71DeuceAK
Well-known member
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- Location
- Fairbanks, Alaska
Latest funny twist of fate:
I was on the way to the doctor this morning (a referral, so a part of town I don't usually go). Spotted a M939 series cargo of some type at what I later figured out was the local franchise of a particular popular chain "pull-your-parts-off" junkyard; visible from the street. Called the place later in the day, talked to a lady; apparently they don't usually sell vehicles whole (more profitable to part them out) but she did say talk to the manager in person, which I intend on doing in the near future; late this week or next week or whenever I'm not buried in 17 credits' worth of homework.
I figure if they will indeed sell it to me it'll either be for extremely cheap (mind you, I looked on Google street view and it wasn't there in 2011, but still it looks to have been there a good while) or they'll want an arm and a leg; either they'll want it gone or will want quite a bit for it.
Assuming it's complete and maybe even was driven in under its own power (it had a license plate so it's clearly been civillian owned) and is there potentially since somebody just didn't want it, and not a hole in the block or a broken axle or something similar, what would you all suggest I look for, be prepared to fix, or RUN from as fast as I can? I don't expect it to run and drive; needs batteries at a minimum I figure, and/or drained of fluids. Assuming this, what might it take to get it towed out of there, especially if things have been drained? (lots of unknowns so far, I can't even tell if it's a 923 or 925 from just driving by on the metro bus). What would you expect in order to make it start and run, at some time in the future, on a storage lot, with fresh batteries, besides money and patience?
It may be a basket case, but it's local, which would be a plus- either pay shipping/fuel for a nice one, or some sweat equity to make a not so nice one run and drive...it looked fairly rust free from the outside.
Mind you, I'm a full time student who is pretty broke, so if it happens it would be sitting and would be worked on as time and monies allowed, as well as weather (trying to get it running in -20*F in Fairbanks, Alaska during the semester is simply NOT happening).
Thoughts? Other than that it's a potential serious lemon and money pit?
I was on the way to the doctor this morning (a referral, so a part of town I don't usually go). Spotted a M939 series cargo of some type at what I later figured out was the local franchise of a particular popular chain "pull-your-parts-off" junkyard; visible from the street. Called the place later in the day, talked to a lady; apparently they don't usually sell vehicles whole (more profitable to part them out) but she did say talk to the manager in person, which I intend on doing in the near future; late this week or next week or whenever I'm not buried in 17 credits' worth of homework.
I figure if they will indeed sell it to me it'll either be for extremely cheap (mind you, I looked on Google street view and it wasn't there in 2011, but still it looks to have been there a good while) or they'll want an arm and a leg; either they'll want it gone or will want quite a bit for it.
Assuming it's complete and maybe even was driven in under its own power (it had a license plate so it's clearly been civillian owned) and is there potentially since somebody just didn't want it, and not a hole in the block or a broken axle or something similar, what would you all suggest I look for, be prepared to fix, or RUN from as fast as I can? I don't expect it to run and drive; needs batteries at a minimum I figure, and/or drained of fluids. Assuming this, what might it take to get it towed out of there, especially if things have been drained? (lots of unknowns so far, I can't even tell if it's a 923 or 925 from just driving by on the metro bus). What would you expect in order to make it start and run, at some time in the future, on a storage lot, with fresh batteries, besides money and patience?
It may be a basket case, but it's local, which would be a plus- either pay shipping/fuel for a nice one, or some sweat equity to make a not so nice one run and drive...it looked fairly rust free from the outside.
Mind you, I'm a full time student who is pretty broke, so if it happens it would be sitting and would be worked on as time and monies allowed, as well as weather (trying to get it running in -20*F in Fairbanks, Alaska during the semester is simply NOT happening).
Thoughts? Other than that it's a potential serious lemon and money pit?