How can I ship a front stub frame across country?

[WissaMan]

I found someone that is willing to sell me a rebuilt stub frame at a very reasonable price. However, he is over a 1k miles away so driving to pick it up is out of the question. Can anyone suggest a means of shipping it to me at a reasonable cost? I tried Fastenal but it exceeds their maximum dimensions.

 

[detmatt]

San Diego to Detroit freight

 

[CBODY67]

Make sure it's strapped down to a good, sturdy pallet. Shipping it "bare" is not a good idea if you want it to be "square" when you get it. On second thought, the frame's width might exceed that of the pallet? Perhaps an "upright" crate can be built for it? Either way, "oversize".

Just some thoughts,
CBODY67

 

[WissaMan]

Yeah I think the size is going to be an issue with "regular" carriers. I did get a web quote from that Engine shippers company from detmatt's thread but it came back almost $1k...yikes.

I'm toying with the idea of a great American road trip Looks like it'd be about a 16 ~ 17hr drive in each direction, not including stops. My brother and I could share driving duties.

Do you think it'd fit in the back of a full-size van? It's an Econoline E150. Or maybe I could lock the steering rack and tow it behind the van LOL. I do have a trailer but it's kinda heavy and old and I'd hesitate to take it on the interstates.

 

[jct]

Have any pictures?

 

[CBODY67]

I suspect it would lay in the back of the van. Might need to angle it on one side, but it should go. Of course, get some wood to lay it on and to protect the inner body panels from damage, for good measure.

Is the "new" one to replace an existing one? If so, you can measure the basic structure for dimensions. Or is the suspension already on it?

AND have enough people power on hand when loading and unloading. More than just you and one other person!

Enjoy!
CBODY67

 

[Samplingman]

[QUOTE="WissaMan, post: 804219, member: 7188”]I tried Fastenal but it exceeds their maximum dimensions.[/QUOTE]

Interesting. That’s how I got my stub frame from California to NJ. Cost was $350, but I had to pick it up from the closest Fastenal. Mini-van handled the chore, no problem. Getting it down from the roof rack was tricky, lol.

 

[livininharrow]

I found someone that is willing to sell me a rebuilt stub frame at a very reasonable price. However, he is over a 1k miles away so driving to pick it up is out of the question. Can anyone suggest a means of shipping it to me at a reasonable cost? I tried Fastenal but it exceeds their maximum dimensions.

would be cheaper to rebuild your front end. considering all costs involved in purchasing the one you are looking at. assuming you can do most of the work yourself. rebuild kits are readily available . either way good luck

 

[saforwardlook]

When I took my stub frame for my 1971 Chrysler to be sandblasted, it fit in the back of my 1989 Dodge Dakota pickup truck, long bed. I got it in by myself with no hassle.

 

[thrashingcows]

would be cheaper to rebuild your front end. considering all costs involved in purchasing the one you are looking at. assuming you can do most of the work yourself. rebuild kits are readily available . either way good luck

I agree rebuild would be cheaper, $3-400 for a complete front end kit including shocks and a little of your time and effort....unless you need the replacement to rectify a rusty unit.

 

[WissaMan]

There is some rust through on mine, at the rear ends of it. Probably repairable, but I also still have the uncertainty of why this car wasn't able to be aligned last time I tried back in the 90's (see my other thread for that story). And Lord knows my New Yorker has plenty of other opportunities to consume my time so if I can save some here that'd be very welcome!

 

[detmatt]

Looks like a road trip then!
The shipping industry has changed over the last 10 to 12 years for sure.

 

[twostick]

There is some rust through on mine, at the rear ends of it. Probably repairable, but I also still have the uncertainty of why this car wasn't able to be aligned last time I tried back in the 90's (see my other thread for that story). And Lord knows my New Yorker has plenty of other opportunities to consume my time so if I can save some here that'd be very welcome!

If your alignment guy couldn't tell you what the problem was, it was probably the alignment guy.

Shipping will be a killer on that because of the size of it. If it's more than 4' long and 4' wide, it will take up the space of 4 pallets on a van trailer, basically 8'x8'. Most of those companies charge by the cube and a lot of them discourage odd sized stuff.

If you have access to a yard with a forklift you could contact an Admiral Merchants or Landstar agent in your area and get it shipped LTL to you. You are on a main shipping lane so anyone delivering to Erie or Buffalo doesn't have to go out of the way to drop it off so about $500 +/- should do it if all he has to do is jump off the main road and pull into a yard, forklift it off and drive away. Time is money.

As to the road trip option, if your van has a hitch on it, you can rent a Uhaul trailer when you get there if you find you can't wrestle it into the van.

Kevin