aikmanmosquito

Thanks for the interest. Well, the guy who restored it has agreed to refund me around a third what I paid him, as well as return items I'd supplied and he for some unfathomable reason had decided not to fit!! I'm happy enough to take my time and rectify these areas and will do so over this winter ready to hopefully enjoy the Jeep next year. It's taught me a valuable lesson, not to trust anyone working on my cars again.

Initially when I complained, his response was honestly one of, what are you complaining about! My Jeeps tub has a few dents, battle scars etc, we at the beginning spent a week arguing back and forth as he was adamant he was binning my tub and putting on a repro new one, I have since deduced he prefers to do this as it's an easy restoration for him, and the finished Jeep looks good. I actually threatened to take my Jeep back, (now wish I had) so he relented and repaired it, although badly! His response to my complaint was, the jeep is covered in dents, what's your problem, however he threw a few tins of paint at me as I was quite prepared to rectify the smaller issues myself, then more and more serious issues appeared and now it's got beyond this.

I initially complained to him within the first few weeks, however then I just thought it was paint runs and a few bad welds, since then I have thoroughly checked the Jeep over. I work for myself and as many will know family life gets in the way. But whether I live in Cornwall, or Timbuctoo, or whether I complained within the first five minutes or 20 weeks later! the actual issue here is that I paid a so called well known Jeep expert to restore my Jeep, and he took the P well and truly and laughed all the way to the bank. It may have to go to a lawyer, but I will name this person when the time is rights, as no one else deserves to have their Jeep thrown together the way he's done to mine, as someone on here rightfully said, it's all fixable, but I am not prepared to spend any more money rectifying someone's shoddy workmanship.

Not 100% sure on this, but I supplied hat channels from Joes Motor Pool with the wood inserts, have just discovered there are no wood inserts within any of the hat channels, and I suspect rather than fitting these, the restorer put in a cheaper front floor with channels already in situ, which he claims is a Joes Motor Pool one, in the process of having panel identify confirmed by said company

I've been advised not to name at this time, as I may be getting a lawyer involved, but when the time comes I do plan on letting everyone who owns a Jeep see the standard of this apparent specialists work. He's also not fitted good quality panels I've supplied, but pocketed them and fitted cheaper alternatives, which he's then charged me for!!!

I paid £21000, and that wasn't even for a finished Jeep! (my choice) but over and above that I supplied all the canvas, seats, and rear panel brackets etc. So I do feel he had a good laugh. I mean he charged me £2000 for a bare M38 engine block, that he then covered in grinding marks!

Where I live is irrelevant? The Fact is I was so far away as there was absolutely no one closer who restored Jeeps, I'd contacted local garages but was told they'd had no experience with Jeeps and weren't interested! I'd rather have gone locally as it would have saved me the small fortune to have the Jeep transported there and back!!!

My problem was distance, without giving away who restored it, I am around 440 miles from their premises, they had come highly recommended, but haven't lived up to expectations. I was sent a few pictures even though I asked for detailed updates, pictures weren't great. I had complained not long after receiving it home as there are paint runs all over the Jeep, and new welds just left and very poor, however since then more serious issues have arisen like a supposed engine rebuild which i was charged close to £4000 for hasn't happened, and panels I'd supplied to be fitted, haven't been fitted and cheaper alternatives thrown on. I'm on here to ask for people's opinions incase some people might think I'm making a mountain out of a mole hill as some people don't bother about detail on a Jeep. I think the issue is my original tub has a few battle scars, restorer was adamant he wanted to fit a repro tub, but I stuck to my guns and he badly restored my tub, clearly with the view that since I'm happy with the original battle scars I won't care if the rest of the Jeep looks like crap. It can all be put right, but after spending what I have I feel I shouldn't spend any more money to put right someone's shoddy work.

That it's a poor restoration that cost it's owner a fair amount

Following on with my previous post titled 'Advice needed', I'd thought I'd post some photos to see what others feel about my restoration, it wasn't cheap.

Can I ask, as I'm new to the Jeep hobby, is it acceptable to have paint runs all over a recently painted Jeep? just getting the vibe that maybe Jeeps not looking too good is acceptable, and is it acceptable to have this standard of welding after spending £21000 having a Jeep restored?

And where is he?

Well I thought this guy was good, certainly others led me to believe he was, he's well known and I'd purchased parts from him from the day I bought the Jeep. I have no idea where I went wrong, but the finished Jeep isn't what I'd expected!

It's not even done a mile since it was returned to me and already i've had issues with the starter, it appears that the restorer has left off one or two crucial grounding straps, and those that are present are clearly second hand and past it. I'm not sure if I am allowed to mention who it was on here? But to give you an idea. I sent down parts I'd collected for the restoration, I strongly believe that some of them were swapped for inferior parts, new panels have been poorly welded together with no attempt to grind down welds, there are paint runs all over the jeep, handbrake isn't working, oil leaks everywhere, now I know Jeeps leak, but it's apparently had a full engine rebuild, I was charged £2000 for a poor second hand block when new ones can be purchased for that price. Paint overspray everywhere, bolts loose, no clamps or seals on carb air horn, grill welt coming off, in fact some of it fell off, areas of chassis with primer showing, bad metal not cut out, just welded over, rear seat mounts have been cut by grinder when restorer was cutting out rear floor and not been rectified, plus also discovered that although I supplied good quality hat channels with wood inserts, the restorer has left the wood inserts out. There just so many problems, and after having spent just over £21000 I had expected a slightly more professional finish than this.

I didn't give him anything in writing, but we did discuss what I wanted done. The finished Jeep is not what I had expected from this company as they seemed to have a good reputation. The issues with the body work and paint I was happy to rectify myself and to this end the restorer gave me paint free of charge to do so, but in this past week the Jeep has developed mechanical issues in items that were apparently reconditioned, and I do not feel that I should have to pay more money to repair items that I have already paid for. It was not a cheap restoration, and the finished Jeep is a disgrace. I am very close to selling it as I am so disheartened.