Fml? First Inspection Feedback…

So,

I took my ‘80 cj5 to a shop today for an inspection - it’s a 60 year old shop with 400+ 5-star reviews. They told me when I arrived that they didn’t really work on carbureted engines (which seemed strange considering the fact I told them I was bringing an 80 cj5, but whatever), they inspected it anyways.

I’ll post a pic below of all his recommendations, but he basically told me it would be around $10k to “make it nice.” He said there was rust on the frame that appeared to be just painted over (he pointed it out to me, and it did appear to be painted, but to me the rust looked pretty superficial and on the surface - I can post pics tomorrow). He went on to point out several leaks, as you’ll see in his write up. I honestly don’t think the clutch part is an issue and he misunderstood what I was saying.

I just wanted to see if anyone had any advice, input, or condolences to offer. I’m getting a second opinion from another shop next week which specializes in older carbureted vehicles.

appreciate any input.

 

now that's a interesting term
"make it nice"
my question . why . are you planing a frame off restoration

 

I didn't ask to make it a show vehicle, ......... I think the state is trying to get all older vehicles off the road.

 

If you take this stuff to a shop they charge extra just because they don't want to work on it

 

Hang onto the Jeep and hang around here a bit. The list is likely all stuff that you can do with the help of this site and YouTube. Fixing one thing at a time yourself will give you great satisfaction and appreciation of your vehicle.

 

Or put historic plates on it...

The thing that concerns me the most is the excessive play and leaking steering box. Everything else is an hour or two project at most when you take it one nibble at a time.

 

Oil pan and rear main seal is the one thing I would see about having someone else do.

 

None of those items are terrible. Just the labor rate they probably want, and their expectation to make things like new. And keep their fingernails clean.


Engine oil "dirty?" Gimme a break, it would look dirty five minutes after a full change. "Exhaust hanger broken," well gee, there goes ten bucks.

Most of them you could live with for years, if you chose to. Most of us do. None of them would stop me buying such a jeep.

Reminds me of when the Harley dealer told me they 'don't really work on "old" bikes.' I bought it new - from them... PS, they went bust last year.

 

California does not require vehicle inspections. The state is relatively easy on car registration. Exhibit A….

 

Meh, 12 pack and a long saturday. Looks like $146 will get you right... that includes the cost of the 12 pack.

 

Ha. Thanks for making me feel better guys (I do).

Sounds daunting, but I’m into it.

As far as “working on these things yourself” goes, can you guys recommend any non-traditional tools/supplies that I probably don’t have, but definitely need? Car ramps for example? Maybe some other cool stuff I don’t even know about? Ha

jW60, I appreciate the advice re: the steering, oil pan, and rear main seal. I’ll do that.

very happy to see you guys are an active and truly helpful community I love this jeep

 

You’re about to become more familiar with Harbor Freight. Instead of ramps I prefer a floor jack and jack stands.

 

Jack stands are essential in the long run i have yard sale stands but there are recalled ones so check the recall lists if you go that route.

I also have ramps for quick stuff and to do less jacking to get onto the stands. For years though I used concrete blocks.

Safety glasses. Safety goggles.
And a genuine jeep factory service manual (I found a PDF years ago)
your classic wrench set.
Oil dry or extra kitty litter on hand if you already have cats.
Sizeable fire extinguisher in work area (not the one in the vehicle while working on it)
Led Work light (i'm bald and hot incandescent bulbs are the devil)
A creeper (padded board on wheels) is nice with a concrete floor.
Magnetic trays.
Bright Paint marker (neon white or silver) from wal-mart craft section.
Sockets with ratchet handle (look for a fancy design name like torq loc or no slip) don't get used unless snap-on because they had a patented design that is now expired where the inside of the socket has a slight dome to grip the strongest point on the bolt head.
Easy to read and use Torque wrench
Cordless drill and socket adapter.
Screw drivers
Gasket scraper

That should handle most tasks.

 

Jeeps leak to mark their territory, or it's a way for you to find your way back if lost.

 

Like others have said, that's the "we don't want to work on it" price. That inspection report sounds like just about every unrestored CJ on the road today. I'd have a competent shop or friend look over the steering (one man's excessive play is another's "normal for an old CJ"), keep the oil and coolant topped up and enjoy driving and learning to work on your Jeep.

 

Welcome from Kansas. Sounds like the guy that owns the shop just got a big bill from the orthodontist, yikes. As others have said, find a Harbor Freight store. Some of their stuff is so-so, but I've bought a lot of hand tools and odds and ends that worked fine. Depending on your situation whether all of this has to be fixed so you can get to work, or it's just a fun second vehicle like a lot of them are, I would start with what has to be fixed to keep it safe and driveable and work on the other stuff as you go and the things that you know you just can't do for lack of equipment or knowledge, just plan money ahead for awhile and find a shop that will fix just the things you ask for. If you haven't worked on cars at all before, watch lots of videos and read everything you can find. It helped me tremendously. We all started somewhere and the way I've always thought about it, everything can be fixed or replaced somehow (except an eye or a testicle), have fun and ask questions.

 

I've never regretted buying a tool to do my own work. It's almost aways cheaper than sending the job out, and afterward you still have the tool.

 

YouTube is your friend. Here are a few that I follow.
https://youtube.com/@metalshaperJeep?si=NzxCQ5mzKVujPnhs
https://youtube.com/@redeyecafegarage7484?si=KD6cfyLm2ZcQPAA-
https://youtube.com/@SevenBarSalvage?si=twHArmIS2ek1fNSk

 

My opinion.....
Hope you told Edwin to eat a hot steaming bag of Richards...