Buying my first 4WD

[PunjabiMaja]

Hi everyone! I'm looking at buying my first 4WD with a tight budget of 2-4k but I'm mechanically minded and will be doing all the work myself.
I think I've found a good one that's at $1300 on ebay I went to take a look at it today and it seemed to be in pretty good nic. It's blown a head and it doesn't drive so I can't check the diffs and auto which concerns me a bit, but the guy said they were working good and he was very informative and friendly.

Here it is: http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/1993-Ford...30980689819%26

Thing is it's been sitting for 2-3yrs with water in the cooling system and there's quite a story behind the driveline!
He said he bought it off a tradie and it blew the head shortly after, instead of doing the head he had a spare motor in the garage and fitted that instead. But when he was putting the new motor and the box (auto) back in he lined the auto up wrong or something and stuffed the gearbox!
So he bought a replacement auto and fitted it, it drove for a short while until the thermostat seized and the head blew again! I think he kept driving it to the point to where he parked it in it's current spot where it has sat for 2-3yrs which concerns me a lot I'm wondering exactly how bad this could be? I also think he drove it with water/oil mixing until it stopped starting basically, not good either.

I noticed he bought another identical GQ and has used the bullbar that was on this for it he's quite mechanically minded I'm wondering why he gave up on this one and bought another identical one, and how many parts have could've possibly been swapped over .
I think he said he didn't have a shed or something during that 2-3 year period hence not being able to fix it and he was very honest so I'm not sure what to think. The car looks pretty good to me but after all those motor/gearbox swaps I don't get why he wouldn't just do a simple head gasket job after all that work. But i got the feeling he just gave up with it and it was only the head... and the auto and diffs are ok but I can't drive it so I can't be sure haha.

The body's got no rust at all the paint is a bit cloudy from sitting but looks decent and the interior is pretty average with no rips/cracks or anything serious, and it's at a pretty good price currently, I'm just afraid I'm buying somebody elses parts car and potential things I've missed, the fact it's been sitting with water in it for 3yrs is definitely not good and I'm wondering if this alone should make me look elsewhere (ie would the whole bottom end of the motor be stuffed like welsch plugs etc requiring the engine to come out)?

I'm not looking for one that drives perfect but I want a good base for a bargain haha I only thought this one would need a head at first but I'm worried about a lot of things now, only thing I'm certain about is the paint! I'm wondering what you guys would do? What do you think of it? Any input would be greatly appreciated Thank you and sorry about the long message!

[my third 256]

hi and welcome to the forum a great mob of people here and a lot of very usefull information
best wishes with your patrolling
stephen
hey mate head over to the intro section please and tell us a bit about youself and your rig just one of the requirments and you will find you get a lot more responses
http://www.nissanpatrol.com.au/forum...-Introductions

[GQ TANK]

hmmm I wonder where I have seen this post before

[Cuppa]

I think you are right to be suspicious.
It,s a money pit - run away.
Keep saving until you can afford something better.

[Bloodyaussie]

I bought a car like that for $700 and me and irish use it for parts... that thing is more trouble than its worth.... oh and by the way Welcome aboard mate!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[gaddy]

Welcome , and run !

[GQsweep]

I agree with all the other posts. This one is not for you. For your first 4WD you want something just registered and running. Paying a bit more for that is money well spent.

[MQ MAD]

hmmm I wonder where I have seen this post before

I think your right ,ive seen it somewhere else ,also ....