ILTIS A question for the military types.
- Thread starter savagefan
- Start date
Well, they were certainly a lot of fun offroad... when they were well maintained. I would suspect that any at auction will be totally bagged - and where are you going to find parts?
If they rolled, it was handy that two stout fellows could plop them back on their wheels, and they did fit down most sidewalks, as I recall.
Been a few years - Was a Militia rat in the late 80's-early 90's.
Neal
If they rolled, it was handy that two stout fellows could plop them back on their wheels, and they did fit down most sidewalks, as I recall.
Been a few years - Was a Militia rat in the late 80's-early 90's.
Neal
All
What is / has been happening with the CF Iltis fleet for the last year or so is that they have been going through the Remarketing Program. One example is a company in or around the Kitchener Waterloo area that is buying lots of these vehs at different actions and is refurbishing them for civilian sale. There is also a company north of Toronto that is buying lots of vehs solely to strip them down for the demand of spare parts. I have personally seen Iltis driving on the 401 through The Big Smoke with civilain plates; one in original army fair, and one painted gloss black.
As to what they are worth, that's anyone's guess. They went to remarketing in varied condition, from the for-mentioned JUNK to running in deployable condition. Anyways, good luck. You might want to buy all 15 to guarantee you keep ONE in servicable condition for the long term. :lol:
Anyone wanting more info can PM me here, keeping in mind I only access CGN on the wknds.
Regards
CS45 8)
What is / has been happening with the CF Iltis fleet for the last year or so is that they have been going through the Remarketing Program. One example is a company in or around the Kitchener Waterloo area that is buying lots of these vehs at different actions and is refurbishing them for civilian sale. There is also a company north of Toronto that is buying lots of vehs solely to strip them down for the demand of spare parts. I have personally seen Iltis driving on the 401 through The Big Smoke with civilain plates; one in original army fair, and one painted gloss black.
As to what they are worth, that's anyone's guess. They went to remarketing in varied condition, from the for-mentioned JUNK to running in deployable condition. Anyways, good luck. You might want to buy all 15 to guarantee you keep ONE in servicable condition for the long term. :lol:
Anyone wanting more info can PM me here, keeping in mind I only access CGN on the wknds.
Regards
CS45 8)
I wouldn't pay more than $2000 for one in good running condition.
For the most part, the Solex carb gave the most trouble. The engines, and drive train were reliable. There is lots of civy VW stuff that could be bolted to the engine to make it scream. The first things I'd do (if it needed it right away) is change out to 12v and install fuel injection.
If I recall, these were also sold civy side in Europe years ago (1970s) but I don't know if parts are available from Germany still, or if they are, if it would be too cost prohibitive.
For the most part, the Solex carb gave the most trouble. The engines, and drive train were reliable. There is lots of civy VW stuff that could be bolted to the engine to make it scream. The first things I'd do (if it needed it right away) is change out to 12v and install fuel injection.
If I recall, these were also sold civy side in Europe years ago (1970s) but I don't know if parts are available from Germany still, or if they are, if it would be too cost prohibitive.
If you can, find a little Suzuki Samurai. The same size, and twice the hunting rig.
The only thing that the Iltis has over the Samurai is locking differentials. The Samurai has optional hard top, a split transfer case, a stereo and a 5th gear.
Also, parts are available.
The only thing that the Iltis has over the Samurai is locking differentials. The Samurai has optional hard top, a split transfer case, a stereo and a 5th gear.
Also, parts are available.
As a former user of the Iltis , they are nice handeling vehicles . The only 2 times I got stuck with one was hanging up the undercarriage on stuff ( 1 tree stump , 1 broke through thick crusted snow , I was on a BV206 trail )
Nice roll bar , saved my butt once :lol:
Parts would be a problem though .
Craig
Nice roll bar , saved my butt once :lol:
Parts would be a problem though .
Craig
Not true, they are up for auction because they are no longer economical to repair.
Engine parts and clutch assy are pure VW Rabbit, but the problem lies in the trans and diff. The steering rack maybe Rabbit too.
It would still have to be licensed and insured to run on public land.
That can be remedied by using Optima batteries, because they are sealed.
RePete.
stencollector
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- shilo MB, the armpit of Canada
I worked on the Iltis since they were brand new, and I can tell you this: 99% of the time, if you can smell the batteries, it is overcharging. And if it is overcharging, there is a reason. Again, 99% of the time, it was due to loose battery cables or terminals. And by the time the operators would report it, or more likely have the vehicle die at the side of the road, it was too late. Both the batteries and the alternator would have to be changed.
Although in part a design problem, by putting the batteries so deep into the vehicle, it ultimately was an operator problem, as they were responsible for the servicing of the battery compartment, and a daily inspection which included security of the cables and terminals.
Other components which typically gave problems with the Iltis included the ignition system control module (worth around $600), the upper balljoints, the speedometer (good luck finding one of those), CV boots, and the electric fuel pumps. Also, anything 24Volt was worth a fortune. The signal flasher was around $500.
I personally wouldn't own one, but if I did, I would convert it to 12Volt. I would also try and mount the battery under the hood vice under the rear seat.
Cross country, they were geared too low compared to the old M38A1s. Made them lousy for hill climbing, but then again they could go 70 on the highway, unlike the old Jeeps top speed of 55.
My biggest heartache with the Iltis was all the nylon and plastic clips and bushings located all over the vehicle. Army trucks are supposed to be rugged and simple, and not have a hundred different pieces which would break, fall off, and just plain wear out.
savagefan said:
NO!!
Talk to your hunting buddys. Lots of guys in the Calgary area that have been into 'wheeling or hunting are selling their 4x4s and getting into quads. They are cheaper to run in the long haul, and based on the buzz, lots of areas are in the process of getting shut down or restricted for off road use.
I totally forgot about that battery tray :roll: What a joke that was.
It could easily be converted into a recovery gear storage compartment or such with a drawer, and the engine compartment is large enough to mount an Optima -about the best battery option out there.
I think Stencollector meant 'geared too High' -it has a low gated gear, but I agree this was largely useless.
stencollector
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- shilo MB, the armpit of Canada
Actually, it doesn't matter what I meant; looks like I'm wrong. The iltis has a gear ratio of around 5.28 whereas the M38A1s had 5.38. So it wasn't the diff ratio that made that big of a difference. It might have been the long stroke of the Willys engine that made the difference, but I know I preffered the old Jeep to the Iltis in hilly terrain. I have personally owned M38s, M38A1s, and even one of the M151A2s over the years. The M151 was by far the worst for hill climbing, but again, better for highway speeds. The M38A1s sounded like the pistons were trying to escape at highway speeds.
I would second the vote for a quad and a small trailer. The CF always seemed to have had trouble keeping the Iltis running; what makes any civvy think they will have an easier time trying to source out individual parts.
For that matter, I would not reccomend anyone buy any military pattern vehicle unless you have the bug to own one. Like guns, they are highly addictive, and will cost you time, money, and relationships.
Well I know that the army had a hard time keeping a 3 ton with a slant six running. The military can make simple things hard. A civiy with the time and skills could do things a military vehicle tech would not be allowed to. Likely most mechanical parts are common to something else.
The M38 was a great beast, just needed a 4th gear to help it on the road.
The M38 was a great beast, just needed a 4th gear to help it on the road.
stencollector
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- shilo MB, the armpit of Canada
Actually, one thing we did to the Iltis fleet we had in Cypress, was to replace the electric fuel pump with a standard fuel pump off a VW rabbit. We had rabbits in our commercial fleet there, and so we could get away with ordering spare pumps. There were no signs of vapour lock, even in the Cypress heat, and we didn't have the chronic electric pump failures that plagued the Iltis over the years. But you wouldn't get away with that in Canada. First, you wouldn't be allowed to order unauthorized spare parts from a commercial source for a SMP vehicle, and secondly, it would get picked up during annual technical inspection, and you would have to remove them all. Lastly, the purchase would come out of the unit budget, and the unit wouldn't like to spend money to replace a part that should be covered under national supply.
All that said, a guy could write up a Unsatisfactory Condition Report (UCR) followed up with a suggestion award submission, but with there only being 20 year careers, you likely would never see the change. Also, Ottawa would usually then say it was too expensive. So yes, the army did tend to make simple things hard.
All that said, a guy could write up a Unsatisfactory Condition Report (UCR) followed up with a suggestion award submission, but with there only being 20 year careers, you likely would never see the change. Also, Ottawa would usually then say it was too expensive. So yes, the army did tend to make simple things hard.
"...a little Suzuki Samurai..." Parts for them are horrendously expensive too. The engines are poor, but relative inexpensive to change. A used motor runs about $900, as I recall. However, a wiper motor was $110 ten years ago. The body's rust fast. Mostly across the bottom of the windshield frame(I forget what it costs from a dealer. $300 I think) and the body at the bottom of both sides of the windshield frame(that lets water onto the electrics). Drive a long box for 15 years. Three engines and two windshield frames. Never did get the wipers working after the body rusted gone. Mind you, the 'automatic' free wheeling hubs never gave me any trouble.
I have a nearly new rag top for a short box and 4 chrome rims if you know anybody who wants to buy 'em. $200 and $25 each. I'm in London.
I have a nearly new rag top for a short box and 4 chrome rims if you know anybody who wants to buy 'em. $200 and $25 each. I'm in London.
