New member Rob

Hi,

Just introducing myself, my name is Rob.

Strongly considering purchasing an Oka currently for sale and to that end doing as much research as possible.
We have done a bit of traveling as a 4 person family in our Ford Ranger but wanting to be a little more self sufficient and need some extra space.

To that end id like to ask for some feedback from those who are willing to share regarding these unique vehicles, I suppose this is as good a spot as any to ask my questions.


-I have read a bit about OKA's being prone to layovers but no actual specific occurrences. How prone are they really and is it something to be concerned about doing things like the CSR or Cape York travels?
The real concern here is having two young children in the back for our journey.

-Has the extra size or weight ever precluded you from your travels in regards say too wide for certain trails, overweight for bridges or hitting tree branches on tight trails?

-Is the OKA owners club still active and is it registered with Shannon's for club insurance and CTP discounts?

That's all to start.

Cheers,
Rob.

Welcome Rob.

By layover, I assume you mean rollover? There have been a couple of Oka rollovers to my knowledge but they are rare. It's bit of a myth.

Oka's can look quite tall and high off the ground (which is a bonus for visibility), and they do lean quite a bit in wash-aways which can be a bit scary, but much of the heavy weight is low down (engine/transmission/axles/wheels), so unless you are very careless or unfortunate, Oka's are quite stable.

There is always a risk of rollover on unstable ground like sand dunes, but with care and low speed you should have no problems. We, and many other Oka owners have done the CSR and Cape York without mishap. Even if one did roll over, the body provides a high degree of structural integrity.

Weight is only really a problem with maintenance and repair since components are heavy compared with smaller vehicles (a steel wheel with tyre weighs over 80kg for example) and sturdy jacks and axle stands are essential. Weight per se has never caused us any undue concerns, they are tough vehicles and quite light to drive, but not unbreakable.

Height sometimes causes problems with overhanging branches but you soon get used to looking out for them.

Width has never been a problem, Oka's are actually hardly wider than most large 4WDs.

Considering the pounding and difficulties on many of the tracks we've done, after 10 years I continue to be impressed with the capabilities of our Oka. It's a 6 tonne monster but it's also our home and lifeline while in remote locations. It's not as fast or nimble as smaller 4WDs but there are not many places it hasn't successfully taken us to (and brought us back from).

There are several forum discussions on insurance and several ways of obtaining it. We use Ken Tame via CMCA membership, never had a problem.

No doubt other owners will offer similar opinions and Oka experiences.

David

Welcome Rob CMCA has to be your first stop Ken Tame Insurance is the way to go great to deal with. Hope you and the family enjoy the experience

Rob, my Oka has a big motorhome body and I have scared myself witless when I have misjudged a corner and seen the angle between the horizon and the top of the windscreen become very extreme. It has never (touch wood) fallen over. Likewise, I have several times been forced to traverse slopes that also horrified me, but again the risk is more apparent than real. As David says, the real weight is down low so even when it is at a considerable lean, the centre of gravity is still well within the footprint of the tyres.

Best thing I did was to fit alloy wheels as suggested by Peter and Sandra - drops the weight of wheel and tyre combination to about 36 kilos, very manageable. With tubeless tyres punctures can be quickly sorted with tyre plugs.

As to insurance, I changed from Ken Tame to CIL because Ken Tame required written valuations every couple of years, which is a pain for those living rural. CIL will only do motorhomes though, so you would need to covert it first.

I am quite sure that if you do buy an Oka, like the rest of us you will be delighted. I have always had good vehicles, Jags, Mercedes, Saabs, Land Rovers etc but the Oka is the best vehicle I have ever had. When travelling, every single morning I look forward to firing it up and driving it - brilliant.

OKA 1st to build R O P S cabins

wheel base / track same as Land Cruiser, Rodeo, Hilux, fits 4wd tracks just taller!


99% roll-over's caused by NUT behind steering wheel

think Truck

high maintenance

best 4x4 I've owned.

Paul Scherek wrote: When travelling, every single morning I look forward to firing it up and driving it - brilliant.

Fully agree with Paul, and our Oka feels most at home traveling off-road in low ratio 2nd and 3rd.

We should mention fuel consumption. Most will average around 6.5km/litre (about 19mpg or 14.8l/100km). Most of my friends don't achieve anywhere near that with a 4WD pulling a caravan. It will be a bit lower on highway travel and can be quite a bit higher on off-road travel (e.g. soft sand), could drop to 4km/l on some sections. Headwinds can also affect fuel consumption.

With the standard 2 x 105l tanks and 6.5km/l you could expect over 1000km range leaving a bit in reserve, 1200+km with a spare 50l tank or a couple of jerry cans. Enough to get you past the high cost road houses or across most desert tracks. Unlike petrol, diesel is readily available in outback locations.

Only rarely have we had any real fuel concerns, like crossing the trackless Great Sandy Desert where our average dropped to around 3km/l. On the CSR we got around 4km/l.

David

Hi Rob, welcome to the site. I was a little like you 10 years ago when I wanted a bit more space and a bit more carrying capacity. The Oka was one of the last on the list as I have owned lots of 4WDs over many years but it just kept on ticking most of the boxes. When I realised how many miles some of the Oka tour buses did I ended up buying one. One of my main concerns was that I did not want to go back to a leaf spring suspension and I am pleased to say with those looooooooong leaf springs they certainly have plenty of travel which was important to me. Most Okas seems to be quite reliable if they are only carrying 5.5 tonnes and are greased and oiled on a regular basis, however, a lot of Okas are over 6 tonne and some are even at 7+ tonnes. I know many Okas that have been reasonably maintained that spend most of their lives on corrugated dirt roads for 20 years although most 4WDs are okay on dirt roads, not many of them would do 20 years of hard work. I still have another 4WD but when I go travelling out bush or on the beach, I always take the Oka campervan.

The Okas were reasonably designed but did have a few flaws but they are fairly simple so most bush mechanics can figure them out easily (no computers). They are a little slow on hills but plenty of torque off road. Prices range from cheap and nasty to good and expensive but a good one seems to hold its price. Parts are still available, standard tyres are a pain to buy but work well. Fuel consumption is quite good as well. They do look big but when you park a troop carrier next to them, they are not so big but of course they are a little high. The only time I feel it is too big is when you are going along a tight track and a tree is leaning into the track to get light. If I go away with other 4WDs, all the other 4WDS are overloaded and are quicker but it is nice to be able to carry the extra fuel and water as well as other things but an Oka is definitely not for everyone. I guess it is like everything else, it is a compromise.

I also drive on a regular basis late model Canters and Isuzu 4WD fire trucks on and off road. They certainly have more power on the open road but their standard suspension off road leaves a lot to be desired as there is not much wheel travel and it is very noticeable after you get used to the Oka.

Paul.

Hello Rob, Welcome to the group. We have had our Oka since new in 1993 and it has travelled the Canning Stock Route many times, also the Little Sandy Desert (Carnarvon Range), Great Victoria Desert (Sydney Yeo Chasm),Gibson Desert, Calvert Range, Diebil Spring, Great Sandy Desert, Rudall River National Park,(Hanging Rock),Compton Pinnacle, Desert Queen Baths, Broadhurst Range. Oka80 has handled it all very well. Being the same length and width of a long wheel base Landcruiser bush tracks are a breeze with care taken for overhanging branches. If the paint work is of the two pot variety, scratches from passing bushes is kept to a minimum. Now we have an 18foot Elross Offroad Caravan which travels behind the Oka very well! We have found Shannons the best for insurance because we are members of the Oka Owners Group. Enjoy your travels around Oz!


Richard.

A couple of video clips showing stability and roll.....
This vehicle runs at about 6T fully fuelled and watered.

On the Carson River Track

Gunshot.

Just a little creek.

And a composite pic on the OTT.

Many of the few fall overs happen on gravel roads under emergency braking to miss something. We came close once. The vehicle gets sideways and then you are at risk. The best protection is to ensure that you are always in 4WD off the black top and avoid lock ups of the brakes.

Cheers,
Peter

I would have to agree with all posts, but one did make me think. That is the ally rims, less weight down low!,

A few week ago we were traveling down a beach access road and there was some bad scoloping on one crest, the deep side was on the right side going in and I did shit my self breifly but kept it to my self. On the way out however the misses was on the low side and I laughed when she screamed
then I told her it frightened me as well.

I think you do need cash available with an oka.

Cheers

I tell you what Pete, If those video's and pictures don't convince Rob to buy an OKA and pack up and go nothing will.
Cheers Peter.

Hi Rob, and Welcome!
My experience with the Oka versus a Landcruiser may help. I have an Oka (XT, ex bus, now a camper) and a 100 series Landcruiser, which has longer travel suspension than standard and is fitted with the old 6 cylinder diesel. (This is just so you know my basis for comparison). Most of my 4WD is in the Victorian High Country which can get interesting at times!
I have had no problems with size of vehicle, as others have said they are similar wheelbase and width. The Oka has somewhat larger turning circle which is usually not a problem but can be a nuisance on a tight, winding track. The Oka is probably more at home in more open country than the Vic mountains - but I have never been unable to get through. That said, there are a couple of tracks I can think of where I would hesitate to take the Oka. (One track in particular has about a dozen very steep switchbacks which even normal 4WDs cannot negotiate without reversing to get another bite).
The Oka is higher and 'squarer' at the top than a standard 4WD, so leaning trees / branches are something you learn to watch for.
The Cruiser 'walks' over obstacles many other 4WDs find difficult and the Oka's ability to 'walk' over things is outstanding too (long travel suspension is great).
I have had no problems with stability. At times I have felt equally uncomfortable in both vehicles and both have always emerged unscathed.
Probably the biggest difference is weight and gearing. The Oka is about twice the weight of the Cruiser but with slightly taller low range gearing. Both factors make it easier for gravity and inertia to take over in the Oka. That said, many 4WDs don't have as low gearing as the Cruiser (landrovers do but most others don't). Low gearing certainly makes steep descent easier - the Oka needs more braking even in low 1st when the Cruiser would be happy in low 2nd.
This is not a big issue - you just have to be aware of gravity and inertia and drive accordingly, especially going down steep hills. Just like any heavy vehicle.
Of course the other thing about weight: more weight = easier to get bogged and harder to get out again.
Others on the forum know much more than I do about "what to look for" with an Oka - they have some quirks and some have done enormous kms. However unlike most other vehicles they are almost always repairable / rebuildable.
Overall - a great vehicle!

Cheers, John

Here is my 2 cents worth.

If you can do most things yourself or at least have a go then they are great. I have suffered with a few strokes and other ailments. So sometimes my mind and body dont line up......

You can not treat a OKA like a Cruier/Patrol etc. It requires more maintenance, its not something you can just get in, do a trip come back and park it up.It is after all a truck not a car.

On the up side they are rebuild-able and if you know where to look, parts are cheap enough.

If something rusts out, then its matter cut it out and replace.

When a Cruiser or such rusts you may as well right it off.

The other thing to watch is because OKA`s ride well, some people tend to drive a bit quicker than they should. The end result is a cracked chassis, flogged out shocks etc. You can sit on 100kph and not realise how hard the suspension etc is working.

They are not for everyone, hell I think of getting rid of mine every time I work on it or try to work on it..... But then I drive and this brings a smile to my face....

Thanks for all your input guys.

Some of the videos and going through the images do really show a good example of capability and help firm what I thought.

I have had jeeps in the past with countless mods, but that was more for local play. Seems like the Oka will be right up my ally for the longer travels I have in mind..
I had just started ordering everything to build a jack off box with RTT for the ute, but I'm convinced the Oka is the way to go, now ill have to sell all that gear haha.

Anyhow, 3 weeks until I can see the vehicle, if all goes well and my wife is happy with the condition I dare say we will be Oka owners.
I think the kids will love it.

Of course now comes the barrage of modifications as I always do, but at least the one I'm looking at seems to have the labour intensive stuff complete.

Thanks for your help.
Cheers,
Rob.

Thanks Jack,

While I have done a lot of work on jeeps from suspension to supercharge bolt ons and steering, I never actually worked on a diesel engine and trannys.
But in saying that I'm not afraid to have a go, I just prefer to fix things in my driveway.

Ill keep in mind the speed vs ride if the Oka. I spent a lot of time messng with the last jeep to try and get it to soak up the corros, even after air bagged dual rate coilovers I couldn't make the solid axles behave.
I'm really looking forward to finding out for myself how good the Oka handles it considering what I have read so far.

No Prob.

A lot of OKA`s started their life as tourist buses. So they could have a had a hard life. Taking 12 or 13 people, towing a trailer with someone behind the wheel who doesn't really care as much if it was his/her own.

Giving them looking rugged, people think they can go anywhere and take anything. They forget its a 5 tonne truck.

Most OKA`s have a known history. Check out the last three digits of the VIN. This is what people will ask. Post the number up if you like and more than likely someone will know the history.

Hi Jack,

The one I'm looking at is #290, Bob has had it for 16 odd years and he has put together a pretty cool little brochure on its history.
I'm pretty happy with the background on this particular vehicle, just need to give it a once over to be 100% at this point.
Cheers

290 is a LT.

IMHO LT are a better vehicle only in some things where upgraded. They have the better cab A/C even though they still have some quirks. The dashes are different and there are several other things that changed. But nothing wrong with XT`s as well.

It has the Duramax with Allison in it and may have a Nissan Patrol transfer case. Pretty good combo, although some question the Nissan Transfer case and its suitability for the OKA. But haven't heard of any failing yet.

Buying an OKA with engine conversion etc, saves you the time and hassles of doing.

Rob if you're buying Oka 290, the previous comments on performance and fuel consumptions won't be relevant, but it's still an Oka with all the ruggedness and off road capability that infers.

There are several Oka's with different (more powerful) engines and auto boxes fitted so you won't be alone.

David

Rob I have been Building up an OKA with a cummins and a 6 speed Allison and compared to the original setup it really is a different animal. For family touring if it was the old setup I would find it tiring if your time is limited and you wanted to cover a lot of KM's as can often be the case with family holidays. With the Cummins and Allison I now find it as relaxing to drive as my Cruiser.