OK so I put in a bid of a R99k - and I got it. I have till next Wednesday to make payment else the sale is cancelled - however I may be able to get a few more days leeway.
Now many here have said that this is too high a price - would you still say so in light of Ricster's musings?
While I daydream about a Cape to Cairo (or in my case maybe a Durbs to Dakar or Djibouti) trip in it, that's not going to happen anytime soon - and I still have my GQ to pimp up for that mission oneday!
So would anyone be interested in it? Please let me know soonest.
Here's more details that I've uncovered:
I called Motorhome World - they couldn't give me an exact price on the conversion (due to the design and engineering costs, etc) but said it was definitely over R200k. I asked if they'd do a conversion to a camper - they don't but referred me to AC Motorhomes in CapeTown too - they're getting back to me with options & pricing.
In chatting further to the drivers:
They said that it had been overheating for the last 2 years - only on the freeway usually up long hills - the needle would climb to nearly the top, but drop after the hill.
They took it to Nissan several times, and had the radiator cleaned then changed, but they never resolved the problem.
The day it overheated, the driver noticed white smoke coming out the exhaust, but didn't see the temp needle climb so wasn't too concerned - he drove it to a mechanic who confirmed that coolant had leaked - probably head gasket. They stripped the head and gave Eskom the quote - a whopping 97 grand. I spoke to him at length earlier and he said he would happily revise the quote now that he knows it's in private hands
He said they'd need to x-ray the block to confirm if any damage there but didn't appear to be from a visual inspection. The suspension was strengthened a year ago (more leaf springs, and taller springs) and that's when they noticed a hairline crack on the chassis which was repaired (apparently a common problem with Eskom Patrols - that and overheating - unfortunately Patrol's don't have a good name here. Our Landcruisers seem to fare better, but they're the 4.5 petrols only - perhaps diesels would share the same fate as our Trolls)
They get about 6-6.5km/l - dual tanks
Clutch replaced @ 110k.
Gearbox fine. 4x4 operational. Hubs work/ suspension fine.
Invertor (for 220V plugs) - stopped working.
Dual batteries in camper seem to be dead
Compressor still in
rearview Camera - head unit faulty
No water tank
So that's what I've got thus far - I'm sure plenty of history could be sourced from Nissan itself - and I may be able to get other invoices/etc from them - you're most welcome to speak to the drivers as well.
Do let me know if you'd be interested in such a vehicle or know of anyone who might - either as a camper, or utility vehicle.
Cheers!
