My 109 is running!

[Greg S]

Two and a half years ago I bought a 90 and have used it as my daily driver ever since. Up until that time I had been driving my 109 SW and when the 90 came on the scene, I simply parked the 109 and put storage insurance on it. I had intended to sell her but still haven't gotten around to hanging a for sale sign on her yet. :)

It's time I made a decision which to keep and which to sell. The 90 is light years ahead in driver ease and competency off road. Far more competent than the 109. In the 90, you just point it and it goes. In the 109 you have to use a bit of driver skill and dexterity, making the best use of the shape of the ground under you. The 90 is more agile, more predictable and a smoother ride, has power steering and power brakes, has a four pin rear differential and 24 (23?) spline rear axles. The 109 takes far more area to turn around but can seat nine if I put the rear seats back in. I only had more than five in her once in 12 years. I've spent about 1100 dollars in the last few weeks on parts to upgrade the 109. I've also spent 1100 dollars on the 90 to make some U-joint, park brake and seal repairs.

Being a sensible man and weighing all the benefits of the 90 verses the short comings of the 109, I've decided the 90 will go on the block, eventually, and am going to keep the 109. With that in mind, I went out, gas powered weed eater in hand, and cut the 109 out of the underbrush. Put air in her tires (tyres?), connected a battery charger to her almost new (before I parked her) battery and waited. Eventually I checked for action when I pressed the pedals, ran through the gears to make sure nothing was seized and then I tried the starter. After just a few moments, and after I remembered there is a choke to put on, she sprung to life. No sputter, no bang, no loud exhaust, just a polite and stately purr.

I eased her out of the bush and drove around the field a bunch of times, all appears to be in good shape, except the heater fan isn't coming on and one park light is out. Not bad for an old girl that has rarely seen service in over two years and hasn't been started since before Christmas. I should washer her in the next week or so and pull the blackberry vines off of and out of her. :roll:

[ANDYD]

Hey Greg, it's good to hear the old girl is back in action ....

http://roverlanders.bc.ca/gallery/view_ ... 3_0000_001

[bhoult]

Being a sensible man and weighing all the benefits of the 90 verses the short comings of the 109, I've decided the 90 will go on the block, eventually, and am going to keep the 109.

Really, you're in the catbird seat. Either one will hold it's value and be fun while it does it!

-.b