The absolute worst junkyard experience EVER!!!!
 

It is alright to laugh when you read this. Don't feel bad for doing so.

I needed parts for one of my fleet. Go figure. So anyway, I head to Amens, a local salvage yard, yesterday evening after I got off from work to try and find some of them. I get there around 7:30 and go to pilfering. Whilst looking around, I notice a Mitsubishi FK truck/semi and decide to check it out, as these usually have a 20G or 25G hairdryer and a decent intercooler. Someone had already pulled the turbo, but the cooler was still there, so I decided I had to have it. Only problem, I didn't bring any tools to speak of... Pliers, wire cutters, channel locks, and a multibit screwdriver were pretty much my entire arsenal. I go to work with the channel locks and manage to get one bolt off out of 4 and decide to go ask to borrow a tool. After much wasted time, I have the 12mm wrench I need to get the rest of the bolts. They close at 9 and it is getting that time...

A little info on the truck... It is a box cab truck, and the entire cab has to be tilted forward and propped to work in the engine bay. So I am bending power steering and cooling lines trying to get the now non bolted in intercooler free of the tangles. Tug tug tug, POP. I know that the cab struck me in the head first, knocking me down flat across the engine and driver side wheel, coming to rest across my back. I think I laid there for about 20 minutes before I started to come back to my senses. Luckily, I was able to lift up enough to get out from under the cab. As I walked my dazed stupid arse to the front to seek some medical attention, I realized I had a new problem...

Yeah, I'm now locked in. Padlocks everywhere and not a person in sight. I notice the sign that says security dogs on patrol from 9pm to 9am and I look around to determine which body parts I would be leaving behind. No such critters that evening thankfully. So I am standing at the gate looking into their parking lot and seeing that even if I could scale my way out to my car, it is still locked inside the outer fence, and due to my recent run in with the truck, I decide I will save my spiderman routine for a later date. As I am standing there, I watch a Bullitt Co. Deputy Sheriff pull into the house across the street and back out to go back the direction he had came from. I jump and holler as best I can and he taps his brakes, so I know he saw me, but he decideds to head on his way without stopping. Probably had to go write a speeding ticket. Anyway, eventually, some of the neighbors were fitness walking down the street and I managed to get their attention. They commenced to trying to find someone to get me out. As they worked on that, the manager and some of the other guys that worked there happened to drive by and see me standing at the gate. They stopped and freed me and home I went. I got home around 10:30pm ish. Yay... I did go ahead and pay him for the intercooler and asked if he could have someone grab it for me, and I picked it up this evening.

Moral of the story:

Try not to go the junkyard by yourself, and if you do, have the right tools and a cell phone. DOH!!!

Fruits of my labor...

http://www.jamesduncan.org/cars/fkcooler.jpg

http://www.jamesduncan.org/cars/fkcooler2.jpg

and straddling a spare 1st gen radiator for effect...

http://www.jamesduncan.org/cars/cooler.jpg

http://www.jamesduncan.org/cars/cooler2.jpg
:eek: :eek: :eek:

Well if I remember right you got that 88 t2 for CHEAP! I think you deserve to pay for it :) this way :)

Well I know that doesnt sound funny but after all you went through, I think the debt might be paid :)

LOL

Good story JDuncan and I'm glad you're okay... oh... and congrats on your fruit. The story was just getting good at the "security dog" part.... ya shoulda run with it just for the fun of it. ;)

Just for the record, there's a little pin hanging on a chain that you insert into the arm that holds the cab up so that such a thing doesn't happen. Relatively useless info now, but next time... ;)

Good eye though. I bet most people forget that they are turbocharged and intercooled.

Here's a pic of one for those who don't know what they look like:

http://www.mitsubishi-fuso.com/en/tr...imgs/ex_fk.gif

I just pulled the tranny on one of these today :p:

Actually, I made sure to put the pin in, but it and the swinging catch were pretty rusty. I never looked to see what happened to the pin, but I assume it sheared. The frame had been cut behind the gas tank, so the cab was on an incline (no rear wheels) and not a lot of fun to get up in the first place. If it hadn't of had some form of spring assist at the bottom, I still don't know if I would have made it out.

Anyway, you live and you learn. Mike, you may find it poetic justice that this truck was sitting less than 50 feet from the spot where I found the Turbo II. Same yard.

AHAHAHAHA!!!!!

Delayed Karma.

So did you get hurt or not?

Hehe, sucks to be you. :D

Although, I was at the junk yard today looking for a driveline for my Dads -SE, and the rotary Gods were smiling upon us because we found another RX-7 with the same color paint as his -SE (metallic redish, R3 I think), and the body panels he needs were in good shape. So, since he didnt bring enough money to buy all those and he had only planned on getting the driveline, we figured we would come back tomorrow. Luckily when we got to the front desk we asked about it, and it was due to be crushed TODAY! So, we rushed back out to the yard, stripped the parts we needed (fender, header panel, drivers door, headlight lit) and took them in to buy. Turns out they dont take checks, so we had to stash the parts in another car so they didnt get crushed. Hopefully were going back tomorrow to pick them up though :)

~T.J.

Just a light concussion, bruised back, and a small gash on the head were my physical injuries. We won't talk about my pride.


RMD, I have had to do that kind of thing before. It hasn't failed me yet, so best of luck in its safe purchase for ya today.

"Whilst"? "Arse"?

You sure that blow to the noggin didn't turn you into a Brit? (just kidding, I don't wanna get flamed by angry Brits now). My day at the junkyard went much better. Found an extremely rare A/C unit for $45 complete, and already made a deal for it (with a Brit) for $250+shipping across the pond. Didn't even shed a drop of blood, which is unusual for me. Glad you're okay, your post got me thinking about the buddy system. Good idea, I'll have to try it if I ever get a friend.