Getting a FG

[Jacob7963]

I checked and the shipping estimate was $2500-3000! One way plane ticket was $135 and I figure diesel will be around $500. I agree it's a bit risky but it's also a big cost savings if (if!) everything goes smoothly. I will be taking tools and the service manual in case of issues.

 

[kerry]

This advice may come too late, but I've flown a number of times (intending) to pick up a vehicle. I've learned to buy a round trip ticket.

 

[Jacob7963]

The Portland Fuso dealer doesn't have any 2004 manuals in stock, so if anyone has a CD copy they can forward it would be much appreciated! Even a manual for a different year would be okay for reference. PM me.

 

[kerry]

PM Brent (bajaroad). He was able to transfer a file of the 99 manual to me. I'm pretty sure he also has the 2004 manual. He used transferbigfiles.com.

 

[Jacob7963]

In case anyone's interested I'm going to try to upload pictures during the trip to my blog:

http://www.iandraz.com

Leaving tonight!

Jacob

 

[Tree]

Good luck man! Hopefully everything goes to plan

 

[kerry]

Looks like he's on the road! If you come thru Denver, get in contact with me. Perhaps we can get our two FG's to mate and reproduce.

 

[kerry]

Jeeezuz man, it looks like you are having too good of a time. Instead of posting pictures of yourself laying on the beach we want pictures of that FG blasting over the sand dunes. Get to work!:sombrero:

 

[Tree]

we want pictures of that FG blasting over the sand dunes.

Do it!:smiley_drive::victory:

 

[kerry]

If you're truck didn't get salmonella from the giant peanut and you make it safely across I-40 to Amarillo and you like archaeology and early North American history, there is a cool flint quarry north of Amarillo called Alibates Flint quarry. Flint was quarried there 13,000 yrs ago. You can take a hike to the flint deposits, see the mining depressions, and watch a flint knapper if the quarry is open. There's also a cool volcano (Capulin) just off the road which cuts up from I-40 to Raton NM if you take that route.

 

[Jacob7963]

Finally made it home! No issues with the truck besides a little confusion about the starter initially...someone at the auction site had pulled the fuse for the starter solenoid....which was a little scary when the truck I just bought wouldn't start! Fortunately once this was all figured out, it was a simple matter of replacing the fuse.

Averaged 11.5-14.5 mpg for all the fill-ups....the main factor affecting the mpg seemed to be speed...55 mph was noticeably better than 60 mph. Wind was also a big factor.

I'll write up some more and maybe load some more pictures when I get a minute.

 

[kerry]

Great. I was confused on my own starter when I first got it. I didn't realize the transmission needed to be in neutral in order for the starter to engage.
I'm kind of surprised at those mileage figures. Perhaps it is the winter diesel. I never got less than 14.x mpg on my drive back to Denver from NC and I was pushing 65mph with the AC on the whole time. Yours is an automatic though I think.

 

[Jacob7963]

Yeah I was surprised at the mileage myself....I figured with the lock-up clutch the automatic wouldn't be too different from the manual on the freeway. I'm going to give the whole truck a once over and change all the fluids when I get a chance, so maybe I'll find something fixable.

 

[Jacob7963]

I weighed my truck on the scale at work today:

Front axle on scale: 4360 lb
Rear axle on scale: 3310 lb
Both axles on scale: 7700 lb

Also, I got my Oregon plates....no problems registering it as a truck, in the 8000-10000 lb GVW bracket. Just can't be over 10000 lb. (cost is based on weight, so this is cheaper than rating to 14000 lb) They said once the RV conversion is complete I can re-register it as a motorhome.

Sure is a fun truck to drive around, I can't wait till there's a camper on the back!

 

[kerry]

I weighed my truck on the scale at work today:

Front axle on scale: 4360 lb
Rear axle on scale: 3310 lb
Both axles on scale: 7700 lb

Hmmm?? Mine weighed 6920 with the service body, oil tanks and pumps. Where are you getting the additional 800lbs? What is the brand of your service body?
How was the ride across country? How much air were you running in the tires?