You say when, buddy! That's a standing invite. I'd love to meet you and see your Jeep! We could put you up for a couple nights, too. Whatever you need!
Australia to the US, with my Rubicon...
- Thread starter RodP
- Start date
Builder II
Good to hear you hadn't given up on your trip! [emoji106]
There's no way that was ever going to happen. Those previous delays are way behind me now, so I'll move forward and focus on the upcoming adventure....Good to hear you hadn't given up on your trip!
Stay tuned, she's going to be a ripper!!
Member III
I know it will not change anything but I had a similar story.when we moved from Germany to the US in 2007. I had a Harley and literally 2 weeks before the move the moving company informed me that they can't put the bike into the container, because it has to be DOT compliant before it enters the country. The reasoning was because I moved there "permanently" (with a 5-year visa) vs. a temporary import for vacation purposes that are under one year.
Since I was in the US when I got the information, I immediately drove to a dealership and, by coincidence, I met a person from the Motor Company there. She sent me paperwork on H-D letterhead, but even that didn't help :-( ... We are talking about small "e" stamps on lights and the exhaust that are on "European" bikes (made in York, PA).
Luckily Harleys are seen as a premium product in Europe and I could sell it on short notice for a good price. I bought then a 12 year younger version of my bike for the difference of 1500 EUR the next spring that I still ride (and do not intend to sell).
If we ever go back to Europe i know that I can take the bike with me as-is (because I've owned it over a certain period of time), and then can make it compliant over there.
Since I was in the US when I got the information, I immediately drove to a dealership and, by coincidence, I met a person from the Motor Company there. She sent me paperwork on H-D letterhead, but even that didn't help :-( ... We are talking about small "e" stamps on lights and the exhaust that are on "European" bikes (made in York, PA).
Luckily Harleys are seen as a premium product in Europe and I could sell it on short notice for a good price. I bought then a 12 year younger version of my bike for the difference of 1500 EUR the next spring that I still ride (and do not intend to sell).
If we ever go back to Europe i know that I can take the bike with me as-is (because I've owned it over a certain period of time), and then can make it compliant over there.
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Builder II
I can totally understand your frustration...
Even though my Jeep was built in the Toledo plant, I cannot import it into the US on a permanent basis as it doesn't conform to standards required by the relevant authorities. I do believe one of the differences may involve the emissions equipment fitted, I see that you guys running JK's have a white box fitted to the evap container, I don't. Postals are legit in the US so that isn't an issue. There would be other differences that I'm not aware of.....
Update time...
Apologies for the slow update, the last couple of days have been busy...
OK, landed safely in LA on Friday morning where I caught a cab to the storage facility in Compton to get my Jeep. After dealing with the good folk there and picking up Rubi and the TT, my first stop was a workshop 40 odd minutes further south that member Narbob found for me. This business allows the public to use their tools to work on their own vehicles. My intention was to fit a axle and brake conversion kit to my Jeep, but due to an issue with an axle failing to be removed, I’ve decided on waiting until I meet up with a buddy from the JKO Jeep forum, who has offered to assist me. I was itching to get my new 8 lug wheels fitted, but that will have to wait..
A big ‘Thankyou’ to Bob for finding this place for me, even though I didn’t get everything done, A few items were ticked off the list..
I’ve headed north where my first overnight camp in the trailer has seen me stop at the KOA near Pismo Beach. This stop has given me the chance to sort out the contents of both Jeep and trailer, as they were previously packed to be shipped out of country.
As I type this, the plan is to head north up Highway 1 for the scenic value, then onto Sacramento. Once I get up there, I’ll look at which way to go to get to Denver....
Apologies for the slow update, the last couple of days have been busy...
OK, landed safely in LA on Friday morning where I caught a cab to the storage facility in Compton to get my Jeep. After dealing with the good folk there and picking up Rubi and the TT, my first stop was a workshop 40 odd minutes further south that member Narbob found for me. This business allows the public to use their tools to work on their own vehicles. My intention was to fit a axle and brake conversion kit to my Jeep, but due to an issue with an axle failing to be removed, I’ve decided on waiting until I meet up with a buddy from the JKO Jeep forum, who has offered to assist me. I was itching to get my new 8 lug wheels fitted, but that will have to wait..
A big ‘Thankyou’ to Bob for finding this place for me, even though I didn’t get everything done, A few items were ticked off the list..
I’ve headed north where my first overnight camp in the trailer has seen me stop at the KOA near Pismo Beach. This stop has given me the chance to sort out the contents of both Jeep and trailer, as they were previously packed to be shipped out of country.
As I type this, the plan is to head north up Highway 1 for the scenic value, then onto Sacramento. Once I get up there, I’ll look at which way to go to get to Denver....
Attachments
Pathfinder III
- 5,200
- First Name
- Kent
- Last Name
- Reynolds
- Member #
-
1632
- Ham/GMRS Callsign
- K6KNT
- Service Branch
- Retired Firefighter
Sacramento!!! you better get in touch with us when you get here.
Pathfinder II
Member III
Glad you're finally on the road. Hope to see you as you pass Reno on interstate 80 going east...assuming you are heading through Utah to get to Colorado. [emoji3] Enjoy your travels and and fun. Looking forward to more updates. Definately reach out to @Kent R or me if you need anything on your way through. [emoji41]
I’ll give you call this afternoonSacramento!!! you better get in touch with us when you get here.
Influencer II
Builder II
That's great Rod finally on the road...I bet you will get a few weird looks with the RHD JK...but a great conversation starter...hahaha!
Look forward to the updates!
Congratulations! Nice looking Jeep, too! You've got a standing invitation here in Central Indiana!
Influencer II
Update time. The last several days have been hectic to say the least but first off, I did get to meet with Kent R in Sacramento and have an enjoyable breakfast and good conversation. Thank you Kent for taking time out to meet with me, it was greatly appreciated!!
After meeting with Kent, my journey saw me head east along the I 80 where my first overnight stop on this route was Wells in Nevada. Nothing flash, just a parking lot to camp. My intention was to get some sleep, then hit the road and put some miles behind me as I had an arranged meeting with a buddy in Denver Colorado, to get my new axles and wheels fitted, so I couldn’t dilly, dally.
I was warned about the ‘80’ and the prospect of snow, so I wasn’t surprised when I hit the summit of Donner Pass, to see rain slow down to become flakes, this only happen for 30 seconds or so. As someone that is foreign to snow, the beauty of it all, wasn’t missed on me. Even though the snow covering the mountains wasn’t fresh, I was still taken aback by its beauty.
I did grab a few pics, then headed down onto the rolling plains of Wyoming.
Next overnight camp was at the KOA just outside of the township of Cheyenne. This was a good opportunity to do some clothes washing and find a manual car wash as both Rubi and the Jayco looked pretty cruddy from the drive.
Thursday afternoon saw me arrive in Denver Colorado at my friends place, where I dropped the Jayco in preparation for a Friday morning start on the the jeeps upgrade.
By good fortune, my buddy Don has a friend that was happy for us to use his workshop to wrench on the Jeep. This was a Godsend as the install took two days to complete, with several curved balls along the way. That stuck axle took some beating to remove, whilst the rear axle cover was off, a diff shim was spotted walking out and my two front axles had some nasty wear on the seal mating surface.
The Gods must’ve been smiling on me as the dude that owns the workshop, had two front Rubi axles in his scrap heap, apparently pulled from a new rig that upgraded! How good is that?
Yesterday saw me finishing off a lot of items that I didn’t get around to, before Rubi starting this epic trip. Back in Australia, once she was resprayed, the main focus was to get her assembled then off to the shipping agent, so several items still needed attention.
At the moment, it’s 04:30 and I’m taking stock of the events of the last week, along with the fact that early tomorrow morning, I’ll be heading to Moab with Don and a few of his buddies for what will be the start of a truely epic week...
After meeting with Kent, my journey saw me head east along the I 80 where my first overnight stop on this route was Wells in Nevada. Nothing flash, just a parking lot to camp. My intention was to get some sleep, then hit the road and put some miles behind me as I had an arranged meeting with a buddy in Denver Colorado, to get my new axles and wheels fitted, so I couldn’t dilly, dally.
I was warned about the ‘80’ and the prospect of snow, so I wasn’t surprised when I hit the summit of Donner Pass, to see rain slow down to become flakes, this only happen for 30 seconds or so. As someone that is foreign to snow, the beauty of it all, wasn’t missed on me. Even though the snow covering the mountains wasn’t fresh, I was still taken aback by its beauty.
I did grab a few pics, then headed down onto the rolling plains of Wyoming.
Next overnight camp was at the KOA just outside of the township of Cheyenne. This was a good opportunity to do some clothes washing and find a manual car wash as both Rubi and the Jayco looked pretty cruddy from the drive.
Thursday afternoon saw me arrive in Denver Colorado at my friends place, where I dropped the Jayco in preparation for a Friday morning start on the the jeeps upgrade.
By good fortune, my buddy Don has a friend that was happy for us to use his workshop to wrench on the Jeep. This was a Godsend as the install took two days to complete, with several curved balls along the way. That stuck axle took some beating to remove, whilst the rear axle cover was off, a diff shim was spotted walking out and my two front axles had some nasty wear on the seal mating surface.
The Gods must’ve been smiling on me as the dude that owns the workshop, had two front Rubi axles in his scrap heap, apparently pulled from a new rig that upgraded! How good is that?
Yesterday saw me finishing off a lot of items that I didn’t get around to, before Rubi starting this epic trip. Back in Australia, once she was resprayed, the main focus was to get her assembled then off to the shipping agent, so several items still needed attention.
At the moment, it’s 04:30 and I’m taking stock of the events of the last week, along with the fact that early tomorrow morning, I’ll be heading to Moab with Don and a few of his buddies for what will be the start of a truely epic week...
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Builder II
Influencer II
