Faults:

Well, it ran really good for about 210,000 miles. Then I decided as it certainly had the miles & was dripping just a little oil, that perhaps it would be good to have the engine rebuilt. I took it to what was a very reputable shop (dealer could not even work on them any more) who had been in business for years & years. Paid nearly $3000 to have the engine completely overhauled & rebuilt along with a few other things that would reasonably go with it. Now, less than 20,000 into the rebuild, the engine is running horrible with extensive blow by, heavy oil usage, horrible power & pickup, etc. etc.

Unfortunately now the shop has gone out of business after years of service. Another shop wants to completely rebuild it again & I don't know what to do as I got laid off a while back after over 38 years, & have been unable to find another decent job. I would try to fix it myself if I knew what was really wrong with it & knew it would solve the problem. It just cannot be the engine if the first run lasted 210,000 with no problems & was still running fairly well, & the rebuild is less than 20,000 & runs like it would be 230,000, but worse. I just don't know what to do, & really wish I could find someone that really & truly honestly knew how to work on these, & do a good job for a genuinely fair & affordable price.

General Comments:

I really like the vehicle & it has been very dependable all these years until now. It is still in pretty good shape & is fun to drive, but it could probably use a paint job.

Faults:

Rebuilt clutch & replaced the slave cylinder.

Rebuilt rear differential.

Rebuilt engine at approx 200,000.

Replaced shocks.

Replaced brakes & master cylinder.

Replaced alternator.

Problems with the heat since under warranty, & a blower switch later, & even a mechanic could not find a new switch anywhere, & neither could I. Mechanic ended up sticking a toggle switch on it to try & help out, but that quit eventually.

Another mechanic damaged the ignition switch & a relay module allegedly repairing the tilt wheel (I used to have it tightened every 60-70k - fast, easy & cheap. Then I got transferred to this area & this mechanic at a chain operation said he could fix it & damaged all these things, & then the good mechanic & myself could not find replacement parts).

Replaced headliner.

Regular general maintenance.

General Comments:

This vehicle keeps on going. This vehicle is not fancy & is noisy (even for a hard of hearing guy), but it has literally been through hell & high water, & still gets there time after time. This is not a Cadillac, but I firmly believe I could take off for Alaska & this old gal would get me there.