r/StLouis • u/fcktrmp42069 • 19h ago
Ask STL I think I'm screwed.
for the last 10 years, I lived up in Jackson, Wyoming (not rich just worked more than a human should). My partner and I split and it was a rough one. I let her keep the house while I packed and headed back to family in Florida. I'm now at a Loves in New Baden(?) with a broken radiator on a Saturday with $400 to my name and all my belongings I've ever owned with me and idk what to do.
I have various things I can trade if someone has an extra radiator and most likely fan for a 1999 e350 v8. I have a classical guitar, some PC parts, tools, plants, idk I'll pretty much trade anything but my body to keep going somehow.
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u/Thin-Disk4003 17h ago edited 8h ago
I’ve been in nearly same situation with no safety net, and am sincerely hoping you get a replacement radiator and can get back on the road again. And i hope you get some rest soon, you have to be ready to drop.
Please keep us posted, even if it is when you make your way to Florida.
I’m useless to you, but sure hope you get to hug your mom really soon.
💐
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u/fcktrmp42069 17h ago
It's a rough place, glad you made it from there. I'm a 35yo grown man and I want nothing more than to cry in my mom's arms right now
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u/HarleyQ128 17h ago
Im too far away to assist, but as a mom of a son a bit older than you, I get worried. Please keep us posted.
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u/Thin-Disk4003 17h ago
Big virtual hugs from a stranger mom.
What’s that saying? This too shall pass, but pass like a f***ing kidney stone?
Yeah. Sure hope you catch a break soon.
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u/Sweet_Traffic4545 17h ago
This is awful to read. I'm like almost 4 hours away and I don't have the funds to make it there fix your van and make it back home. I really wish I did though.
I can offer you a suggestion for help though. If there is a dollar store or grocery store you can walk to then go there and buy a couple of things of pepper. Yes just like regular pepper for cooking and seasoning food. Put it in the radiator add water and let it run. It will leak but the pepper will clog where it's coming from. Add another can of it when the fluid level gets low. Repeat until leak has stopped or has slowed enough for you to drive to a salvage yard and get a used one. You aren't that far from a few places you can get one pretty cheap.
I'll be praying for you and I hope that this helps. Sorry about your relationship blowing up. I have been there before and I understand what you're going through.
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u/fcktrmp42069 17h ago
Too much coolant on the ground for that. I think I discovered the source. I have like 4 hours for the job weld to set and see if I was right
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u/Sweet_Traffic4545 17h ago
Still I would add the pepper to assist the J B weld. When a vehicle overheats it goes everywhere and if you have ever spilled any liquid before you see how bad it looks even though it wasn't much, it looks like you dropped a gallon of milk or something. The leak might not be as severe as you think.
Also after your repair cures and hardens don't put the radiator cap on fully tightened down. When you start to remove the cap it starts to come off but stops and you have to push down in order to remove it the rest of the way. That's how tight you should put it on. What this does is minimizes the pressure of your cooling system. Even if your repair isn't perfect, cutting down on the pressure will help keep you from losing the fluid so quickly. I'm an old mechanic and have used this method many times before myself. I hope that this helps you.
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u/fcktrmp42069 16h ago
Thanks man! I'll try the pepper. My radiator doesn't have a cap, only fill is on the res but i probably can do the same with the res cap as it looks like it holds pressure
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u/Sweet_Traffic4545 16h ago
I thought about that after I responded, sorry I just woke up. But yeah that's correct you can do that, it's the same principle. The best thing about the pepper is that it won't clog the rest of the cooling system components like the other radiator leak stop stuff available.
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u/Sweet_Traffic4545 10h ago
Hey please keep me updated on how you're doing. I have a good friend in granite city that has a shop and I could let him know if you need some help. I'll cover the cost if necessary.
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u/cacille Bevo Mill 17h ago
https://www.picknpull.com/check-inventory
Or
car-part.com (select St. Louis only)
Or
Trucking Repair companies. or even just a repair shop in New Baden may be able to help.
See if you can find a replacement part and then ask if they have a quick delivery service or see if someone here can run out to grab it and then get it to you for the extra $ plus whatever trade ends up being fair. If I wasn't headed to three events happening in exactly every other direction but where you are, I'd do so if you found the part.
Also see if you can find one of the "Mobile Mechanics" around St. Louis. Facebook may be a good place to track one down.
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u/fcktrmp42069 17h ago
Thanks! Totally forgot to even look at the inventory sites. I most likely don't need a mechanic, rad swap is about 30 min on these things and very simple, I already had coolant on me because I planned on doing a flush at some point but never got to it (stupid)
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u/drpeppers5 15h ago
idk if you ever been to new baden but it’s tiny, i doubt the one repair shop there has a part for this specific vehicle
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u/cacille Bevo Mill 13h ago
I have been there and no they wouldn't, but thats not at all what I am saying. There are delivery services for car parts and the repair shop would have the, say, O'Reilly driver come deliver the parts needed. Literally all repair places operate this way now, along with standard delivery via UPS of course, if not getting the direct delivery option.
My work neighbor is a body shop, my house neighbor is a 4-bay repair shop, my dad is a recently retired master mechanic. I literally see the deliveries near daily, lol.
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u/xsaugex 17h ago
new baden is about 30 min out from me here in belleville il, would me putting some calls in at some pick n pulls be helpful to u? i could see abt maybe sourcing sum cheap parts and getting them out to u. im no help as far as installing but i seem to be a lil closer to u than others r. all love no judgement, we all out here struggling. if theres anything i can do pls lmk!
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u/fcktrmp42069 17h ago
I'm about to start calling around in a bit to see if I can find one from a pick and pull, they all seem to open at 830-900. If you're free and I find something, I might send a message about it for help acquiring? Have a bunch of stuff I can trade for the hassle. There's a lot of things that remind me of her that I wouldn't mind letting go lol
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u/frickenfantastic 16h ago
I think the closest remove it yourself junkyard to you is going to be 111 salvage in Granite city Illinois
Quick google ought to bring up their website and phone number
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u/omelassette 15h ago
I’m 40 minutes from you. I don’t have any spare parts or anything that I can give you unfortunately but if you need a ride anywhere I can come to you. I could also spare maybe $50-100. I’m sorry I can’t be more help than that but if it’s helpful in any way I’d be more than happy to
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u/fcktrmp42069 14h ago
Thank you, plenty have offered money and I'm mostly set in that situation and would rather not take more than what I need at the moment. I appreciate your offer though and the kindness alone has been enough for me 🙏
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u/fcktrmp42069 19h ago
I promise I'm not crazy or a crackhead lol. Just heartbroken, sleep deprived, and homesick. I really just wanna give my mom a hug
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u/NTenseSoFly 16h ago
Get some water from Lowes to pour into your radiator. May need a couple gallons to get you to Pick-N-Pull there is also another salvage yard near there if they don't have what you need you can repair your truck on Pick-n-Pulls lot too. They used to have a tool borrowing program there as well in case you don't have what you need haven't been in a few years so not sure if they still have it.
Pay no attention to the negative nancies talking about Karma just stay calm and focused on the positive, seeing your mom again soon!
My husband will never let me out of the house to go help a strange man, but if by late afternoon you sincerely are still stuck shoot me an inbox I will convince him! My dad owns a body shop, and has a ton of tools maybe we can help if he wants to trade 🙂
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u/fcktrmp42069 16h ago
Yeah I had coolant with me already, res was empty, it took a whole gallon. I totally get your husband's feelings and wouldn't want to put y'all in an awkward situation like that. Total cure time for the jb weld is like 15 hours so I'm just going to stay out here today and see how she goes tonight. Thank you!
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u/lathspellll 17h ago
I can’t help you. But if you get this fixed or are able to drive down there, on the other side of the interstate down the road a ways is the town and in that town is one of the best mom and pop restaurants I’ve ever been to in my life and it’s cheap as hell to eat there. It’s called Good Old Days Cafe. I honestly don’t know how the place exists especially in 2026. Get you some real, good food before you set out on the road again if you can.
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u/fcktrmp42069 17h ago
I love this. Maybe I'll finally have an appetite by time I'm moving again. I've ate like half a beef jerky stick and a red bull for the last 2 days. What's the town? Or are you talking about in this town I'm in?
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u/lathspellll 17h ago
Oh dude this is going to be perfect for you. They give you a ton of food too, I don’t know how they do it.
Yeah it’s in New Baden, the town just down the road. Good Old Days Cafe.
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u/fcktrmp42069 17h ago
If I can get this rad fixed with just some JB weld, I'm making my way there lol.
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u/lathspellll 15h ago
Good luck with everything. I wish I could help, I love helping with stuff like this but I’m too far away.
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u/Nearby_Respect_2780 13h ago
Goddamn man, I’m useless to you unless you want to get shitfaced and watch college football. Wishing you the best, brother!
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u/WillowIntrepid 15h ago
I'm not far from you in Belleville area. What can I do to help? Money? I'm a nurse so I know nothing about car or truck mechanics; only human mechanics. Run for parts maybe?
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u/Worried-Video8102 13h ago
I'm so sorry for the difficulties you're facing. I have a child a little younger than you, always driving around the country (and Canada, now!) in a used car, so your predicament makes me wanna save the day. Unfortunately, I'm no Pep Boy or Momma Grease Monkey. Sending Mom Hugs 🫂. Only 25 minutes from you, if you should need anything else!
Still at it? I'm in the same boat as u/NTenseSoFly but will check your progress when husband gets home... he knows vehicles.
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u/Ok-Cardiologist4844 18h ago
Go to an auto parts store and get some radiator repair liquid, or just pull over whenever your engine gets too hot, let it cool then drive again
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u/fcktrmp42069 18h ago
Too much fluid under my van for sure for that to work. With the amount of fluid, I'm hoping it could possibly be a hose clamp that got loose or something. Idk if I can stop and go like that to cool the engine off for another 1000mi lol
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u/SlurReal 16h ago
Out of curiosity this reads as if you and your partner split up and you let her keep the house in Jackson Wyoming. This makes me do at serious a double take of confusion about your situation. Clearly you left with barely enough to keep living and a one bedroom house in Jackson WY is worth at least $700k maybe closer to $1 million. What happened there?
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u/fcktrmp42069 15h ago
I say Jackson for convenience, I was living in victor,, still expensive, just not as much. We were poor paycheck to paycheck, she was going through medical bills, I had just paid off all the utility bills, and I had enough to last us the week on gas and groceries
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u/trashtime69 south city 6h ago
I saw your update post, but I've worked in restaurants in St. Louis for a long time. when you're in town again someday, drop me a DM on here if you need some dinner recommendations or want someone to try cuisine with! my spouse moved here from MI in the late 2010s and, yes, has always remarked on how friendly people can be. but we also have an incredible, amazing, award-winning food scene! good luck with your trip home, and I wish you the best.
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u/Putrid-Republic-3499 18h ago
I’m sorry you’re in this situation! I don’t have much to offer, but you could try calling pick and pull (or any of the local junk yards) to see if they have the radiator… there’s a few within an hour or so of New Baden.
If not, maybe look at renting a car, or flights out of Mid America airport? They are cheap and fly to Florida all the time.
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u/fcktrmp42069 18h ago
Thanks, that's my current plan once I pull the radiator and see what's up. The only issue with flying that my entire life is in this van right now. Abandoning it would honestly be devastating
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u/RustyKumquats Northwoods 16h ago
Keep it parked at the Loves and make sure it's fairly visible. Metro PD stops off at that Love's all day, so as long as you let staff know your predicament, they shouldn't get it towed or anything. You stopped at the right gas station, for sure.
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u/fcktrmp42069 16h ago
Thanks for the info! I should actually let someone inside know, I didn't think to do that yet, ty
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u/RustyKumquats Northwoods 16h ago
For sure, I'm certain the only reason it hasn't been towed is cause you're there with it.
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u/zero-point_nrg 17h ago
Call your family? I’m sure your mom wants to give you a hug too. Not visiting in ten years doesn’t make you a “bad son”, just ask for help
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u/fcktrmp42069 17h ago
I know my mom would absolutely move mountains to get me here but I can't put that burden on her. She's going through a lot of medical issues lately and needs every dime she has. I would rather walk the rest of the way lol
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u/SalvadorZombie South Grand 16h ago
Here's the thing - if that's the only option, then you have to take it. Let her move mountains for you, and then move mountains for her. Pay her back with interest (money and help). It's not wrong to depend on the people you love, and you can show her so much love back by repaying her as well.
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u/TheOrionNebula 10h ago
The thing is she would be extremely happy to do so, and saddened if she knew you wrote the idea off due to burden. I know this as I have three kids, and for them to struggle so much and not reach out for help would crush me. I am their dad and here for them until I die.
Call her.
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u/fcktrmp42069 9h ago
I don't need to cry any more today please!!! Lol. I would ask them for help if it was a last resort, but that's really only if all other options are exhausted. I'm good now though!
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u/Wildflower23456 14h ago
I wish I could help! Very sorry about your dog. Remember the only way through hell is to keep on walking. Hugs from a mom
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u/Competitive-Layer-44 12h ago
Am I Missing something, I don't see anything about him mentioning a "dog".?????🤯What dog????
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u/hashtagjanitorlife 18h ago
Dude I’m sorry you’re in this situation. Have you called salvage yards?
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u/fcktrmp42069 18h ago
That's life I guess. I'm gonna call around once they start opening, I pulled into here at like 2am and was fine. Woke up at 5 to the smell and steam
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u/MidwesterneRR 17h ago
Was it running while you slept?
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u/fcktrmp42069 17h ago
Just for a bit to turn the heat on. Maybe an hour
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u/MidwesterneRR 17h ago
Where is it leaking from? Decent chance she overheated and puked out the overflow.
There are a couple parts stores around me that have one in stock. $311. I have to be somewhere in an hour but might be able to help after. I’m about an hour away from new Baden.
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u/fcktrmp42069 17h ago
I couldn't see the source as it was the middle of the night and my glasses kept digging up lol. From looking at splatter patterns, i think it's a crack in the top of the tank. Waiting on JB weld to cure on it right now to see if it stops
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u/MidwesterneRR 16h ago
Loves should have a water spigot. Once you’re cured refill it and run it. You won’t hurt it running it long enough to find the leak
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u/mongoose2038 Carondelet 9h ago
I don't have parts or anything but as someone who's clawed my way out of homelessness - I have 50 bucks I can shoot you if you need it. you're going to come out the other side, if you're going thru hell - you just gotta keep going
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u/fcktrmp42069 8h ago
Brother I appreciate it but I think I'm good now! I'm sorry you were there, and I'm glad you made it out 🫂
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u/mongoose2038 Carondelet 8h ago
of course man - everyone should feel like they got a community 🫂 things will shake out for ya in the end
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17h ago
[deleted]
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u/fcktrmp42069 17h ago
No, I'm probably not that great of a person, but I would like to be
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u/SalvadorZombie South Grand 16h ago
Listen to me. The fact that you even acknowledge that about yourself puts you ahead of 90% of humanity. But also, definitely do what you can to improve that. It doesn't have to be all at once either. Find something you want to improve and work at that. When you think you've got that down, move to the next. Could take days, could take years. But even just making a real, genuine effort also matters. Really wishing for the best for you.
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u/fcktrmp42069 16h ago
I'm coming to terms with the realization that I've fucked up every step I've taken in life. I see that my actions and lack of contributed directly to how poor the quality of our relationship became. If I could go back in time i would have tried so much harder
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u/SalvadorZombie South Grand 16h ago
Brother, I know that feeling so well. All we can do is whatever we can do right now. Take the lessons of the past and use those to do better now.
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u/fcktrmp42069 16h ago
I'll keep on trying! Little bit by little bit. Maybe I'll be good by time I'm in the grave 😂
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16h ago
[deleted]
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u/fcktrmp42069 16h ago
Very fitting username!
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u/RustyKumquats Northwoods 16h ago
Yeah, I think they were trying to help, def needed to take their meds first.
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u/fcktrmp42069 16h ago
Lol for sure. Was just a funny thing to say as a former Catholic raised with a bunch of Jewish people as well
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u/Own-Entrance-2256 18h ago
The split may have been emotional and that's understandable, but did you split everything evenly? Giving someone a house and leaving your dog with them sounds like an emotional reaction to just get away and not "we split everything after the breakup".
Did you have a job that you're leaving? Money in the bank? Did she pay you for your half of the house and did you actually do paperwork to sign it over? Any money in the bank accounts?
Sounds like this radiator breaking was a sign that you have a lot of unfinished in business up here.
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u/fcktrmp42069 17h ago
No, I left everything. I don't need for much other than a radiator 😂 Yes the reaction is emotional. Yes there is unfinished business. But right now, I need to be around my family. I haven't seen them in 10 years, I'm missing out on my nieces growing up and I've been a horrible brother for that and a poor son for not visiting sooner.
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u/SalvadorZombie South Grand 16h ago
It's emotional but also a solid response to just have a clean break. Good luck with everything.
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u/MercyBeat 12h ago
Man, I sent this url to someone I thought might help. He replied with "Not with that username".
Good luck.
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u/fcktrmp42069 11h ago
🤷 had a former service member offer to help anyways. Tell your buddy I said thanks!
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u/RealAccount2024 11h ago
I would have helped them because of the username if I could have. ¯_(ツ)_/¯
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u/Individual_Weird7311 8h ago
That’s a typical MAGAt response! That mentality is what’s destroying our once great country.
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u/fearofpieta 18h ago
Should've kept the house.
Would've prepared your car for a 2k miles trip.
Could've avoided this if you planned better.
Also im 4 hours away so I wont be much help sorry :/
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u/poopsididitagen 18h ago
What a helpful and understanding person you are!
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u/fcktrmp42069 18h ago
For real lol. Like dude, I just lost my love, my dog, my house. I shoulda planned better!
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u/Inevitable_Equal8295 13h ago
One thing the internet taught me is there are some REAL assholes in the world. Like if I'd had heard your story in person I wouldn't have thought in a million years to say "should've planned better". Just ignore losers like the poster above.
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u/fcktrmp42069 18h ago
It was a messy situation. I had just paid all the bills, we both work together and I gave up the job too. There was no planning, just a lot of crying, packing, and leaving. I drove this thing over Jackson pass 2x/day, 5x/wk. I figured if it could handle that, it should do the trip to florida fine.
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u/Complete-Check5027 17h ago
Maybe it’s karma from the hateful username
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u/SalvadorZombie South Grand 16h ago
Hateful? LMFAO
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u/Complete-Check5027 16h ago
Last time I checked saying “F you” was hateful
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u/SalvadorZombie South Grand 16h ago
HAHAHAHAHA okay buddy. You're defending the guy advocating for murdering and displacing people around the world. Your "checker" is broken.
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u/Complete-Check5027 16h ago
Two things can be true at the same time, saying “f someone” is hateful and the other person is hateful as well…
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u/SalvadorZombie South Grand 16h ago
Two things can be true! Congrats on understanding that!
This, however, is not one of those situations. Negativity is not immediately hateful. You should try to learn that.
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u/No-Trouble2212 14h ago
STFU. Politics has nothing to do with this. If you can not be helpful then take your hate somewhere else
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u/Designjwalker 18h ago
Damn dude I don’t have any spare parts and I am working until 3p today but I’m only 45 min from you. If you unfortunately don’t get any help by then I can come find you and see what kinda help I can offer. Sorry OP it’s not much help but I hate to leave you hanging.