More room got me thinking...

sven · Jedi Guardian Joined: 27 Dec 2006 Posts: 814

I've been looking every now and then for LT31's. I was so darn close a couple of years ago to get a -79 with 79000 km(!) on the ODO. It was an old library bus that only had been on the road once a week and still super shiny. They sold it for less than €1000 - "it was so old"...

So now I was lookinf for fun again (just for fun, promise!) and the high roof models is really spacey but it wouldn't fit in my current workshop. The lower version got a lot better fuel economy (wonder why...

) and they are also cheaper.
Then I realized - the roof it totally flat! A low roofed one with a pop top is perfect!

I think I must get one anyway... Happy

gerrelt · Posted: Sat May 30, 2009 5:56 pm Post subject:

Did you ever drive one?
I drove one more then 400 km's in one day to pick up my second (parts) Beetle. It was a diesel version. Man, that thing was loud on the freeway! Maybe it was because of the diesel and the high gearing (it used to be a pickup) .

Are the campers just as noisey?
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sven · Jedi Guardian Joined: 27 Dec 2006 Posts: 814

What is a bus - without a conversion? Grin

Actually I've been raised with LT31's. Far out on the country side where I was born the school bus for my first six years in school was LT's. And then my buddy's got one for the roadracing travels. A little noisy yes, but I want to rip the thing out and put something else there. It's super easy as the engine compartment is big AND extendable, on top of that it's a gearbox with straight axle. Some isolation too I think.

A bigger diesel, another gearbox and it would be a ten point-camper van.
Hmm... Didn't I mention the other day that Volvo stuff is dirt cheap here?...

gerrelt · Posted: Sat May 30, 2009 6:50 pm Post subject:

Aah...they used the LT engines in Volvo's didn't they?

Well.....of course we want to see pictures.... Happy

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sven · Jedi Guardian Joined: 27 Dec 2006 Posts: 814

Or rather to say, the engine that is in the LT is also in a bunch of other vehicles.

I also realized that the new LT 35's are extremely cheap. I can get a -02 or -03 with not too many miles for € 4000.
Why is that? They are built with really bad rust protection, even a bus that new gets rust in the north without serious treatment (same problem with the Spanish built MB buses). But to get such a new bus for that money, I can fix the rust myself and it's super big. No problem to fit beds, kitchen and a shower. Happy

On the other hand, then I'm back to square one... ...it doesn't fit in the garage. Maybe it's time to buy a house after all.

MostlyMonki · Posted: Thu Jun 04, 2009 2:26 pm Post subject:

I've got a '95 LT35td lwb hightop panel van that I'm converting to a camper. if you get an lt then look out for turbo diesel models with power stearing - withought they can be a bitch to park, but with theyre as easy to drive as a car.

turbo diesels are quicker and better on fuel than others, but still expect about 25mpg AT BEST.

or if you're thinking of doing an engine conversion, then i know a chap thats put a 4.6 rover v8 into an old LT, could get in touch with him if you want some ideas....
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sven · Jedi Guardian Joined: 27 Dec 2006 Posts: 814

That must be the coolest Old school-LT in the UK. Grin

Would be great with some pictures, give him my e-mail or post them here!
svenne.duva(the a-sign)gmail.com

I'm looking at mobile.de every now and then, and the mileage on newer LT's look pretty good. Specially for a bus that big. One problem though, very modern but totally uncarismatic! Happy