[gordon]

You are right to go for the most complete, most original, most interesting sort of thing, but however much work you think there is, there will be 2 or 3 times that.

Assuming they aren't a million miles from you, go back every few months and tell 'the old guy' you are still saving for the crane truck. Meantime ask around here for parts, expertise, and help.

One of these days he'll take pity on you and take the couple of thousand you can afford (tell ME about truck-induced poverty - hah) between now and then do all your homework. How to get it home, where to put it under cover (unless your local weather is great...) where to get spares for it.

Gordon