the fold down bed in the back because if it has oil leaks just stop putting oil in it :lol: I'm that confident of it but the turbos do seem to be going in for repairs more often but could also be due to operator error.

 

[GypsyGoldAu]

:lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: ...funny post lol.

Isuzu were on my short list, yet i recall there were some models preferably avoided?

Hmm...hadn't taken into consideration 'street parking'... :8

Might get out to a few yards this weekend for a squizz at a few and see what works for me...

Thanks for that Gem In I....it is an important consideration, being my mobile workshop and all... :Y:

Gypsy