Colombia - Page 2

addicted56 · 02-24-09, 07:45 PM

That has crossed my mind as well

hahaha.

fj40z · 02-24-09, 07:55 PM

Hang in there, I know it seems like alot of hassle and a lot of run around, but you will probably never get the opportunity to own a Cruiser like that for as little as money that it may take to get it.

addicted56 · 02-24-09, 08:41 PM

You know,

I just got to looking around and talking with someone else.

I guess the Frame number is the VIN number (Also noted on the SOR FAQ site)

So if this thing is not missing any identification is there anything out there that could tell me if the engine number I have provided is not that engine that belongs with that Frame number? Again noted by Embassy lady....and also noted that it is not a stolen engine.

From the tag inside the passenger engine compartment.

FJ43L-KC
FJ43-67185
309 LL11
H41 K052

The frame number matches that of the plate.

Engine number is FJ43-24391

Even if it was a different engine why would this be a problem?

GarnerFJ40 · 02-25-09, 05:28 AM

Yeah, I'm not sure that the VIN and the engine number were ever paired together. My VIN plate does not ID the engine (I'm inside but I'll check).

addicted56 · 02-26-09, 01:31 PM

I hear stories about this thing everywhere. I have a new hook up though and I think we have it figured out.

It involves tearing the engine out. They said I could crate the engine up and put it in one of our ISU's for the flight home and the guy would take care of the shipping of the car home. Not sure how much beer money that is going to cost me and still need to go to the DMV but it sounds more promising than I thought before.

Not sure how I'm going to get the rig out of here to take the engine out but who cares....should be fun none the less. Hell if it is already out I should just go diesel and keep the 2F in storage just in case anyone wanted to go back.

I took a couple of horrible pictures. Almost got caught as the guards came out of nowhere.

I think it would be easier to ship a car without an engine. Parts car no?

addicted56 · 02-26-09, 01:35 PM

Ohh and I think it may have been a sign. Our driver got in a wreck this morning and was late to pick us up. Then came the exact FJ43 I'm hoping to bring back. Except this one had a 4" lift some 35" tires a solid channle front bumper with 8724 snorkle and highlift mounted on the other side, with roof rack. I'm hoping he is buddies with the polish consulate guards as that is who he seemed to be talking to. They didn't habla englis so I just looked really quick.

INSPIRATION...maybe not quite to that extent.

southerncruiser62 · 02-26-09, 02:00 PM

This is a great story to follow, hang in there...

addicted56 · 02-26-09, 02:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by southerncruiser62

This is a great story to follow, hang in there...

As much as I love reading fiction I hope to make this story reality.

Thanks for the support.

addicted56 · 02-26-09, 06:53 PM

Again these are not the best pictures but we are not suppossed to have cameras in there. And the guards popped out of nowhere though I doubt they would care the longer I am there.

Today I did more digging around. I really crawled under it today. Spotless under there. Really really clean and no rust.

I pulled up all of the mats and besides the drivers everything is spotless. You can tell in the corners and hidden areas though that it was resprayed for sure. I think the whole car was. I know the outside was and will need to be redone.

I crawled up and over thru the back and let the seats down. Again never been sat in. You can tell all of the seats in the truck were redone though so that explains a lot. Apperently not much is original on this truck but who cares it is in great shape.

I opened up the back and moved the tire carier and everything was again spotless, no rust, worked great. Someone did a good rebuild on this thing.
So who knows how many miles the thing really has.

Enjoy the crappy pics. I'll try and get some better ones next week.

addicted56 · 03-02-09, 01:53 PM

Ok Good progress today. The people here have been holding out on me. They had a file on this car and the guy that was 5 inches thick. And in there was amazingly the KEYS FOR THE CAR!!!

I found the owner of the vehicle today and he is in fact and registered here as the owner. I found his e-mail, location of work, phone number as well as all his personal information for his house and home phone online. Luckily it appears he is in the states right now (not to far from home..in Alabama).

I sent him an e-mail and am going to give him 24 hours to respond. If not I'm going to call his work and then that evening call his home. Hopefully he is cool about the hole thing. I found out today if the Embassy gets control of the car it is going out into the jungle as a team vehicle and will get thrashed and eventually become target practice.

It appears I'm going to have to take the engine out to get it home but that is to easy.

I also found out how much taxes will be and depending on how they calculate interested here it should be under 1K dollars.

But I am communicating with a local broker and he said it would be about 2500 to ship it home...I'm not exactly sure what that entails but it seems a tad bit on the high side to me.

Well anyway. If I can get ahold of this guy and get the paperwork done I can get it off, try to get it running, and then tear the engine out, bring it back and put in our ISU, and then get the thing off for shipping.

All depends on the owner. We will see. If he doesn't contact me and anyone knows someone in Jasper Alabama I might have to pay someone to go knock on his door

hahah...I just might make this thing happen. All pray that this Commander contacts me and is realistic about what is going on.

addicted56 · 03-02-09, 06:15 PM

He e-mailed me back 10 minutes after I sent the e-mail. I just got off of the phone with him and he is a REALLY cool guy. He gave me some good stories about living down here in South America and enough to get some things done about the car.

We never really talked price to much as I need to find out how much is owed on the thing for back taxes. I'm hoping not to much.

Anyway without being rude and still trying to get a good deal on a car this guy really had no chance of getting what should I offer him. He said he would do any paperwork and let me know anything in order to get the job done so I could ship it home. I'm thinking 500-1000 as it is going to be over 1K for taxes, 2500+ for shipping and I still don't even know if I have to rip the engine out in order to ship it home ( not original engine and that is a problem in Colombia). Plus it has some rotten tires and hasn't been started in who knows how long, dead battery, no coolant, etc.

Thoughts???

I still think it might be easier to rip the engine out and then send the car without it home and put the engine in when I get back as I can stick it in my ISU on the way home.

So much for the Embassy trying to contact him for years. I got ahold of him in 10 mintues and basically have a deal worked out in 5 hours.

addicted56 · 03-02-09, 06:29 PM

Ohh yeah,

As for condition of the vehicle he siad he had the transmission/transfercase rebuilt, the springs re arches with all new bushings and all new rubber in the car. It had just been repainted and upholstered when he got it. He said he had a lot of work done to it right before he left. He is not sure of the mileage becuase of the change of engine but said it ran great. I guess he drove it all over the place around here.

fj40z · 03-02-09, 06:50 PM

Wow! Thats some good news!

southerncruiser62 · 03-03-09, 04:51 AM

Let's just hope he doesn't want something ridiculous for it....Glad to hear you got ahold of him, sounds like if the price works out this thing will be back in the states before too long.

mtweller · 03-03-09, 07:25 AM

Good luck Jason, sounds like this could come to fruition.

JohnnyC · 03-03-09, 07:41 AM

a columbian fj43 ...very nice...keep it as original to columbia as possible...although its "not from toyota"

the hardtop is quite rare to the USA ...keep it on

even the 70 series markers...very columbia

very cool

BTW...windows and door parts AFAIK were shipped over to the company MPR (hardtop manufacturer) and used in their tops...later they used like parts for side windows and oem corner windows. the other hardtop company is Fivres and they used some oem parts and some other parts...I think their corner windows were 1/2 cap rover? windows.

I am still gatering info on both companies...neither have websites.

either way still a very cool top

addicted56 · 03-03-09, 03:32 PM

I figured that Toyota had to be in Kahutz with the hard top makers here. With all of the toyota markings on the glass and such. They are very nicely made. Brilliant with the built in air vents and such. Very well thought out. Which fits just perfect with a Toyota that recieved as much thought.

If I do get it home I plan on doing a small shackle lift, some new wheels (currently split rims), more aggresive tires, sterio and that is about it. Ohh and I might retro a heater/AC unit when I get back from Afghansitan as they don't need it down here becuase of the weather.

mtweller · 03-04-09, 07:53 AM

Jason, I think I have a 40series heater unit.

R

addicted56 · 03-05-09, 06:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mtweller

Jason, I think I have a 40series heater unit.

R

I might take you up on that. The AC unit would sure be nice though in the summers here.

Today I saw 2 FJ43's for sale 1 of them with factory non-removable hardtop.

Also that last Red FJ43 that I said was built lives just across the street. He keeps it stored in the first slot in teh under ground garage where I also found a slot with 2 other FJ40's. I'm in the mecca. I'm going to try and get leave a note for the guy with the portello and see if I can't take some pictures of it.

The FJ55 down the street is right next to the Iranian Embassy so I'm leary of taking pictures.

krzyabncanuck · 03-05-09, 06:13 PM

Between there and a few other southern countries and Afghanistan are the places i seen more cruisers than other vehicles i cared for.

addicted56 · 03-05-09, 06:53 PM

More Great news

Today my driver had a hook up with a guy who knows how to get some stuff done with the DMV. He only remembered this guy after waiting 30 minutes in their version of a DMV (HOLY COW...I will never complain about waiting 10 minutes again). Anyway he figured out all of the taxes and fines over the phone in litterally seconds and also said he could get a complete history of every document and take care of all of the payments for me for like 10 bucks or something rediculous like that.

I am waiting on final word and documentation and prices from the broker. Orginal quote before everything was about 2500 bucks but we will see. I think it may climb...which if they took care of EVERYTHING and had it at my front door step I wouldn't mind.

I just got off the phone with the owner and we chatted a bit and I offered what after much self deliberation was what I thought a fair price. He agreed. I didn't want to screw the guy either becuase he is a fellow service member/ land cruiser lover and he got a raw end of the deal on this thing, but at the same time I couldnt' pay to much as there are still a lot of unknowns about a car that has been sitting that long (rear diff leaks, gas tank cleaning, front birfs leak, no radiator fluid...why I don't know, park brake doesn't work, flat tires, etc)

I talked to the Embassy today and they said they wouldn't need anything legal as long as he called or sent a signed letter saying he transfered authority for me to handle the car and ship it out. Hopefully I can get something from him tomorrow or Monday and have them hand over the folder with the paperwork and KEYS!!

Today while screwing around I turned on the light switch and no shit the lights turned on (not the brightest but there is hope with that battery). It hasn't been driven since 2004. I need one of those batteries back in the states. I'm going to try and get the embassy maintenance guys to empty the fuel tank and then brign in some fuel and fill up the tank. Drain the Carb, fill the radiator, buy a thing of starter fluid, and pull up one of the drivers rigs with the jumper cables and giver her a crank and see what happens. Well I guess I should turn over the engine a couple times first to make sure all is well like no stuck valves or anything.

Anyway as long as there are not any last minute problems, ie paperwork, or the shipping is just out of the world (at 2500 much more than I already thought) this thing could be running and on a boat by the end of the month.

(Someone is going to need to come drive it around the block a couple times for me while I'm gone...I would ask my neighbors but my entire neigborhood all 5 of us will be deployed at the same time.)

Ohh and Juan I still need to call your cousin. He never answered his e-mail so I will try one more time before I call. I would still like to meet him.

fj40z · 03-05-09, 08:15 PM

Fantastic

addicted56 · 03-06-09, 03:21 PM

Hello,

Todays updates...No news yet from the shipper. I'm not going to get the stuff from the DMV until I get their quote (which should be Monday).

I might try to start the rig tomorrow but probably Monday. Here is a couple of threads I posted today with some questions.

http://forum.ih8mud.com/40-55-series...ml#post4219921

http://forum.ih8mud.com/40-55-series...plit-rims.html

Roberto · 03-07-09, 08:57 PM

Jason

Yep that is the one I remember there when I was there. I checked it out a few times. Keep us posted on how it turns out.

R

addicted56 · 03-09-09, 07:48 PM

Tomorrow is the big day. I guess they started the car about 6 months ago so I'm just going to turn the key and see what happens. You never know. They think the last guy to start it put some more fuel in there and an additive but they are not sure. I'm going to fill up the tire and drive it around the embassy and maybe wash it where I am not supppossed to

Also I will be paying all of the back taxes tomorrow so I'm taking the first financial dive.

I am now going to have to work a way to get the current owner to sell it to the company that is going to ship it for me but I don't think that will be a problem, as I have all of his paperwork here. We will see. It may make things a bit more difficult but after that I don't have to do anything and the company can take care of everything and get it to me. He is a fellow Mud member that is helping me out thru his company. Looked it up online and his e-mails with phone numbers are legit.

I will have to call up some of the Upstate Cruisers as I will be picking it up in Charleston when it arrives. I'm going to get a quote for shipping from there as it was 900 from Miami so I would think Charleston would be half as much. Might be worth it just to have it dropped off on my front door. That way I don't have to deal with the customs guys at the ports, not to mention the drive and time. From the time I get it to the Company it will be about 3 weeks till it arrives. So unlikely before the OBX trip.

I can't ship it with fuel or oil, or the battery in it but that shouldn't be to hard to take care of. We will see soon enough. Luckily I have a guy that can get all of the DMV paperwork done for me extremely quick and cheap. If all goes well regarding changing the name of the title over to the company I should be squared away really soon.

So aiming for getting it running tomorrow Then the title transfered and the company picking it up by next Tuesday (My birthday and St. Patricks day...so I should get lucky). Plus that gives me about 10 days of fudge room to get everything done before I go.

krzyabncanuck · 03-10-09, 03:14 PM

Sounds to me like you have a good plan of attack going.

You know the deal though, it can go south real fast when you least expect it. Not trying to rain on you though. Having tried to get a 45 out of the Stan before .

addicted56 · 03-10-09, 06:14 PM

Yeah,

I got another quote from someone different in the company today and it was 1K more expensive??? WTF over. I talked to the original guy and said figure it out tomorrow as if that is the case I probably won't do it. It would be over 4K at that point just to get it to the ports.

I tried getting it running today. It started right up with a bit of gas poured down the carb but would then die. I drew from a bottle of clean gas but no luck. I had drained the bowl and purged the lines before I tried starting it. But it appears some of the jets are clogged. The bowl fills and the selonoid (fuel cutoff) works. Just nothing going into the Carb. Can't figure it out. Got a mechanic comming by to take a look. He is probably going to take the carb off, rebuild it and replace the fuel lines to and getting it running. Hopefully that doesn't take too long.

But if this shipping company is really going to charge me more than double the original quote for inland shipping, and about 500 more than quoted for the container and port fees I just can't afford it as much as I would like to.

So hopefully more news soon. I'm running out of time and if I don't get the quote figured out by tomorrow morning that is one less day I have to get everything transfered at the DMV and done.

GarnerFJ40 · 03-10-09, 06:45 PM

I think you're to the point of no return. You're going to kick yourself if you let it get away, with all the legwork you've put in, and the history you've uncovered. Take the plunge, and bring it home...

cruiser4life · 03-11-09, 08:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GarnerFJ40

I think you're to the point of no return. You're going to kick yourself if you let it get away, with all the legwork you've put in, and the history you've uncovered. Take the plunge, and bring it home...

x2! Would be a sweet ride to have back here, stay with it!

mtweller · 03-11-09, 09:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GarnerFJ40

I think you're to the point of no return. You're going to kick yourself if you let it get away, with all the legwork you've put in, and the history you've uncovered. Take the plunge, and bring it home...

X3 - As long as I get to drive it sometime