is it worth the drive?

[lowrodderchev]

how far are you guys willing to drive for a part? ive been looking for a cowl hood and BAM I found one but its like 3-4 hours away and 3-4 hours in my beast + price of gas WOW. but I'm pretty much done on my interior so next is paint and I don't want to paint till I get my hood. is it really worth the drive? its a $300 hood plus who knows in gas ive been thinking of a ebay hood but ive heard mix reviews (p.s. hopefully this didn't come off as a whats it worth thread not trying to break any rules its more of is it worth the drive thread)

[68Timber]

I might be a bad influence, but I drove from Atlanta to maybe an hour north of Knoxville and back to get a pair of bucket seats. Could you get a new one shipped to you any cheaper? If not, go get it!

[lowrodderchev]

ive seen the ones on ebay go for around $390 shipped so about $90 more yes you m ay be a bad influence

[Maynard]

Don't forget your operating cost is more than just gas. That may be your only out-of-pocket cost on the day you drive, but you remember the Fram commercial...Pay me now, pay me later.

We get in a hurry and don't want to think about those other costs. We want it today!

Even a small car will run you about $0.50 per mile total operating cost. Only you can estimate the numbers for your rig. Now, if you can ride there on a motorcycle and carry it home on your back...

[68Timber]

Originally Posted by Maynard

Don't forget your operating cost is more than just gas. That may be your only out-of-pocket cost on the day you drive, but you remember the Fram commercial...Pay me now, pay me later.

We get in a hurry and don't want to think about those other costs. We want it today!

Even a small car will run you about $0.50 per mile total operating cost. Only you can estimate the numbers for your rig. Now, if you can ride there on a motorcycle and carry it home on your back...

All that is true. I don't mind paying a few bucks extra for stuff that shows up at my doorstep for the convenience. But I also like to drive, so I don't mind hitting the road to go get something hard to find.

[franken]

There were so many of these trucks made chances are you'll find the part locally. But, if you like to travel...

[lowrodderchev]

honestly there aint to many cowl hoods available for the 73-80 chevy trucks around here. I was excited when I found the post but the more I think about I wonder if its worth the trip I guess ill either keep looking or hit ebay for one

[swissarmychainsaw]

Make a mini-vacation out of it. Man, I have been driving for hours to look at cars and trucks and parts since I was a kid. Frankly I think that's part of the fun.

The older I get the harder it is to get people to go along, but that's ok too.
Bring some nice tunes, say to yourself: I'm going on a half-day vacation, and hit the road!

[71swb4x4]

What I that hood isn't as the seller describes it? That's a long trip for nothing. If you buy one from a vendor, and it shows up damaged, you will have more recourse then if you drive that far for a damaged part. Of course you will have to buy it from a reputable vendor.

[lowrodderchev]

you got a point there the hood has a pic of it on the add but not a very good one. as much as the idea of a long trip there sounds good just not sure I want 2 do it. oh well ebay it is. part of the reason of looking for a used one is I just cant get past paying over $500 for a hood plus possible damage in freight as much as I love my truck still a lot of money for a poor guy like me

[Maynard]

I should have mentioned I don't always practice what I preach. In January, I flew to Seattle to buy my 1984 K2500 Suburban. It would have been cheaper to have it shipped, but I got the chance to visit relatives.

Took me two days to drive home, and I wore out the cassette player when I was still half a day from home.

But I usually pay for someone else to do the driving, often a guy in a brown suit.

[lowrodderchev]

yeah ive had my times especially when its a rare part or hard to find some of the time I get lucky and my older brother who travels far and wide will pick up whatever it is I buy and I pay a few rounds for shipping but unfort he don't drive that way to much

[swissarmychainsaw]

Originally Posted by lowrodderchev

you got a point there the hood has a pic of it on the add but not a very good one. as much as the idea of a long trip there sounds good just not sure I want 2 do it. oh well ebay it is. part of the reason of looking for a used one is I just cant get past paying over $500 for a hood plus possible damage in freight as much as I love my truck still a lot of money for a poor guy like me

So yeah, if you're going a long way you need to be sure about what you are buying. If you tell them you're coming a long way, MOST folks will understand and be willing to take photos so you know whats up.
these days with phone cameras being what they are, it's not that hard.

[1adam12]

Go for it...Plus its from BAM your all good..IMO..its just gas.Lowrodder weren't you working on a 55-57 chevy pickup?...I think i saw you on the 47-59 forums!!I had one then ended up selling it and got a 73 2wd blazer!!

[lowrodderchev]

Sure am weather slowing me down can't primer or paint I jump back and fourth.told my wife a few years ago im ditching my 2005 Colorado buying a older k5 and making all nice pretty more room than my Colorado and alot manlier lol the Colorado was the first and last new car I'll ever own hate monthly payments can't soop up the motor and it wasn't a fun thing to drive

[lowrodderchev]

BAMs selling a hood? The one I'm looking at is in Sonoma Craigslist

[1adam12]

I thought i read it in the previous post...Sorry bro..is the hood u looking for a cowl hood ?

[Zane M]

Is this a 3-4 hour round trip, or is it 6-8 hours round trip?
3-4, not so bad.
6-8 probably not worth it, especially when it isn't a slam dunk that it is in the shape you want it to be in.

[lowrodderchev]

1adam12 yes its a cowl hood I'm hunting for local junkyards got plenty stocks �� I may just buy a used hood and try welding up my own. Your correct Zane m 6-8 hours round trip

[american revolution]

You end up getting? You need to pick up and store it til you figure out when you can get up here I can help out ....will it ship via greyhound?

[lowrodderchev]

no I didn't he still has it he said if I arrange for shipping he'll send it. not sure how the grey hound thing works. can he just put a hood and the bus and say good bye or does it have to be packaged and all that good stuff.

[Cherub]

my scale is sliding based on rarity and cost.

[lowrodderchev]

Originally Posted by Cherub

my scale is sliding based on rarity and cost.

please explain

[american revolution]

Think the last time I shipped greyhound it was a front grill guard for a ranger rover and I went down there filled out paperwork think it was not packaged just like that....told the recipient name and which greyhound station it was going to paid for shipping cost and it shipped out.

Tell the guy to wrap the corners and shrink wrap it

Check with your local greyhound the requirements....best way to ship big parts that will fit into the luggage compartment of the bus

[Cherub]

Originally Posted by lowrodderchev

please explain

the more rare a part is and the cheaper the part is = the further i will go to obtain said part.