My Toyota Parts search Expedition

[FloridaFJ80]

So what's the story here...a personal or business venture? Looks nice!!

A personal venture quickly becoming a full time business venture!!


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[FloridaFJ80]

Hey Frank,

Great chatting with you on the phone this evening. Thanks for the call, support, positive vibes and info. You sound like a really solid guy who is honest.

Enjoyed pics in this thread and the story of how you got this all going. As I mentioned on the phone, my first trip to Colombia was in early 2004. I went down there knowing almost nothing about the country other than stupid stereotypes concerning drugs. Best people I have ever met in this world hail from Colombia, so nice, so hospitable, so friendly. I got picked up at the airport in 2004 by by Colombian friend I met on the internet. I spent 3-weeks there that trip, looking over Patrols and Cruisers exclusively. You can still find some of my posts here on Mud from back then after I got back and made a couple threads about importing FJ43s and other stuff up here from Colombia. It never panned out but I went back to Colombia two more times, in 2008 and 2009. On those trips I spent 4 weeks and 6 weeks in the country. I been to Cartagena twice and out to the Rosario Islands twice too. Really nice area at the Rosario Islands but a bummer to see how the reef is dying or by now nearly dead. The amount of reef die off from 2004 to 2009 was crazy, locals told me due to silt from the nearby river. The only time I have ever snorkeled with a sea snake it was out at the Rosario Islands and I been a lot of places around the world diving/snorkeling. Been all over the country actually, I really enjoy Colombia, it is a fantastic country full of awesome trucks! Not to mention the food, the women, the beers and so much more.

On the first trip down there we spent near a week in the used parts market in Bogota. I crawled all over those shops and found some very cool items, like rear PTO winch boxes only put on fire trucks. I even bought one of the rear PTO boxes but customs/HLS took it from me at the airport in New York on my way home. I tried to get it back but they tossed it because it smelled like gas. That taught me a lesson about bringing car parts home in my luggage from Colombia! About 5yrs later my buddy down there found me another rear PTO box which I bought and it is currently mounted up to the 5spd trans going into my 77 Patrol Ute build.

Really enjoy Colombia, fantastic country, hope to get back in the next year or two, I am due for a trip down there.

I hope things continue to go well for you and I hope we can do some business soon.

Cheers

Ian,
Its awesome to see how you took the leap and went down to Colombia despite all the stereotypes you mentioned. You ventured out of you comfort zone and found a well hidden treasure that few experience first hand will only understand. Colombian people are great people. We are very hospitable its just the nature of our culture. I always tend to compare it to the whole southern hospitality with a Colombian twist!

Next time you go down let me know we can coordinate schedules. I look forward in speaking to you and working with you.

Cheers

Frank


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[FloridaFJ80]

Havent updated this thread in a while. So for those that know me I sold my beloved 80 and took in a 1985 BJ70. I have been having a blast driving this thing around. I started a build thread in the 70 series section, I plan in Janusry to send it down to Colombia for a full refresh as well. Still planning on what I want to do to it but it looks like a full frame off. Stay tuned.

Here is how my trailers are looking as well. Cant wait to have them stateside!!

And my last load down from Bogota to Cartagena then onto Miami!!

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[FloridaFJ80]

Also picked this new toy up!! Which allowd me to continue in the 80 series forum!! Stay tuned for another Land Cruiser Heaven 80 build!!

Installed a snorkel on my BJ70

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[warezdog]

I see an 80 leather seat kit in your near future!

 

[FloridaFJ80]

I see an 80 leather seat kit in your near future!

Do know of any vendors that you could recommend??


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[LS1FJ40]

I bought a 70 series almost 2 years ago. It was a lot of fun for about 6 months. But it is no 80. I sold it. They just don't compare at all. As I stated when I sold the 70. The 70 is like the young hot college chick. It sure sounds like a lot of fun because it will be around for a long time. Then you realize that it is going to be around for a long time.


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[aae42]

Do know of any vendors that you could recommend??


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if only we knew someone


also, how's it coming on those cloth seats? what ever happened with that?

 

[FloridaFJ80]

if only we knew someone


also, how's it coming on those cloth seats? what ever happened with that?

Working on that stay tuned early 2016.


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[warezdog]

Do know of any vendors that you could recommend??


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I hear this guy named Frank does a hell of a job sourcing them!

 

[FloridaFJ80]

I bought a 70 series almost 2 years ago. It was a lot of fun for about 6 months. But it is no 80. I sold it. They just don't compare at all. As I stated when I sold the 70. The 70 is like the young hot college chick. It sure sounds like a lot of fun because it will be around for a long time. Then you realize that it is going to be around for a long time.


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Completely agree. Thats why I have gotten another 80.. LOL

 

[80jay]

College chick sounds good to me..

 

[VidereStudios]

Working on that stay tuned early 2016.

Any possibility of getting some cloth seats made up for the 100 series LC's and LX's? I would be willing to send you the leather skins from one of my LX's for patterning...

 

[FloridaFJ80]

Any possibility of getting some cloth seats made up for the 100 series LC's and LX's? I would be willing to send you the leather skins from one of my LX's for patterning...

Sure will be sending a PM !!


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[LS1FJ40]

College chick sounds good to me..

Until she pukes all over the driveway or gets upset because you're driving your more comfortable and capable 80.


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[FloridaFJ80]

Added a snorkel to the 70.

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[80jay]

Until she pukes all over the driveway or gets upset because you're driving your more comfortable and capable 80.


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I guess I need to keep them both happy.

 

[LS1FJ40]

I guess I need to keep them both happy.

View attachment 1174779

There's a Chris Rock joke in there...


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[FloridaFJ80]

Went to look at the 40th getting a paint refresh. Wondering whether I should leave the flares off or on. Whats the concensus here??

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[FloridaFJ80]

Also got the rest of my order picked up in Bogota for replacement FJ40 parts headed this way soon!

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