Well it's been a while.
The landy still sits at a friend's yard.
We costed up the repairs to bring the vehicle to sound. £ 4000.00+VAT. This makes things not viable at this time. The only way to get things done cheaper is to do them myself and I simply don't have time.
The works required include:
New galvd. chassis
Rebuild the gearbox
New hand brake
Refurbish both axles
New bulkhead
New brakes throughout
Sort out oil leak on the engine
In short it is too far gone.
So after a long deliberation I bought a 16 year old Daihatsu Fourtrak off ebay for £920. It is mechanically perfect, the body needs a bit of TLC. The chassis is good too. the Japanese seem to have got it right. It feels like a series LR which has been totally sorted out, it is warm, dry and comfortable; it is powerful, it's suspension is compliant and it all works!
Good chassis and mechanicals, bad bodywork!
I want it for a work car and a bit of green laning so it is ideal. Just got to get the winch on it and we will be away
I am smiling again!
Stewey.