I really hope all turns out well for you Rafa. When all is said and done that truck is going to be bad a$$

 

This all started because they are taking long. I specifically remember Rafa standing up for JDM when another member commented on their style of work.

I noticed that scan that Rafa posted says "invoice" nowhere does it say or imply estimate. It seems to me that JDM is the expert or atleast should be. Now if they can't accurately give an estimate that would be another problem, but I am pretty sure it would breach the contract (invoice) by charging more without performing more services or without his consent. So the fact that JDM uncharged them is their shortcoming, not Rafa's

Lastly, I don't even know what to say about the degree of professionalism being exhibited here by JDM. What does Jim really plan on accomplishing by A. bring out Rafa's personal expenses B. implying that he is dishonest C. arguing with a customer. It's hard for me to believe that Rafa is giving them guff and then coming over here and painting a mild mannered story. When you would think he would be coming over here and trying to stir the waters. I think most of us are more visibly fustrated than he is..

 

Rafa, when you do speak to JDM let us know how they treat you after their work ethic has been revealed here. If anyone should be giving someone grief it's you giving JDM, rafa. Good luck.

 

I really feel sorry for Rafa...he has handled this situation VERY VERY cordially and it seems this post has stirred up a bucket of **** he didn't want stirred...for good reason. He is between a rock and a hard place and right or wrong at the mercy of JDM right now. Thats why, I am sure, he has been so soft toned up until this point. They have his money and his truck....if they don't finish the job then he has A TON of money in a Mark LT that doesn't even run. And just getting the truck back and taking it some where else isn't just a open option on this type of custom work....VERY few shops in the country can do this type of work. On top of that even fewer would take his truck in now and finish it. Now it seems his fears are being realized but JDM saying "come pay us for what we have done so far and take your unfinished truck...we are washing out hands of it." IMO that more than anything else shows lack of integrity on their part. I would say to JDM, finish what you started and let the bill reflect the work done.

 

J I M @ J D M !!!!

I JUST WANTED YOU TO SEE MY POST DUDE.

i do all custom work myself. i want to know why you purchase parts for one -offs and not fabricate them in shop. ie is aluminum or stainless sheet work as apposed to purchasing a cast piece out of shop, then why not put it in a brake, plasma cut the parts and finish them?

i suspect the labor isn't available to make custom parts in shop. it takes a lot of people to put one person on a project and have him/her make so many one-offs.

but here is my point.

why are you taking work you cannot suppport? i can understand most of what you are encountering on these projects, but your reputation is ruined with me and others that have something you need. MONEY

i am quite sure you can care less what we think about your reputation. you have lots of people waiting in line. i'm sorry all of this happened, but i also a happy i didn't send anything of my project to you. (heads) sorry for the sharp words, but you deserve it.

 

ASSASSINATOR

 

Still no response????

 

I've read this post & I see a very valuable lesson here:

If you want to have the "only one" of ANYTHING, you're going to pay out the *** for it.

From the figures posted by several, you have anywhere from $18000 to $30000 into this vehicle, 2006 MK LT 4X4, plus the intial cost of the vehicle which is at least $40000.

For $70000, you could buy AND have money left over:
Corvette
Any Cadillac except the XLR-V
A broad range of BMW, MB or Audi's
Porche Cayman or Boxster
ETC

When all is said & done, I'm sure the truck will be stinking fast but it will be only marginally faster than most decent sports cars. Add to that the fact it will be basically worthless if Rafa ever tries to sell it. No one other than some other truck fanatic will even look at such a vehicle. I hope everything works out in the end for Rafa but I would most assuredly have spent my $$$ in other ways.

JDM is close to where I live. I know a few guys that have had work done there. All of them said JDM does excellent work. None of them said they do timely work.

KC-10 FE out...

 

I'm just curious about the following: How were the custom fuel rails significantly different than the fuel rails you guys put in Lightnings on a regular basis (you do after all sell an upgraded 'Race-Only' fuel system for Lightnings) and lastly, what additional machining was required on the GT block for the LT (once the changes to the oiling system, the provision for the starter and the 'inspection' hole for the TC/flywheel bolts are done I can't see much left to CNC)...

 

I think that you are looking at this all wrong when you try to compare what Rafa is building to coupes and sedans.
Imagine the look on the face of a Cayenne Turbo or ML63 AMG driver when he pulls up to you in the right lane at a light thinking he'll have no problem getting past you and squeezing in.

Although I don't know the particulars in this case most people building one off vehicles have at least 1 or 2 other vehicles to drive which may be in the above mentioned categories.

 

Any updates??

 

Rafa26, let us know if Jim Sr. called you yesterday.

If they don't deliver your truck this week, get an attorney and shove their as#$ !

You have too many real proofs to own that guys in court !

Take care man.

 

My post was not intended to slander RAFA. I don't know him from anyone. If he wnts to spend his $$$ like this & it makes him happy, then by all means he should do just that. I'm sure that a 600hp truck will stomp the crap out of 95% of unsuspecting drivers in 95% of what ever kind of car. That much is certain.

My point was that if you wanna play on the "custom" vehicle playground, you gonna pay. Speed costs money... How fast do you want to go? Then you add the factor of how much of a nightmare all this custom work is & how much it will cost to have this custom work fixed when it does break, & it will. In the end, is it really worth it just so you can say you have the fastest Lincoln truck around? I don't think it is but it's not my money being spent. If it was my money, there would be a MB CLK500 & a Ducati S4RS in my driveway. Both vehicles come with a warranty and in the case of the MB, all scheduled maintenance is included as well. Different strokes for different folks I guess.

KC-10 FE out...

 

I will agree that at this point this whole situation is building alot of public tension. Rafa and Jim need to have a sit down and determine which roads they will turn to next.
At this point I would just like to see them finish Rafa's truck. The truck seems to already be at a point where it should be finished soon and he has already waited it out this long..
Rafa-
Set up a meeting with The Jim's and talk this thing through. 2 things are certain in the end..you want a sick truck and they want to get paid. I am sure you guys can agree on that as a starting point.
From what I am reading it has been 7 months.. You need to decide at this point if you and JDM can solve your differences and work it from here on out or if you both will settle and you take the truck elsewhere.
I understand and agree with your frustrations. I dont think this is going to be solved unless you both are face to face. Make sure to bring your documentation.

Good luck Rafa

 

I have been keeping up with this thread for a long time.

Lucky for me, I dont have a lot of money.

I hope everything works out ok for you Rafa.