crushers
post ho
- Thread starter
- #621
Functioning wipers, functioning heater/AC, PS box are issues that were unknown to me at time of delivery.
When I was reassembling the wiring harness I tested the wiper harness and the power flowed properly. When I installed the wiper it was working on one speed so it is natural to assume the fault was either the switch (which needed replacing due to intermittent signal to the washer motor) or the wiper motor itself.
Since the motor was 30 years old it made sense to replace it anyway which we did. Due to the rush at the end the switch was ignored until delivery of the truck and then the "ooops" reared its ugly head and you were saddled with the concern.
This is painful, frustrating and irritating to both of us.
The Vintage air system is not a quality unit, it is functional. Be VERY careful when "pulling it out" it is flimsy and can break plus there is little room for maneuvering it around so the AC lines could be damaged. Once again a frustrating ooops for both of us. Again, the time issue did not allow me to test the unit here.
The power steering box functioned well on the drive across Canada towing the military trailer so there was no inclination at that time of failure. We did not replace it due to this experience. In hind sight we should have. When dealing with used parts there is a chance of them failing. Unfortunately, it seems it has decided to fail.
In hindsight, I should have not rushed the last few steps of the assembly. You had waited this long and another couple of weeks would have made little difference. I wanted it down to you to enjoy the fall with. In the end it made no difference due to the weather settling in as I arrived.
I ask certain questions when a build starts for a reason. If the customer dictates "I want a vehicle I can go tag bear and cougar. I want a vehicle I can drive to the tip of Argentina and back" then that is the direction I head with the build.
If someone says I want a show truck then the build will take a completely different heading.
What this shows is how important customer / builder communication / relationship are to satisfaction of the completed unit to all involved.
I built you a DD / off road adventurer and I would love to be able to personally instruction and guide you further on the abilities of this unit.
You are looking the truck over with a critical eye, which is good since it helps me to see what flaws I missed.
The list you made me of the imperfections while I visited your beautiful city were minor in most articles.
The wipers shocked me and upset me.
When you pointed out the paint job quality and mentioned the show room aspect was the first time I heard of this expectation. To be honest, I don't think I could have finished it to the perfection that you expected and I probably would have turned the build away.
At this time, you are not enjoying the truck, right now it is a flawed show piece sitting eating at you. Once you have it in the hills and can feel the abilities, the sure footedness, the "my god this thing rocks" experience then maybe you will step back and re-evaluate the build for what it was designed for.
Although you are not happy with the final finish of the vehicle, I am.
I enjoyed the build, I enjoyed the comments of those that saw the truck first hand in Ontario and I am proud of the build especially due to the magnitude of the modifications.
Should I undertake a build such as this again I would not put a time limit on it nor would I put a budget amount. This build evolved as it progressed from a simple 1HZ/H55F install into a fiberglass truck into a one off unit and the time and money confirms this.
I do find it insulting that you are picking the build apart, I built this truck for a 5 ft inspection; I never hinted, or expected, it was going to be perfect at 1 ft.
I do apologize for the non functioning AC, wipers and PS issues.
Seasons greetings and to an enjoyable 2010 to all that are following this thread.
When I was reassembling the wiring harness I tested the wiper harness and the power flowed properly. When I installed the wiper it was working on one speed so it is natural to assume the fault was either the switch (which needed replacing due to intermittent signal to the washer motor) or the wiper motor itself.
Since the motor was 30 years old it made sense to replace it anyway which we did. Due to the rush at the end the switch was ignored until delivery of the truck and then the "ooops" reared its ugly head and you were saddled with the concern.
This is painful, frustrating and irritating to both of us.
The Vintage air system is not a quality unit, it is functional. Be VERY careful when "pulling it out" it is flimsy and can break plus there is little room for maneuvering it around so the AC lines could be damaged. Once again a frustrating ooops for both of us. Again, the time issue did not allow me to test the unit here.
The power steering box functioned well on the drive across Canada towing the military trailer so there was no inclination at that time of failure. We did not replace it due to this experience. In hind sight we should have. When dealing with used parts there is a chance of them failing. Unfortunately, it seems it has decided to fail.
In hindsight, I should have not rushed the last few steps of the assembly. You had waited this long and another couple of weeks would have made little difference. I wanted it down to you to enjoy the fall with. In the end it made no difference due to the weather settling in as I arrived.
I ask certain questions when a build starts for a reason. If the customer dictates "I want a vehicle I can go tag bear and cougar. I want a vehicle I can drive to the tip of Argentina and back" then that is the direction I head with the build.
If someone says I want a show truck then the build will take a completely different heading.
What this shows is how important customer / builder communication / relationship are to satisfaction of the completed unit to all involved.
I built you a DD / off road adventurer and I would love to be able to personally instruction and guide you further on the abilities of this unit.
You are looking the truck over with a critical eye, which is good since it helps me to see what flaws I missed.
The list you made me of the imperfections while I visited your beautiful city were minor in most articles.
The wipers shocked me and upset me.
When you pointed out the paint job quality and mentioned the show room aspect was the first time I heard of this expectation. To be honest, I don't think I could have finished it to the perfection that you expected and I probably would have turned the build away.
At this time, you are not enjoying the truck, right now it is a flawed show piece sitting eating at you. Once you have it in the hills and can feel the abilities, the sure footedness, the "my god this thing rocks" experience then maybe you will step back and re-evaluate the build for what it was designed for.
Although you are not happy with the final finish of the vehicle, I am.
I enjoyed the build, I enjoyed the comments of those that saw the truck first hand in Ontario and I am proud of the build especially due to the magnitude of the modifications.
Should I undertake a build such as this again I would not put a time limit on it nor would I put a budget amount. This build evolved as it progressed from a simple 1HZ/H55F install into a fiberglass truck into a one off unit and the time and money confirms this.
I do find it insulting that you are picking the build apart, I built this truck for a 5 ft inspection; I never hinted, or expected, it was going to be perfect at 1 ft.
I do apologize for the non functioning AC, wipers and PS issues.
Seasons greetings and to an enjoyable 2010 to all that are following this thread.
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