~£3K 4x4 pick-up for Ukraine

[SuperPima]

I am looking for a cheap but reliable pick-up truck in a region of £3K
Under no illusion, it is going to be pristine.
It must be as reliable as possible for its age. Dont mind an odd glitch, rust, or cosmetic problems, but the engine, gearbox, chassis, and 4x4 must be in good condition. For context - I am buying a car to send to Ukraine to help the war effort.

What is my best bet, auctions perhaps?
Found a few options, is there anything that stands out here as a big no?:

Ford Ranger 2003

Isuzu Rodeo 2010, high mileage

L300, flashing 4x4 and engine lights

Maybe some other suggestions?

[Canon_Fodder]

all the semi decent ones have already been driven to Ukraine (or more likely Prague) by other road-trippers already

It was last summer's 'thing'

[Tyrell Corp]

Mazda did a Ford Ranger clone, B2500 or vice versa, maybe Toyota Hi Lux great for mounting a .50 cal.

Do these get driven there? what if transported to a uk shipping port? maybe purposely look for cheap MOT fails, write offs, 'export' clocked down scruffy stuff, damaged ex tarmac gang interiors.. older the better...you have the big African RHD 4x4 export markets to compete with here.

This is a war zone, suggest simple old school diesel, off road tyres and basic service, extra jerry cans, double battery run/standby etc

Can't you buy LHD vehicles nearer to AU from Europe?

[SuperPima]

Canon_Fodder said:

all the semi decent ones have already been driven to Ukraine (or more likely Prague) by other road-trippers already

It was last summer's 'thing'

Its a never-ending "thing" unfortunately, just gets more expensive...

[SuperPima]

Tyrell Corp said:

Mazda did a Ford Ranger clone, B2500 or vice versa, maybe Toyota Hi Lux great for mounting a .50 cal.

Do these get driven there? what if transported to a uk shipping port? maybe purposely look for cheap MOT fails, write offs, 'export' clocked down scruffy stuff, damaged ex tarmac gang interiors.. older the better...you have the big African RHD 4x4 export markets to compete with here.

This is a war zone, suggest simple old school diesel, off road tyres and basic service, extra jerry cans, double battery run/standby etc

Can't you buy LHD vehicles nearer to AU from Europe?

Thanks, will check the Mazda, as well as the other suggestions.
Toyota generally is more expensive. The usage will be much less romantic than mounting some guns like in the Expendables series.

Yes, plenty of them get driven all the way to there, no problem, it's not that big of a trip -doable in 3 days if alone.
LHD European market is pretty exhausted too, not to mention that there are some practical advantages in having an RHD vehicle there.

[Tyrell Corp]

How about finding really scruffy but driveable MOT fails accident damage write offs salvage but safe to drive and serviceable? buying really cheap, and sending several together on a transporter?

Clever bit would be finding stuff too scruffy to sell here but serviceable.

Do these need registration, import duty and taxing at the Ukranian border?

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/115866918211?hash=item1...


https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/185960125686?hash=item2...

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/404356671649?hash=item5...

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/195887489157?hash=item2...
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/195887489157?hash=item2...

Edited by Tyrell Corp on Monday 24th July 14:02

[SuperPima]

Thanks, will check them out.
While I dont mind the rust or any other cosmetic issues, the trucks must be mechanically reliable - it is quite literally the matter of life and death so that they start and go any time.

[Cessf]

I can offer an 11 plate Navara with 220k on the clock. It needs a new front prop shaft but is still driven every day in 2wd. It’s the old man’s and we’ve finally convinced him to upgrade…

[Tyrell Corp]

SuperPima said:

Thanks, will check them out.
While I dont mind the rust or any other cosmetic issues, the trucks must be mechanically reliable - it is quite literally the matter of life and death so that they start and go any time.

An older design diesel might be more reliable and a load easier to fix in the field , sending half a dozen scruffy MOT fails/cat D or N/ stolen,recovered etc write offs on a transporter might be more help to their war effort than a couple of higher spec 'nicer' vehicles. Buying several of the same model might help with parts swapping.


Grim reality being tenfold more chance of a landmine or artillery shell putting them out of action than a cracked windscreen or smashed in quarter panel - this is a volume business I suggest.