Anyone in Darwin, NT (Australia) or close by?

[gr8ful]

Hi There,

Is anyone on the list in Darwin, Australia, or know someone in the area that would be willing to help out a fellow Mudder for fun & profit?

I just scored an FH45 troopy & extra parts 47 ute on ebay up there, but the guy that was selling says he is too busy to help with shipping. The thing is I really don't want all of it, as it will cost a fortune to ship it all. But I bought if for the soft top & associated parts on the troopy. So if someone is in the area or knows someone in the area, that was willing to help me get the parts I need & have them crated up to ship, they can have the rest to sellon ebay (its rough but there is value there I think), or to keep for their own bush wheeler or whatever. Or I could pay someone in cash, or whatever would be your choice....

Thanks,
Abe

 

[herbs]

Might have better luck if you ask on a forum like outerlimits4x4. Unfortunately I'm 2000 kms away or thereabouts, otherwise I'd help you.

 

[gr8ful]

Thanks Herbs!

I posted up over there! One guy imediately called me a scam, but the first couple of other responders have had a couple of tips! Hopefully one of them pays off.
Best,
Abe

 

[flaminbandit]

if you have them shipped to melbourne i can help but thats over 2000km away aswell

 

[Chamba]

I grew up in Boulder, just a few miles from you. I am in Adelaide now but that is several thousand miles from Darwin. Lemme know if I can help, though, and I will do what I can for a fellow Dead Head in Boulder.

Regards,

Josh

 

[crustyBJ60]

hope it goes well for you, i saw your post on outers as well (don't mind the wankers).

you know that the troopy soft top parts are "almost" the same as a SWB.

there is a guy in SC who make the s*** as far as canvas tops go. i've ordered one from him and i'm getting it shipped down here...

ocdbeetle is his mud user name. not sure if you have seen these threads. maybe you'll find something of use.

https://forum.ih8mud.com/merchandise-storefront/326260-canvas-soft-tops.html

https://forum.ih8mud.com/fj45-owners-club/359255-troopy-soft-top.html

cheers
crusty

 

[40Flipper]

Gonna be tough. I've purposely never bought anything from Darwin just cuz of the added expense of getting a truck from Darwin to any port. I've imported dozens of cruisers and I think you have your work cut out for you.

 

[gr8ful]

I grew up in Boulder, just a few miles from you. I am in Adelaide now but that is several thousand miles from Darwin. Lemme know if I can help, though, and I will do what I can for a fellow Dead Head in Boulder.

Regards,

Josh

Hey Josh!
Thanks for the offer, even if you can't help. So how did you end up down there from Boulder? I've thought about moving there for a couple of years to get some adventure, but I don't think I could put my dogs in quarantine to get them into the country.
If your ever back in the area, let me know. We can hoist a few at some of your old favorite places. Plus, some day I am at least going to go on a long vacation down there & if you are still there I'll look you up!
Best,
Abe

 

[gr8ful]

hope it goes well for you, i saw your post on outers as well (don't mind the wankers).

you know that the troopy soft top parts are "almost" the same as a SWB.

there is a guy in SC who make the s*** as far as canvas tops go. i've ordered one from him and i'm getting it shipped down here...

ocdbeetle is his mud user name. not sure if you have seen these threads. maybe you'll find something of use.

https://forum.ih8mud.com/merchandise-storefront/326260-canvas-soft-tops.html

https://forum.ih8mud.com/fj45-owners-club/359255-troopy-soft-top.html

cheers
crusty

Thanks Crusty! I actually did plan to go the above route like you mention, but I can't turn seat frames into a soft top frame like you did, so I would need to find someone to modify things for me, and I have never seen a Troopy softop in real life, so I wouldn't even know where to begin (even though it was my plan). But then this opportunity came up & I figured it was worth the risk to at least try. Plus this way someday I could send OCDBeetle the oem top & frame, and he could make a perfect pattern for everyone for future use. The one he is making you might end up perfect with nothing more to do, but since he doesn't have one to use for a template, I figure it couldn't hurt to have one to compare from down the road.

Plus I work in Logistics & my wife is a U.S. Broker, so if I can get someone to crate it for me, we can ship pretty easily compared to others. Speaking of which, if you need help moving your top when it is finished let me know. Even if I can't help smooth anything out better than you already have it, I would be willing to try & offer up some tips.

Best,
Abe

 

[gr8ful]

Gonna be tough. I've purposely never bought anything from Darwin just cuz of the added expense of getting a truck from Darwin to any port. I've imported dozens of cruisers and I think you have your work cut out for you.

Yeah, so far I'm only into this for $338ish USD, so if I end up failing competely it will hurt, but it won't bankrupt me. They do have a port in Darwin that offers feeder vessels to Singapore & I know I can't get things to the west coast fromthere. And I don't have to have the complete trucks moved. If I could find a guy to help me pack up the top stuff I want most & a few other bits & pieces, I would let him/her keep everything else. Granted their Troopy wouldn't have a top, but they could just mount a Bikini top & Drive it for most of the year down there, since it is nice & dry most days...

Who knows if it will work, but I figured I had to try.

Thanks to everyone for the tips & advice!
Best,
Abe

 

[crustyBJ60]

good luck with your plans... nothing ventured, nothing gained eh?

i'd be more than happy to send any soft top info your way. i have learned a few things along the way.

cheers
crusty

 

[Chamba]

Hey Josh!
Thanks for the offer, even if you can't help. So how did you end up down there from Boulder? I've thought about moving there for a couple of years to get some adventure, but I don't think I could put my dogs in quarantine to get them into the country.
If your ever back in the area, let me know. We can hoist a few at some of your old favorite places. Plus, some day I am at least going to go on a long vacation down there & if you are still there I'll look you up!
Best,
Abe

Hello Abe,

Bit of a long story how I wound up down here, the short story is that I married an Aussie chick from Adelaide, and here I am. I've been here for nearly 5 years, and I am really over it. it is a Nanny State, and it is hard to get used to. I feel like I have to read a rule book each morning when I get up so I don't get a ticket mailed to me in the post by one of the many cameras that watch Aussies' every move.

It is better now than it was when Bush was president, but Australians are still pretty anti-America. The irony is that when Australians are being anti-American, it almost like a form of self-loathing. They seem to have copied all of the worst of American culture, but very little of best of it.

My folks still live in Boulder, so I am there whenever I am in the US. I should be there in January, so we will have to get together for a pint of Oatmeal Stout at the Oasis - good beer and good food are two of the things I miss most about the US... that, and being able to ride a bicycle without a helmet and safety vest being required (and strictly enforced) by law.

Australia is a nice place to visit, but it is a difficult and expensive place to live unless you grew up here.

Josh

 

[gr8ful]

Married an Aussie Girl, Nice! I know its a stereo type, but I picture a hot surfer chick that can fix your cruiser while skinning a Perentie to make it into a hat for you, and also talking with a cool accent. So at least you got some of the best of Oz, even if there are other parts you can't wait to leave behind.

Funny, I've heard you say its a Nanny state before but I had no idea that they were that strict. I can't believe you are required to wear a reflective vest to ride a bike... .
I have heard that a lot of Australians are anit-american, but I have always wondered if that is the sort of thing that comes out in, 'group think" or mob exercises, becuase every one I have ever had dealings with have been really great to me. But I also get the benefit of either working with them (Intl. Supply Chain management), or sharing a common interest like cruisers. So that probably makes it easier for them to see the good in me, and ignore the fact that I plan to take over the world...
If you are coming back to town in January & you are interested definitely let me know. I would gladly meet up for some beers, fine fare & conversation. Plus if you wanted to meet them I would bet some of the Rising Sun guys would come out to enjoy an evening. Plus, if you needed it I could probably loan you a truck while you are here (bad habit of hoarding cruisers you know).
Also, if you like to ride enough to have actual cycling apparel, I work at Pearl Izumi & I can pass along my employee discount to freinds & family so you could score some belateded Xmas presents &/or personal gear at 60% off! If your family rides & you guys are officially doing Christmas after you get here, you could let me know what to order & I could have it ready to just meet you somewhere to grab it on your way home...
anyway, lots to do still tonight, so I'll talk to you later. Thanks again for the offer to help & hopefully we will meet in person a few months down the road.
Best,
Abe

 

[gr8ful]

good luck with your plans... nothing ventured, nothing gained eh?

i'd be more than happy to send any soft top info your way. i have learned a few things along the way.

cheers
crusty

Hey Crusty,
Even if I fail to get this top to the USA I would still appreciate any info or tips you can give me. One way or the other I will get a soft top for my troopy some day, some how so it will help eventually.
I'm still not sure if i will be able to get this done but, "nothing ventured, nothing gained" totally fits the bill on this one. It is a bit of a risk, but I have never been screwed over by anyone in the cruiser world, and I have also always had great interactions with the few Australian guys I have done business with, so I figure it isn't like I am playing Russian Roullete here.

Best,
Abe

 

[Chamba]

Married an Aussie Girl, Nice! I know its a stereo type, but I picture a hot surfer chick that can fix your cruiser while skinning a Perentie to make it into a hat for you, and also talking with a cool accent. So at least you got some of the best of Oz, even if there are other parts you can't wait to leave behind.

Funny, I've heard you say its a Nanny state before but I had no idea that they were that strict. I can't believe you are required to wear a reflective vest to ride a bike... .
I have heard that a lot of Australians are anit-american, but I have always wondered if that is the sort of thing that comes out in, 'group think" or mob exercises, becuase every one I have ever had dealings with have been really great to me. But I also get the benefit of either working with them (Intl. Supply Chain management), or sharing a common interest like cruisers. So that probably makes it easier for them to see the good in me, and ignore the fact that I plan to take over the world...
If you are coming back to town in January & you are interested definitely let me know. I would gladly meet up for some beers, fine fare & conversation. Plus if you wanted to meet them I would bet some of the Rising Sun guys would come out to enjoy an evening. Plus, if you needed it I could probably loan you a truck while you are here (bad habit of hoarding cruisers you know).
Also, if you like to ride enough to have actual cycling apparel, I work at Pearl Izumi & I can pass along my employee discount to freinds & family so you could score some belateded Xmas presents &/or personal gear at 60% off! If your family rides & you guys are officially doing Christmas after you get here, you could let me know what to order & I could have it ready to just meet you somewhere to grab it on your way home...
anyway, lots to do still tonight, so I'll talk to you later. Thanks again for the offer to help & hopefully we will meet in person a few months down the road.
Best,
Abe

That'd be great. I know many of the Rising Sun boys - Kevin Ehrlich (Uncle Ben) is a good friend of mine, and I used to live a few blocks from Robby Antonson.

I used to be really into mountain biking, but since living here I no longer really ride at all. I have gotten too many tickets on my bike, so now I just drive the Cruiser or ride the BMW everywhere.

Thanks for the offer of a Cruiser, but I have my troopy there and she needs to get out every so often. I would love to get together and do some wheelin' perhaps. Do you cross country ski?

Josh

 

[fjdaveinoz]

Josh,
I hate to thread hijack, but ive been seeing your remarks about Australia a fair bit, interested in your opnion of here. Before you think im having a go at you, its actually quite the opposite. I tend to agree with what you say.
Australia is way overgoverned. 3 levels of government creates just the senario you depict. Every level of government charging you for what ever they can, and fineing you at a whim. Speed cameras all over the place, and overzealous parking officers that will fine you for almost anything. Its all about revenue.
They carry on and carry on about road safety, 4 deaths occured this weekend here in NSW, and all the police could say was 'slow down' I know for a fact one of those deaths was attributed to fatigue on a s*** poor maintained road, but telling the truth wont justify the speed camera they are looking at putting up on that bit of road. people die on that road, so they all must speed, so we'll put this camera up and save a few lives - and pocket the 100k a year it make in revenue. Problem solved, and the s*** bit of road continues to be s***.
The care-free releaxed aussie way of life gave way to greed. I think that is where a lot of anti americanism comes from, 'the yanks ruined our way of life' I think we did it ourselves. "all thats on tv is american crap' well lets start making some good local programmes again - hang on, its cheaper just to import it.
It goes on and on......
Dont bang your head against a wall josh, a lot of aussies feel the same way you do about the place, and as a proud australian, it saddens me to find that people that come here are disapointed in what its really like.
If the police went back to actual policing, and the government actually starting working for its people, not its own political interest, it would be a much better place im sure.

Dave

 

[herbs]

Well it wouldn't be so bad if the various levels of government had some degree of competence, but they don't. Plus most urban people are sheep. But oh well, we keep battling on.

 

[Chamba]

Josh,
I hate to thread hijack, but ive been seeing your remarks about Australia a fair bit, interested in your opnion of here. Before you think im having a go at you, its actually quite the opposite. I tend to agree with what you say.
Australia is way overgoverned. 3 levels of government creates just the senario you depict. Every level of government charging you for what ever they can, and fineing you at a whim. Speed cameras all over the place, and overzealous parking officers that will fine you for almost anything. Its all about revenue.
They carry on and carry on about road safety, 4 deaths occured this weekend here in NSW, and all the police could say was 'slow down' I know for a fact one of those deaths was attributed to fatigue on a **** poor maintained road, but telling the truth wont justify the speed camera they are looking at putting up on that bit of road. people die on that road, so they all must speed, so we'll put this camera up and save a few lives - and pocket the 100k a year it make in revenue. Problem solved, and the **** bit of road continues to be ****.
The care-free releaxed aussie way of life gave way to greed. I think that is where a lot of anti americanism comes from, 'the yanks ruined our way of life' I think we did it ourselves. "all thats on tv is american crap' well lets start making some good local programmes again - hang on, its cheaper just to import it.
It goes on and on......
Dont bang your head against a wall josh, a lot of aussies feel the same way you do about the place, and as a proud australian, it saddens me to find that people that come here are disapointed in what its really like.
If the police went back to actual policing, and the government actually starting working for its people, not its own political interest, it would be a much better place im sure.

Dave

Herb and Dave,

I love Australians, and that is what makes living here bearable. I do get frustrated that they don't stand up and say 'enough is enough', but it is that very attitude which makes Aussie so great to live amongst.

Of course, I won't even go into the Bikie Laws and their implication on liberty.

I'm with you on the telly. All I watch is the ABC: if there is nothing on that, we don't watch the telly. Australia makes some great shows (the movies I'm not big on - too bloody depressing. The last great movie made here was The Castle and/or Chopper) and it is a shame that the commercial stations are all chock-a-block with American programmes. However, shows like Catalyst and Four Corners are top-notch and something about which Aussies should be proud. I only wish more of those could be made.

I'm sorry that I do tend to rant a bit on these forums, but in my profession I can't/don't say anything; so I sometimes say too much here. I really do enjoy living amongst Aussies, but I get so frustrated dealing with the government here.

back to the thread...

Josh

 

[a.greenspan]

Josh,
all would be perfect ( in all countries / societies) if that had happened....

Cheers
Peter......

.... now back to the thread