Cape Town - Wheels24 reader Sass Kloppers owns a Ford Ranger, and after clocking 2.2-million kilometres on his odometre earlier this week, his beloved bakkie came to a temporary standstill."
Klopppers says: "After 2.2-million kilometers, my Ranger ground to a halt today (May 2). It refused to start. It took the whole afternoon of searching and seriously thinking the 2JZ engine will have to be fitted, only to find a dirty diesel filter. Now it's running like clockwork again. Ford. Bloody unbreakable bakkies."
READ: This bakkie covered 1.5-million kilometres in SA - Meet 'Madam' Hardbody
Kloppers says his Ranger still has the same engine, and the same turbo. Repairs he has made to the car includes two manifold gasket repairs, five clutch kits, three sets of front disks, one rear drum, one full suspension overhaul and "very regular services."
The Ford Ranger was purchased in 2006 at Kelfords, Somerset West and, says Kloppers, "it's still going strong!"
Kloppers has given his Ranger some special attention with a great respray by Cecil Soloman from Solo Automotive Repairs and even a new custom leather interior by Samuel Ferris.
Image: Sass Kloppers
Image: Sass Kloppers
He says: "Ferris did a damn perfect, free of charge job on the seats and doors. It's rip-stop canvas similar to the old army LandRovers but that's what I wanted. Tough as hell and will probably outlast me. Kudos to Sam!
READ: An SA bakkie story - This Isuzu covered 1.5-million kilometres
Kloppers adds that rip-stop canvas is cheap, only R125 per meter. His interior only took three meters.
"What's more perfect for a hard-working bakkie?"