I think I have found a 3.4 to buy for an engine swap into my poor dead 95 runner. The engine is in Portland and I am in Seattle. I am looking for the best, least expensive option to move the engine up here. Do you guys have any suggestions? I am not adverse to going down to Portland and driving it up myself, but I don't have a truck. So I am looking at renting a truck of some sort or getting it shipped by some method. Also I want to store the engine in my shed till I am ready to drop it in. Any considerations there? What would be the best method to move it from truck to shed? Would one of those handcarts used to move washing machines work, the one with retaining straps?

Thanks

 

If you're doing an engine swap, buy a cherry picker. THey run a couple hundred bucks from autozone. I'm not sure how much it will cost you to rent a truck, but to ship the block/crank only out of my old talon (2.0 4cyl) it was going to run about 100 bucks for about a 900 mile journey.

To move your engine from your truck/trailer to the shed, use your cherry picker. Main thing you got to watch out for is denting the oil pan when you set the engine down. If you flatten your oil pan, it's a bad thing. Use some old tires or something to cushion the engine when you have it on the ground so it doesn't put all the weight on just a couple points.

I didn't know you could put the 3.4 in the 2nd gen. That's cool.

 

The cheapest thing to do is rent a Penske or Rider truck and get it yourself..

Otherwise, you will need to use a freight company. Not sure how you would find one though.

 

Go get it yourself for a few reasons -

Common carrier sucks. You'll be lucky if it's in one piece when you get it even if they do a good job of crating it, which they'll have to do before any trucking company will take it.

It'll probably be cheaper to pickup yourself, and it will fit in a van so you don't need something large.

You get to see it before you buy it. That way you know what you're getting...

 

I agree with Sharp, get a truck like U-Haul or the ones he mentioned and go get it...especially for the last reason he stated, you get to see what you are getting, if its in crappy shape you can b*tch at the owner.

Fink

 

That is a very good reason. If you bring it up yourself, you can be assured that it hasn't been dropped in shipment, etc.

 

I just got ripped by UPS for $112.49 to ship a stock Front Bumper from Albuquerque to Denver. Wouldn't want to think what they would charge for an engine.

Find a friend with a truck that would be willing to help and get it yourself.

 

you could line up a bunch of fellow yotatecher's then we could just run like 25 miles to the next town and pass it off!! it could work,

but if i were you i would get a buddy, get a van/truck, and get it yourself, not only for the reasons above, but also...ROADTRIP!!!

later and good luck

wade

 

Seattle to Portland, that's just a short drive. Rent a truck and pick it up yourself. If you have access to a welder make up a frame to mount the engine to.

 

Years ago I hauled a big block Chevy engine and trans from a friends Corvette about 50 miles in the back of my Datsun 621 pickup. With 3 of us in the cab.

Had anyone rear ended us I'd have had the first Datsun pickup ever with a bigblock under the hood...

 

Best way to ship an engine is bolted to a transmission.

Sorry for being a smart ass, I couldn't help it.

 

I rented a pickup from enterprise to get my engine. It was MUCH cheaper than paying Uhaul or pensky's 39 cents per mile. Got the truck for 24hours for $30 unlimited mileage. Make sure bring straps and a spare tire to set it in if they dont crate it for you.

Get a picker...the 3.4 is SUPER HEAVEY. Took 4 guys to pick the damn thing up and we were all hurting big time. Moved 4 feet...set down. MOve 4 more...set down.

 

http://www.pirate4x4.com/forum/showt...t=engine+hoist

look at the max tools link
at that price I might have to ask Santa for one...

only question is air or pump, hmmmmm

 

It also has no handles and sharp edges so that just adds to the pain bring gloves.

If you rent a pickup don't dent the bed or rails, they will charge your Credit Card, they sell those things after they finish their rental life and they at least have to look new