Rebuilt 2005 GX470 Project - From CO to TX and Back (soon)

oh and my Pitsburg harbor freight low profile 2-ton floor jack is going out. One of the two spring piston thingies is getting stuck and not allowing to lift fully. I noticed that after the jeep had floor jacks under the frame and axle. So that was fun. Had to smack it with a dead blow a few times to get it to release and work. And I had to do that more than a few different times. i need to see what the warranty is on that one, pretty sure i bought it under my phone number.

Been eyeing the 3-ton they have, which I could really use for the height of the JK. But then I still need a low profile one for the M3 lol.

 

Anyone have experience with shipping vehicles across states? Thinking it may be easiest to have a the JK and M3 towed from Dallas to Denver ahead of the move. I'm guess it would be around $2500...?

 

That seems a little steep.

I had '21 Tundra shipped from Maryland to Michigan. It was $1100. there are Hot Shot drivers running all over the nation. They don't want head for home empty. Just a matter of time before one drops a car off in your area then is heading to your desired location.

Look for hot Shot car hauler brokers. They have an amazing network.

 

I'll look them up, thanks!

 

PM Sent

 

The Sequoia came from Corpus Christi to Phoenix in '21 for 1k, 2500 is robbery.

 

Checking on prices, I may just drive the M3, and tow the JK. Gas Buddy predicts about $150 in gas for the 800 mile trip. Flights on vary based on dates, but finding one-way tickets between $50 and $100.

The longest I've road tripped the M3 was between Denver & Durango and back, taking lesser traveled routes instead of the main highways. And it did pretty good except for overheating on the way back at the highest elevations. I've since overhauled the cooling system, so that should be good. Buuut, the M3 doesn't include a spare tire...I may see about getting a donut, or just double checking my Haggerty insurance coverage for towing.

And i haven't taken a vacation since moving to TX. That would be a good weekend break from everything!

 

In time for the L.A. riots, I moved from Reno back to L.A. I had an 83 300ZX & a 69 Mustang convertible, drove both back. Good times.

lol

 

Ok, estimates are much cheaper than I was thinking. At least on uShip. Estimates $880 + fees. Will see if I get any reputable offers. If it's at that price point, I probably will have the M3 and JK shipped. Then just drive the GX towing a uhual with the rest of my stuff.

Edit: grrr....first quote came in at $1600 after fees. Will leave the ad up and see what else comes through. That's probably the max I'd want to pay.

 

well there goes the idea of packing the vehicles with a bunch of stuff

"Please note that you ‘re allowed to pack up to 100 lbs of personal items in your vehicle. For standard cars, all items must be stored in the trunk, and for SUV’s, in the Cargo space. Seats must remain upright, with no items in the front or back. These are strict DOT Guidelines."

The quotes from uship drop a little bit each day. Down to around $1450 after fees.

Checked with Hagerty and they gave me their preferred shipper. I get a 10% discount, but they only use enclosed carriers, and it was gonna be $3300.

Someone linked me the company that Cars & Bids website uses. Waiting for the full quote because they only had an option to ship 1 car on the instant quote, which came out to $935.

 

I took apart the pistons and cleaned them up real good. Added hydraulic jack fluid and bled the pump. Working like new again!

Tempted to buy some 12 ton jack stands for the jeep. Just add to the collection. I'm really going to need to buy a car lift at some point in my life!

 

Back to the JK. I've always known that the rear pinion angle was off. Because of the whole instructions debacle...I'm gonna try one more time to get it a little better without having to cut off the lower control arm mounts and welding in the new ones that I had to weld together, then weld that to the axle. I don't have high hopes lol. I'll be happy if I can get it just a little better.

 

Yup, more seized bolts. Same upper control arm bolt as the driver side that was seized. Plus one of the lower control arm bolts. So two I'm gonna have to cut out. And order new Johnny joint rebuild kits

 

F it. Removing the entire rear axle. Done for today. Time for a soak in the bath, then hanging with some friends this evening. Will return to this tomorrow. Need to disconnect the driveshaft so I can wiggle the one stuck lower control out out. Then cut two bolts before the axle is free. Everything else is disconnected

 

Improvised axle mover. None of the stores around had an axle adapter for the floor jack so I made due with some car wheel movers.

 

Price of the Jeep just went up? In the last few months you have done some serious vehicle repair! Good On Ya!!!


Did you get the GX sealed up??

 

Can't wait to get it back on a CO trail to really test it out again.

The GX is sealed up enough that no rain has gotten in. But i still need to order a new tire. The Tire Rack warranty is such that you have to buy a new one and then they reimburse me for it. Not sure if I'm going to get around to much on it besides buying a new tire before the move.

I did the math on having the BMW and JK trailered vs towing them myself like I did moving to TX. And it's basically a $100 difference after all said and done. So I'm definitely shelling out the $1500 to trailer them. Then towing a uhual box trailer behind the GX with the rest of my stuff

 

Gotta clean up and reorganize before doing anything else

 

Need to fix the loose exhaust while I'm at it

 

Finally got the seized control arm bolts out. Note to self: just buy the $$ blades to begin with. Went through 4 others I had laying around before buying the bigger one which cut right through.

 

Getting ready to place an order for replacement JK parts. Thinking about adding greasable bolts, for a few places I could service them at least. Wouldn't be able to on the Frame side upper control arms, the ones I had to cut out.

https://www.rockjock4x4.com/CE-91107

Edit: on second look, yes I would be able to use them on the frame side UCA

 

^^^^^ Yup,,,, that'll do! Holy Moly those can turn into a real PITA! You have put your time in, that is a definite.
Get er Done!!!

 

Another PIA. Took a bit of torching the bolts and sledge hammering on the exhaust but I got it off and apart. Probably just dump it and leave the tailpipe off. At least for now. Sad it wore a good bit of the Coilover reservoir off.

 

My poor guy, Spartacus. In kidney failure and a heart murmur. 14 years old. They're doing fluids and some other things but not expected to live much longer. I was actually there when his momma gave birth to him and he's been with me ever since

 

I'm sorry. I feel your pain, had many a long term pet over the years, most recently in '23 a 16 year old Shepherd.

 

He's been an indoor only cat since I moved to TX, but I'm going to make sure he gets lots of sun and a chance to roll around on concrete again when he gets home!

 

We had to put down one of our cats Friday last week.

She made it 19 years.

 

JK Parts ordered. Last thing I'm going to be working on before the move. Contemplated the lower control arm mounts, if I'd remove them and weld in the Evo ones. But I just want to get this thing back together asap for now. Plan to ship the vehicles end of April.

 

Guess I'm not working on the JK this weekend.

 

I hate all shippers, they absolutely suck.