Dutch / European High Roof FRP

[JuanJ]

Hello,

I am late to the party.

Dutch spec 70 Series have a high roof and lack rear seats to be registered as a commercial vehicle (van?) for tax exemption purposes if I remember correctly. I remember reading that the missing rear seat is from factory.

The fans are a concern. A healthy 1HZ should not need them. The cooling system may be in need of an overhaul.

The wiring looks a bit hacked. Is this a 24V truck, or is it a 12V truck with a second battery setup? I may be too picky, but the speaker setup suggests a lot of splicing and extra wiring within the dash.

Regarding oil pressure, factory gauges tend to be in the low to middle range. A check with an external gauge and replacing the oil pressure sender are good for peace of mind.

As mentioned above, it is better to take a closer look, in person.

I would make an offer below the seller's price. Two thirds to three quarters, perhaps. I would set money aside for a proper radiator and a cooling system overhaul. Then I would chase whatever gremlins the engine, drive train and electrical systems have.

That said, 73 Series are great project rigs and stuff haulers.





Juan

 

[Omrib]

×2 on the oil pressure sending unit.
After checking oil pressure with a mechanical gauge to ensure actual pressure was up to spec, I have replaced the sending unit with oem new part and the oem gauge went up to reasonable position that does not affect my stress levels.
Make sure that you purchase the correct one for your vehicle if it is a 24 volt or 12 volt system.
Good luck

 

[aboisvert]

Finally got undercarriage pictures from the seller. I see some things that look 'not great' to me. Lower part of fenders. Cross member in one of the photos looks like it has a hole??? Or is that way they are. Really hoping some of you will comment. Please let me know your thoughts!

I'm going to drive this thing, not looking for a showpiece, but not looking to drop a stack of money on a frame that's no good either!

 

[aboisvert]

2 more undercarriage plus two of the interior of the high roof.

 

[Eurasiaoverland]

The hole in the chassis is original. The chassis looks very solid to me. Hard to tell the condition of the sills and wings, but I don't see anything really bad. It's a used car from a damp climate.

 

[aboisvert]

The hole in the chassis is original. The chassis looks very solid to me. Hard to tell the condition of the sills and wings, but I don't see anything really bad. It's a used car from a damp climate.

Thanks for your thoughts! What about in the upper right corner of the last undercarriage photo (before the roof photos)? Is that a crossmember that looks bad?

 

[Eurasiaoverland]

Thanks for your thoughts! What about in the upper right corner of the last undercarriage photo (before the roof photos)? Is that a crossmember that looks bad?

The chassis has been coated with some bitumen or similar underseal, that can sometimes harden and the metal underneath begins to rust, but I don't see any signs of that along sharp edges (where the coating is thinnest and most easily worn off).

The cross member looks OK, I can't tell if it's part of the chassis or the floor. From what I can see, the patches may be spots of grease thrown up from the propeller shaft.

Looking at the top left of the first picture in your previous post, the edge of the front RH wing looks rotten, and there is advanced surface rust on the undercover. These bits close to the (aftermarket I think) exhaust so will be prone to rust.

 

[Felde]

Hi
The springs and shocks appear to be due for replacement. The frame looks good. Tank and muffler also good. (But I recommend to remove the tank and have it cleaned and painted anyways. Expect the rubberparts of the fuellines to be in need of replacement).
Lower part of fender is rusted. Looks like it had been repaired before? Full Knucklejob is due. Expct the rear axle to be due for wheel bearings, too.

I recommend to ask a few pics of the solid brakelines and fuel lines and the LSPV on the right frame rail. Replacing those would be a PITA.
Interior parts (around the hoop) actually look very nice (Those are very rare and usually cracked). Head Liner also looks good (often has holes). The seats, well ... I'd recommend as look under the carpet.

Altogether appears to be a solid foundation, but work needs to be done and parts need to go in. This was to be expected from a Dutch restore. Mine looked similar. Nothing that can't be done DIY. It's a matter of the price eventually.
But once again: Pictures never show everything and buying this unseen is always gamble.
Good Luck Ralf

 

[JuanJ]

Hello,

The undercarriage and frame do not look bad.

It is curious, though, that so much effort went into restoring the rest of the truck, only to leave the steering linkage and suspension untouched. It makes little sense.

The steering damper appears to be from factory.

That square hole in the frame is from factory. There are four or six of those in the outer side of each frame rail; they usually have a plastic plug. I do not have that plug's part number at hand but it is available.

As mentioned above, the frame seems to have bitumen as rust/salt protection. It seems to be peeling.

The muffler looks in good shape. It may not pass inspection in some places, though.

The rear seats look fashioned like those of a 40 Series.

This is just me, but custom audio systems usually have a lot of splicing/hacking and additional wiring, which may affect the electrical system.

The frame needs a thorough cleanup. Suspension and steering need replacement.

There is work to be done, but it is not a deal breaker.

When you drive it, keep in mind that steering may be unpleasant because components are due for replacement. Same thing for the ride.





Juan