Wierd Dan, but 
Blue Mule resto in Malawi
- Thread starter M5driver
- Start date
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Colorado Boy-74-FJ40
I may grow older but I refuse to grow up!
What a long strange trip it's been
M5driver
MUD Addict (Ret.)
- Thread starter
- #663
Once I'm over this flu or whatever this is, I'll be able to examine the Mule in detail. Until I start it up and check it out proper, I won't know if there is damage. This is why I've filed an "intent to make a claim" with the shipping company and our transportation people.
Another look yesterday revealed that the front hubs were unlocked (I had them locked when I put it in the box), and the transfer was in H4. This makes me a bit concerned that someone tried to drive it but didn't quite know what they were doing with the 4WD, resulting in damage to the transfer box that required removal of the drive shaft to move the vehicle. Is that possible? It's the only explanation I can think of right now for the shaft being removed.
Well, at least the Mule is here, and I can sort out any problems there might be with it.
Another look yesterday revealed that the front hubs were unlocked (I had them locked when I put it in the box), and the transfer was in H4. This makes me a bit concerned that someone tried to drive it but didn't quite know what they were doing with the 4WD, resulting in damage to the transfer box that required removal of the drive shaft to move the vehicle. Is that possible? It's the only explanation I can think of right now for the shaft being removed.
Well, at least the Mule is here, and I can sort out any problems there might be with it.
Very strange story. You should check if Theo was not in Durban on the date of seal change. He is still looking for an ashtray.
Blue77FJ40
SILVER Star
Perhaps someone tried to flat tow it, and removed the rear driveshaft. You might want to see if there's any damage attributed to that from a possible flailing of the stub/whole shaft. Definitely fishy doings.
My guess is someone removed your truck from the container and drove it around in 4wd not knowing anything about how the truck works. When they tried to make a sharp turn the transfer case bound up on them. They probably thought something was wrong with the rear end so they pulled the driveshaft and drove it using front wheel drive. That is the best I can guess.
Your transfer case may have some damage. I would check it along the transmission.
Your transfer case may have some damage. I would check it along the transmission.
Chamba
Too short. Too long. Just right: the 43
Dan,
Congratulations on the Mule's home-coming. Perhaps this is the perfect excuse to put a 5 speed in, and to get the shipping company to chip in...
On another 'mule' topic- is the M-5 still in Scotland, or is it coming home as well?
Cheers,
Josh
Congratulations on the Mule's home-coming. Perhaps this is the perfect excuse to put a 5 speed in, and to get the shipping company to chip in...
On another 'mule' topic- is the M-5 still in Scotland, or is it coming home as well?
Cheers,
Josh
M5driver
MUD Addict (Ret.)
- Thread starter
- #669
Dan,
Congratulations on the Mule's home-coming. Perhaps this is the perfect excuse to put a 5 speed in, and to get the shipping company to chip in...
On another 'mule' topic- is the M-5 still in Scotland, or is it coming home as well?
Cheers,
Josh
Hey, Josh.
The Blue Beast is sitting in a hangar in Tayside, Fife, Scotland. I've put her up for sale, but in this economic climate...
Doesn't want to sell, but the cost to bring it back here is more than I'm good for right now. If the Beast does sell, I can always find a good aircraft here in the States at a good price. For now, who knows 
M5driver
MUD Addict (Ret.)
- Thread starter
- #670
This has been pretty weird. Turns out the Mule WAS moved in Durban, from one end of the port to the other, along with all our shipping crates, and put into a different container than the one that came from Malawi. No explanation of why - guess Maersk wanted that high-cube box for something else.
The drive shaft was actually removed in the Port of Baltimore. Seems the unloaders couldn't get it to roll out of the container, and somehow, they couldn't figure out how to release the parking brake :whoops: so they removed the drive shaft instead
For that matter, the guy who delivered the Mule couldn't figure out the parking brake, but it was ineffective without the drive shaft.
Right now, it looks like the only damage was to the new bolts (threads totally munged) and the end of the drive shaft where someone apparently took a chisel or screwdriver to it to break it loose. I just got new bolts today from the Toyota dealer. I'll need to dress the drive shaft end with a file and the Dremel tool so it will fit properly again, and with luck, that will be all that is needed.
I temporarily re-attached the rear shaft and put the Mule on jack stands to check out the gear box and it was operating fine, so... here's hoping.
The drive shaft was actually removed in the Port of Baltimore. Seems the unloaders couldn't get it to roll out of the container, and somehow, they couldn't figure out how to release the parking brake :whoops: so they removed the drive shaft instead
For that matter, the guy who delivered the Mule couldn't figure out the parking brake, but it was ineffective without the drive shaft.Right now, it looks like the only damage was to the new bolts (threads totally munged) and the end of the drive shaft where someone apparently took a chisel or screwdriver to it to break it loose. I just got new bolts today from the Toyota dealer. I'll need to dress the drive shaft end with a file and the Dremel tool so it will fit properly again, and with luck, that will be all that is needed.
I temporarily re-attached the rear shaft and put the Mule on jack stands to check out the gear box and it was operating fine, so... here's hoping.
Wow Dan. I thought airline baggage handlers were bad. Shippers really don't give a 
about other people's property. Yet of all the indignities the mule has suffered through this whole process the worst might be being called a Toyota "Jeep."
about other people's property. Yet of all the indignities the mule has suffered through this whole process the worst might be being called a Toyota "Jeep."
Chamba
Too short. Too long. Just right: the 43
Dan,
That is a real shame, but at least it was nothing serious. I did not know that they were allowed to change cans once the seal has been applied; perhaps that is an Afrikan Ekception.
If you need anyone to help you fly the M-5 back, I will be in the US in July- you pay for the ticket to Scottland and I'll go with you
On the other hand, if you want to sell it in Australia....
Cheers,
Josh
That is a real shame, but at least it was nothing serious. I did not know that they were allowed to change cans once the seal has been applied; perhaps that is an Afrikan Ekception.
If you need anyone to help you fly the M-5 back, I will be in the US in July- you pay for the ticket to Scottland and I'll go with you
On the other hand, if you want to sell it in Australia....Cheers,
Josh
Dan
At least the damage is minimal and its repairable without too much hassle.
Quite frankly you are probably very lucky, if they unpacked and swopped containers in Durban, you are extremely lucky that anything arrived at all.
Enough said about the sticky fingered nature of our indigenous brethren, I'm sure that their reputation is, by now, world famous
At least the damage is minimal and its repairable without too much hassle.
Quite frankly you are probably very lucky, if they unpacked and swopped containers in Durban, you are extremely lucky that anything arrived at all.
Enough said about the sticky fingered nature of our indigenous brethren, I'm sure that their reputation is, by now, world famous
Hey, Josh.
The Blue Beast is sitting in a hangar in Tayside, Fife, Scotland. I've put her up for sale, but in this economic climate...
NO, no, no... You can't sell that 'Cruiser!! That would be very wrong after everything you have done here. Don't sell her now.
Chamba
Too short. Too long. Just right: the 43
Fear not Hobbs, the M5 is Dan's plane, and that is what is for sale-not the Cruiser. I would love to have that plane as much as most folks want his Cruiser So to paraphrase Hobbs: 'No, no, no.... You can't sell that taildragger!'...unless you fly it to Australia first
Cheers,
Josh
So to paraphrase Hobbs: 'No, no, no.... You can't sell that taildragger!'...unless you fly it to Australia firstCheers,
Josh
Hobbs - check out Dan's avatar, it is a picture of the Blue Beast (NOT the Blue Mule), and there are more details in his signature line, you will see why his user name is M5driver.
Josh - I agree with you. It's a great airplane if you want more than 2 seats.
Josh - I agree with you. It's a great airplane if you want more than 2 seats.
Chamba
Too short. Too long. Just right: the 43
Wayne,
I would love to have an M-5. I learned to fly in a 1948 Stinson 108-3 (her name was Charlie) which I flew for years. I flew that lovely lady all over the US and up to Alaska- she was fabulous! When I was towing gliders for a few years before I started flying in Central America and then for the regionals, the owner of the glider outfit had a Maule M-5 which he used for doing tailwheel checkouts. I got to fly that plane sometimes, and I just loved it.
Dan- you will miss your M-5 as much as I miss Charlie if you sell her...keep this in mind my friend Of course, if you bring her to Australia, I will let you fly her whenever you come visit
Cheers,
Josh
I would love to have an M-5. I learned to fly in a 1948 Stinson 108-3 (her name was Charlie) which I flew for years. I flew that lovely lady all over the US and up to Alaska- she was fabulous! When I was towing gliders for a few years before I started flying in Central America and then for the regionals, the owner of the glider outfit had a Maule M-5 which he used for doing tailwheel checkouts. I got to fly that plane sometimes, and I just loved it.
Dan- you will miss your M-5 as much as I miss Charlie if you sell her...keep this in mind my friend
Of course, if you bring her to Australia, I will let you fly her whenever you come visitCheers,
Josh
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M5driver
MUD Addict (Ret.)
- Thread starter
- #679
Wow Dan. I thought airline baggage handlers were bad. Shippers really don't give a
I agree, Saltrig. But, it's a Toyota - tough enough to take it
Even the insults.
M5driver
MUD Addict (Ret.)
- Thread starter
- #680
Dan,
That is a real shame, but at least it was nothing serious. I did not know that they were allowed to change cans once the seal has been applied; perhaps that is an Afrikan Ekception.
If you need anyone to help you fly the M-5 back, I will be in the US in July- you pay for the ticket to Scottland and I'll go with you
Cheers,
Josh
Josh, TLC,
TKS guys. Changing cans was a real surprise to me AND to the shipper in Lilongwe. So far, Maersk has not explained that, except to say they needed the hi-cube box for some other shipment (the hi-cube was overkill for my shipment).
I'm almost done unpacking - about 20 cartons left. At least I know where my tools are now, so if the weather holds, I hope to have the drive shaft cleaned up and reinstalled in a week or so, then I can get the Mule out for a short run (to the nearest filling station
) If this is the only problem - and so far, it looks like this is the case - then we got lucky 
BTW, Josh - JK is very lonely up there in Tayside... You could go give Peter some money and take her to Australia, where she'll be warm and used
I've often wondered what the trip from Scotland to Oz would be like - the top of the Med would be easy. Getting thru the mid-east and SW Asia could get a little exciting, tho. 
