Been thinking...

  • Thread starter Austin Shackles
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Austin Shackles

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about a LR PCV minibus, probably to carry about 12.

notwithstanding that the 101 is a tempting idea, as is the 6x6 disco, the
latter would still not hold enough people, and the former might be tricky
and/or expensive to keep running on a day-to-day basis.

So, on to today's thoughts:

Take a 110 rolling chassis, and mount a transit minibus body on it. Would
doubtless require a certain amount of modification to the bulkhead etc., but
since the body would stop being structural (except in as much as it needed
to be to hold itself together, and provide seat and belt anchor points) then
that wouldn't be a problem. It could be built using a new chassis and
suitable donor parts, or indeed I suppose by buying new parts to create a
rolling chassis.

question is, will the council give me a lucrative enough contract to pay for
it, and for the PCV licence to drive it...

 
Austin Shackles vaguely muttered something like ...
> about a LR PCV minibus, probably to carry about 12.
>
> notwithstanding that the 101 is a tempting idea, as is the 6x6 disco, the
> latter would still not hold enough people, and the former might be tricky
> and/or expensive to keep running on a day-to-day basis.
>
> So, on to today's thoughts:
>
> Take a 110 rolling chassis, and mount a transit minibus body on it. Would
> doubtless require a certain amount of modification to the bulkhead etc.,
> but since the body would stop being structural (except in as much as it
> needed to be to hold itself together, and provide seat and belt anchor
> points) then that wouldn't be a problem. It could be built using a new
> chassis and suitable donor parts, or indeed I suppose by buying new parts
> to create a rolling chassis.
>
> question is, will the council give me a lucrative enough contract to pay
> for it, and for the PCV licence to drive it...

This might sound like a stupid question .. but why won't a 'normal' transit
etc minibus do ?

Kudos for wanting everything Landrover, but there are practicalities and
cost-effectiveness to consider, I guess .. ;)

--
Paul ...
(8(|) Homer Rules !!!
"A tosser is a tosser, no matter what mode of transport they're using."


 
On Fri, 5 Nov 2004 10:19:56 -0000, "Paul - xxx"
<[email protected]> wrote:

>Kudos for wanting everything Landrover, but there are practicalities and
>cost-effectiveness to consider, I guess .. ;)

Will a Transit fulfil the need Austin has for rugged, get the little
sods to skool whatever the weather, viability though? Fine, it may be
great for the local urban school, but in the wild wastes of mid south
wales...

 
Mother" <"@ {m} @ vaguely muttered something like ...
> On Fri, 5 Nov 2004 10:19:56 -0000, "Paul - xxx"
> <[email protected]> wrote:
>
>> Kudos for wanting everything Landrover, but there are practicalities and
>> cost-effectiveness to consider, I guess .. ;)
>
> Will a Transit fulfil the need Austin has for rugged, get the little
> sods to skool whatever the weather, viability though? Fine, it may be
> great for the local urban school, but in the wild wastes of mid south
> wales...

I've never yet met a road condition where a 'normal' ie not Landrover,
vehicle couldn't, with a modicum of driving knowledge, get through. The
wilds of Wales may be a tad different though ..


--
Paul ...
(8(|) Homer Rules !!!
"A tosser is a tosser, no matter what mode of transport they're using."


 
Mr.Nice. vaguely muttered something like ...
> Twas Fri, 5 Nov 2004 10:57:06 -0000 when "Paul - xxx"
> <[email protected]> put finger to keyboard producing:
>
>> Mother" <"@ {m} @ vaguely muttered something like ...
>>> On Fri, 5 Nov 2004 10:19:56 -0000, "Paul - xxx"
>>> <[email protected]> wrote:
>>>
>>>> Kudos for wanting everything Landrover, but there are practicalities
>>>> and cost-effectiveness to consider, I guess .. ;)
>>>
>>> Will a Transit fulfil the need Austin has for rugged, get the little
>>> sods to skool whatever the weather, viability though? Fine, it may be
>>> great for the local urban school, but in the wild wastes of mid south
>>> wales...
>>
>> I've never yet met a road condition where a 'normal' ie not Landrover,
>> vehicle couldn't, with a modicum of driving knowledge, get through. The
>> wilds of Wales may be a tad different though ..
>
> I've met pleanty such conditions, examples include the main motorway
> route through austria in the winter (out convoy of landies were the
> only things moving bar the snow ploughs).
>
> An autobahn in germany which was covered in sheet ice for miles and
> miles, again out land rovers could manage it with care when everything
> else had crashed/given-up this includes a couple of mercedes g wagons
> (must have been inept drivers in those cases) and a couple of other
> misc 4x4's.

I don't count 'foregners' .. ;)

> The local floods here last week, 2 foot deep blocking many routes,
> very very hard to find a way anywhere if you couldn't wade 2 feet.

If it's _that_ flooded, will the schools be open, and / or will there
actually be a need to drive schoolkids anywhere?

> the sum of my experience therefore is, if you want to get through you
> want it 4x4 based (preferably land rover) and you need to know how to
> use it.

Generally I'd agree, but what Austin is proposing seems a tad long-winded to
me. The need for a heavily modified Landrover on normal roads at times that
schoolchildren need to travel seems mighty small for me. I think I'd look
at getting a 4x4 Transit and putting the minibus on that.

Or a 130 .. ;)

--
Paul ...
(8(|) Homer Rules !!!
"A tosser is a tosser, no matter what mode of transport they're using."


 

"Mr.Nice." <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> Twas Fri, 5 Nov 2004 10:57:06 -0000 when "Paul - xxx"
> <[email protected]> put finger to keyboard producing:

> An autobahn in germany which was covered in sheet ice for miles and
> miles, again out land rovers could manage it with care when everything
> else had crashed/given-up this includes a couple of mercedes g wagons
> (must have been inept drivers in those cases) and a couple of other
> misc 4x4's.
>
I remember trying to get my 90 up a pass in the Lakes one New Years. There
were patches of ice right across the road.

Even with diff-locks it was next to impossible to get the 90 forwards. I was
with a chap in a lightweight who locked his hubs and pi$$ed up the hill.
Prop locks just didn't help. Need a nice set of ARB Lockers!!!!

In saying that, we both got over taken by a Maestro who pi$$ed off into the
distance and we never saw him again!

Tim


 
In news:[email protected],
Paul - xxx <[email protected]> blithered:
> Mr.Nice. vaguely muttered something like ...
>> Twas Fri, 5 Nov 2004 10:57:06 -0000 when "Paul - xxx"
>> <[email protected]> put finger to keyboard producing:
>>
>>> Mother" <"@ {m} @ vaguely muttered something like ...
>>>> On Fri, 5 Nov 2004 10:19:56 -0000, "Paul - xxx"
>>>> <[email protected]> wrote:
>>>>
>>>>> Kudos for wanting everything Landrover, but there are
>>>>> practicalities and cost-effectiveness to consider, I guess .. ;)
>>>>
>>>> Will a Transit fulfil the need Austin has for rugged, get the
>>>> little sods to skool whatever the weather, viability though?
>>>> Fine, it may be great for the local urban school, but in the wild
>>>> wastes of mid south wales...
>>>
>>> I've never yet met a road condition where a 'normal' ie not
>>> Landrover, vehicle couldn't, with a modicum of driving knowledge,
>>> get through. The wilds of Wales may be a tad different though ..
>>
>> I've met pleanty such conditions, examples include the main motorway
>> route through austria in the winter (out convoy of landies were the
>> only things moving bar the snow ploughs).
>>
>> An autobahn in germany which was covered in sheet ice for miles and
>> miles, again out land rovers could manage it with care when
>> everything else had crashed/given-up this includes a couple of
>> mercedes g wagons (must have been inept drivers in those cases) and
>> a couple of other misc 4x4's.
>
> I don't count 'foregners' .. ;)
>
>> The local floods here last week, 2 foot deep blocking many routes,
>> very very hard to find a way anywhere if you couldn't wade 2 feet.
>
> If it's _that_ flooded, will the schools be open, and / or will there
> actually be a need to drive schoolkids anywhere?

Maybe school not open, but maybe the pressing need to collect them kids! To take
them home or to a place of safety!!

>
>> the sum of my experience therefore is, if you want to get through you
>> want it 4x4 based (preferably land rover) and you need to know how to
>> use it.
>
> Generally I'd agree, but what Austin is proposing seems a tad
> long-winded to me. The need for a heavily modified Landrover on
> normal roads at times that schoolchildren need to travel seems mighty
> small for me. I think I'd look at getting a 4x4 Transit and putting
> the minibus on that.
>
> Or a 130 .. ;)



--
UR SHGb02+14 &ICMFP
If at first you don't succeed,
maybe skydiving's not for you!


 
"Tim Guy" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> I remember trying to get my 90 up a pass in the Lakes one New Years. There
> were patches of ice right across the road.

Would this be the Rhino Pass leading to Hardnott Fort?

Did this last week... It's about as much fun as you can get on Tarmac, like
a sketch from the Italian job. And my first trip to the Lakes.

When we got to Hardknott fort (Roman Fort, still standing - well worth a
visit!) one of the Chaps who'd been behind thanked me for being at the front
in the Disco, given there are very few passing points the height of the
Disco gave us some great advantage in seeing other vehicles coming. The
gearing also meant we could steam up the winding trecherous hillside
clearing the way for the convoy that followed, who had they had to stop
would have been seriously compromising there clutches.

Lee D


 
On Fri, 05 Nov 2004 17:10:07 GMT, "Lee_D" <[email protected]> wrote:

>"Tim Guy" <[email protected]> wrote in message
>news:[email protected]...
>> I remember trying to get my 90 up a pass in the Lakes one New Years. There
>> were patches of ice right across the road.
>
>Would this be the Rhino Pass leading to Hardnott Fort?

Wrynose Pass maybe? They have a bike race there in the summer, I have
never seen so many punters so exhausted. one guy was bombing along the
downhill stretch, probably the leader as he was the first we knew of
it, when his forks broke. Amazing the tumble didn't appear to cost him
any damage.

AJH
 
Mother wrote:

> On Fri, 5 Nov 2004 10:19:56 -0000, "Paul - xxx"
> <[email protected]> wrote:
>
>>Kudos for wanting everything Landrover, but there are practicalities and
>>cost-effectiveness to consider, I guess .. ;)
>
> Will a Transit fulfil the need Austin has for rugged, get the little
> sods to skool whatever the weather, viability though? Fine, it may be
> great for the local urban school, but in the wild wastes of mid south
> wales...

The 4x4 transits probably will - those things are scarily proficient
offroad.

Finding a 4x4 Tourneo could take a bit more doing though.

P.
--
If Mind over Matter is a Matter of Course
Does it Matter if Nobody Minds?
 
Well I have taken my limo around some of the wild roads of Wales, a bit of
nuisance when you meet a tractor coming the other way. In fact I think my
limo was actually easier to manouver in a tight spot, at least there was
power steering.


--
Larry
Series 3 rust and holes




"Paul - xxx" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> Mother" <"@ {m} @ vaguely muttered something like ...
>
> I've never yet met a road condition where a 'normal' ie not Landrover,
> vehicle couldn't, with a modicum of driving knowledge, get through. The
> wilds of Wales may be a tad different though ..
>
>
> --
> Paul ...
> (8(|) Homer Rules !!!
> "A tosser is a tosser, no matter what mode of transport they're using."
>
>


 
Done that in my limo too. The really fun road is the one to Applecross in
the West of Scotland as there are some tight bends there that make driving a
stretch job "interesting."

I drove a hire car up an icy Bylwch y Groes one Christmas Day, with one hand
on the wheel and the other out of the window holding a video camera, yep my
hand got pretty cold as it was snowing at the time too.

I was not in the least concerned about losing control (nor did I), it being
a hire job and all, though it would have been harder if it had not been an
auto.


--
Larry
Series 3 rust and holes


"Lee_D" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:p[email protected]...
> "Tim Guy" <[email protected]> wrote in message
> news:[email protected]...
> Would this be the Rhino Pass leading to Hardnott Fort?
>
> Did this last week... It's about as much fun as you can get on Tarmac,
like
> a sketch from the Italian job. And my first trip to the Lakes.
>
> When we got to Hardknott fort (Roman Fort, still standing - well worth a
> visit!) one of the Chaps who'd been behind thanked me for being at the
front
> in the Disco, given there are very few passing points the height of the
> Disco gave us some great advantage in seeing other vehicles coming. The
> gearing also meant we could steam up the winding trecherous hillside
> clearing the way for the convoy that followed, who had they had to stop
> would have been seriously compromising there clutches.
>
> Lee D
>
>


 
<[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> On Fri, 05 Nov 2004 17:10:07 GMT, "Lee_D" <[email protected]> wrote:
>
>>"Tim Guy" <[email protected]> wrote in message
>>news:[email protected]...
>>> I remember trying to get my 90 up a pass in the Lakes one New Years.
>>> There
>>> were patches of ice right across the road.
>>
>>Would this be the Rhino Pass leading to Hardnott Fort?
>
> Wrynose Pass maybe? They have a bike race there in the summer, I have
> never seen so many punters so exhausted. one guy was bombing along the
> downhill stretch, probably the leader as he was the first we knew of
> it, when his forks broke. Amazing the tumble didn't appear to cost him
> any damage.
>
> AJH

That'll be the one, never saw it on the map myself, Mrs D was navigating.
:)

Lee D


 
On or around Fri, 5 Nov 2004 10:19:56 -0000, "Paul - xxx"
<[email protected]> enlightened us thusly:

>This might sound like a stupid question .. but why won't a 'normal' transit
>etc minibus do ?

the route favours the extra toughness and 4x4... the current disco does well
enough, but next year won't have enough seats, even with my bench seat mod
in the back.

 
On or around Fri, 05 Nov 2004 12:48:37 +0000, Mr.Nice.
<[email protected]> enlightened us thusly:

>I'd go for a 130 station wagon myself, got to be easier than
>converting as Austin suggested, but it may be that a 130 is too long
>for the local roads, if it's kids you may bet them into a 110, I know
>from mine though that 12 of anything nearing adult-size is a joke.

not allowed. You have to have forward facing seats (or, in fact, rearward I
think). can't get enough in the 110. with the mod to the disco, it now
carries 7 pax. more than 8 pax. is PCV territory anyway, except for private
use.

there are considerable advantages of a LR chassis over a transit and
especially over a 4x4 transit - the latter is a conversion in any case.

There are also advantages of the transit body, from the POV of side doors,
space, windows, seats etc. combining the 2 would make a seriously good
vehicle, in fact - and a TDi LR for example would be comparable on fuel
costs to a transit, I reckon.

It's not entirely a new idea - the bedford midi van (which is of course
japanese) has been fitted to what is basically an isuzu 4x4 chassis, by the
manufacturers. Very credible-looking vehicle that was, an' all.

 
Austin Shackles wrote:

> On or around Fri, 05 Nov 2004 12:48:37 +0000, Mr.Nice.
> <[email protected]> enlightened us thusly:
>
>>I'd go for a 130 station wagon myself, got to be easier than
>>converting as Austin suggested, but it may be that a 130 is too long
>>for the local roads, if it's kids you may bet them into a 110, I know
>>from mine though that 12 of anything nearing adult-size is a joke.
>
> not allowed. You have to have forward facing seats (or, in fact, rearward
> I
> think). can't get enough in the 110. with the mod to the disco, it now
> carries 7 pax. more than 8 pax. is PCV territory anyway, except for
> private use.
>
> there are considerable advantages of a LR chassis over a transit and
> especially over a 4x4 transit - the latter is a conversion in any case.
>
> There are also advantages of the transit body, from the POV of side doors,
> space, windows, seats etc. combining the 2 would make a seriously good
> vehicle, in fact - and a TDi LR for example would be comparable on fuel
> costs to a transit, I reckon.
>
> It's not entirely a new idea - the bedford midi van (which is of course
> japanese) has been fitted to what is basically an isuzu 4x4 chassis, by
> the
> manufacturers. Very credible-looking vehicle that was, an' all.


I'd swear that I saw a Sherpa minibus re-chassised onto something LR based
once upon a time - if that was a doable conversion then the LDV Convoy
isn't that much different and may be an easier proposition than the Transit
with most of the same advantages.

I've also seen a Safari adapted 110 with effectively the same body length as
a 130 and something like 12 forward facing seats and the same turning
circle as a 110, but with a stupid overhang at the rear.

That one was a special purpose "nature spotting" one that operated entirely
offroad though.

P.
--
If Mind over Matter is a Matter of Course
Does it Matter if Nobody Minds?
 
On or around Fri, 05 Nov 2004 20:40:45 +0000, "Paul S. Brown"
<[email protected]> enlightened us thusly:

>The 4x4 transits probably will - those things are scarily proficient
>offroad.

I think the 4x4 trannies are only large, twin-wheel ones. Thus, in fact,
they actually have 6 tyres which helps off-road.
>
>Finding a 4x4 Tourneo could take a bit more doing though.

I don't think there is one, off the shelf.

What I'm suggesting is the normal 12-seat minibus body which is a normal
single-wheel van. I've not in fact measured the wheelbase, but it can't be
far off 110" The smaller sherpas are a bit longer wheelbase, but their rear
wheels are nearer the back.


 
In news:[email protected],
Austin Shackles <[email protected]> blithered:
> On or around Fri, 05 Nov 2004 12:48:37 +0000, Mr.Nice.
> <[email protected]> enlightened us thusly:
>
>> I'd go for a 130 station wagon myself, got to be easier than
>> converting as Austin suggested, but it may be that a 130 is too long
>> for the local roads, if it's kids you may bet them into a 110, I know
>> from mine though that 12 of anything nearing adult-size is a joke.
>
> not allowed. You have to have forward facing seats (or, in fact,
> rearward I think). can't get enough in the 110. with the mod to the
> disco, it now carries 7 pax. more than 8 pax. is PCV territory
> anyway, except for private use.
>
> there are considerable advantages of a LR chassis over a transit and
> especially over a 4x4 transit - the latter is a conversion in any
> case.
>
> There are also advantages of the transit body, from the POV of side
> doors, space, windows, seats etc. combining the 2 would make a
> seriously good vehicle, in fact - and a TDi LR for example would be
> comparable on fuel costs to a transit, I reckon.
>
> It's not entirely a new idea - the bedford midi van (which is of
> course japanese) has been fitted to what is basically an isuzu 4x4
> chassis, by the manufacturers. Very credible-looking vehicle that
> was, an' all.

What's this PCV, I'm Familiar with PSV, is that the same?

--
UR SHGb02+14 &ICMFP
If at first you don't succeed,
maybe skydiving's not for you!


 
On or around Fri, 5 Nov 2004 23:10:53 -0000, "GbH"
<[email protected]> enlightened us thusly:
>
>What's this PCV, I'm Familiar with PSV, is that the same?

PCV is the new PSV. Passenger Carrying Vehicle. Anything more than 8
passengers, if used for hire or reward.

 
On Fri, 05 Nov 2004 22:32:18 +0000, Austin Shackles
<[email protected]> wrote:

>On or around Fri, 05 Nov 2004 20:40:45 +0000, "Paul S. Brown"
><[email protected]> enlightened us thusly:
>
>>The 4x4 transits probably will - those things are scarily proficient
>>offroad.

Is this the conversion done by County?

>
>I think the 4x4 trannies are only large, twin-wheel ones. Thus, in fact,
>they actually have 6 tyres which helps off-road.

Bummer when you get a brick stuck between the wheels though.

AJH
 
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