I used UPS's quick calculator for a 120 lb. package (I have no idea, just a guess w/packing materials) from SLO to Newport News, Va and it went from $88.65 to $411.99 depending on the type of service so Lance is right, some wildly differing rates.

It could also vary wildly depending on what you punch in for weight and dimensions (I could be totally off).

Maybe Hanna had a bad experience or something? Dunno, it's worth asking him about it though. That would sure make it easier on you east coast guys.

 

I checked the UPS shipping estimated costs to ship a package weighing 120 lbs (45 lbs/side=90 lbs + 30 lbs for hardware and the packaging 6' long x 24" square) to Raleigh, NC and it was around $350. Since its going to cost over $1000 for us East coast guys Im looking for an East coast fabricator with experience manufacturing sliders. (Anybody have any suggestions?) I might go for it for less than a grand. And I know any body damage would cost over a grand to fix..... but half as much as the skiders again in shipping is just too much for me Im afriad.

 

You might be able to get the shipping charges down if you split the package into three (45pounds+45pounds+30pounds) instead of one large 120 pound package. Also, it might help with the charges to have them hold it at the FedEx/UPS office instead of shipping it to your house.

 

Thanks for the suggestion Kickaha!!

I split the shipping packages into 3 boxes. 2 weighing 50lbs@6'x1.5'x1.5' for each slider, and one 20lbs@2'x1.5'x1.5' for mounting hardware. Using UPS from SLO, CA (guessing zip 93401) to a residential address Raleigh, NC (27609) it was $155. Thats a lot more reasonable! I emailed Ken and asked him to sponsor a group buy for yotatech.com members and explained my shipping dilemma. I did offer to pick up at the local FedEx or UPS distribution center also in case that helps. I'll post again once he's replied.

 

They use FedEx

Herman

 

Also, it is some $58 more (or whatever I just reported earlier) to have shipped to your residence. Otherwise it was the $150 or so dollars to ship to the FedEx center which is some 30 min away from me.

Herman

 

Just because they prefer to use FedEx that doesnt mean UPS wont accept a shipment from them. Ive asked Ken about this and about separating the pieces for shipping and am awaiting his reply. He is also considering a yotatech group buy offering to reduce the cost below $700. He said he will inform FirstToy of the details upon completion of his first build (approximately 2 weeks from now). We'll need at least 10 or more people willing to prepay %50. I already told him Im in as long as we can get shipping to NC down to around $150. I dont mind picking them up at the local FedEx distribution facility either since its 5 minutes from my office.

 

I agree. I'd be happy with shipping around $150 and hopefully he will lower the price.

bdh1213, where in NC are you and any good places for offroading between you and I (Virginia Beach area). I just moved here a couple of months ago. Thanks!

Herman

 

Hey, nice work on the shipping! Hopefully it all works out for you guys. Oh another reason Ken's shipping might be a bit higher is his are powdercoated, fully finished-maybe they need more protection shipping than bare metal sliders (?)

You guys should have seen Ken prototyping this baby. He was laying down some heavy fabrication skills. Real offroad experience & metal working skill are a wicked combination, my friends!

Milt, post one of those Flashdance pics

 

Herman- PM me so we dont get off track on this thread, (its already gotten pretty long) but I go to Uwharrie, Tellico, and almost anywhere on the NC seashore but primarily Ft Fisher. None of which are between us Im afraid.

FistToy- Im really psyched about the bolt-on sliders so thanks for posting the find!! Im sure it will work out for us East siders if we can get shipping to the regional FedEx distribution facility and pick it up. Ken said he would ship them on a pallet so that would be better for me anyway since I'd need to bum a pickup to get them. I guess he wraps them in cardboard or something. He said he ships his other sliders all the time so Im sure he's got a method. But palleted from coast to coast better be insured cause Ive seen many pallets unloaded off the back of a tractor trailer damaged one way or another. I have a long history of naming my OWN scratches; usualy something foul!!

Speaking of scrathces...anybody know where can I score a 4th gen bolt on replacement skid plate to replace this boney stock excuse for one?

 

I have been emailing with Ken about the shipping costs and to help everyone understand the cost I thought I would post his reply....

For UPS, the problem is the length of the sliders, the slider just
>fits in the UPS perimeters (length+width+height). Once the sliders
>are boxed they are too big (they fine you for being over size) and
>the boxing is too costly and damaging to the powder coat finish.
>
>I wrap the sliders in cellophane, cardboard then use metal banding
>to fix the sliders to a pallet and cellophane around the whole
>pallet and sliders. By using a pallet the shipper can use there fork
>lift and therefor avoiding being tossed around and dropping. I have
>shipped 40 plus sets of sliders this way.

For the record, shipping cost to Eugene,OR is $120 to the freight center...
so don't think it is just expensive because it is going to the east coast.

If anyone gets the group buy going soon, count me in.

 

well now I feel bad about asking him about the UPS shipping alternative. probably quite a few of us that are emailing him asking about that.... I think I'll just chill for a couple more weeks since he said once he's finalized the prototype set he'll give FirstToy the rundown on the group buy, shipping alternative and method, materials included, etc, etc, etc.

 

I just realized that 4crawler/RB offers SliderZ for the 4th Gen? (also has a body lift out). Did anyone know that already? Any experience with these on prior gen 4Runners?

Herman

 

I just read the website mounting options on these and it appears they recommend welding or drilling holes to mount them. They also dont appear to offer powder coating. I have seen Stubbs Welding offers a weld-on model too. I believe welding or drilling weakens frame rails; either from the heat of welding or from the structural compromise from the lost material from drilling. I could be wrong, but I dont want to find out by drilling or welding on my $30k trucks frame!

 

Don't forget there are other vendors that make sliders

Stubb
Demello
etc etc

Welding sliders won't weaken the frame at all since frame is built by welding pieces together. I have welded sliders and my frame looks nice along w/ others that have done the same to their 4runners (current and older models).

 

Thats most certainly true Lance, I just cant find anybody that makes a set that I can mount without having to drill or weld...... except for this set from Hanna.

I knew frames were welded together. And Im no metallurgist or anything. But I thought that heating metal weakens it?

Of course my real complaint is no access to welding equipment. Even if I did have the access, I posess unexceptional welding skills at best. I can run a bead, but it comes out more like chicken ˟˟˟˟ than a slid stack of nickels. Obviously I can drill holes, but I dont have access to the high speed steel bits and 90 degree drill head to get the drilling done and dont want to buy that stuff for a one-time project. Plus, the onus of alignment falls on the driller, and everybody knows drilling mistakes are permanent! I know anyone reading this is probably thinking Im incompetent. But I'd like to think Im more cautious than incapable.

 

For some reason I keep seeing the word drilling....
Hanna's sliders require NO drilling!

 

We were just talking alternatives cabbage... thanks though!

 

Indeed Milton is correct. Ken Hanna sliders are the only sliders that I am aware of that are bolt on (no welding, drilling).

But I'm sure it's a matter of time that the others will follow. Just like any other aftermarket part, if the demand exists vendors will build em

 

Yeah, I'm totally for the Hanna sliders. I like the fact they are bolt on and no drilling is involved. Also the others haven't been developed for xreas 4runners.