Looking for Jeep Mechanic to fix up / restore an old Jeep J3000 4x4
 

I live in LA currently but will be moving to South Central Montana in
the next few weeks. I've got a friend here in LA who has a Jeep J3000
4x4 (not sure what year it is, looks like mid-late 60's but not sure)
with a 427 engine in it.

It's been sitting in his backyard for years gathering dust and I've
been toying with the idea of spending the money with a qualified and
interested mechanic to completely resore this vehicle so I can
eventually drive it back up to Montana to be my primary vehicle during
the the winter months and use for fly fishing and camping activities.

Given that I know nothing about these types of vehicles, I have two
questions:

1) Is this plan feasible with a vehicle this old that has not been
used for quite some time?

2) If so, can any of you folks recommend a qualifed jeep mechanic
who'd be interested in doing something like this.

I've got somewhat of a timing issue. I'm planning to leave for
Montana in early August, but would like to find a qualifed mechanic to
look at the vehicle, determine it's worthiness for this kind of
restoration. Then I'd like to leave the vehichle with the mechanic to
fix up to be ready by mid - November.

Can anyone point me to the appropriate knowledgeble mechanic familiar
with this type of vehicle??

Any help or referrals you can provide will be greatly appreciated.

Thanks for your time and consideration.

Nickbalm@gmail.com

Re: Looking for Jeep Mechanic to fix up / restore an old Jeep J3000 4x4
 

Anything is possible; how much money do you have? I wouldn't recommend a
project like this unless you are going to be personally available to
supervise and make decisions. Jeep manufacturing has been through several
owners since this vehicle was made, none of whom have been particularly
interested in preserving anything but the Jeep name. Parts availability is
problematical, unless you find a mechanic with a yard full of parts vehicles
and all the right connections. Do you want a given part made at a machine
shop, or do you want someone to spend a couple days locating it by phone?
You never know until you make the decision, which is the more expensive
option.

For the amount of money it would take to make this a reliable primary
vehicle, you could buy a brand new three quarter ton four wheel drive
pickup, maybe with a diesel engine. All vehicle systems, such as brakes,
electrical, fuel, engine, transmission and so on, will need a thorough going
over, and that is a lot of labor especially if you are paying for it.

If Louisiana is anything like Massachusetts where I used to live, it rains
rust there too.

Saludos cordiales,

Earle

<nickbalm@gmail.com> wrote in message
news:1184778518.050836.151060@i13g2000prf.googlegr oups.com...
> I live in LA currently but will be moving to South Central Montana in
> the next few weeks. I've got a friend here in LA who has a Jeep J3000
> 4x4 (not sure what year it is, looks like mid-late 60's but not sure)
> with a 427 engine in it.
>
> It's been sitting in his backyard for years gathering dust and I've
> been toying with the idea of spending the money with a qualified and
> interested mechanic to completely resore this vehicle so I can
> eventually drive it back up to Montana to be my primary vehicle during
> the the winter months and use for fly fishing and camping activities.
>
> Given that I know nothing about these types of vehicles, I have two
> questions:
>
> 1) Is this plan feasible with a vehicle this old that has not been
> used for quite some time?
>
> 2) If so, can any of you folks recommend a qualifed jeep mechanic
> who'd be interested in doing something like this.
>
> I've got somewhat of a timing issue. I'm planning to leave for
> Montana in early August, but would like to find a qualifed mechanic to
> look at the vehicle, determine it's worthiness for this kind of
> restoration. Then I'd like to leave the vehichle with the mechanic to
> fix up to be ready by mid - November.
>
> Can anyone point me to the appropriate knowledgeble mechanic familiar
> with this type of vehicle??
>
> Any help or referrals you can provide will be greatly appreciated.
>
> Thanks for your time and consideration.
>
> Nickbalm@gmail.com
>



--
Posted via a free Usenet account from http://www.teranews.com

Re: Looking for Jeep Mechanic to fix up / restore an old Jeep J3000 4x4
 

Anything is possible; how much money do you have? I wouldn't recommend a
project like this unless you are going to be personally available to
supervise and make decisions. Jeep manufacturing has been through several
owners since this vehicle was made, none of whom have been particularly
interested in preserving anything but the Jeep name. Parts availability is
problematical, unless you find a mechanic with a yard full of parts vehicles
and all the right connections. Do you want a given part made at a machine
shop, or do you want someone to spend a couple days locating it by phone?
You never know until you make the decision, which is the more expensive
option.

For the amount of money it would take to make this a reliable primary
vehicle, you could buy a brand new three quarter ton four wheel drive
pickup, maybe with a diesel engine. All vehicle systems, such as brakes,
electrical, fuel, engine, transmission and so on, will need a thorough going
over, and that is a lot of labor especially if you are paying for it.

If Louisiana is anything like Massachusetts where I used to live, it rains
rust there too.

Saludos cordiales,

Earle

<nickbalm@gmail.com> wrote in message
news:1184778518.050836.151060@i13g2000prf.googlegr oups.com...
> I live in LA currently but will be moving to South Central Montana in
> the next few weeks. I've got a friend here in LA who has a Jeep J3000
> 4x4 (not sure what year it is, looks like mid-late 60's but not sure)
> with a 427 engine in it.
>
> It's been sitting in his backyard for years gathering dust and I've
> been toying with the idea of spending the money with a qualified and
> interested mechanic to completely resore this vehicle so I can
> eventually drive it back up to Montana to be my primary vehicle during
> the the winter months and use for fly fishing and camping activities.
>
> Given that I know nothing about these types of vehicles, I have two
> questions:
>
> 1) Is this plan feasible with a vehicle this old that has not been
> used for quite some time?
>
> 2) If so, can any of you folks recommend a qualifed jeep mechanic
> who'd be interested in doing something like this.
>
> I've got somewhat of a timing issue. I'm planning to leave for
> Montana in early August, but would like to find a qualifed mechanic to
> look at the vehicle, determine it's worthiness for this kind of
> restoration. Then I'd like to leave the vehichle with the mechanic to
> fix up to be ready by mid - November.
>
> Can anyone point me to the appropriate knowledgeble mechanic familiar
> with this type of vehicle??
>
> Any help or referrals you can provide will be greatly appreciated.
>
> Thanks for your time and consideration.
>
> Nickbalm@gmail.com
>



--
Posted via a free Usenet account from http://www.teranews.com

Re: Looking for Jeep Mechanic to fix up / restore an old Jeep J3000 4x4
 

Anything is possible; how much money do you have? I wouldn't recommend a
project like this unless you are going to be personally available to
supervise and make decisions. Jeep manufacturing has been through several
owners since this vehicle was made, none of whom have been particularly
interested in preserving anything but the Jeep name. Parts availability is
problematical, unless you find a mechanic with a yard full of parts vehicles
and all the right connections. Do you want a given part made at a machine
shop, or do you want someone to spend a couple days locating it by phone?
You never know until you make the decision, which is the more expensive
option.

For the amount of money it would take to make this a reliable primary
vehicle, you could buy a brand new three quarter ton four wheel drive
pickup, maybe with a diesel engine. All vehicle systems, such as brakes,
electrical, fuel, engine, transmission and so on, will need a thorough going
over, and that is a lot of labor especially if you are paying for it.

If Louisiana is anything like Massachusetts where I used to live, it rains
rust there too.

Saludos cordiales,

Earle

<nickbalm@gmail.com> wrote in message
news:1184778518.050836.151060@i13g2000prf.googlegr oups.com...
> I live in LA currently but will be moving to South Central Montana in
> the next few weeks. I've got a friend here in LA who has a Jeep J3000
> 4x4 (not sure what year it is, looks like mid-late 60's but not sure)
> with a 427 engine in it.
>
> It's been sitting in his backyard for years gathering dust and I've
> been toying with the idea of spending the money with a qualified and
> interested mechanic to completely resore this vehicle so I can
> eventually drive it back up to Montana to be my primary vehicle during
> the the winter months and use for fly fishing and camping activities.
>
> Given that I know nothing about these types of vehicles, I have two
> questions:
>
> 1) Is this plan feasible with a vehicle this old that has not been
> used for quite some time?
>
> 2) If so, can any of you folks recommend a qualifed jeep mechanic
> who'd be interested in doing something like this.
>
> I've got somewhat of a timing issue. I'm planning to leave for
> Montana in early August, but would like to find a qualifed mechanic to
> look at the vehicle, determine it's worthiness for this kind of
> restoration. Then I'd like to leave the vehichle with the mechanic to
> fix up to be ready by mid - November.
>
> Can anyone point me to the appropriate knowledgeble mechanic familiar
> with this type of vehicle??
>
> Any help or referrals you can provide will be greatly appreciated.
>
> Thanks for your time and consideration.
>
> Nickbalm@gmail.com
>



--
Posted via a free Usenet account from http://www.teranews.com

Re: Looking for Jeep Mechanic to fix up / restore an old Jeep J3000 4x4
 

Anything is possible; how much money do you have? I wouldn't recommend a
project like this unless you are going to be personally available to
supervise and make decisions. Jeep manufacturing has been through several
owners since this vehicle was made, none of whom have been particularly
interested in preserving anything but the Jeep name. Parts availability is
problematical, unless you find a mechanic with a yard full of parts vehicles
and all the right connections. Do you want a given part made at a machine
shop, or do you want someone to spend a couple days locating it by phone?
You never know until you make the decision, which is the more expensive
option.

For the amount of money it would take to make this a reliable primary
vehicle, you could buy a brand new three quarter ton four wheel drive
pickup, maybe with a diesel engine. All vehicle systems, such as brakes,
electrical, fuel, engine, transmission and so on, will need a thorough going
over, and that is a lot of labor especially if you are paying for it.

If Louisiana is anything like Massachusetts where I used to live, it rains
rust there too.

Saludos cordiales,

Earle

<nickbalm@gmail.com> wrote in message
news:1184778518.050836.151060@i13g2000prf.googlegr oups.com...
> I live in LA currently but will be moving to South Central Montana in
> the next few weeks. I've got a friend here in LA who has a Jeep J3000
> 4x4 (not sure what year it is, looks like mid-late 60's but not sure)
> with a 427 engine in it.
>
> It's been sitting in his backyard for years gathering dust and I've
> been toying with the idea of spending the money with a qualified and
> interested mechanic to completely resore this vehicle so I can
> eventually drive it back up to Montana to be my primary vehicle during
> the the winter months and use for fly fishing and camping activities.
>
> Given that I know nothing about these types of vehicles, I have two
> questions:
>
> 1) Is this plan feasible with a vehicle this old that has not been
> used for quite some time?
>
> 2) If so, can any of you folks recommend a qualifed jeep mechanic
> who'd be interested in doing something like this.
>
> I've got somewhat of a timing issue. I'm planning to leave for
> Montana in early August, but would like to find a qualifed mechanic to
> look at the vehicle, determine it's worthiness for this kind of
> restoration. Then I'd like to leave the vehichle with the mechanic to
> fix up to be ready by mid - November.
>
> Can anyone point me to the appropriate knowledgeble mechanic familiar
> with this type of vehicle??
>
> Any help or referrals you can provide will be greatly appreciated.
>
> Thanks for your time and consideration.
>
> Nickbalm@gmail.com
>



--
Posted via a free Usenet account from http://www.teranews.com

Re: Looking for Jeep Mechanic to fix up / restore an old Jeep J3000 4x4
 

I think you should pass. 427s are extremely temperamental, they'll load
up just waiting through a stop light. Now where is it? ;-)
God Bless America, Bill O|||||||O
mailto:-------------------- http://www.----------.com/


<nickbalm@gmail.com> wrote in message
news:1184778518.050836.151060@i13g2000prf.googlegr oups.com...
> I live in LA currently but will be moving to South Central Montana in
> the next few weeks. I've got a friend here in LA who has a Jeep J3000
> 4x4 (not sure what year it is, looks like mid-late 60's but not sure)
> with a 427 engine in it.
>
> It's been sitting in his backyard for years gathering dust and I've
> been toying with the idea of spending the money with a qualified and
> interested mechanic to completely resore this vehicle so I can
> eventually drive it back up to Montana to be my primary vehicle during
> the the winter months and use for fly fishing and camping activities.
>
> Given that I know nothing about these types of vehicles, I have two
> questions:
>
> 1) Is this plan feasible with a vehicle this old that has not been
> used for quite some time?
>
> 2) If so, can any of you folks recommend a qualifed jeep mechanic
> who'd be interested in doing something like this.
>
> I've got somewhat of a timing issue. I'm planning to leave for
> Montana in early August, but would like to find a qualifed mechanic to
> look at the vehicle, determine it's worthiness for this kind of
> restoration. Then I'd like to leave the vehichle with the mechanic to
> fix up to be ready by mid - November.
>
> Can anyone point me to the appropriate knowledgeble mechanic familiar
> with this type of vehicle??
>
> Any help or referrals you can provide will be greatly appreciated.
>
> Thanks for your time and consideration.
>
> Nickbalm@gmail.com
>



--
Posted via a free Usenet account from http://www.teranews.com

Re: Looking for Jeep Mechanic to fix up / restore an old Jeep J3000 4x4
 

I think you should pass. 427s are extremely temperamental, they'll load
up just waiting through a stop light. Now where is it? ;-)
God Bless America, Bill O|||||||O
mailto:-------------------- http://www.----------.com/


<nickbalm@gmail.com> wrote in message
news:1184778518.050836.151060@i13g2000prf.googlegr oups.com...
> I live in LA currently but will be moving to South Central Montana in
> the next few weeks. I've got a friend here in LA who has a Jeep J3000
> 4x4 (not sure what year it is, looks like mid-late 60's but not sure)
> with a 427 engine in it.
>
> It's been sitting in his backyard for years gathering dust and I've
> been toying with the idea of spending the money with a qualified and
> interested mechanic to completely resore this vehicle so I can
> eventually drive it back up to Montana to be my primary vehicle during
> the the winter months and use for fly fishing and camping activities.
>
> Given that I know nothing about these types of vehicles, I have two
> questions:
>
> 1) Is this plan feasible with a vehicle this old that has not been
> used for quite some time?
>
> 2) If so, can any of you folks recommend a qualifed jeep mechanic
> who'd be interested in doing something like this.
>
> I've got somewhat of a timing issue. I'm planning to leave for
> Montana in early August, but would like to find a qualifed mechanic to
> look at the vehicle, determine it's worthiness for this kind of
> restoration. Then I'd like to leave the vehichle with the mechanic to
> fix up to be ready by mid - November.
>
> Can anyone point me to the appropriate knowledgeble mechanic familiar
> with this type of vehicle??
>
> Any help or referrals you can provide will be greatly appreciated.
>
> Thanks for your time and consideration.
>
> Nickbalm@gmail.com
>



--
Posted via a free Usenet account from http://www.teranews.com

Re: Looking for Jeep Mechanic to fix up / restore an old Jeep J3000 4x4
 

I think you should pass. 427s are extremely temperamental, they'll load
up just waiting through a stop light. Now where is it? ;-)
God Bless America, Bill O|||||||O
mailto:-------------------- http://www.----------.com/


<nickbalm@gmail.com> wrote in message
news:1184778518.050836.151060@i13g2000prf.googlegr oups.com...
> I live in LA currently but will be moving to South Central Montana in
> the next few weeks. I've got a friend here in LA who has a Jeep J3000
> 4x4 (not sure what year it is, looks like mid-late 60's but not sure)
> with a 427 engine in it.
>
> It's been sitting in his backyard for years gathering dust and I've
> been toying with the idea of spending the money with a qualified and
> interested mechanic to completely resore this vehicle so I can
> eventually drive it back up to Montana to be my primary vehicle during
> the the winter months and use for fly fishing and camping activities.
>
> Given that I know nothing about these types of vehicles, I have two
> questions:
>
> 1) Is this plan feasible with a vehicle this old that has not been
> used for quite some time?
>
> 2) If so, can any of you folks recommend a qualifed jeep mechanic
> who'd be interested in doing something like this.
>
> I've got somewhat of a timing issue. I'm planning to leave for
> Montana in early August, but would like to find a qualifed mechanic to
> look at the vehicle, determine it's worthiness for this kind of
> restoration. Then I'd like to leave the vehichle with the mechanic to
> fix up to be ready by mid - November.
>
> Can anyone point me to the appropriate knowledgeble mechanic familiar
> with this type of vehicle??
>
> Any help or referrals you can provide will be greatly appreciated.
>
> Thanks for your time and consideration.
>
> Nickbalm@gmail.com
>



--
Posted via a free Usenet account from http://www.teranews.com

Re: Looking for Jeep Mechanic to fix up / restore an old Jeep J3000 4x4
 

I think you should pass. 427s are extremely temperamental, they'll load
up just waiting through a stop light. Now where is it? ;-)
God Bless America, Bill O|||||||O
mailto:-------------------- http://www.----------.com/


<nickbalm@gmail.com> wrote in message
news:1184778518.050836.151060@i13g2000prf.googlegr oups.com...
> I live in LA currently but will be moving to South Central Montana in
> the next few weeks. I've got a friend here in LA who has a Jeep J3000
> 4x4 (not sure what year it is, looks like mid-late 60's but not sure)
> with a 427 engine in it.
>
> It's been sitting in his backyard for years gathering dust and I've
> been toying with the idea of spending the money with a qualified and
> interested mechanic to completely resore this vehicle so I can
> eventually drive it back up to Montana to be my primary vehicle during
> the the winter months and use for fly fishing and camping activities.
>
> Given that I know nothing about these types of vehicles, I have two
> questions:
>
> 1) Is this plan feasible with a vehicle this old that has not been
> used for quite some time?
>
> 2) If so, can any of you folks recommend a qualifed jeep mechanic
> who'd be interested in doing something like this.
>
> I've got somewhat of a timing issue. I'm planning to leave for
> Montana in early August, but would like to find a qualifed mechanic to
> look at the vehicle, determine it's worthiness for this kind of
> restoration. Then I'd like to leave the vehichle with the mechanic to
> fix up to be ready by mid - November.
>
> Can anyone point me to the appropriate knowledgeble mechanic familiar
> with this type of vehicle??
>
> Any help or referrals you can provide will be greatly appreciated.
>
> Thanks for your time and consideration.
>
> Nickbalm@gmail.com
>



--
Posted via a free Usenet account from http://www.teranews.com

Re: Looking for Jeep Mechanic to fix up / restore an old Jeep J3000 4x4
 

On Wed, 18 Jul 2007 10:08:38 -0700, "nickbalm@gmail.com"
<nickbalm@gmail.com> wrote:

>I live in LA currently but will be moving to South Central Montana in
>the next few weeks. I've got a friend here in LA who has a Jeep J3000
>4x4 (not sure what year it is, looks like mid-late 60's but not sure)
>with a 427 engine in it.

Are you sure about the 427??? They had a AMC "Vigilante" 327 that
they used from 1965 till about 1968. (it is NOT a chevy 327) It used
a not standard bolt pattern so a newer 304's, 360's and 401 will not
bolt in as far as I know. A AMC 290, 343 or 390 might though because
they were built before AMC standardised bellhousing for newer engines.
If it really is a 427, no telling what drive train combo you have.
>
>It's been sitting in his backyard for years gathering dust and I've
>been toying with the idea of spending the money with a qualified and
>interested mechanic to completely resore this vehicle so I can
>eventually drive it back up to Montana to be my primary vehicle during
>the the winter months and use for fly fishing and camping activities.
>
>Given that I know nothing about these types of vehicles, I have two
>questions:
>
>1) Is this plan feasible with a vehicle this old that has not been
>used for quite some time?

Nice thing about a Jeep truck is that from 60's till the end of the
run in 89 very little changed on them (only grills, trim and drive
trains) so a 60's model is not harder to work on really to restore
than a 80's model. I have a 79 J20 that I have owned for 22 years now
and they are simple sturdy no nonsense vehicals that were born as
4x4's unlike other Detriot 4x4 trucks which were then and still are
now basically converted 2wd models. If you can a old model like that
that can be restored they are kinda prices less because there is not
many left today and you will have something neat when done that will
garner attention even in pure stock form. My 79 pushed snow for many
year until I retired it a few years ago to one day restore and it
still runs. Those things were VERY well built but kind short on
creature comforts but would make a first rate hunting and fishing
vehical that would be right at home in Montana.

>
>2) If so, can any of you folks recommend a qualifed jeep mechanic
>who'd be interested in doing something like this.

In my younger days I would have but not today

>
>I've got somewhat of a timing issue. I'm planning to leave for
>Montana in early August, but would like to find a qualifed mechanic to
>look at the vehicle, determine it's worthiness for this kind of
>restoration. Then I'd like to leave the vehichle with the mechanic to
>fix up to be ready by mid - November.

The first thing you want to look at is the basic frame on it which you
can do yourself. If it is solid and rust free the rest is doable. If
it is stock it will have either a T90 speed manual or a T98 4 speed.
The T98 is a strong tranny and well built and even the 3 speed T90 is
a stout unit. The transfer case should be a Dana 20 with is a proven
unit and you can still get parts for today and is still a viable unit
for those building custom setups. The axles should be Dana's front a
rear and it should have the old closed knuckle D44 up front. This is a
real 4x4 abd jeep did not use any weak parts in drive train until 1980
when they started to lighten some things up. Those old P/U are tuff as
nails and if you take the time and money to restore it will likely
outlast you up there. There is nothing on that truck that is a bear to
work on or repair or that is trouble prone. It was a good no nonsense
truck and you may have a real find if it is still stock and in need of
some TLC.
>
>Can anyone point me to the appropriate knowledgeble mechanic familiar
>with this type of vehicle??

I know old Jeep trucks really well so I can answer questions about
drive train, axles, trannies and such. I plan to redo my 79 stock for
simular use one day. I have no plans to ever sell it. Rigth now it is
in barn awaiting restoration one day.

>
>Any help or referrals you can provide will be greatly appreciated.
>
>Thanks for your time and consideration.
>
>Nickbalm@gmail.com
-----------------
TheSnoMan.com