Thanks for the offer, appreciate it. If I decide to cut my losses, there are a few things on the Monty that I'd like to get, like the roof racks, factory hitch sitting on the passenger floor behind the driver's seat, breaker bar with lug nut socket in the back cargo area, and a new fire extinguisher.

I still haven't convinced myself what to do with it one way or the other, but I'll have to make a decision soon. It will cost me $750 to ship it from Amarillo to Phoenix in a non-op status, for the AZ crew to work their magic and get it road worthy again. If the labor is free and all I have to pay for is parts and such, that should still be cheaper than trying to get another one here in So Cal. Cheapest one I've found that I'd be interested in buying is $2000, but that's for a SWB 4-cyl 5-speed. There's a LWB down in Redondo Beach for $2800, supposedly with a new engine, new paint, nice tires, sound system, roof rack, driving lights, etc. But that one is an AT, which I've heard isn't as stout a trans as the MT?

Anyway, I'll let you know if I'll take you up on your offer to help on your way thru Amarillo.

Gotta love this Montero community!