We got chatting to an LDV driver on the beach one day. My friend was interested in them because they were "cheap". The guy who had it said it was junk and was a company car. The list of issues mentioned including nearly catching on fire. But smaller things like, no central locking for the rear door and just very underpowered... I got researching about them and found they were also rust buckets.

I had a Foton tunland dual cab 4x4. Cummins 2.8 turbo diesel. Chinese copy of a Hilux. Not too bad of a car. But underpowered and impossible to get parts for. I swapped it for a beautiful grandpa spec 80 series. Love it!!!!!!

I'll stick with my shitty old 05 Hilift RWD V6 Courier. I fixed the engine and put all new pretty bits on the suspension and brakes. It doesn't rattle. It doesn't stop when it gets sad about not knowing where North is, and one day I'll find a wrecked Bravo or similar and convert it to 4WD. And all-up, it will still cost me less than a new, poorly constructed late model 4WD. Yeah, I'm old school. If I could find one, I'd buy another 60 series Cruiser wagon with the 5-speed and plain-Jane 2H diesel. They may be slow and a bit rough, but they don't die easily.

Ah but they all pale into insignificance compared to the Ford Spectron 4wd van. This has to be the biggest lemon of a 4x4 that has ever been made by a large manufacturer. Who was the manufacturer? Ford? Well no, it was a re-badged Mazda and it was HORRENDOUS! A couple of of the things I remember about owing this large pile of dog doo-doo were 2 re-built gear boxes and I can't remember how many times the head was re-done but strangely I absolutely loved it when it was working. We had our first really big 4x4 adventure in the Spectron and thankfully it didn't miss a beat on the whole trip (and we were in some pretty remote spots). I eventually ended up selling it in Halls Creek of all places. Oh and it also had reverse threads on the passenger side wheels which turned out to be a big surprise.

First time viewer, nice video, had fun

Nice, I like your style :)

Hey Dougie, how was the reliability and running costs of the discos you've owned?

Can tell most of them haven't driven a pre 2005 4wd in all complaints except electronics

Hahaha onya dougie