V-DAWG
someday
- Location
- Taylorsville
This may get a little wordy, I will try to keep it short...
Last winter I decided to plan an automatic tranny conversion in my already V-8 converted FJ-40. I have a friend with a TH350/ NP205, and he is pleased with it, so I figured I would follow suit. I took my time saving up cash and finding parts, and in mid January this year I was about ready. I planned on having the tranny and t-case in, so all that needed done was to build a cross member and re-lenghten the drivelines.
Well, I pulled the old tranny and t-case, and got busy. I planned on twin-sticking the t-case myself, but later determined it may not be the best idea since I had not done it, and did not closely know anyone who had done the work themselves. I decided now I will just have someone else twin-stick it and fab up the crossmember.
I put the tranny and t-case in, then just held it up by a ratchet strap, planning to tow it to a shop or garage. I soon learned from a friend who is knowledgable in muscle cars, that I improperly set up the torque converter/ tranny. I bolted on the torque converter, then the tranny, and should have done it in reverse order.
So now I decide I want the unlucky soul who works on my cruiser to pull the tranny and redo the installation, as well as twin-stick the t-case, build the crossmember, and re-lengthen the drivelines. I had planned on having done more of the work myself, but without room and knowledge, I gave up and figured I would pay someone to do what was originally planned, and fix my errors.
Here is the meat of the story, the previous was just the introduction....
So a friend recommends his friend to do the work. I think, great, he can get me in quicker than a shop, and I have heard he is a very knowledgable fabricator/ mechanic. I take the vehicle to his place mid February, and he states the work will take him about 3 weeks. I say, don't rush, because he has other vehicles to work on which want to make it to the Jeep Safari, and I wasn't going, so I didn't care. I also wanted to have another month or so to be sure I had the cash to pay him.
Well, fast forward from February until now. I STILL DO NOT HAVE MY VEHICLE BACK! This is the 8th month. I try to subtley (sp?) tell him I want it done, but I don't want to be an a$$. He has some legitimate reasons it has taken some extra time, but I just don't think 8 months is appropriate. I want it back finished.
I was promised it would be done before October 1, then it would be done last week, now he won't commit to when it will be finished. What should I do or say?
I believe this individual has a user name on this BB, so some of you know him. I am not trying to speak ill of anyone, I just think 8 months is a little too long. I missed the entire summer, and now my wife wants me to sell the thing, so I may never get to drive it with the top off again
.
Suggestions? Comments?
Last winter I decided to plan an automatic tranny conversion in my already V-8 converted FJ-40. I have a friend with a TH350/ NP205, and he is pleased with it, so I figured I would follow suit. I took my time saving up cash and finding parts, and in mid January this year I was about ready. I planned on having the tranny and t-case in, so all that needed done was to build a cross member and re-lenghten the drivelines.
Well, I pulled the old tranny and t-case, and got busy. I planned on twin-sticking the t-case myself, but later determined it may not be the best idea since I had not done it, and did not closely know anyone who had done the work themselves. I decided now I will just have someone else twin-stick it and fab up the crossmember.
I put the tranny and t-case in, then just held it up by a ratchet strap, planning to tow it to a shop or garage. I soon learned from a friend who is knowledgable in muscle cars, that I improperly set up the torque converter/ tranny. I bolted on the torque converter, then the tranny, and should have done it in reverse order.
So now I decide I want the unlucky soul who works on my cruiser to pull the tranny and redo the installation, as well as twin-stick the t-case, build the crossmember, and re-lengthen the drivelines. I had planned on having done more of the work myself, but without room and knowledge, I gave up and figured I would pay someone to do what was originally planned, and fix my errors.
Here is the meat of the story, the previous was just the introduction....
So a friend recommends his friend to do the work. I think, great, he can get me in quicker than a shop, and I have heard he is a very knowledgable fabricator/ mechanic. I take the vehicle to his place mid February, and he states the work will take him about 3 weeks. I say, don't rush, because he has other vehicles to work on which want to make it to the Jeep Safari, and I wasn't going, so I didn't care. I also wanted to have another month or so to be sure I had the cash to pay him.
Well, fast forward from February until now. I STILL DO NOT HAVE MY VEHICLE BACK! This is the 8th month. I try to subtley (sp?) tell him I want it done, but I don't want to be an a$$. He has some legitimate reasons it has taken some extra time, but I just don't think 8 months is appropriate. I want it back finished.
I was promised it would be done before October 1, then it would be done last week, now he won't commit to when it will be finished. What should I do or say?
I believe this individual has a user name on this BB, so some of you know him. I am not trying to speak ill of anyone, I just think 8 months is a little too long. I missed the entire summer, and now my wife wants me to sell the thing, so I may never get to drive it with the top off again
.Suggestions? Comments?
