Is 4runner is capable of towing a FJ 80?

[Dropzone]

Call both your states DMV and your instance company and get a straight answer.
Getting pulled over with plates from another vehicle is gonna be a major headache that could have you end up in handcuffs. That is just plain Crappy advice.

The FJ80 is a tank. You might wanna check out iH8mud.com. I am pretty sure there is a thread on what to look for in an FJ80 purchase.
It sounds almost like the seller is just dumping this vehicle.
Get AAA before you go, it sounds like this 80 may not make it 350 miles since it needs "TLC"...

 

[1985taylor1925]

In my state you can drive it home with only a bill of sale and proof of insurance for situations exactly like this. Call the DMV in any state you are passing through and see what they require, you may only need a bill of sale and insurance.

Same deal in WI. You have a window of time in which you can drive the vehicle without any plates. You may get pulled over, but you just show the cop the bill of sale

 

[Blue Seat Lyfe]

Call both your states DMV and your instance company and get a straight answer.
Getting pulled over with plates from another vehicle is gonna be a major headache that could have you end up in handcuffs. That is just plain Crappy advice.

The FJ80 is a tank. You might wanna check out iH8mud.com. I am pretty sure there is a thread on what to look for in an FJ80 purchase.
It sounds almost like the seller is just dumping this vehicle.
Get AAA before you go, it sounds like this 80 may not make it 350 miles since it needs "TLC"...

This. In fact, I would skip Craigslist random FJ80.
Look on the IH8MUD classifieds and get one from a poster on there. You know it will be baselined and sorted. You may pay a little more, but it will be mechanically sound from day 1. Tons for sale in Texas.

 

[IBallEngineer]

Call both your states DMV and your instance company and get a straight answer.
Getting pulled over with plates from another vehicle is gonna be a major headache that could have you end up in handcuffs. That is just plain Crappy advice.

The FJ80 is a tank. You might wanna check out iH8mud.com. I am pretty sure there is a thread on what to look for in an FJ80 purchase.
It sounds almost like the seller is just dumping this vehicle.
Get AAA before you go, it sounds like this 80 may not make it 350 miles since it needs "TLC"...

Sheesh, read the posts. OP says the seller was going to provide the plates.

Secondly, what are you basing this assumption it wouldn't make it 350 miles? TLC could mean cleaning the upholstery, or fixing some broken trim. And what makes the people posting on Ih8mud any better than the rest of society? I was on that forum when I first built my L/C and they didn't seem like anything but normal, just like here, and I've seen some shady posts here.

 

[MTD]

Same deal in WI. You have a window of time in which you can drive the vehicle without any plates. You may get pulled over, but you just show the cop the bill of sale

Yeah I didnt even consider it would be a problem any where else...

[MENTION=85046]nissanh[/MENTION] I highly recommend you don't put plates on it from another vehicle though because that is going to be a very very big ticket if you were to get pulled over for some reason.

 

[KidVermicious]

A little bit ago I put my '85 on a front wheel dolly and pulled it across town with my 3rd gen. A month or so later I bought a full size pickup, because I'm NEVER doing that again. If I absolutely had to, I'd rent a trailer with brakes, I'd stay on back roads, and I wouldn't go above 45mph. It's not just a matter of having the power, it's also the lack of brake force and stability. It's just not a good tow vehicle, at all.

For reference, my 1st gen weighs just under 4000 pounds, I think about 2/3rds of what that 80 series weighs. If you're not going to drive it, I'd borrow/rent a truck and trailer.

 

[98Base4R]

In TX the license plate goes with the vehicle. A TX resident buying the same vehicle would not change the license plate when it registering the vehicle.

Its worth repeating, but taking a license plate off one vehicle to put on another is driving with switched plates, and is a much more serious offense than not having a plate.

If needed, you should be able to get a temporary tag from your local tag office, with minimal info like VIN.

1st choice: temp tag, if you can take it with you, in case the seller takes his off
2nd choice: drive it with the tags that are on it, they will match the vehicle
3rd choice: drive it with no tag and the bill of sale on the seat

None of these choices should land you in any trouble if pulled over.

Don't let anyone stress you out about buying a vehicle on CL from 350 miles away. I bought a 4Runner in Dallas that a family member looked at and said was in "very good condition". That one had holes in the seats, cracked windshield, oil leaks, bald tires, and so on. I caught a Southwest flight to Denver last weekend to pick up an AWD Sienna van, and it has been great. Other long distance finds have been in between, but I have never been stuck driving home due to breakdown.

Toyotas are pretty simple and reliable. If it does break down on the trip back, you can decide if you want to get it fixed locally or rent a box truck and trailer to tow it back. But for a 350 mile trip, I wouldn't give that too much thought. If you swerve to miss an armadillo and put it in the ditch, you're in the same pickle.

Good luck!

 

[white_n_slow]

At least around here, you can drive a vehicle with the PO's license plates still on it as long as you have current insurance and a recent bill of sale to prove you just bought it and you're driving it home.

I would do that and bring your tool box and get a AAA policy just in case. If it passes the test drive just fine, hard to imagine anything randomly leaving you on the side of the road in 350 miles. 80s are like 4runners, they like to keep running.

 

[nissanh]

I received the VIN from the seller. Any one here have carfax? Can you please run it for me? Thanks

JT3DJ81W9S0112657

 

[dirteater4]

Oh no. I can get the insurance and how can I have it on the road without plates?
We plan to do this on Saturday and DMV is closed.

This is the first time I am buying a car far away from home.

I'll chime in because you guys are speaking to my industry. If you have the bill of sale and proof of insurance, you won't get towed or a ticket. Unless it's a rookie cop, they won't even hassle you.

 

[BlackCat914]

Yes, car fax. And thanks for all your input. I talked to the seller and he seems to be OK with having his plates on while I bring it to my home. this should solve all the issues.
Can't wait to own a FJ 80.
Thanks
nissanh

That guy is nuts. There's no way a plate registered to me would leave on a vehicle I no longer own. But that's just me. For all I know, the new owner could go on a robbing spree or get hammered drunk and kill some one in it with plates that come back to me. I don't trust anyone.

 

[Unner]

Don't take his plates, just drive it back without plates. You'll be fine. I wouldn't tow that with a 4Runner, either rent a truck to tow it with, bring a buddy if the truck is driveable back to your area, or you could even do a one way rental and drive the truck back yourself.

 

[nissanh]

In TX the plate stays with the car. I checked with the DMV. With extra $7, I can have a new plate.

 

[Dropzone]

Sheesh, read the posts. OP says the seller was going to provide the plates.

Secondly, what are you basing this assumption it wouldn't make it 350 miles? TLC could mean cleaning the upholstery, or fixing some broken trim. And what makes the people posting on Ih8mud any better than the rest of society? I was on that forum when I first built my L/C and they didn't seem like anything but normal, just like here, and I've seen some shady posts here.

I did read the posts, did you see the 2-3 posts where people suggested using plates from another vehicle? Not advice I would take.

 

[krenaud33]

Oh no. I can get the insurance and how can I have it on the road without plates?
We plan to do this on Saturday and DMV is closed.

This is the first time I am buying a car far away from home.

That I don't understand, but I guess each state is a little different. I am pretty sure here in Iowa we have 30 days to register it and during that time frame you just put a sign in your rear window that states "title in transit". If cops pull you over you show them the title and let them know your waiting on plates and tags.

I definately would not tow a FJ80 on a trailer behind a 3rd gen 4Runner. Maybe flat tow it?

 

[BlackCat914]

That I don't understand, but I guess each state is a little different. I am pretty sure here in Iowa we have 30 days to register it and during that time frame you just put a sign in your rear window that states "title in transit". If cops pull you over you show them the title and let them know your waiting on plates and tags.

I definately would not tow a FJ80 on a trailer behind a 3rd gen 4Runner. Maybe flat tow it?

Here in IL, we get a paper temporary plate until the actual permanent plate arrives.

 

[krenaud33]

Here in IL, we get a paper temporary plate until the actual permanent plate arrives.

We get that too if you buy from a dealer, but private party sales you really have nothing so a lot of people just put a sign in the window stating "title in transit"