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Title: To Dodge or not ?
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MuddyWellies
 Author    



Rank:Dodger

Score: 18
Posts: 9
From: United Kingdom
Registered: 29/01/2009
Time spent: 0 hours

(Date Posted:29/01/2009 06:21:36)

Hi,
I'm thinking about buying a horsebox and have seen a Dodge 50 advertised that has more appeal than anything else I've seen. The one big concern is how hard is it gonna be to get parts, and repair work done. I'm not a mechanic ! I'll be totally dependant on finding someone local to care for her. Would I need to find a specialist, or could my local (rural) garage do the jobs, if I can find the parts ?
Do you guys think its do-able, or should I look for second best and play safe?

jfb350
1# 



Rank:Ummmmish

Score:1118
Posts:559
From: USA
Registered:11/10/2003
Time spent: 16922 hours

Re:To Dodge or not ?
(Date Posted:29/01/2009 14:43:07)

Hi ,  Well, the 50 series has a following because they tend to be trusty,simply designed work horses. So yes a competent rural garage would not have a problem. It is still possible to get most parts needed though a bit af advice from this site can make the search easier. Would the box you`re thinking of have had a recent MOT ? Are there any known faults with it ? 
If its been stood unused for a good while it will obviously need more loving care & time/money.  Its worth having someone with mechanical knowledge have a look if you dont know "Anything" about motors.
But if its a good one you will grow to love it just a bit less than your horse !   (and probably a bit more than your man !!)
                                                                                                                                That`s if you ARE a girl ?

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SOD BUSTER

MuddyWellies
2# 



Rank:Dodger

Score:18
Posts:9
From: United Kingdom
Registered:29/01/2009
Time spent: 0 hours

Re:To Dodge or not ?
(Date Posted:29/01/2009 18:41:45)

Thanks jfb350,

She's got 11 months Mot left, and no faults have been mentioned so far. I'll check to find out if she's been stood for any length of time, but she looks really lovely in the pics, not been neglected or abused at all. Everything on paper looks great.....the big problem is, she's 300 miles away from me and I'm struggling to find someone to come look at her with me. You don't happen to live in Yorkshire do you !!!  Oh no... what a shame ;o)
Are there any special quirks, things that go wrong that aren't unusual?
Right ......I'm off to Google garages...
Thanks,
Jen 
MuddyWellies
3# 



Rank:Dodger

Score:18
Posts:9
From: United Kingdom
Registered:29/01/2009
Time spent: 0 hours

Re:To Dodge or not ?
(Date Posted:29/01/2009 18:59:20)

Just visited your parts dept and there's an expert just up the road from the vehicle and another just down the road from me !!  I think this just might work !! Thank you
jfb350
4# 



Rank:Ummmmish

Score:1118
Posts:559
From: USA
Registered:11/10/2003
Time spent: 16922 hours

Re:To Dodge or not ?
(Date Posted:30/01/2009 03:04:58)

Bodywork to check  for severe RUST is  up under the front wheel arches/cab floor , also where the front cab mounting to the chassis is.
and lower edge of cab back panel (from underside of vehicle if you cannot see down the gap where cab meets box body)
There will most probably be some rust on an old vehicle . Just wise to make sure its repairable if so.  Bonnets also rust on a mark one(Round headlamp model)   I have sent private message also.  JB

--------------------------------------------------------------
SOD BUSTER

maybelateron
5# 



Rank:Dodge Fan

Score:58
Posts:29
Registered:07/03/2006
Time spent: 0 hours

RE:To Dodge or not ?
(Date Posted:30/01/2009 15:12:28)

I am on my second Dodge now, my first being a normal rear wheel drive naturally aspirated, ie no turbo, and my second and current one being a mark 1 turbo charged four wheel drive version. I entirely agree with the comments jfb has made about rust and so on.

The point I would empasise is that when it comes to having to do a hill start with a significant load, be it equine or arboricultural etc, the Dodge vehicle should be regarded in a much higher league than the dreaded Transit/LDV ( I also run a LDV). The Dodge will not cruise at the same speed as a Transit etc, but it has the reassurance that it has the grunt to get you over whatever hill you may come across even if there are traffic lights on red every 100 yards. Also the brakes are more than Ok for the load it carries.

I would add that I found the fuel consumption on me fist one to be very good indeed. We did some tree work 70 miles away, and took the Dodge, along with my Series 2 discovery with a 8 x 5 ft tipper trailer. They both went out empty and came back fully laden with timber, and the Dodge did slighlty more to the gallon. Good old Perkins engines.

Certainly you should not need to worry about chassis rust, as the chassis is made of C-section steel rather than box section, and does not suffer from internal condensation and corrosion.

Hope this info is of use.
MuddyWellies
6# 



Rank:Dodger

Score:18
Posts:9
From: United Kingdom
Registered:29/01/2009
Time spent: 0 hours

Re:To Dodge or not ?
(Date Posted:31/01/2009 04:39:08)

This is all really helpful and I'm so grateful. Thank you JB and maybelateron. I contacted Mirfield yesterday and they'll send someone round to look at her for me for Under £200 which I thought wasn't a rip off.

Off to have a look at some Mercs, locally, so's I've got something to compare her with.

Jen 
Karrier
7# 



Rank:Ummmmmmm

Status:Eating Marmite on Toast
Score:4106
Posts:2053
From: England
Registered:02/10/2003
Time spent: 16904 hours

Re:To Dodge or not ?
(Date Posted:31/01/2009 08:07:09)

 I live in Yorkshire and can do a complete check over for you text / phone 07971836301 where is the vehicle, i might even know it already.

Most has been covered by JFB and Maybe but I will add that I have had a fair few vehicles in my time and have had dodge 50's for 12 years now, other than the dodge 50 I have never come accross another vehicle that I dont wear out.

I still have my first dodge 50 and I am now up to 4, they are strong and reliable and i wouldn't give them up for anything.

Greg

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MuddyWellies
8# 



Rank:Dodger

Score:18
Posts:9
From: United Kingdom
Registered:29/01/2009
Time spent: 0 hours

Re:To Dodge or not ?
(Date Posted:31/01/2009 16:57:28)

Thanks for the offer Greg, I'll private mail you.    I love the sound of these 5o's more and more. Fond memories of my Landy 90 flooding back !
Good grief,  was that you in the bus shelter ! LOL
J
Karrier
9# 



Rank:Ummmmmmm

Status:Eating Marmite on Toast
Score:4106
Posts:2053
From: England
Registered:02/10/2003
Time spent: 16904 hours

Re:To Dodge or not ?
(Date Posted:01/02/2009 05:28:32)

 I have replied to your message with a rambling message, I love to ramble :-)

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MuddyWellies
10# 



Rank:Dodger

Score:18
Posts:9
From: United Kingdom
Registered:29/01/2009
Time spent: 0 hours

Re:To Dodge or not ?
(Date Posted:01/02/2009 18:09:09)

Thank you for the ramble ....... I've replied with some waffle ;o) 
mjamson
11# 



Rank:Regular Dodger

Score:26
Posts:13
From: United Kingdom
Registered:21/12/2008
Time spent: 0 hours

RE:To Dodge or not ?
(Date Posted:02/02/2009 11:59:05)

hey

ive just bought a renault 50 horsebox, and am loving it.

its got a few probs but to be honest its nicer than the mercs that ive driven at work.

where are you located, plus have you got any pics / link to the advert.
MuddyWellies
12# 



Rank:Dodger

Score:18
Posts:9
From: United Kingdom
Registered:29/01/2009
Time spent: 0 hours

Re:To Dodge or not ?
(Date Posted:05/02/2009 05:54:06)

Hi mjamson

I've seen Dodge Renaults advertised and haven't quite been able to figure out what they are !

Have put the whole project on hold till the weather eases up a bit .... Yeah.... I'm a wimp ! LOL Will come back when the raods are clear and I've figured out whats still for sale ;o)
Karrier
13# 



Rank:Ummmmmmm

Status:Eating Marmite on Toast
Score:4106
Posts:2053
From: England
Registered:02/10/2003
Time spent: 16904 hours

Re:To Dodge or not ?
(Date Posted:05/02/2009 06:02:26)

 send or post me any links or images and I will tell you what they are.

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"Nothing travels faster than the speed of light with the possible exception of bad news, which obeys its own special laws."
Douglas Adams

MuddyWellies
14# 



Rank:Dodger

Score:18
Posts:9
From: United Kingdom
Registered:29/01/2009
Time spent: 0 hours

Re:To Dodge or not ?
(Date Posted:06/02/2009 05:16:02)

Thanks Karrier
MuddyWellies
15# 



Rank:Dodger

Score:18
Posts:9
From: United Kingdom
Registered:29/01/2009
Time spent: 0 hours

Re:To Dodge or not ?
(Date Posted:21/02/2009 17:09:30)

Guys.... thanks so much for your help.
Having traveled locally to see 2 lorries I've realised that driving to Wakefield is just not do-able, so I have to pass on the sweet Dodge there.  But if I come across one a bit closer to home, I'll be back to see you again :o) 
Thank you again
Jen
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