Shipping A Differential

[PeaveyBassist]

For those of you who have shipped a differential before, how did you do it? How did you package it? My original plan was to make a wooden crate (frame) out of 2x4's to make sure it would hold the diff. The buyer would LIKE to have the diff sooner so I am wondering if a cardboard box with lots of newspaper would work. Of course the inside would have several layers of cardboard on each side. The diff weighs about 65-70 pounds or so and I really dont want to take any chances of it being thrown around all sloppy like. Any suggestions on packaging?

Will

[Alecs MacDonald]

Buy a nice rubbermaid container and stuff it with cardboard and paper, then use LOTS of tape.

[PeaveyBassist]

Good idea. Can I take it to UPS and ship the container without covering the outside of it?

Will

[Alecs MacDonald]

Sure, our UPS station will ship anything.

[PeaveyBassist]

Sweet. I will probably do that then. If I can get it out this weekend or early next week he should be a happy camper. Thanks.

Will

[SchnellerVert]

Drill it full of holes to zip tie the top on with multiple pieces.

[PeaveyBassist]

Good idea good idea. Good stuff :)

Will

[Rigmaster]

I've shipped a bunch of diffs- this is how I do it (YMMV).

Make sure the diff is completely drained- if it leaks, the shipping company will pull it out of the other shipments, and hold it somewhere for you to come and get- they don't want nasty diff oil all over their other customer's shipments. I usually wrap the diff in a plastic trash bag as the first layer- this makes it a little cleaner to handle while packing it as well.

Then pack it in cardboard box that fits snugly without any cushioning- for E30 diffs, I usually split one of the rear corners and let the rear diff mount stick out of this box. Tape the hell out of it and try to wrap it as completely as possible. Next find a box that is big enough to hold the diff, with some room to spare. I put lots of crumpled newspaper in the bottom of the box first to cushion the diff- then sit the wrapped diff in this box and stuff lots of crumpled newspaper all around it. Try to make the outer box nice and firm, but not bursting at the seams. The one thing you don't want is too little packing- because the diff will shift and bust the outer box open for sure. You can use additional pieces of cardboard around the diff inside the box to provide more cushioning. Tape the hell out of the outer box, when I'm done with it- it looks like the whole box is covered in tape- use quality clear or brown plastic packing tape, NOT masking tape or duct tape.

Try to use an outer box that's strong enough- most boxes have a small printed label on the bottom that shows the maximum capacity- try to get one that's 75-85 lbs at least.

A well-packed E30 6 cyl diff will weigh ~75 lbs. Fedex ground is good + cheap, but they have a 70 lb weight limit for their "home delivery"- try to get the buyer to provide you with a business address to ship to. UPS is probably $10-15 more than Fedex ground.


Bret.

[rs4pro3]

I've shipped many diffs and had some sent to me. I ussualy run down to uhual and buy 2 small boxes(larger enought that the diff fits in, cut a sheet of plywood to fit down inside one box, drop some strofoam in, slid the diff in and then pack all around the diff then slid that box into another box of the same size. I just got a 3.25 in the mail this week and he put the diff in a milk crate, then found a box that would fit the milk crate and packed all around with stryofoam and newspaper. Also don't use styrofoam peanuts!!
And ditto about making sure the diff is dry, if shipped airmail and it leaks you can be in a lot of trouble(almost happened to me)

[uflnuceng]

Make sure the diff is completely drained- if it leaks, the shipping company will pull it out of the other shipments, and hold it somewhere for you to come and get- they don't want nasty diff oil all over their other customer's shipments.

Pay specific note of that... I bought one off ebay, the guy didn't drain the oil and instead of coming to Pittsburgh, PA from NC or somewhere like that, it took a vacation to Utah for about 3 weeks. Fucking sucked.

[rwh11385]

50 layers of bubble wrap, especially protecting the "ear". Then put in a dual layer box.....or use two boxes.

[SchnellerVert]

Here's the easiest way... Trash bag it twice drained then FIP a rubber maid container bottom place unit in after bottom is solid then FIP the rest all around the unit.

It won't move at all and the FIP will cushin it. Cut the excess off with a common household cross cut saw. Place Top on and ship. After receiving it cut the FIP away with knife or drywall saw. Couldn't be any easier.

I have shipped three this way and man are customers impressed.

Edit: FIP = Foam In Place comes in a can at Home Depot or Lowes...

[Rigmaster]

Here's the easiest way... Trash bag it twice drained then FIP a rubber maid container bottom place unit in after bottom is solid then FIP the rest all around the unit.

It won't move at all and the FIP will cushin it. Cut the excess off with a common household cross cut saw. Place Top on and ship. After receiving it cut the FIP away with knife or drywall saw. Couldn't be any easier.

I have shipped three this way and man are customers impressed.

Edit: FIP = Foam In Place comes in a can at Home Depot or Lowes...

OHHHH, I like the FIP thing- that foam stuff RULES!!!

Companies that ship alot of stuff buy this foam stuff in 2- 55 gallon drums, with a special nozzle that sprays it in and mixes it at the same time- that shit is cool!! But the small cans from Home Depot or wherever will work too- I think they're like $4 per can, but it's worth it if it protects your $$$ parts.


Bret.

[SchnellerVert]

haha I have acess to that... Work rules at times and a fab shop.