Spend spend spend...

[lacroupade]

Ba5tard Terranos.

Recent acquisition of another lowish mileage (60k) '02 plater (No.4 in the series!) just reinforces my view that these trucks thrive on a good thrashing. When they are driven like little old women they just clog up and go wrong.

This one had been in the latter category and while in mint condition underneath, it has the usual catalogue of issues; leaky sunroof, leaky rear door (all easily fixed) plus a host of minor stuff that is starting to go away now its getting soundly thrashed up and down the M4 to The Land of My Fathers.

Auto box has an odd foible in that when overtaking hard, with overdrive off, it sometimes 'hiccups' - its fine with OD on...so I shall be getting the fluid changed and watching it and if it doesn't go away it WILL BE SWAPPED FOR A L*ND R*VER!!

No.3 truck is at the menders.......France was murder in the heat (or humidity to be more accurate!) and my aircon needed regassing urgently...turns out its because the condensors fecked...thats around £250 to replace then regass.

So I thought I'd get my rattly gearbox looked at - big argument between the guys at the garage over whether its the layshaft or the thrust bearing...most money is on the latter but we'll see when the gearbox gets dropped....if its the box then its off the Swansea to get refurbed (and I nick the wifes truck to go back to France next week, she'll be chuffed!!)..

Buts its £220 for the clutch kit and £300 for the labour (I tried not to smile when he apologetically told me - labour rates in Wales are wonderful!).

So just waiting to see if I get the old girl back in time and without having to fork out for a g/box refurb....still, its only once eh...?