@FloridaPhillip so did you get the thing yet?!
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For Sale Fj40 Birmingham Alabama
- Thread starter Catfish28
- Start date
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There we go! Get yourself an avatar and a build thread! It’s about time you share this beaut with the world!
Big thanks to @Sig191144 for being patient with me thru the process. And also thanks to @Catfish28 for taking a look at it while I was still out of state.
I’m in the process of deciding if I’m going to drive, trailer, or ship the rig down to Niceville, FL.
1. The truck I have access to is limited to 5k lbs due to the hitch. A 3500+ lbs FJ and the 2000 lbs U-Haul trailer bust that limit. I would have to rent a U-Haul box truck in addition to the trailer.
2. I don’t want to put 300 miles on a truck I don’t know all that well...
3. It will cost about $400 to ship it on Roadrunner shipping
I’m in the process of deciding if I’m going to drive, trailer, or ship the rig down to Niceville, FL.
1. The truck I have access to is limited to 5k lbs due to the hitch. A 3500+ lbs FJ and the 2000 lbs U-Haul trailer bust that limit. I would have to rent a U-Haul box truck in addition to the trailer.
2. I don’t want to put 300 miles on a truck I don’t know all that well...
3. It will cost about $400 to ship it on Roadrunner shipping
There we go! Get yourself an avatar and a build thread! It’s about time you share this beaut with the world!
Will do! Cheers mate!
@FloridaPhillip when I bought my 1987 Xtra-Cab I flew to Colorado on a one way ticket, hopped in a truck I didn’t know at all and drove 1000 miles home.
It was the best experience of my life and an awesome way to break her in. My advice would be if you have the time and the money to do that. Check all the fluids and buy spare parts for the stuff that’s going to break if you’re mechanically inclined. Be prepared for anything!
Fj40’s are a little bit rougher on the mechanical side than these old mini trucks, but I would say at least fly/drive and look it over. If you feel comfortable driving it home, do it. If not take tons of pics to document it’s condition before the shipper gets it.
It was the best experience of my life and an awesome way to break her in. My advice would be if you have the time and the money to do that. Check all the fluids and buy spare parts for the stuff that’s going to break if you’re mechanically inclined. Be prepared for anything!
Fj40’s are a little bit rougher on the mechanical side than these old mini trucks, but I would say at least fly/drive and look it over. If you feel comfortable driving it home, do it. If not take tons of pics to document it’s condition before the shipper gets it.
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How about a dolly instead of a trailer?
DirtDauberGarage
SILVER Star
Phillip,
Congratulations on the new Cruiser!!!! Here is my two cents...
Talk to the PO and ask him lots of questions. Ask him if he thinks it would make the trip, would he attempt the trip if it was still his, are there any know issues that would concern him, etc.
I agree with yotadude520 driving it home would really create a fun memory and a great way to "bond" with your new girl
and 300 miles is not too far. Do you have someone to go with you or are you on your own? I am not sure what truck you have access to that has a 5k capacity, but if you have a buddy that can go with you, I would drive a truck up to Birmingham and try to drive the FJ40 back home. If something happens on the way, you can rent a trailer and limp it home. You also can rent a Tahoe or Suburban for the trip. They have a 7000 lbs tow capacity.
Another option is to rent a tow dolly. You would be way under the 5k lbs with a tow dolly. I would pull out the rear drive shaft so the rear end is rolling freely. 300 miles pulling a FJ40 with a dolly seems very doable in my book!
That being said... There is no shame in having it delivered. $400 is a small price to pay if the shipping company is reputable and insured. I know how hard it is to make time and pull the resources together to go and get it yourself. You probably would spend $400 in gas and trailer rental doing it on your own.
It just depends... how big of an adventure are you up for?
I'm off in the summer, If it were summer time, I meet you in Birmingham and road trip it with you!!
P,
If you don’t mind, the PO will chime in:
Personally, I have no reason to think it would not make a trip to Canada tomorrow. BUT, I would undertake this with my best mechanically inclined friend who has a vehicle capable of towing this rig. By the grace of God I drove the thing 5 hours the day I got it back to Birmingham almost 5 years ago. Having said that, 48 hours after I drove it back home I had it towed from BuyBuy Baby (humiliating) due to.......points, which are gone. Personally, I would not try this with my wife and or kids. I did it that way, but with a Tundra and my dad as plans B and C. Bottom line: have a contingency plan that does not involve your wife (she might grow impatient quickly with kids involved), bring extra water, fire extinguisher, tools, and phone.....AND have fun making memories that will last a lifetime, just stack the deck in your favor of making sure they are good ones! Enjoy the Cruiser. This is my last post, signing off. CAH
If you don’t mind, the PO will chime in:
Personally, I have no reason to think it would not make a trip to Canada tomorrow. BUT, I would undertake this with my best mechanically inclined friend who has a vehicle capable of towing this rig. By the grace of God I drove the thing 5 hours the day I got it back to Birmingham almost 5 years ago. Having said that, 48 hours after I drove it back home I had it towed from BuyBuy Baby (humiliating) due to.......points, which are gone. Personally, I would not try this with my wife and or kids. I did it that way, but with a Tundra and my dad as plans B and C. Bottom line: have a contingency plan that does not involve your wife (she might grow impatient quickly with kids involved), bring extra water, fire extinguisher, tools, and phone.....AND have fun making memories that will last a lifetime, just stack the deck in your favor of making sure they are good ones! Enjoy the Cruiser. This is my last post, signing off. CAH
Pay the $400.
Phillip,
Congratulations on the new Cruiser!!!! Here is my two cents...
Talk to the PO and ask him lots of questions. Ask him if he thinks it would make the trip, would he attempt the trip if it was still his, are there any know issues that would concern him, etc.
I agree with yotadude520 driving it home would really create a fun memory and a great way to "bond" with your new girl
Do you have someone to go with you or are you on your own? I am not sure what truck you have access to that has a 5k capacity, but if you have a buddy that can go with you, I would drive a truck up to Birmingham and try to drive the FJ40 back home. If something happens on the way, you can rent a trailer and limp it home. You also can rent a Tahoe or Suburban for the trip. They have a 7000 lbs tow capacity.
Another option is to rent a tow dolly. You would be way under the 5k lbs with a tow dolly. I would pull out the rear drive shaft so the rear end is rolling freely. 300 miles pulling a FJ40 with a dolly seems very doable in my book!
That being said... There is no shame in having it delivered. $400 is a small price to pay if the shipping company is reputable and insured. I know how hard it is to make time and pull the resources together to go and get it yourself. You probably would spend $400 in gas and trailer rental doing it on your own.
It just depends... how big of an adventure are you up for?
I'm off in the summer, If it were summer time, I meet you in Birmingham and road trip it with you!!
Thanks all for the advice. I decided against driving it due to the fact that I would be alone, this is my first cruiser, the weather is going to be terrible, and I am still getting the hang of driving a stick.
This left a dolly or shipment. Again, bad weather (the day we are leaving Birmingham) pushed me towards shipping. Plus, I would have to borrow or rent the truck with hitch...the logistical pain sealed the deal. I’m going to ship it. It will cost me a little bit more, but better peace of mind.
I have no doubts that she is in great mechanical shape. I’ve been driving her everyday and loving it. As we discussed in person...it’s that part whose time is up that you can’t predict. And that line of red thunderstorms about to cream the ham!!
Hard to follow all the back and forth. I’m in Birmingham and wondering if this one is still for sale?
I purchased it last month and it’s in Florida now
@FloridaPhillip wheres your avatar and build thread?!
Seems there is starting to be quite a few cruisers in the Destin/Niceville area. We are going to have to a meet of some sort!
-Chris
Sounds like a great idea!!!
Yep, thanks for the reminder. Its about time I got that up. I need to consolidate some pictures to start the story off right. And think of a cool title for the build thread