Looking for shop recommendations (1 Viewer)

[BenjisBus]

Long story short I have a 97 triple locked that basically needs a whole new rolling chassis replacement. I already have almost all the parts but the labor is beyond my ability. This truck has a very serious emotional meaning to me and I don’t want to have to sell it if I can avoid it. Can anyone recommend a place near us who could give me an estimate? It currently is sitting at a restoration shop in Warminster. They continually increase their estimate every time they drive it into the shop and throw it on the lift but haven’t actually done anything to the truck itself. I had the parts listed in the for sale thread but I just found out they did end up painting the frame and I really want this thing fixed if I can afford it. Thanks in advance guys.

 

[StinkyPig]

My advice may not be well received by some but here it goes. I have been in your position...or worse...with local shops that are jerking you along or really have no idea how to do what needs to be done. In fact, not just local shops but at least one TLC specialist nearby that stuck in my arse a couple different ways.

Depending on the scope of the job...I.E, are we talking axle rebuilds, new suspension, lift, steering, upgrades etc or a stock replacement? Trans and T-case too? Or maybe all that is done and it just needs to be bolted in? How much corrosion is there as this can hide multiple thousand$ you might not see until you are well into it the project. Parts for TLC's can take a while to get and even though you think you have it all there, who knows what you forgot or have not found yet.
Not knowing these answers, I would suggest you consider sending the truck to a TLC specific shop if you really want it done right. This will not be cheap. But I'll bet you a big a$$ steak dinner in Philly that it will be cheaper than f&*king around with some dingdong that only knows how to change oil on a good day but claims he's a 4wd god.
Do I sound bitter? Like I said, I have been there.

 

[BenjisBus]

Thanks Stinky, I had reached out to LCH(I'm assuming this is who you're talking about) recently and they were scheduled to pick it up for an estimate but luckily another mud member had warned be about their reputation here. It basically needs a completely new chassis underneath. I found a crazy amount of rust on it once I was able to get it on a lift. I have a frame that's been blasted and painted ready to go with f/r axles, new body mounts, new suspension and steering f/r, new brake hoses, steering box/pitman arm. I believe I have almost every part needed for a rolling chassis(but as you said there could be things I'm not thinking of). The axles could use some wire brushing and por 15 but the engine and trans work well so I really just need the rolling chassis assembled and then have the body and drivetrain bolted onto it. I appreciate the advice, I definitely was hoping to find someone who deals specifically with TLCs.

 

[Red Beard]

Thanks Stinky, I had reached out to LCH(I'm assuming this is who you're talking about) recently and they were scheduled to pick it up for an estimate but luckily another mud member had warned be about their reputation here. It basically needs a completely new chassis underneath. I found a crazy amount of rust on it once I was able to get it on a lift. I have a frame that's been blasted and painted ready to go with f/r axles, new body mounts, new suspension and steering f/r, new brake hoses, steering box/pitman arm. I believe I have almost every part needed for a rolling chassis(but as you said there could be things I'm not thinking of). The axles could use some wire brushing and por 15 but the engine and trans work well so I really just need the rolling chassis assembled and then have the body and drivetrain bolted onto it. I appreciate the advice, I definitely was hoping to find someone who deals specifically with TLCs.

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You can try this guy in Kennett. He does Rovers but I’ve seen a couple 40s and 80s out front. I’ve been meaning to go walk in there sometime, I live pretty close to the shop. I know nothing about the shop other than he seems to work on 4x4’s exclusively and mentions frame replacement on their site.

If anything, he might know who to talk to.

PALITA'S AUTOMOTIVE

Welcome, We are an independently owned service and repair facility specializing in the repair and restoration of all Land Rover models. We repair a variety of vehicles and serve Delaware, Chester,...

parovertech.com

 

[StinkyPig]

@BenjisBus​

Your assumption might be correct. I am still finding issues.
If the frame is that rusty...how rusty is the underside of the body? rocker panels on these old girls like to hide trouble.

 

[BenjisBus]

That’s a good question. I know the rear passenger side needs some welding up as there is a hole. Not sure about the rest honestly.

 

[RWBeringer4x4]

You can try this guy in Kennett. He does Rovers but I’ve seen a couple 40s and 80s out front. I’ve been meaning to go walk in there sometime, I live pretty close to the shop. I know nothing about the shop other than he seems to work on 4x4’s exclusively and mentions frame replacement on their site.

If anything, he might know who to talk to.

PALITA'S AUTOMOTIVE

Welcome, We are an independently owned service and repair facility specializing in the repair and restoration of all Land Rover models. We repair a variety of vehicles and serve Delaware, Chester,...

parovertech.com

I’ve had John Palita do some work on my 40 in the past (almost 10 years ago now). His fabrication skills are solid - does some good quality welding if that becomes a necessity in the project. I will note his turn around time is SLOW however. If he knows the vehicle isn’t your daily driver, it will get put on the back burner to prioritize folks who need their cars back quicker. It took him about 2 months to put a transfer case in my FJ40, and fix my bad Saginaw power steering conversion (which involved cutting out the old one and welding in new metal).

His prices were reasonable, not cheap - but in line with the quality of work he did - just don’t be in a hurry.

 

[Red Beard]

I’ve had John Palita do some work on my 40 in the past (almost 10 years ago now). His fabrication skills are solid - does some good quality welding if that becomes a necessity in the project. I will note his turn around time is SLOW however. If he knows the vehicle isn’t your daily driver, it will get put on the back burner to prioritize folks who need their cars back quicker. It took him about 2 months to put a transfer case in my FJ40, and fix my bad Saginaw power steering conversion (which involved cutting out the old one and welding in new metal).

His prices were reasonable, not cheap - but in line with the quality of work he did - just don’t be in a hurry.

Yep, makes sense. There is always a parking lot full of Rovers out front that never seems to change. Some sick defenders parked there some times. I’m sure that guy has no shortage of work

 

[RWBeringer4x4]

Yep, makes sense. There is always a parking lot full of Rovers out front that never seems to change. Some sick defenders parked there some times. I’m sure that guy has no shortage of work

A lot of those rovers are his parts trucks that he scavenges for stuff to fix customer rigs or pull dimensions off of. He had his own personal Series III or early defender at the time if I remember correctly. A decade ago I think his shop rate was something like $95/hr which I’m sure was a veritable steal compared to a Rover dealership. He had a nice niche and certainly no shortage of long term restorations and standard in-and-out work.

I certainly can’t fault him for prioritizing customers’ daily drivers instead of my old toy. He was good to work with - fairly responsive, usually answered the phone, would give me a call back, he just tended to miss his own deadlines. ie: “I’ll get it back to you in 2 weeks” really means 1-2 months. I wasn’t in a hurry so it was never a big deal.

There were a couple of “attention to detail” things - ie: the e brake wasn’t calibrated when I got the truck back from its transfer case replacement. The steering wheel turned 3 turns to the right and one turn to the left after the power steering job. They were all corrected when I brought it up. At the time, I think they were a fairly new shop - they had just recently moved from the other side of town and he mentioned he’d brought on some new guys. Again, it was 10 years ago! All in all though, John himself is a competent, honest mechanic and a good fabricator. Certainly worth a look.

 

[Red Beard]

A lot of those rovers are his parts trucks that he scavenges for stuff to fix customer rigs or pull dimensions off of. He had his own personal Series III or early defender at the time if I remember correctly. A decade ago I think his shop rate was something like $95/hr which I’m sure was a veritable steal compared to a Rover dealership. He had a nice niche and certainly no shortage of long term restorations and standard in-and-out work.

I certainly can’t fault him for prioritizing customers’ daily drivers instead of my old toy. He was good to work with - fairly responsive, usually answered the phone, would give me a call back, he just tended to miss his own deadlines. ie: “I’ll get it back to you in 2 weeks” really means 1-2 months. I wasn’t in a hurry so it was never a big deal.

There were a couple of “attention to detail” things - ie: the e brake wasn’t calibrated when I got the truck back from its transfer case replacement. The steering wheel turned 3 turns to the right and one turn to the left after the power steering job. They were all corrected when I brought it up. At the time, I think they were a fairly new shop - they had just recently moved from the other side of town and he mentioned he’d brought on some new guys. Again, it was 10 years ago! All in all though, John himself is a competent, honest mechanic and a good fabricator. Certainly worth a look.

Yeah and I think he’s moving locations again.

This is great info, though. Thanks @RWBeringer4x4.

Hopefully this helps @BenjisBus and other people as well.

 

[jamarquardt22]

Maybe Offroad central in Lancaster. It's a jeep shop but what isn't.

 

[BenjisBus]

Thank you all

 

[RWBeringer4x4]

I don’t have any direct experience with these guys, but they aren’t far from PA. I’ve driven past their shop numerous times. They seem to specialize in older stuff but that, to me, also implies they’re willing to tackle bigger projects.

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