'94 Transit SWB.. advise please!

[Boycie]

Hi guys,
new member alert!!

I've been offered a 1994 'L' plate Transit SWB.
It's a 2.5D, in pretty reasonable/ presentable condition throughout with long MoT and tax.

I'm a total beginner when it comes to these beasts so need some pointers!!

What should I look for when viewing it?
I know the seller well and he has had no bother with it at all, it's got a fully reconditioned engine but he says the rear axles has a slight whine.

He also says it has a 2-ton rear axle..?? What does that mean!?!?! It sits up pretty high compared to others I've seen and has chunkier tyres.

All this for £550..

Worth it?!

Thanks for reading !!

[Luke]

Hi mate welcome on board!
have a look in buyers guide theres some tips in there! (i'll not repeat them here!)
The axle whine isnt a normally a problem they can oftern whine for years before giving up (and you can generally tell thats going to happen) just check the oil!
the worst thing about the 2ton ones (should have 6 wheel nuts each wheel) is the ratio is very low and if you intend to do loads of motorway miles it may become a problem - more annoying than owt else!
but if you intend to fill it with sand, bricks, or anything heavy then there the buisness!!!
if the body work is tidy (and remember were not talking family saloons! ) then the price seems fair!!

[Boycie]

Hi Luke,

Thanks for the reply!!

I've scanned the buyers guide so am a bit more genned-up now!!

It apparently had the odd patch of rust on the arches, which were cut out and new metal buzzed in. It's solid but not saloon-car pretty!!

Rest of the van seems pretty rust and dent free.
It does indeed have 6 wheel-nuts on each corner!

Oh, one other thing.. would you know the braked towing weight?

I occasionally shift motors about with a fair-sized (braked) flatbed trailer. I appreciate it aint gonna be anywhere near my (overpriced and unreliable) Discovery, but is it up to it?

Cheers!!

[Luke]

mate it will pull a house down!!!
i'd guess towing weight would be around 1500kg on a braked trailer - not sure though - mines spot on towing and that will be better!!!
Di's are a great work horse of an engine!!!

[Boycie]

luverly jubbly!

So it's a 'Di' right??!

Are there different types of Diesel engines? Some good, some bad?!!

Cheers for the advice

[Luke]

So it's a 'Di' right??
Are there different types of Diesel engines? Some good, some bad?!!

Yeah it's a Di
there are different types,the early mk1s and 2s had perkins and yorks before the Di's! but all mk3,4,5s have Di's, some turbo Di's aswell, and the later ones have a duratec Di (there better but you wont get one for £500 )
Basically Di's was introduced in the mid 80's and was ahead of its time but by the late 90's was getting dated!! they are a noisy and unrefined but do the job very well!!
the best ones are the banana manifold ones - called so cos the manifold looks like a bunch of bananas!!
Basically test drive it, thrash the bo**oks off it if it doesnt loose power at all should be ok!!
Can't really go wrong for the price!!!

[john leeman]

well done mate sounds like you have got a 150 van,but with all di s get some one to check the timing belt, if they snap it gets very expensive, & put the best oilyou can afford in the engine.

[Boycie]

Thanks guys,

I bought it in the end!!

It drives as it should (engine, box, clutch etc all fine) but the rear axle whines a bit when the van is empty.

Doen't drop any oil too so that will please the neighbours