I drove to Orlando yesterday to get a better look at the pig. Bottom line is that I am not going to move forward with any offer to buy it, although it is tempting. I did not take compression readings, but I did look it over very carefully...this cruiser is in very good condition. I saw almost no rust except for some about the size of a dime under the passenger side floor. The diamond plate that is visible in the photos are just somebody's idea of a cool floor mat...they lift right out, flooring underneath is perfect. There is a leak at the rear differential, the wipers do not work on high and the clutch is suspect (zero freeplay from floor). I think it also needs a battery. It is NOT a 5-speed as we all probably suspected, even though it is advertised as such. All venting and heater controls have been removed and therefor it has no heater. It does have A/C, however, and it works very well. It drove well, shifted smoothly, tracked straight. There is a very noticeable "shake" at aroun 60 MPH...tires probably need to be balanced. Tires are new (including the spare). I did not engage 4WD.
To be honest, part of the reason for not pursuing is this pig is that is almost too nice for my taste. I enjoy the process of working on my rig and making it the way I want it. That work has already been done here. I never intended to pay the $12,000 they want...especially given that they no nothing about the truck's background, nor do they know actual mileage (odo broken). I think they might go for 10k, (maybe offer 9k). They have been sitting on this rig for a long time and I doubt they paid much for it in Indonesia (they imported rig themselves). It's really a shame to see that sweet 55 sitting there on a lot owned by sombody that has absolutely no appreciation as to what he has...kind of makes me sick. I almost feel a an obligation to buy the thing just to "rescue" it from the used car lot people. Maybe somebody else can give it a good home. I hope so.
