How much $ to rebuild a 3spd

[dammitjim]

So the next question of course is how do you approach the guy short of telling him he's nuts? No written estimate, just a hand shake.

$5k seems way out of line. Especially when you're waiting 6 months to get the work done.

If it were me I'd want to be armed with some ballpark estimates from a couple other shops and a Toyota dealer before talking to this guy again. Get it broken down into at least tranny cost and motor install. When the estimates come in under 50% of what he's charging you it's going to be hard to for him to justify that bill.

Sounds to me like he's trying to take advantage of you because he thinks he can get away with it. Get some estimates and tell him he's nucking futs.

 

[My wife said no FJ!]

Ok, just hung up the phone. Here's an abbreviated version:

Me: hey, so what did you think when you saw the total on the bill before you faxed it over?
Him: [deep breath / sigh] I thought it was high. What did you think?
Me: Well, to be honest, I choked on my coffee. I thought it was real high, like double what i expected it to be.
Him: Yeah, i've been exptecting your phone call.

conversation goes on about how he had his guy sandblast, pressure wash, polish and gold plate every nut bolt and part....that it was like having a puzzle to put together (WTF? - isn't that what mechanics do?). bla bla bla, i took some time off and told my guy there was no way we could charge you that much, i cut my labor rate. i reiterate that i provided everything needed as soon as they asked for it, provided tech help when they needed it, manuals, diagrams, etc. The fact that this was a "get to it when you can" project that's been going on for 5 months, etc. etc.

Him: I understand, let me think about it over the weekend and we'll talk monday.
Me: I appreciate the work you guys did, it looks really good. I dont' want you to feel like I'm trying to beat you up or for you to lose money on my little toy project, but I can't help but feel this isn't reasonable. I hope we can find some middle ground on this and both walk away feeling good about it. Talk to you Monday.

End of conversation. It went as well as it could have i think. I'll report back Monday on result.

Good show...at least the door is open
Sometimes it doesn't work out so nicely, so I would quietly see what else you can do legally...just in case.

Hopefully he will realize how high this bill is, and you will both feel OK about the end result.

BTW..nice looking rig so far

 

[dmaddox]

Well done. Kindness and understanding is worth about 2500 of that, he seems (based on your text) like an honest fella. Maybe you can make away with half the bill - or something you can swallow at least.

Best of luck,

Dallas

 

[dgangle]

I'm in the wrong business.

 

[gb043075]

well boys, i fear this is about to head south rapidly. just hung up the phone with him. He called to tell me he did some research over the weekend and talked to some "restoration" shops around and as best he can tell, he's give me a STEAL of a DEAL......I decided to bite my tongue and not get into the fact that he is my "friend", that his motor work was never intended to be a "restoration job" that we discussed this being a "work on it when you can" and when you dont' have any "paying work", that he's been fiddle fxxxing this thing for the better part of 6 months, that he stayed in my cabin in SC for a week free of charge a few weeks ago with his family as a good faith effort on my part to say "thanks for treating me right"........the list goes on....

So, who can point me in the right direction to get a couple quotes to do the work, i can provide pictures of engine and tranny as well as a full description of what i provided / what they had to do. My toyota dealer doesn't know what a '72 landcruiser is.

Thanks guys.

 

[SouthBostonFJ40]

Start by printing out both of these threads.

 

[My wife said no FJ!]

Get that truck cleared to go home ASAP...then once it is at your place you guys can work out the details...if you are that close then this should not be a problem with him...if it is, then seek legal council.

 

[gb043075]

Just spoke with Off Road Hobby Restorations, the closest shop i know of around here that does nothing but landcruiser restorations. He reiterated what I'm hearing here. He laughed first, then said it was way too much money. I am sending him details and he's going to provide a quote for me to do the same work.

One might ask, why didn't you go to that guy to begin with? Well, he's 60 miles away and i wasn't interested in a "restoration" shop, i just wanted this to be worked on as filler by the guy i knew and trusted......look where that got me.

As an aside, this started as a clean it up and get it running. Fortunately or unfortunately depending on how you look at it, the guys doing the body work are perfectionists, so it's morphed into more than i bit off to begin with. I think my engine buddy seeing their work may have affected his judgement. For comparison purposes, teh body shop charge are going to be on the order of $5000, and as we all know they will have substantially more man hours and work in their job.

 

[dx379]

I recently paid $1400 to have my 2F rebuilt, and then another $500 to have it installed. This is with me supplying the rebuild kit. Granted I now have a problem with my newly rebuilt motor but that is for another thread

I think he is taking advantage of you and your situation.

Tell him you will give him $2500 and your cabin at the lake for another week

Jonny

 

[BELMONT148]

My Grandad who has been in the car repair business for over 50 years once said, "If you can't make money off of family and friends who can you make money off of?"

I quit letting friends and family work on my s*** from that day on and I learned how to turn a wrench real quick like. If not, I knew I was going to be in for a lifetime of ass reaming.

Good luck, but I fear the lack of a written contract is just going to cause you more heartache. Like Mooker said, take it as a hard lesson learned. We all have atleast one of those we have to experience in life. Just be thankful yours is just over money and not at the loss of anyones life. There are much bigger things in this world to get bent out of shape over. The least of which should be a toy.

Good luck,
Jeremy

 

[Mr. Toad]

I'd determine book time for the procedures done by your ex-friend. E.g. 4 hours for tranny rebuild, 15 hours for engine rebuild, 2.5 hours for engine installation, etc. I'd also find out the prevailing labor rate for your area.

Then, I'd multiply the time total by the rate and offer it to him. If he doesn't take it, he'll have to sue you. But if he sues you, he can't sue you on breach of contract because there's no contract. He can only sue you for the reasonable value of the work he did. And you just offered it to him.

 

[My wife said no FJ!]

I'd determine book time for the procedures done by your ex-friend. E.g. 4 hours for tranny rebuild, 15 hours for engine rebuild, 2.5 hours for engine installation, etc. I'd also find out the prevailing labor rate for your area.

Then, I'd multiply the time total by the rate and offer it to him. If he doesn't take it, he'll have to sue you. But if he sues you, he can't sue you on breach of contract because there's no contract. He can only sue you for the reasonable value of the work he did. And you just offered it to him.

Can he find a legal way to bring the rig home while all of this is going down??

 

[Mr. Toad]

Can he find a legal way to bring the rig home while all of this is going down??

Good question. I'm sure it varies from state to state, so I'm not going to step out on that limb.

 

[dammitjim]

Can he find a legal way to bring the rig home while all of this is going down??

Without a contract can the shop legally prevent him from taking it home?

 

[My wife said no FJ!]

Good question. I'm sure it varies from state to state, so I'm not going to step out on that limb.

Your right about state to state...I'm north of the border so I know even less, hence all the questions.

dammitjim has a good point...can he hold it it there is no contract?

 

[gb043075]

well the good news is i already have the fj, well, it's at the body shop which is not affiliated with him at all and under lock and key. All he has of mine that i've found are the driveshafts and my manual. life is really too short for this s***, i've had a stomach ache since i saw the bill. I've progressed from irritated to pissed the F off and offended. I still can't believe he had the balls to call me today and tell me he's checked around and he's giving me a "deal", most "restoration shops" would've charged much more. It only added salt to the wound to get my power and phone bill today for the cabin he was so comfortably staying in a few weeks ago on my dime.

 

[My wife said no FJ!]

Send him a $2500 bill for the week at your cabin ;p

OK seriously, since the Cruiser is safe, you could breath knowing that he is not holding it for ransom.

Did you get your quote yet? Hit up a few other Cruiser shops to see if they can e-mail you a quote as well.

Not a fun place to be right now for sure. Best of luck

 

[gb043075]

Send him a $2500 bill for the week at your cabin ;p

Now that is brilliant. I like where your head's at!

I'm accepting any and all help, I thought I mentioned this before, but anybody who knows a shop willing to help please let me know. The one i've contacted is the only one i know of who has experience with FJ40's. I'm willing to send whoever helps me something for their time....anyone?

Have not received the quote yet.

 

[My wife said no FJ!]

Send him a $2500 bill for the week at your cabin ;p

Now that is brilliant. I like where your head's at!

Was meant as a tongue in cheek

Which state did you say all of this was taking place? Laws vary from place to place, and living north of the border is no help.
Maybe someone around you can give you ideas.

 

[gb043075]

Florida