XTRM-TJ
02-05-2009, 08:20 PM
So basically this is the issue and I could really use some advice.
Before my first deployment to Iraq I bought a TJ from a friend of mine and wheeled it pretty much stock for over 2 years. After multiple missions I decided to modify the TJ and use all of my deployment money. The build consisted of 60 axles a custom tube work all the way around, comp cut, elliptical/ 4 link, suspension seats, hydro assist, 40” tires, 20”rims, beadlocks… sure you get the idea. On the last leg on my deployment my mom took ill and at 56 she was still coming out to wheel with us and to spend time in the mountains, so I decided after she passed away to finish the build with money from my inheritance. So a LS1, the ATLAS II 5:1, and the first of the 700R4s was put into it, as well as a few other things.
Now we all know that a build needs to be dialed in but to what extent.
The builder swore up and down he would stand behind his designs and his build as long as I had the jeep, and here is where the story really begins.
TRIP #1 and remember the build, the U-joint STRAPS yes straps broke on the front drive shaft, the weld on the driver’s lower control arm breaks. Builder fixes it but put straps back in.
TRIP #2 Straps break again, massive loss of power and builder needs to redo transmission
TRIP #3 trip to MOAB, even before leaving the home state when we went to pick up the jeep we were delayed by 3 hours while builder re-adjusted the ATLAS since it would not shift into 4 low, in MOAB bolts kept coming out of the rear axle, the coil-overs needed charging the rear were empty, and I will stop when the engine and transmission separated coming down the stairs on MOAB Rim.
TRIP #4 New tranny, the ARB’s go out and luckily a comp buggy was there and pulled me out, we replace rear ARB with Detroit locker
TRIP #5 Outer Knuckle breaks completely, builder replaces it
NEW DUTY ASSIGNMENT NEW STATE.
TRIP #6 Transmission still not acting right- I call Builder and tell him I will be coming back threw his area on the way to MOAB( from the East coast to UTAH)and the transmission is still not working right and I need him to fix it he says he does not have the time so he can’t.
I have the off road shop in the area look at the jeep and they tell me the throttle cable on the transmission is not hooked up and there was no bracket so there has never been a cable hooked up. They also tell me that the transmission in the jeep is fried. I fork out the $$ and have a new one put in so I can go wheel in MOAB. I also replace the front locker with a Detroit and as they are inspecting the vehicle they show me the outer knuckles and how bad they are or as had been stated what junk yard did parts come. The knuckles were cracked so bad they were replaced. Gears had no recognizable markings, links were so cheaply made we replaced them with larger better ones. Even before this I had already gone and replaced all the grade 1,2,and 5 bolts in my steering components, my suspension and axles with graded 8. Bought new longfields for the front and even new steering components that were stronger since what was on there was so weak it had bent and warped.
Trip #7 no major issues
When I return to the area were the build happen off course the only builder is
where it was built I go back and tell him I want the transmission changed since I have no luck with the 700R4 I want different on in the vehicle. And a few diff mods to better perform. The biggest was the gate shifter reverse pattern.
TRIP #8 we do a trail that is rated a 5, 2.3 miles one way and before we get ¾ threw the transmission again goes out, except in reverse, so I drive back down the trail backwards. Drop the jeep of the shop and when I pick it up they charge me for the rebuild on a build with less than 3 miles on it.
When I pick up the jeep I am informed by the transmission builders that the set up requested by the builder is wrong for this application. They inform me that even thought the shifter is designed to go from reverse to 1st gear in the event of an endo or such that the transmission set up is design to blow the first gear so the transmission does not go through the floor.
I am about to deploy again and still wish I could use the jeep for what I built it for, to just even if it once to compete in my mom’s memory. I have looked for counsel to see if there is anything that can be done to just get the jeep fixed right, but have found no one in this area will even take a case like this.
Except for one trip out on the rocks this jeep has broken down every other time on a trail.
This is become so bad the builder of my jeep has even posted pictures of my truck on his site taking credit for its build, when it was built else were.
Over 80% of Parts removed from my jeep have never been credited to me or have ever received them back or even monitary comp for them.
Any assistance would be great.
Before my first deployment to Iraq I bought a TJ from a friend of mine and wheeled it pretty much stock for over 2 years. After multiple missions I decided to modify the TJ and use all of my deployment money. The build consisted of 60 axles a custom tube work all the way around, comp cut, elliptical/ 4 link, suspension seats, hydro assist, 40” tires, 20”rims, beadlocks… sure you get the idea. On the last leg on my deployment my mom took ill and at 56 she was still coming out to wheel with us and to spend time in the mountains, so I decided after she passed away to finish the build with money from my inheritance. So a LS1, the ATLAS II 5:1, and the first of the 700R4s was put into it, as well as a few other things.
Now we all know that a build needs to be dialed in but to what extent.
The builder swore up and down he would stand behind his designs and his build as long as I had the jeep, and here is where the story really begins.
TRIP #1 and remember the build, the U-joint STRAPS yes straps broke on the front drive shaft, the weld on the driver’s lower control arm breaks. Builder fixes it but put straps back in.
TRIP #2 Straps break again, massive loss of power and builder needs to redo transmission
TRIP #3 trip to MOAB, even before leaving the home state when we went to pick up the jeep we were delayed by 3 hours while builder re-adjusted the ATLAS since it would not shift into 4 low, in MOAB bolts kept coming out of the rear axle, the coil-overs needed charging the rear were empty, and I will stop when the engine and transmission separated coming down the stairs on MOAB Rim.
TRIP #4 New tranny, the ARB’s go out and luckily a comp buggy was there and pulled me out, we replace rear ARB with Detroit locker
TRIP #5 Outer Knuckle breaks completely, builder replaces it
NEW DUTY ASSIGNMENT NEW STATE.
TRIP #6 Transmission still not acting right- I call Builder and tell him I will be coming back threw his area on the way to MOAB( from the East coast to UTAH)and the transmission is still not working right and I need him to fix it he says he does not have the time so he can’t.
I have the off road shop in the area look at the jeep and they tell me the throttle cable on the transmission is not hooked up and there was no bracket so there has never been a cable hooked up. They also tell me that the transmission in the jeep is fried. I fork out the $$ and have a new one put in so I can go wheel in MOAB. I also replace the front locker with a Detroit and as they are inspecting the vehicle they show me the outer knuckles and how bad they are or as had been stated what junk yard did parts come. The knuckles were cracked so bad they were replaced. Gears had no recognizable markings, links were so cheaply made we replaced them with larger better ones. Even before this I had already gone and replaced all the grade 1,2,and 5 bolts in my steering components, my suspension and axles with graded 8. Bought new longfields for the front and even new steering components that were stronger since what was on there was so weak it had bent and warped.
Trip #7 no major issues
When I return to the area were the build happen off course the only builder is
where it was built I go back and tell him I want the transmission changed since I have no luck with the 700R4 I want different on in the vehicle. And a few diff mods to better perform. The biggest was the gate shifter reverse pattern.
TRIP #8 we do a trail that is rated a 5, 2.3 miles one way and before we get ¾ threw the transmission again goes out, except in reverse, so I drive back down the trail backwards. Drop the jeep of the shop and when I pick it up they charge me for the rebuild on a build with less than 3 miles on it.
When I pick up the jeep I am informed by the transmission builders that the set up requested by the builder is wrong for this application. They inform me that even thought the shifter is designed to go from reverse to 1st gear in the event of an endo or such that the transmission set up is design to blow the first gear so the transmission does not go through the floor.
I am about to deploy again and still wish I could use the jeep for what I built it for, to just even if it once to compete in my mom’s memory. I have looked for counsel to see if there is anything that can be done to just get the jeep fixed right, but have found no one in this area will even take a case like this.
Except for one trip out on the rocks this jeep has broken down every other time on a trail.
This is become so bad the builder of my jeep has even posted pictures of my truck on his site taking credit for its build, when it was built else were.
Over 80% of Parts removed from my jeep have never been credited to me or have ever received them back or even monitary comp for them.
Any assistance would be great.