110 300Tdi buying advice needed!!

[McDisco]

Ok, so I went to look at a nice green 94 300Tdi today. I looking at doing it up just for hard trips.:twisted:

It was advertised as a ute, but it turns out it was what the seller calls a "panel van" which means its likely a hardtop thats been converted to a ute. The long roof, windscreen and ute side all come off in one section and he has put on a single cab ute roof (and back?) on it. Its done about 200 thousand he says cause the speedo stopped working for a bit.

So I did my research on here and had my hit list of things to check out. These are the bad things that I found:

- a lot of rust in the both the footwells, with the drivers side being the worst with a 50 cent size hole rusted all the way through at the joint of the floor and the firewall

-weeping from the b0ttom of the steering box

-bonnet latch not functional - with a rope hanging through the bonnet to open it

-battery light always on

-slightly bent drag link

-drivers door panel push in around the door handle allowing ingress of water and rusting out of bottom of door

-drivers window sticky when down - hard to wind up

-extensive scratching/gouging along drivers side - mirror and snorkel

-The centre cubby is pretty crappy and would need replacing...

-no maxi drive axles (as I thought it might have as it was advertised as a ute)

-No RWC and it isnt registered.

-and no documented service history!


Now for the good things -

-Engine is very tidy with no evidence of oi leaks, all hoses in good condition, radiator good, coolant nice and clean

-Turbo has been replaced with mitsubishi water cooled turbo - has a bit more oomph.

-chassis has no rust and looks in very good condition

-No rust in the firewall/bulk head

-gearbox and engine mounts look good

-No major signs of hard offroad work, but it does have a diff protector.

-High/low works with the diff lock engaging - also took out centre cubby and floor plate to look at the transfer - looks clean with no leaks

-cam/timing belt was apparently done 30-40k ago and the current owner (diesel mechanic) says he has had the injectors out and they are good and the head was fine

-clutch takeup seemed good - perhaps a bit more agricultural compared to my manual td5 disco :)

-It comes with a full length panel van roof with sides and a windsreeen, a rear wagon door (corner totally rusted out), a ute rear gate and a galvanised tool box in the back

-the owner also has some 50mm offset rims with 33 inch silverstone extremes for sale that would look really good on it.:D


SO, I need some advise as what to do. I must say that it was a lot rougher than I thought from the photos I say (but then again they are always deceptive) but I want it for a hard day trip ute so looks aint everything.

The owner advertised it for $7500 but said he would take $6750. Now Redbook says the private sale price is 4,200 - $5,900 for a hardtop. I would be happy to pay a premium for a good defender ute, but with the rust, steering box issues and the lack of a service history I am a bit wary. I would take it if it was cheaper though cause I think I am taking on more risk.

So, what do people think? Im inclined to consider it but only if the seller plays ball on the price a lot more. I think he would be struggling to sell it at that price. Am I wrong?!

If I was to take it, how hard/costly is it to fix the rust in the footwell and to replace the steering box?

Any advice from the fine forum sages on here would be welcome! :D

Many thanks

Angus (potential future defender owner)

[wisey110]

Sounds dodgy....;) might be somthing better out there in your price.

[justinc]

Rust is my biggest hate, and is difficult to get rid of in a defender. If the door frames are rusted out then it is easier (Read cheaper )to get more doors:o but good ones are hard to find. Steering box may be resealable, but don't hold your breath with a 94 model. Usually suffer from corrosion or excessive shaft wear at the seal running surface. Good used boxes are available though for as little as $300.
Overall it sounds a bit rough, but it depends on what you want it for and what you are prepared to pay i guess:)

JC

[sclarke]

As per our Convo
I payed $6k for Grommit as a Hard top with full history and little rust.

Converted it to Ute, painted it, registered it as a ute and fixed all it's little problems.
Sold it with Reg and RWC, Rear locker, maxi axles, UHF CB, twin tanks and lots more for $7500

Do your maths....
As its not registered and never was registered as a ute and it has no history and it has a rough body with very damaged rear quarter and its not pretty.....

$3k is my thoughts

[DeeJay]

Rust in the floor is no real hassle, but you are definately up for a new door. Make sure you can get one first... They are like rocking horse poo.
Start with a price on a new one from ULR then try secondhand, I doubt any at wreckers in Melb, maybe FRed Smith but he's away for a week.
What with it not charging and everything else, you are looking at 3 grand or more to get it on the road.

[PAT303]

Mate you will spend that amount again fixing it.I'm going to buy a puma next year and my defender will go for that price and it's in perfect running condition without any rust anywhere and with more gear on it.I wouldn't even consider it. Pat

[Grumbles]

Think I'd be looking elsewhere. Too many problems needing too many dollars and way too dear. Search hard with patience and you'll get a beauty.

[McDisco]

Thanks for the replies everyone. I offered a price for it but it was rejected...the vendor sounded offended to. But I think he was asking too much. Oh well..

Angus