I'm posting the following correspondence between the current owner (Chris) and I to this thread to hear what you others think.
I'm at a loss at what to do.
Right now, I feel like buying the thing back off him to get away from all the hassle.
3/4/11
Gidday Pete,
Thanks for your message on Ebay.
Really don't want to have to sell it, its an awesome truck when it's going, but unfortunately it's proving to be not as reliable as I was hoping/expecting (after asking you about reliability on the trademe add and on the phone before purchasing).. Either that, or I'm just having a run of bad luck, in which case, I sincerely apologize.
It didn't sell, and I can't imagine i'd get my money back from it if i was to try and sell it in nz, so really am a bit worried at the moment and don't quite know what to do.
The truck is currently parked up again, with a few more issues. Not sure if you got my last email, in which i mentioned a problem with the rear brakes. Turns out the brake pads on both rear wheels were worn down to nothing, and the calipers had seazed. (Was a bit surprised about this, as it's got a brand new WOF?)
Anyway it was parked up for a week before I got that sorted.
I then went out with the 4wd club here for the weekend.
1st problem was after stopping the truck on top of a ridge in the middle of nowhere, it wouldnt start again. Seemed to be a fuel issue, but was beyond my limited mechanical/electrical knowledge! If I'd been on my own, i would still be stuck there. No cellphone covereage or anything. After being towed to a more suitable spot, one of the guys on the trip (very luckily) was a automotive mechanic and was able to diagnose an issue with the fuel pump. After alot of head scratching, and checking every fuse we could find, it turns out the fuel pump relay had burnt out. He was able to bypass the relay, and get me going again, but did comment on the awful mess of wiring.
Next issue was a noisy exhaust. Turns out on the right hand side the 4 bolts joining the exhaust together (where the equaliser pipe connects) had all dissapeared, and the pipes had seperated.
Next issue is the truck is using water. For some reason it is blowing water out of the overflow. Must have topped it up with at least 5 litres over the weekend.
The stereo/ipod player seems to only work sometimes.
Have not yet recieved the speedo correction, or the manual fitments for the rancho shocks. (The front ones hold air for 3-4mins only).
And don't entirely trust the on board air system after the split hose issue. (Am concerned that if that was to fail while away 4wding, it would render the diff locks useless.)
Anyway, sorry for rambling on, but I'm sure you can understand why I'm concerned about the truck, and why i'm left wondering whether it was a fair trade or not. Alot of the 4wding I do is with just the one vehicle, but at the moment I don't trust the truck enough to go anywhere alone.
Will wait to hear your thoughts on this before posting feedback on trademe.
Have attached the previous email I sent regarding the brakes, and have also copied a couple of the questions/answers from the trademe add, which influenced my decision to buy it....
Sorry again Pete, you've been awesome to deal with so far, I really appreciate it. Guess i'm just in a bad mood at the moment, sitting here wondering whether I've just spent a heap of money on an awesome, but unreliable truck?!
Cheers,
Chris.
Hi, do you have a spare wheel/tyre for this? (Some pics show a spare on the back, some don't...?) Also, any problems with reliability or electrical issues etc? If heading away into the hills on your own, would you trust this to get you home again the next day? Cheers. helicopter11 (105 ) 6:46 am, Thu 17 Feb
Yes the truck comes with a 35 inch spare with only 1/4 tread wear. Add pix later. Good question re reliability. After all the work done on this truck, it's reliable. I drive it everyday. I've towed my boat all over the south island with it. Only thing to watch out for is getting mud in the alternator. (driving in deep mud) It doesn't like it. I've been through 2 other alternators over the years. Yes I trust this truck to get me home any day and everyday. 8:18 am, Thu 17 Feb
Great looking machine, don't know much about V8's but got any closer in shots of the engine bay and interior front and back you could post? Alternatively can text you my email if that's easier. Presume there's nothing that needs attention at this stage other than normal service / grease etc. No probs with veh inspection? Cheers bonesinfo (133 ) 3:41 pm, Thu 10 Feb
I'll upload some current and more detailed pix next week. This week it's at the groomers getting ready for the wedding on the 19th. A mate has asked me to take his bride to his wedding in her choice of 4X4.

Its been covered buy 4WD TV. There are 50 other 4X4 trucks involved. I have no problem with a Vehical inspection at all. No nothing needs attention other than normal servicing. Cheers. 4:33 pm, Thu 10 Feb
Mon 21/3
Gidday Pete,
No worries, thanks for your efforts with sourcing the alternator.
Had a couple of awesome days driving the truck, but its now parked up as the left rear brake is causing trouble. Seems part of the caliper (just above the brake pad) is hitting the disc. Can't quite make sense of it, but there's quite a grinding sound and its scoured part of the disc, so its booked in to be looked at tomorrow.
Also seems to be quite a judder from the clutch when starting off in 1st or reverse...
Does the gear box generally run fairly hot? (the tread plating around the gear lever was hot to the point where you wouldnt hold your hand on it for very long at all, is this normal?)
Just waiting on the speedo correction from Rick and i think he was also going to send down the manual adjustment attachments for the shocks, as the front shocks don't hold their setting.
Sorry for all the questions!
Cheers,
Chris.