thorne

Thought I'd unearth this thread to compare economy runs, after I took the new XH panelvan on a long-distance drive through southern Australia. My 1998 XH2 panelvan is stock-standard 6 cyl, 4.0lt OHC engine, grandpa-spec and completely unmodified, converted to LPG by the same showroom (Jeff Wignall Ford in Frankston was where the previous owner bought it, and it was converted with only 42km on the odo by Jeff Wignall Ford in Mornington). As mentioned previously, I'm not all that with mechanics (no idea of the diff ratio on a standard XH van, compression ratios, etc), only that it's all bog standard. On city runs, a full 65lt tank will get me anywhere from 380 - 420km (17.1lt - 15.5lt/100km respectively). But out on the highway where I was able to stretch its legs, I was able to crack the 500km mark once or twice on the Barrier Highway between Nyngan and Broken Hill, 490 - 510km (13.25lt - 12.75lt/100km respectively) on a tank. On petrol the percentages are around the same: just under 600km on a full tank (assuming a standard XH tank stores 65lt, 10.8lt/100km) for city driving, and about 700km (9.3lt/100km) highway driving. I expect fuel efficiency has improved through the models: both my previous XFs (6 cyl 4.1lt carbies, both also standard and unmodified) rated roughly 320km per 65lt LPG tank city driving and max 400km highway driving. Just wondering what other people's economy figures are?

I've always been a louvre fan: adds a touch of retro class to a vehicle and is far better cooling it down. Only problem is it acts as a leaf-catcher: you have to take it off from time to time to clean the bastard out.

That was the delay in the RWC for my XH: the garage took an extra week as it needed to get their APA rep to inspect the LPG tank and hoses, then for him to come back again when the new tank was re-installed so he could sign off on it. However nothing was said about my pre-99 numberplate stickers.... Unsure about a compliance plate - I've never seen a converted car without one, to be completely honest, it's usually under the bonnet - but LPG tanks have to be inspected for re-stamping once every 10 years - or, in my case, when it was RWC'd - to ensure standards compliance and all the hoses and attachments are working correctly and haven't dried out or rotted away (or a tank replacement in my case). I'd've thought re-stamping each decade might check if the numberplates were also standards-compliant, but maybe it was enough it had the LPG stickers and not the plates.....? Can't really say.

Yeah, I noticed the dimensions of the tag in New Zealand were rather large when I was looking up the standards, and thought there's no way that will fit on a numberplate. Then again, even if the tag was shrunk a little, there's barely any room to mount it on a New Zealand numberplate, as there doesn't appear to be enough spacing between the characters.

Hey all, Just purchased a 98 XH2 panelvan with cruise-control (has standard-issue EL steering wheel with the usual buttons). It worked a grand total of twice while I was freeway driving late at night just after I bought it (typical)......now, it just doesn't seem to be engaging. I hit the cruise "On" button and the light in the display comes on.....but hitting or holding "Set +" or even "Set -" doesn't engage it any more. Haven't really done anything before or since to warrant its refusal to engage, but this is my first car I've owned with cruise control so I'm at a loss as how to troubleshoot it! I wasn't sure if it mattered, so I tried engaging it while on LPG then again on petrol, in Economy mode and then in Power.....still nothing. I know it's worked before, so what's the best way to find out how to fix it? Any help or advice would be much appreciated. Cheers!

Cheers!

Bugger. Any suggestion how I can investigate this myself, or will I need to ask someone more mechanically-minded to fix this for me?

Just came in from checking them: both brake-lights work fine, at both intensity levels (with the headlights on and when I step on the brake pedal). The vehicle passed an RWC earlier this month (wouldn't they check for things like that?). My sin-bin is a 4-speed T-bar auto. Where else should I start looking/checking? I must be honest, I'm not very under-the-hood savvy (one of the reasons I joined here, to learn more automotive stuff), so be as specific as you can!

I've got a Hayman Reese (with towing brake) on my XH panelvan. I can take some photos of it for reference if you need....?

I believe so, but I'll have someone check with me tomorrow when I put the foot on the brake. Why? Cruise control won't work without correct braking signals? Guess it makes sense.