aikmanmosquito Posted August 30, 2022 Share Posted August 30, 2022 Is there anyone on here who is located in the central Scotland area and is very knowledgeable about Willys MBs? I had my Jeep restored by a company in England who at this moment shall remain nameless, I've had it home around 20 weeks, to cut a long story short I asked the company to essentially restore the chassis, tub and mechanicals, make a rusted wreck into a running jeep, and I'd finish it off seats and all brackets etc. It's been home since early April, and I'm finding so many thing wrong with it, due to what I'd term shoddy workmanship. I'd like someone to look it over to give me an expert opinion of how bad the restoration is. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rootes75 Posted August 30, 2022 Share Posted August 30, 2022 Doesn't sound good to me, there are a lot of would be restorers out there working as businesses. But at the end of the day if you are paying a premium for a service you should get that premium work. Hope you get something sorted. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aikmanmosquito Posted August 30, 2022 Author Share Posted August 30, 2022 Thanks for the reply, the company involved are a well known Jeep Specialist in the UK, He came well recommended, but I've no idea where I went wrong, maybe he didn't like me or something, but the quality or workmanship leaves a lot to be desired, and it wasn't cheap! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wally dugan Posted August 30, 2022 Share Posted August 30, 2022 When you contacted this [ restorer ] did you give a written instruction of the work you required or did he give you one. if the work as you say is not up to the standard you expected have you contacted the restorer to express your disappointment. As a last resort you could employ a independent engineer to inspect the problems you have found. Sadly these people do pop up from time to time and often give the impression of having the skills to do the work to a high standard. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aikmanmosquito Posted August 31, 2022 Author Share Posted August 31, 2022 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. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wally dugan Posted August 31, 2022 Share Posted August 31, 2022 (edited) I am sorry to hear this it not up to you to rectify any of the problems you have paid for a service and in your opinion have not received it any reputable company should do the upmost to rectify valid complaints. Over the years l have been asked to inspect military vehicles for a number of reasons for the police insurance companies as well as solicitors acting for disgruntled clients with such problems as you have indicated . In a number case's both parties have come to a amicable arrangement with out the need to go to court go back to the restorer and make it clear you are not HAPPY with jeep and what you would like done to rectify this unhappy state of affairs Edited August 31, 2022 by wally dugan Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AmmoMan Posted September 1, 2022 Share Posted September 1, 2022 Very tricky one, probably worth taking photos and sticking them on here that way you will get advice from people all over the UK. Jeeps are probably the most restored military vehicle so there is a wealth of knowledge available, also what mechanical issues developed ? you have to remember they are up to 82 years old and even a reconditioned part may fail but if the overall restoration was shoddy then it's not a good sign. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aikmanmosquito Posted September 2, 2022 Author Share Posted September 2, 2022 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. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wally dugan Posted September 2, 2022 Share Posted September 2, 2022 (edited) well after investing that amount of money l do not think l would be hanging around if it is as bad as that l would be doing more than asking for advice . l known there are cowboys out there and l have met some of them l would not trust to work on a wheel barrow the one used on building sites. And like others l could list them Edited September 2, 2022 by wally dugan delete a word Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aikmanmosquito Posted September 2, 2022 Author Share Posted September 2, 2022 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! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
steviem Posted September 2, 2022 Share Posted September 2, 2022 Jerry jeep is your man. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aikmanmosquito Posted September 2, 2022 Author Share Posted September 2, 2022 And where is he? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oats and barley Posted September 2, 2022 Share Posted September 2, 2022 Come on somebody say it I will be able to steer clear Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
steviem Posted September 2, 2022 Share Posted September 2, 2022 38 minutes ago, aikmanmosquito said: And where is he? He is a member on here, just do a search, based in Manchester. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aikmanmosquito Posted September 4, 2022 Author Share Posted September 4, 2022 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? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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