"Perhaps you could make some calls yourself before broaching the subject with him?" Good advice that I will take.RiverPatrol wrote:Thanks for sharing your story, I completely understand. The Internet can be a blessing or a curse, depending on how someone uses it. There is good information out there and there is some really bad information, to successfully reap a bountiful harvest from the Internet one needs good filters. I too have been in a very dire life situation where I had to heavily rely on information from the Internet, but there was a whole very convincing faction that were completely off base that I had to be able to discern what was viable and what wasn't.
Also, old school mechanics are very set in their ways. Yours sounds like that typical stereotype. They can be difficult to work with because they want to do things their way and are usually not very open to change especially when it comes from someone non-mechanical. The repair of the tank might be one of those situations since it is not a part that you can hand him that he finds works once he installs it. The tank will require making calls to radiator shops and asking them if they can fix the tank, something he might not be willing to do. Perhaps you could make some calls yourself before broaching the subject with him?
I had a conversation recently with another member here that this reminds me of. Years ago when the Patrol community first gathered on the Internet to exchange ideas and tips, it was a group of folks that owned Patrols that were trying to revive them themselves. When I started this forum in 2012 it the community was still comprised of that type of folk. The resulting availability of information and sources for parts has enabled more people to take interest in Patrols. It used to be that you could find Patrols on craigslist for $100 - $1500 frequently; $1500 usually got you two of them. Those days are long gone. Because of this availability of information and parts the value of the Patrol has increased significantly. Before, someone would get one of those cheap Patrols on craigslist but would hit road blocks trying to find parts to fix them and end up turning around and selling it back on craigslist again. Now it is actually possible to restore them.
As a result it seems that we have priced ourselves out of the DIY market. I am finding this as I try to sell one of my own Patrols. You are not the only non-mechanical Patrol owner out there relying on a mechanic to do the work for you, there are many. I've had people come to look at my Patrol and they'll ask me what I think it would cost to do something. I don't have an answer. My first thought is how disappointed I am that I can no longer do the work myself, I am surprised that they aren't eager to get in there and do the same. That's the market we have grown into now though. I guess I should take that as a sign of success of the Patrol community and be content.
Anyway, I digress.
The windshield stay hooks you'll find used, probably from someone here. I'm pretty sure I have some somewhere. I'm surprised that yours are that rusty since they are on the inside of the vehicle, usually protected from the elements. I don't think I've ever seen any that were so rusty that they would no longer work properly but I guess its possible. Actually I would be more concerned with the condition of the hinges that allow the windshield to fold down. These are usually frozen after being in the same position for decades in the weather. Lube them up well before trying and you might want to rock the windshield a bit first to get the hinges well lubed before going down with it. You'll know right away if they're frozen.
" You are not the only non-mechanical Patrol owner out there relying on a mechanic to do the work for you, there are many." and we aren't just not willing to try.....time, space, life experience limit me. I'm approaching 50 years, and my dad always tried to drag me under the family car to learn to change oil when I was younger, but sports took me in a different direction that took up a lot of that learning opportunity time growing up. He's still alive at 78 and took one look at the Patrol and said it is all simple with no electronics......I look at this forum and and simple applies to replacing the rear view mirror and the spark plugs (if I knew how to properly gap the plugs!)
"I'm surprised that yours are that rusty since they are on the inside of the vehicle, usually protected from the elements" - I will share photo when I can. Maybe the stay hooks aren't as bad as I think.....they just look rusty enough to make me nervous to un-clasp ....thinking if I re-tighten/clasp, they might fail.
"I guess I should take that as a sign of success of the Patrol community and be content. " and you should be proud.....We got this Patrol when my better half's grandfather and father passed away....the kids were young and remembered them saying they had trouble finding parts...."Everything comes from Australia" they remember hearing...."impossible to get parts"....this was 20 years ago.....now look where you have taken this Patrol's journey....given life to it! So, Thank you!
