transporting a rig across country - any advice/experiences

[wantatlc]

so, I am liking a rig I have found on the East coast and I live in SD, CA. I was thinking of paying to have it transported with an auto transport company, but I am pretty leary of this (and it is not cheap).

-any stories?
-any advice?
-any recommendations for haulers, companies?

[BLACKDOG]

IMO buying a vehicle site unseen isn't the smartest thing in the world, unless it is for parts, or the price is great.  If you've got your heart set on it, measure out the cost of bringing it out, is it worth shipping?  cause you might as well add the shipping to the cost of the vehicle.  Do you want to pay say 5K for a rig, then have the total be 7K ?? is it worth it? Also, check out the insurance costs for insuring a shipped vehicle.  you can probably find a rig of the same shape, mabye better in CA for the same price or less, and not have to pay to bring it out

my 

[ozzy93xtra]

IMO buying a vehicle site unseen isn't the smartest thing in the world, unless it is for parts, or the price is great. If you've got your heart set on it, measure out the cost of bringing it out, is it worth shipping? cause you might as well add the shipping to the cost of the vehicle. Do you want to pay say 5K for a rig, then have the total be 7K ?? is it worth it? Also, check out the insurance costs for insuring a shipped vehicle. you can probably find a rig of the same shape, mabye better in CA for the same price or less, and not have to pay to bring it out

my

what he said.............   my roomate had his shipped from virginia to oklahoma and it was only 650 bucks

[*FFC*]

I've been told taking a train there is a good deal..and driving the vehicle back...

[BLACKDOG]

mind telling us the price your looking at and what kinda rig and condition? we could help you out better with suggestions    you dont have to give location or anything

[wantatlc]

mind telling us the price your looking at and what kinda rig and condition? we could help you out better with suggestions    you dont have to give location or anything

yeah, I am looking at this rig. I dig it becuase it has all of the 'bolt-ons' I like done for me. I realize it would still need some work as was pointed out to me to make it more off road worthy. But, as a start, it is clean and nice to look at and has about every bolt-on one would want. hard to find a rig that has all this stuff with it. the price is high and I have not offered YET, but was considering if I would even be able to get it back affordably if I did. I have had 4-5 emails with the guy getting more details. It would be a coast to coast haul. I am getting quotes of around $1000 to truck it out. to fly, bus out and drive back is costly due to time, travel costs, gas, lost wages, etc. The guy seems cool and honest and willing to answer all questions and provide images. rarely would I consider it, but this seller is not as crupytic about what he has as others I have dealt with that give you a bad vibe. I feel pretty comfortable with him. He is a Dr. after all.

1978 FJ40 Land Cruiser, originally from dry southern California, for sale. I am asking $12,950. I put a lot of work into this truck and took very good care in restoring it. I have all receipts. I no longer have the time to work with it. I live in the east. I would like this truck to go to a good home where I know it will be taken care of. I know there are better deals out there but let me tell you why I am asking that price.

Body and Frame: Body is stock with some rust on right fender and lip of hood. The truck is 27 years old and some rust is to be expected. Otherwise the body is in pretty good shape. Color was original mustard yellow but has been repainted white inside and out. For some reason the original owner did not paint the under side of the hood. Rear fenders are uncut. Hard top straight with good seals. Chassis is straight and true with no rust. The truck tracks true on the road and does not pull from side to side.
1. Two inch spring lift + Custom anti-inversion shackles gives roughly 3" overall lift
2. Rancho shocks
3. Greaseable grade 8 shackle pins
4. Warn hubs
5. Aluminum rims X 5
6. BF Goodrich All-terrain T/A KO 33 x 10.5 (90% tread) on all 4
7. BF Goodrich Mud-terrain 32 x 11.5 (bought new but never used) on spare
8. Custom-made steel roofrack with full support for rain gutter.
9. Cheap Walmart offroad lights x 4 on roofrack
10. Bulletproof Manufacturing front and rear bumper (with winch mount) with 4 stainless steel shackle. Both have 2" hitch receiver. Supposedly the front can be tapped and converted into an air tank.
11. On-board air compressor to run air tools or tire inflation - engine driven
12. BTB ?" thick steel diamond-plated rocker panel
13. Custom-made rear swing-away cooler/jerry can carrier (fits 3) with telescoping work light. Now covered in black diamond plating
14. Diamond plate rear corner panel covers with fold-down steps
15. Chassis has been por-15
16. Extra OEM Rollbar fitted to the 0riginal rollbar to provide extra rollover protection
17. Center console
18. Sony removable faceplate radio. Tape only no cd
19. Driver seat has some rips on the bottom cushion but I have Toyota seat covers on them. Passenger side intact
20. Front grill/light guard
21. Custom made aluminum diamond plated door panels. Now painted black
22. New weather-stripping on doors
23. Newly replaced rear lens
24. Hella headlights with relay
25. Inside has been rhino-lined
26. New rebuilt steering box
27. New headliner.
2F Engine runs strong with little to no oil leaks. It is my daily driver. I change the oil and filter religiously every 3 months. Transmission/axle oil also changed routinely. There is a small crack in the transfer case on top that has been fixed by the original owner. Apparently his brother worked as a welder and repaired it for him. It is now stronger than the aluminum around it. The repair is very clean. I have had zero problems with the transfer case on or off road. Four wheel drive (high and low) works perfectly. I have an extra complete 1974 tranny and transfer case that is also included. As part of the restoration I was going to exchange the transfer case to get lower gearing in addition to an intact transfer case. Supposedly this '74 transfer case has the transitional gear to properly adapt it to the later trannys. It has Amzoil gear oil in it.
28. no P/S
29. front dics/ rear drum
1. Original inline 2F 6 which was completely rebuilt in 2000
2. Complete Smog equipment.
3. Mallory distributor
4. After market engine oil cooler in addition to original oil cooler
5. Oil filter relocator for easy oil change. I recommend moving it if you are serious about 4 wheeling. Too flat here in Florida for me to worry about it.
6. Original OEM carb
7. Tranny/transfer bypass line to redistribute the gear oil between the two when one is overfilled.
8. Newly replaced clutch slave cylinder
9. Newly rebuilt starter
10. Newly replaced alternator Extras
1.Complete extra 1974 tranny and transfer case
2. Kayline swing-away tire and jerry can holder
3. Soft doors x 2
4. Bikini
5. Tubular Safari doors x 2 (no longer in production)
6. Two hinge mount telescoping side mirror arms for when driving without the hard doors
7. Two-door swing away tailgate I got off ebay. I was going to weld them together to make a drop down tail gate.
8. OEM license plate bracket
9. Two new turn signal housing
10. Wiper motor and mechanism
11. Two jerry cans
12. Original steering box

Not included but in photos:
1. Winch and fairleads
2. Hi-lift jack and jack mount

[Anthony]

What companys have you called   Rail is cheaper but takes a long time seen up to a month to get fron the east to the west.

[wantatlc]

What companys have you called   Rail is cheaper but takes a long time seen up to a month to get fron the east to the west.

I have only done the Internet thing. give details on website, 10 companies give bids. I have like 30 bids with high of 1400 and low of 950. so much fine print.

[BLACKDOG]

Does look pretty clean  I dont think I'd go the route of buying without looking first, you may get lucky you may not.  Although if you're getting a good feeling from the guy, you may be alright  If I could, I would go check it out, and drive/ship it back from there  You may search around on the baord too, I know there are some people from the east coast that want to go to MCR4, but dont wanna spend the $$ to come out.  Thery may be willing to drive it out for you just a possibility.  Seems like a decent deal, I'd look around some more closer, but whatever you do Good Luck


Oh yeah, I did talk to my dad last night, he is retired Air Force, so we moved a lot.  He had looked into shipping a vehicle a coupla times, but he decided it wasnt worth it everytime, because the costs added up so quickly.  So we drove everywhere.  Also, you may not be able to insure that cruiser for what you payed for it, simply because it is that old of a vehicle.

[germ]

I shipped 2 vehicles from Long Island, NY to Lodi a few years ago. Unfortuantly, I don't know what it cost because my new employer paid the shipping. I think it was 1000-1200 per vehicle. The shipping was no big deal, dropped it off, and about a 3-4 weeks later it showed up and I had to pick it up at a central drop place. My 4Runner had a new scratch, but it wasn't too bad.

Certainly worth it if you really want the vehicle. Personally I'd rather drive it, cause it's a great drive, and gives you a new appreciation for the country. Looks like a clean FJ40.

Erik

[Anthony]

I work for one of the largest Auto Transport company in the US. Here is a number for our single unit operation back east.  Northland Auto 1-800-521-0928. speak to John or Kevin.  Here is the web site as well ....    www.unitedroad.com

[wantatlc]

I work for one of the largest Auto Transport company in the US. Here is a number for our single unit operation back east.  Northland Auto 1-800-521-0928. speak to John or Kevin.  Here is the web site as well ....    www.unitedroad.com

I called and spoke with Kevin. Cool guy, helpful. Their quote was on the higher side of what I have seen. BUT, to be fair, I need to research this a bit as I know the lowest quote is not always the best (nor is the highest for that matter) and it seems to be an unregulated business so who knows what you might get if you go low and vice versa.

[Anthony]

I called and spoke with Kevin. Cool guy, helpful. Their quote was on the higher side of what I have seen. BUT, to be fair, I need to research this a bit as I know the lowest quote is not always the best (nor is the highest for that matter) and it seems to be an unregulated business so who knows what you might get if you go low and vice versa.

I'm not trying or going to tell you bad things about other companies and sell you mine. If you do have it transported ask about their insurance, I know we are well insured and have to be because of the new car freight we haul. Nissan, Saab , Jaguar. Etc.  I will say be careful of the guys with the lower rates. They are usually small and have old equipment. And if something does happen to your rig in transit they seem to disappear or will not give you a straight answer to making it right. Not trying to scare you or discourage you. I deal with people daily with this and get told some pretty shitty stories about their transport experience with other companies. Just my 

[wantatlc]

I'm not trying or going to tell you bad things about other companies and sell you mine. If you do have it transported ask about their insurance, I know we are well insured and have to be because of the new car freight we haul. Nissan, Saab , Jaguar. Etc.  I will say be careful of the guys with the lower rates. They are usually small and have old equipment. And if something does happen to your rig in transit they seem to disappear or will not give you a straight answer to making it right. Not trying to scare you or discourage you. I deal with people daily with this and get told some pretty shitty stories about their transport experience with other companies. Just my 

I agree woth you 100%. AND, rest assured I will look into it. the other thing you try to avoid is paying top dollar because you think that s the best, only to have the same experience as the low guy would have given, so why pay more. I will certainly check the company out, their fine print, etc before doing anything. and the funny thing is, I do not even have the truck yet or may not even get it. depends on if he accepts my offer. so, I am probably jynxing myself by even asking about this.

[Lady Di]

I didn't read all the advice, this might have been answered, sorry if it's a repeat. Where on the east coast was it? It says "originally from dry southern California" but if it has been anywhere near the ocean on the east coast, and/or worse yet, in any winters on salted roads, the conditions of the vehicle in regard to rust could be in question till you really get a good look at it.
It's a very cool vehicle though.

[Rocksurfer]

I didn't read all the advice, this might have been answered, sorry if it's a repeat. Where on the east coast was it? It says "originally from dry southern California" but if it has been anywhere near the ocean on the east coast, and/or worse yet, in any winters on salted roads, the conditions of the vehicle in regard to rust could be in question till you really get a good look at it.
It's a very cool vehicle though.

I had a clean 70 Firebird  Formula 455 when I moved to Wisconsin in 79, started showing rust after only 1 winter. Sold it quick to a guy in Texas before it got any worse. I loved that car and couldn't see losing it to rust so off to Texas it went. Sucks that I got sent back to Cali that next fall.


I'd check it out real close.

[Lady Di]

The guy we bought the Willies from was very friendly and forthcoming about the details and the condition of the vehicle, and it wasn't even close to the truth. Granted, I think the guy was about 4 cylinders short of a V8... MrW would not have bought it if we had seen it first hand. It was ROUGH, but we wouldn't have a Mammoth now if not for having a Willys template to go on to build it. LOL! We paid to much for it, but it is worth it in the long run.

[Lady Di]

I had a clean 70 Firebird Formula 455 when I moved to Wisconsin in 79, started showing rust after only 1 winter. Sold it quick to a guy in Texas before it got any worse. I loved that car and couldn't see losing it to rust so off to Texas it went. Sucks that I got sent back to Cali that next fall.

I had a 280ZX MrW had restored for me. It was in great condition, I took it to the beach only a couple times. As you know, we can drive (or could, I don't know if we still can) on our beaches, 1/2 a year later rust was popping out on the rocker panels. I do not think it was a coincidence. I do not go close to the beach with my vehicles now. I'd rather see them in the mud.

[Willy Mammoth]

Digger

[Lady Di]

EW!!! thanks so much for that!

[wantatlc]

Digger

damn, you actually found me out! I can get under your skin, and toes, if you are not careful.

[Lady Di]

damn, you actually found me out! I can get under your skin, and toes, if you are not careful.

~backs away quickly from wantatlc~     

[wantatlc]

I didn't read all the advice, this might have been answered, sorry if it's a repeat. Where on the east coast was it? It says "originally from dry southern California" but if it has been anywhere near the ocean on the east coast, and/or worse yet, in any winters on salted roads, the conditions of the vehicle in regard to rust could be in question till you really get a good look at it.
It's a very cool vehicle though.

Florida it appears. I have asked for rust photos to have a look see.

[wantatlc]

~backs away quickly from wantatlc~     

thats classic. too funny. I am not as bad as I look.

[Lady Di]

Florida it appears. I have asked for rust photos to have a look see.

where in Florida? We're in the Orlando area.

[Lady Di]

thats classic. too funny. I am not as bad as I look.

stop looking at my toenails!

[Lady Di]

Florida it appears. I have asked for rust photos to have a look see.

I love to think I can trust humanity but have lived long enough, done enough and seen enough to know it would be really great to trust humanity but you can't.

[wantatlc]

where in Florida? We're in the Orlando area.

orlando it is. zip is 32829

[Lady Di]

Huh, what are the odds of that! Looks like it's about 18 miles from us. I doubt MrW will have any time to get away and give it his discerning eye, but if they owner would let me, I can probably run over there, have a looksee and check for anything significant and take more pics myself.

Let me know, you can PM me if you want with the details.

[wantatlc]

Huh, what are the odds of that! Looks like it's about 18 miles from us. I doubt MrW will have any time to get away and give it his discerning eye, but if they owner would let me, I can probably run over there, have a looksee and check for anything significant and take more pics myself.

Let me know, you can PM me if you want with the details.

I sent you a PM, will follow up ASAP