Should I stay or should I go?

[oneidadan]

Howdy, as some of you may have read my surfs cylinder head has gone kaput. So, I've had a quote from the engine co. to fit a genuine cyclinder head, and once I've factored in fuel and what not it'll probably be about £1500 (I don't have the time and I don't think I have the expertise to do it myself).

This is said surf:



On the plus side it will be another job out the way and less to go wrong in the future, and I've put so many hours into getting the surf just right it's not funny. Also talking about getting rid of it makes me a bit sad . On the other side it is rather alot of money and I've already spent a small fortune on it and it's starting to get a bit like Triggers broom.

The other option is my friend is selling his '96 80 series landcruiser. It's the 4.5 litre petrol model and it's very refined and powerful compared to the surf. It's got a lift and snorkel and front and rear lockers although it may need a few small jobs doing. He'd sell it me for £3500.

Here's a piccie or two of said landcruiser:





So what I'm getting at is what would you guys do (I know it's alot to do with personal choice etc. but just after opinions is all)?
Does anyone know how much my surf might be worth with a dead head (this is not a for sale ad though, just asking for opinions, if I decide to sell I will pay appropriate fees and donate 5% of the final sale price to the forum as a thankyou for all of the help I've recieved)?

Thanks for any replies received!

[wishbone]

If the 3.0 has rust free chassis and body then I'd do head on it and be happy. Get a quote off TonyN for the head it may work out a fair bit better.

If the chassis and body are 'starting to go' then buy the LC and use the money from the sale of the surf towards it.

Probably £500 for the surf in its current state.

Rob.

[oneidadan]

Thanks, the surf is pretty much rust free, there's some coming through on rear bumper, but I have spent many hours waxoyling the underneath of it and inside chassis rails etc.

[wishbone]

Well if it's clean the only expensive thing that goes wrong with it is the head. Replace that and you're good to go for lots more years.

[yoshie]

£400 for the surf as is. You only need 3100 now

[oneidadan]

Is that what's known in the trade as a Yoshie bid then? Many thanks but I will have to decline your offer.
Wishbone, sorry I forgot to mention that I would prefer to get a quote from TonyN but he's a very long way away from me, and it needs to be something that can be done over a couple of days at most as it's needed for work.

[yoshie]

Is that what's known in the trade as a Yoshie bid then? Many thanks but I will have to decline your offer.
Wishbone, sorry I forgot to mention that I would prefer to get a quote from TonyN but he's a very long way away from me, and it needs to be something that can be done over a couple of days at most as it's needed for work.

No bother, I thought it fair given the 1500 to fix, making it with fuel and travel a 2200 truck for me.
You know where I am if you change your mind.

[oneidadan]

That's fair enough, but thanks anyway. At the moment I'm leaning towards keeping it, just feels a little gutless after driving the Landcruiser.

[budweiser]

why not get an engine?
i was in the local scrap today and there is a surf 96 with a good engine, low mileage, and very good price (i might get it for myself) €400 or £321.
sure there is same surf breaking where you are!

[oneidadan]

This is true, however the likelyhood of the head going again is fairly high as I'm unlikely to find a low mileage engine, plus labour costs are likely to be higher to change the whole engine and I won't be sure of its history, but thankyou for the suggestion.

[flounderbout]

That's fair enough, but thanks anyway. At the moment I'm leaning towards keeping it, just feels a little gutless after driving the Landcruiser.

Off to Vince then...

[hiroler]

is that apache`s old surf i recognise the front bash plate?

[oneidadan]

It is indeed his old truck, it was going to appear in our 4x4 response group magazine next month, but it might be more of an obituary.
A v8 would be cool but it's out of my price range and it's still an old engine going into it.

[yoshie]

It is indeed his old truck, it was going to appear in our 4x4 response group magazine next month, but it might be more of an obituary.
A v8 would be cool but it's out of my price range and it's still an old engine going into it.

Don't forget me