what to look out for on an old L200?

[flatyre]

Hey folks i'm thinking of treating myself to a winter project, a 2002 L200 crew cab that's been in field use for a couple of years. Always wanted a pickup and have managed to convince the missus that i'll be able to use it for the tree surgery side of the business, fit her and the kids in, and maybe pimp it up for promotional purposes. I have only spoke to the current owner over the phone and his description was "great engine but rough as a badger" when asked about price he replied "scrap value":confused1: Now the friend of mine who put me in contact with the seller says its rough but a very reliable machine that drives much better than it looks, it sound perfect for what I want, but if anyone has owned an L200 from that era what should I look out for, mainly where do they rust? Much appreciated.

[TimberCutterDartmoor]

If it's been sat in a field - corrosion.

 

Other things:

 

Steering box (seals).

Brake lines at rear.

Crank pulley.

Gearbox torque mounting.

Prop support doughnut.

Neglected UJ greasing.

 

Hopefully yours might be pre egr. I've had both and the 1998 goes way better than the 2004.

[inthewoods]

As above, just check how much welding it'll need (bodywork mainly but check for cracks on chassis from between back axle & back of cab / rear seats) everything else is cheap n easy.

 

I had an s-reg one years ago, broke the transfer box & blew back axle in two ish years from heavy towing & plenty of abuse

[Stubby]

The thing to look out for in an old L200 at this time of year is usually a scruffy looking bloke with a spaniel and a lab with some bird crates in the back and sacks of rearing pellets ..........

[Richard 1234]

Wasn't it the pre2008 ones that had head gasket issues?

[Paul Cleaver]

heavy on fuel the old ones

[TimberCutterDartmoor]

Wasn't it the pre2008 ones that had head gasket issues?

 

heavy on fuel the old ones

 

Yes and yes. Head gasket in particular late '04-06

[penfold]

Don't I know it. My 54 plate dc decided that it would drink all the coolant in the rad and then seize solid. this was after the turbo was replaced. Since then been a bit easier on fuel but not much (roughly 25mpg).

[aspenarb]

We have had good service out of our L200, its on 300,000 miles now. Its had an engine change but that was due to a rad failure which cooked it. The old boy that drove it used to get good mpg out of it. Cheaper on bits than all the others because of the amount of bits shared with the Shogun.

 

[flatyre]

well the owner got back to me and accepted my offer of £200, a mate who's a welder said buy it as the engine is worth £400 alone, think i'll go for it:thumbup1: