Price check on isle 5 (this one is gonna hurt)...

[89GWagonLTD]

Well it seems I got rooked in the purchase of the Jeep and the damage was mostly internal. My mechanic told me "you basically bought a body (in excellecnt shape) and a new suspension, lift, tires and rims, but the tranny and engine are close to being beyond repair" I then showed him the VIN test and it stated the previous owner had it somged in january of this year. He told me there is no way this truck could pass smog then or most likely a year ago, it had not been taken care of the without the necessary changes to the alignment, tranny, etc. after the lift was done with the size of tires he basically drove it into the ground, all the while towing a large boat with it.

Now when I bought this I was prepared and also had intentions of doing whatever necessary to get this rig into "almost new" shape. I told the mechanic to "treat it like it was yours and what would do" now before you jump on me about that statement I do understand it was loaded, but this was what I was looking for. Them mechanic called back with everything he wanted to do and gave me a quote of the final price and stated the price will not go up but could most likely go down. The list is:

A new motor (not rebuilt but new w/ a unlimited mileage warranty)
edelbrock manifold (new)
edelbrock 4bbl carb (new)
something with the air filter (new)
new tranny (actually he said the casing will be original but everything inside will be new and he will honor a 2 year 24,000 mile warranty)
all new belts and hoses as well as electrical things.
a complete air conditioning setup (new)
he listed a few other thing but i couldn't remember
new TFI upgrade
and all labor is included.

for $6,800
when I heard this I think my heart stopped for at least 5 minutes (or maybe it was just chest pains). He told be it will drive out a "new" car that will last a long time.

I've read that there are some others here that have spent much more, is this worth it or should I just do whats necessary to scrape by to get it smoged? I have the $$ and was planing on spending on it to eventually restore it (just not this fast).

Oh the price includes getting it smoged, replacement of the exhaust, just basically everything. Keep in mind this will be my main rig when it comes out (i'm getting rid of the mustang).

[JeepFreak]

Well you can do the math to see if it's worth it. Rebuilt tranny will run you around $500 not counting the labor. Motor is around 1,000 give or take a few hundred plus the labor. Then you have the aftermarket goodies that add up fast. The price doesn't sound way off to me because of the labor charges. If it was me I would get everything done at once if you can affoard it. Now I would never pay someone else to do the things your having done but I like to do those things. If you trust the guy then go for it. Then you will need to take some before and after pic's for all to see.

[ChrisCollege]

I agree with JeepFreak. I purchased our 88Gw 6 months ago knowing that I would have to sink some money into before it could be a dail driver and am almost $2,000 just in parts so far without a "new" motor or tran.

Chris

[Snakeyes_Tx]

I wish I could say that... 6,800 is *cheap*

Remember, I spent 14,000 on my Dinosaur. All she needed was a paint-job and a spring-over and some bigger tires and some gears/lockers. I woulda been done. You're getting one heck of a deal.

Although the price seems a little much. Check this out.

Painless wiring 12 circuit kit - 300 bucks

A-guaranteed 12mo/12k mile long block 360, with 10:1 pistons, 3-angle heads, RV cam two steps over stock durations - 810 bucks

727 tranny rebuild with Kevlar clutches, bands, and titanium valve body - 900-1500 bucks

Exhaust is cheap cheap cheap if you know someone who can weld!

I got my A/C working in the 83 for 100 bucks, but if you want a *new* compressor, its 99 bucks at O'Reilly.

I'm sure all the nickel and dime items add up to what he quoted you, and the labor included sorta makes it worth it. If this is going to be your daily driver, then I think 6,800 for a "New" truck is pretty wicked! I'd say go for it! :D

BTW, did he say how long it would take to build it for you?

[Yaz]

my edelbrock manifold was: 243.88
irbobs TFI quote: 104.71
+ labor

[EZ]

were can I get that long block for 810.00?

[Snakeyes_Tx]

EZ,

I'd be glad to show you some time... btw... Tx4x4 is having a Katy Chapter meet tomorrow night at 9pm over at Taco Cabana off of I-10 and Mason road. I'll be there in my 83 Wag along with Stephen A. with his 79.

A-Guaranteed is off of West 18th street. You take I-10 to 610 (from the west of course so its the western part of the loop I'm referring to) then before you get to 290, there is West 18th. Exit there and go east on West 18th. It'll eventually split in a Y and you'll want to take the left split which is now west 20th. Continue down west 20th till you see A-guaranteed on the left side of the street. I believe it is an orange building.

[89GWagonLTD]

<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Snakeyes_Tx:
BTW, did he say how long it would take to build it for you?[/QB]<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>


Cool, I'm glad you specifically replied I read your page about your upgrades and I was drooling by the end, he said 10 working days from start to finish and that included a road trip that he'll perform. This guy's wife plays bunco (some card game, and it allows me to get out for beers with the guys) with my girlfriend every friday night. He claims I'm getting most of the parts for a "cost" and he's only charging me 25 hours labor. He sounds excited about doing this job and it doesn't sound like it's the $$ thats driving him, it's the work.
The truck is really beautiful from the outside and this would be the finishing touch, i'll try to get a hold of a digital camera and take pics, he also will let me come down on saturday and sunday and either watch or maybe help out.

[reddog]

<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by 89GWagonLTD:
A new motor (not rebuilt but new w/ a unlimited mileage warranty)
edelbrock manifold (new)
edelbrock 4bbl carb (new)
something with the air filter (new)
new tranny (actually he said the casing will be original but everything inside will be new and he will honor a 2 year 24,000 mile warranty)
all new belts and hoses as well as electrical things.
a complete air conditioning setup (new)
he listed a few other thing but i couldn't remember
new TFI upgrade
and all labor is included.

for $6,800
Oh the price includes getting it smoged, replacement of the exhaust, just basically everything. EDITED FOR LENGTH<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

My first question is how well do you know (and trust) that mechanic?? The price will not go up but "could most likely come down" - "unlimited mileage warranty on a motor"?? sounds fishy to me.

My second question would be how was the truck running and what are the specifics of your smog test results? If it drove well without making alot of noises then I would be suspicious that it needs all that work. Also it would NOT BE SMOG LEGAL in Ca as there was not 4 barrel offered from the factory that year. If all the parts have the CARB approvial you would still have to go the SMOG referee to TRY to get a waiver - not likely. Not that the mech could not get it smogged for you - just not legally.
I am not saying all is fine but for instance if the tranny needs "everything inside new" then I think it would be making noise. All the hard parts in the tranny (gears, bearings etc) are not usually replaced, only when needed. Also while it is possible that the PO (previous owner) took great care of the looks but not the mechanics I don't think it is that likely. While he may have not done all thing things needed to really get the lift right that would not affect the engine/tranny to the point of thrashing them. I would proceed with GREAT caution!!
JHMO

Kerry

[ July 19, 2001: Message edited by: reddog ]

[EZ]

Thanks I will check them out.
Guess you have been happy with there work?

I would love to come meet you guys but I got to go to the drag strip and make some passes fri, to get ready for Sat race..

[ July 19, 2001: Message edited by: EZ ]

[89GWagonLTD]

<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by reddog:


My second question would be how was the truck running and what are the specifics of your smog test results?
[ July 19, 2001: Message edited by: reddog ]<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>


I know the guy pretty well, and not being a mechanic I thought the noises were just normal of a 12 year old vehicle, he explained to me at the 15 MPH test i was 20+ hydrocarbons above the limit and it got greater from there as the speed went up. The engine has no oil pressure and the last mechanic (whom I wanted to rebuild the engine) said it was just the sending unit, i guess it proved not to be the case. Really the only thing i noticed was it just smelled "gassy" all the time. My girlfriend knows his wife better than I know him and she seems to have trust in it, we both like the truck and that makes me willing to go "a little extra" We are camping nearly every weekend and the Jeep is perfect for that use.

[JeepFreak]

Unlimited mileage warranty's aren't unheard of. The key to that is they are usually 12-24 month unlimited mileage. Most I have seen have been for the 12 month. They are just saying the warrany is for 12 months with no mileage restrictions.

[ July 19, 2001: Message edited by: JeepFreak ]

[Bandit]

Man, I hope to get by that cheap on my J-10. If he guarantees it to be like new, I'd say you couldn't buy a new one for that. If you trust the guy---go for it !

[ July 19, 2001: Message edited by: Bandit ]

[EZ]

If you have a place to work why not swap the motor and trans your self? you can rent a lift and can probably install the trans and motor as one unit as well as add your new intake and carb with the motor out.

Being very general on prices since I really don't know what jeep parts run.
you could do it your self and still have enough for a new set of tires or a winch

Long block 1500.00
trans 700.00
gaskets 100.00
new mounts motor and trans 100.00
new exhaust 500.00
new radiator 200.00
new water pump 100.00
new intake and carb 500.00
new fuel pump 100.00
belts and hoses 100.00
ac parts 500.00
u joints 100.00
new ignition system 500.00
all new smog equipment 500.00

[reddog]

It is a good price but depends ALOT on the quality of the job and materials. Is it a new motor from Chrysler? If not then be careful to make sure it has a NEW timing cover, not just a rebuilt oil pump. Find out who the rebuilder is (if its not from a dealer then I'd bet its a rebuilt with a used crank and quite possibly used connecting rods) and post it here and the board may be able to shead some light on the quality of it. Also note that a 4 barrel carb is not smog legal and if you plan on owning it for a while you will have to smog it again (every 2 years). Also note to my knowledge NOBODY replaces all the internal transmission parts (usually new seals and some new bearings). To replace all the internal hard parts gets very expensive and you usually end up getting another used tranny to salvage the hard parts from. JMHO Let us know how things progress.
Kerry

[Cecil14]

Even if you've known the guy since you were born, get a WRITTEN and SIGNED contract. There is always a chance someone will try to cheat you, trust me, been there done that.

Anthony

[67Gladiator]

2c worth:
Absolutely get it all in writing, and if you know a lawyer, or know someone who knows a lawyer, might want to spin it by them. Good luck.
PS Hey Snakeyes! How do the rest of find out about that rebuilt 360?

[ibnfe]

ALL the internal parts to my tranny for 100% new minus case ran me $571.00. I cheated that price a little by doing my own valve body mod instead of buying the new one, so that saved almost $100. Oh, and no converter either. Converter runs $70. A new chrysler crate motor I think runs $3700, atleast I think that's what they told me. Overall, I think the price he quoted you is pretty dang good considering the amount of labor involved. I personally won't let someone else work on my rig, but I enjoy the wrenchin' more than most. If you have alot of faith in this person's work ethic and ability, I would jump on it from the way it sounds. But I would also get it in writing. If he's a friend, he should be more than understanding of this. If he isn't, then it should be automatic.

[Bob Barry]

If you can drop off the keys, then ten days later come back, pay him the money and pick it up with all you listed done to it for the price he quoted you, then you've got a HECK of a deal!!! It might be possible for you to shave a thousand or two off by doing it yourself, IF you did nothing else for the next month or so.

Just be sure to get references for this guy; and don't pay everything up-front, etc...

[joe]

If everything stated by the wrench is really true the price is pretty good considering the $/hr labor involed from a commercial shop. Only thing that makes me suspect is the:
"A new motor (not rebuilt but new w/ a unlimited mileage warranty)"?
I'm not aware factory AMC blocks/motors are even still available but I'm unaware of a lot of things smile.gif
If it indeed is a "factory new" motor the cubic inch displacement of the motor will "not" be cast into the sides of the block by the motor mounts as with a motor that came in a vehicle. AMC factory replacement blocks/motors are bare with no numbers cast into them so you may want to actually see the block he's installing. I'm suspecting it's a rebuilt motor rather than a factory fresh new motor. A proper rebuilt one is fine and don't shy away from a good rebuilt one but if he uses "new not rebuilt" as a selling point it needs to be new and I would check into that to make sure you're getting what your paying for. Also ask to see the paperwork/invoice from Chrysler stating it's a factory fresh motor.

[Iron Horse]

Hey as long as you're paying, :D What about the MPI fuel injection from TPIGUY instead of the 4 barrel. Price: $1500.00 clams :( , but I'm sure you'd be REALLY happy with the performance. Just a thought. :D

[ July 20, 2001: Message edited by: Iron Horse ]

[ July 20, 2001: Message edited by: Iron Horse ]

[Lindel]

You can still get an AMC motor from Jeep, but they're REALLY proud of it, to the tune of $3000, plus a $600 core charge. I found this out just this week, I'm hunting down a long block for my 79, at the moment. One place to look is www.bluechipmotor.com, (http://www.bluechipmotor.com,) they list theirs at $810, in OKC.

[Gregorio]

Well now, let's see, Canyonero! As long as we are spending your money I bet we can come up with a bunch of neat stuff!!! :eek:

The price seems more than fair to me, if the work is good, that is. And the guy really does stand behind it. My suggestion in that regard is that if you decide to go with him, let him be your expert. All of us guys mean well and want you to have a super duper GW when you get done, but belive me, it can be really frustrating to have some guy saying, "Well, Gregorio said this and Lindel said that and boy do you know what Bob says about what you are doing now??" You seem to be doing your homework and that's smart.

If it turns out that your engine is going to be rebuilt, check the forum for a mod to the oiling system that you should consider. Consider this also: I had the motor in "Big Grin" line bored, decked and balanced. Not to make it a hot rod but to make it run more efficiently and longer. It is the smoothest running engine that I have ever had and run at 115 mph + for about a half hour with peddal to spare. It was worth the extra 175 bucks. Closer control over the rebuild can insure quality parts and quality machine shop.

Good luck!

[nograin]

Well, I would have lots of questions about the given premise for replacing the engine and trans.

What you told us is why the drive train probably got "run into the ground". So, what actually is wrong with these components ?

Further, If he is offering to let you help, I would take him up on that in a heart beat. Its the best way to become more knowledgable. That is usually a win-win, unless one person starts to get irritated with the other.

[reddog]

<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by ibnfe:
ALL the internal parts to my tranny for 100% new minus case ran me $571.00. I cheated that price a little by doing my own valve body mod instead of buying the new one, so that saved almost $100. Oh, and no converter either. Converter runs $70. EDITED<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

Just curious so I know if I am out of line on this. That $571 included shafts, gears, bearings and cluthes, bands, seals etc?? If so I certainly stand corrected. From my past experiance (chevy - long time ago) Gear sets and the like were never replaced unless they were hacked.

Kerry