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Landiman

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Jun 22, 2024
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Bury St Edmunds
Hi I'm Rob, I've just bought a 1998 ducato 1.9 motorhome. Unfortunately I'm already hearing that parts are getting scarce.
That's a shame as I actually really like the van. Anyway, I'll no doubt be asking questions.
Thanks
 
Hi I'm Rob, I've just bought a 1998 ducato 1.9 motorhome. Unfortunately I'm already hearing that parts are getting scarce.
That's a shame as I actually really like the van. Anyway, I'll no doubt be asking questions.
Thanks
My thoughts re Motorhomes is that older ones are distinctly over priced given their ages, if compared with the commercial van they are usually based on, most will have gone to the scrapyard well before, which is why manufacturers are reluctant to keep supplying parts for them.
The only thing going for them is generally the MH versions have far less mileage on them, which is good as long as they are well and regularly serviced, although they are often left standing for months until Springtime and then taken on 400 mile trips with nothing apart from a quick look under the bonnet at oil levels etc.
My advice would be to identify exactly what van it derived from and try and get as many back up spares as possible along with all the regular service items normally required if you intend keeping for several years.
It may sound extreme but as well as cam belt kits, brake parts, filters etc. a spare good engine and gearbox!
Others may disagree with my opinion, but when you consider that most MHs cost more than my first house and that unlike houses go down in value not up???
Also unless happy working on the vehicle yourself you need to find a garage nearby that is happy working on MHs as many find they are to big to block their yards up whilst waiting for obscure parts.:)
 
It's not the working on it that's the problem as I'm a mechanic, the more old school the better.
One thing I wanted help on is trying to find a higher ratio gearbox for it as it screams at 60 mph. Either that or a complete engine/ gearbox swap to take the stress away from the engine.
I had an Iveco daily before and it never needed to scream it engine out.
Thanks for the replies though.
 
It's not the working on it that's the problem as I'm a mechanic, the more old school the better.
One thing I wanted help on is trying to find a higher ratio gearbox for it as it screams at 60 mph. Either that or a complete engine/ gearbox swap to take the stress away from the engine.
I had an Iveco daily before and it never needed to scream it engine out.
Thanks for the replies though.
Join the club;) I am a retired motor mechanic and have owned around 5 Iveco Dailys, all 3.5 tonne starting with a 35/8 and my last was a 35C13 SWB van, all 2.5 or 2.8 Sofim engined apart from one extended long wheel base van with a 2.3. Also I put a 2.8 from a Fiat Ducato Maxi 122hp van into a boat, so I do like those engines.
As a Cheap? way out what about going for wider and higher profile tyres to increase the gearing/rolling circumference?
I had a 2001 2.8 twin wheel crew cab pick up that was on 195/60/16s and as the van I was getting rid of had Goodyear 215/70/16 I swapped the wheels over. As it was an Ex utility vehicle it had been limited to 56mph, the same vehicle with those tyres indicated 65mph on a GPS.
It probably needs the low gearing if only a 1.9, the 2.8 was a much nicer slower revving engine with tonnes of torque, my last one could have a gross weight of 3.5 tonne whilst at the same time tow 3.5 tonne, I wish I had never sold it , but that is another story involving a son in law:(
 
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