4x4 Fitment Woes

[Kagiso II]

The topic an the leaking s/steel fuel tank refers: http://www.patrol4x4.co.za/viewtopic.ph ... 9&start=10

Hi Grant,
Seeing as you asked – let me reply [as complete as possible (i.o.w. as memory allows)] of personal experiences of 4x4 Fitment Centres that botched work on my vehicles:

- “Extra Mile” – fitted an extra tank to my Sani. On the morning of departure on an outreach, the filler pipe came loose and some 20 litre of petrol was running on the driveway before I noticed it when I came out the forecourt shop [the attendant was also merrily chatting away with a passing female] – The group left without me – I only got going at 11:00 that day and I had to catch up a day later. In the Selinda forest reserve another pipe came off and I lost some 40 litre of petrol in the ‘sandpaadjies” of Botswana. On return I took the car back to them to rectify – they never fixed it – instead, they damaged the tank to the extend I had to throw it away. [R3800 down the drain]

- Big Country 4x4 – [when they were still in Menlyn; Garsfontein Road] The same Sani with another tank was taken to them – they damaged the inner fender of the Sani, made a hash of the piping and that tank could never receive petrol – then the owner went and bullied Dwergie into paying him for the job while I was on an outreach in Botswana.

- 4x4 Mega World – I bought a drawer system from them – as displayed in their shop (where previously Big Country 4x4 had been). The drawer they installed was NOT the same as the one on display. They displayed one that could take the larger ammo box, 3 of. The one I got installed cannot even take 3 brown ammo boxes [it wont go in sideways] I can only fit 2, length wise] The refused to take it back – and came with the story that that model is not for my Hard Body.

- “Bruce” [advertising snorkels at R1800.oo in Gumtree] – Sold and fitted me a snorkel for Boezman [the ONLY snorkel for Hard Body I could find] – The “head section” BROKE off on the road between Sesfontein & Purros in Namibia AND it cracked along the bottom – 3mm wide, 30cm long

- Safari Centre – Fitted KC High-lites (not “cheap stuff” you would agree??? )on the Patrol, directly on the plastic bumper protrudes. One broke off on the Namaqua 4x4 route on our way to Richtersveldt. They damaged the wiring which caused the light fittings to melt [you can verify with JG, he helped me replace the light fittings] – They managed to fit the replacement spotlights so that the spots would come on even if the headlights were not eve switched on – instead of only switching on when on BRIGHT .. [a legal requirement I think?] – Now, I sit with gaping big holes on Agarob’s Bumpers (luckily I could buy Izak’s bumper off his Patrol and he gifted me his nudge bar – so, after a bumper respray, I can have Agarob looking descent again .. Only, I am too scared to ask any workshop to do the job for me … J]

- LA Sport: Centurion – I took Brutus to them to have the spare wheel carrier and roof rack fitted. The spare wheel rattled to such an extend, we did not even make the Botswana border post of Zanzibar. I had to pack the spare wheel on my roof rack. The brackets they used for the roof rack, broke. When I wanted to buy new ones I was informed that Front Runner don’t make those brackets any more .. I had to buy the “rail” system [at R1 600] to fit the roof rack to. Which I then did. Then the Menlyn branch kept me on “a line” for 3 months, but never could supply me with the brackets that slide into those rails.

- Wild Africa 4x4 – I took Boezman to them to weld-fix the 2 broken brackets and fit the roofrack on Boezman. I also handed them the Nissan Long Range Tank, the plastic 65 litre one that fits above the spare wheel [the tank gifted to me by VANMAN of the Nissan forum] and also requested them to have the crack on the snorkel repaired. – Then we left for Malawi – A week later than promised, the vehicle was still not completed and I had to call off a planned trip and cancel reservations we had made. At last, when I got Boezman back, they had discarded the brackets I supplied and fitted the hated rails on Boezman [Now I am stuck with forever driving with the roof rack on, causing a LOT of wind noise and lots of extra fuel consumption] Secondly, they REMOVED my fender that the snorkel was fitted to and replaced it with a non-Nissan fender – and never had the snorkel fixed. The cherry on top – they discarded the plastic tank I provided and fitted a stainless steel tank to Boezman. On the first trip thereafter [yes, you guessed it – an Outreach to Botswana – the l/r tank would not fill up – and I had to revert to jerry cans. On our return I had to take the vehicle back to them 3 times before the filling problem on the tank was sorted. Now, when I fill up and drive off road, I have a strong diesel smell .. I suspect the tank or the piping has sprung a leak.

- So – as you can see – I have had NO good experience with ANY of the 4x4 Fitment centres I had dealings with over a stretch of years.

- Can anybody suggest an honest, capable, effective 4x4 fitment centre within reach of Garsfontein, Pretoria area???

[Rocstompa]

Even if I knew someone decent in your area with your bad luck I would hesitate to refer you.

[AndriesS]

I feel your pain, unfortunately this happens every aspect of cars and life today. I experienced it with PG Autoglass last week.

There are a handful of real artisans and craftsmen left that are proud of their product and handywork. Business also tends to pay managers more and the poor bloke that is really skilled artisan is forced to improve his earnings by becoming a manager or starts his own business and tries to oversee the work, however as manager/business owner he will never see the appy stripping a nut and just back it of 1 turns or nicking a tank or wire with a drill.

I'll have more respect for someone saying this is the only product we stock but I won't fit it to my vehicle or sizing is right but for you conditions .... than a salesmen trying to make a quick buck.

What annoys me even more is the managers having an attitude of if you know so much why did you not do it yourself. I know how to make shoes but do I really want to?

[Kagiso II]

Even if I knew someone decent in your area with your bad luck I would hesitate to refer you.

- skerp man - SKERPPP !! [jou grapkas.. !]

BUT - when I do get good reliable service, I promote those instances [firms .. whatever] without them asking me to, or me expecting anything in return - except - keep on giving good, reliable honest service for the money you charge.

[The plumber tried to justify his R500 /hour to me the other day - that is 3times more than my G/P [the doctor Arries - the doctor] charges me .. But my life depends on the doctor [sometimes] and I cannot treat myself [sometimes] - and the G/P's overheads & nursing staff & buildings are MUCH higher than the plumber's [Plumber quoted R7420.oo ... I did it myself for R399.95 ]

[Peter Connan]

Hello Oom Mac

This is a lot like Sias's disaster. Most of these guys are "parts fitters", and when everything fits like it says in the manual, the results are usually quite acceptable, but when these guys start having to "maak 'n plan" then unfortunately the wheels fall off more often than not.

I am also very particular about how a job gets done, and I often find that people do not follow the instructions I have given, and the more unusual the job is the worse it gets. The result of this is that I have a very long list of people who I will never go back to, even though lots of other guys have nothing but high regards for these very same operators.

[davejones]

Thanks Oompie - in the end i left with the leak and with pratley steel putty and managed the leak to a sweat for the whole journey. When I get a chance i will take the tank in to be properly tested and repaired where required.

I have to agree with you - I always give service providers the benefit of the doubt, and have on times been let down.. I am yet to find a shop where I can feel fully confident that my vehicle will be treated with the same respect as I would if it were I working on her. That being said, under new management, I have a growing confidence in Big Country 4x4 and intend on returning my Patrol there for any work I do not do myself.

For me the issue is that in general, the last 2 years have been absolute boom times for 4x4 accessory / customisation shops, and where there is more than enough business to go around, service levels naturally (unfortunately) do drop - it happens in every industry. But we should not accept this as normal, or accept it in any way at all. I would love to know the amount of money spent annually in this industry; any perhaps that's where things will go; an industry watch dog, register, standards, statistics etc (for example, steel price has come down and rand is super strong, yet prices for steel bumpers are at all time highs) -

In the end we as 4x4 and overlanding enthusiats and forum members look at one another as transparent and honest, I think that transparency and honesty needs to flow through to those with whom we entrust our vehicles, but they have to earn it, and we cannot accept anything less than top service.

[Kagiso II]

You are so right Dave [oh - and welcome back !!!]
What is sad - when these dealer persons read the postings of one complaining [or reporting on] bad service / experience, dan is hulle baie verontwaardig [translation: Then they are very exasperated]
I still cannot justify R999 for a table that also sells for R249.oo
Why I get so many 'bad experiences' ?? Satan plays a role, I'm sure, as I use my vehicle mostly on Outreaches & Charity - and most of my travelling is off road, gravel, & bad roads. [Agarob is the only one who does mostly tar road - as it is Dwergie's "werk toe en huis toe" wheels]

Same as I cannot in any way understand a price tag in excess of R80 000 to fit a Lexus V8 engine - which they buy for R6500 [including the gearbox] - and I have yet to hear of a perfect installation or 100% satisfied customer ..
and things like that, But maybe that is why I am not in business -

[Grant]

Oom Mac,


- “Extra Mile” – fitted an extra tank to my Sani. Why did you not demand they replace it. They should have had insurance to cover ?

Big Country 4x4- Again, demand a refund- make a big noise- I know you can.

4x4 Mega World - Drawer systems a vehicle specific- see below

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Safari Centre – Fitted KC High-lites- Where did you tell them you wanted them ? I see you did not have a bumper or nudge, so In my oppinion they should never have even fitted them.

LA Sport Centurion - Call Herman Timmerman- He disagree's with you comments - 072 489 8890

Wild Africa 4x4 Roof Rack and fuel tank.


Rails are the only way to fit the roof rack. No other option available. Safety and approved by Nissan.

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Fuel tank has brobably got a problem with the breather hose. When you gave then the plastic tank, did you also give them the hoses, mounting brackets and filler pipe ? I think they used their heads and to a risk in trying to help you. Your tank is probably a Front Runner model. Tank it to Bobby or Wayne. I am confident they will help you.

Hope this helps you

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[Theuhan]

Firstly I don't think that any fitment centre will ever fit any thing the way we would like it, there will always be something we would have done better, and I can live with that, because if you talk to that centre there would always be a explination for why they did it there way and not your way.
I do have a problem when they as the experts " that is why we have them work on our cars and not do it ourselfs " supply and fit what ever makes them more money, or is easy to fit, instead of finding out what it would be used for.
I went to my local LA sport " I know them very well " I needed a sixpak frige to replase my centre console/armrest, as I normaly travel on my own in the car, I hate having to stop to get a drink out the frige in the back all the time, but all they wanted to showed me was the new 40l and 80l friges, until I turn around and walked out. now if they told me that they do not have stock of what I needed, but whould get it, our would send me somewhere that did stock it I would trust them more next time.

[Grant]

Hi Theuhan,


All you should have done was to ask the salesman to tell you what you requested. Get him to repy to this and then ask him then to show you what you asked for. To reply to your question for a fridge replacement, I can tell you their is no standard for the Patrol. There are units available for the LC, and Land Rover. I have taken duckting from the front vents to the dash cubby and it works reasonably well. Other option is to fit cooler on the rear seat.



Next time you have a fitment do the following,


Scope of work.
In detail write what you require and how you want it done.i.e where you want it, what bolts, what size cable, where to put the fuse. Get the service gent to reply verbaly to your requests and then get a copy of this. Also demand that they call you should they deviate from the original scope of work. All to often problems and unhappiness can be prevented if both parties make sure that they have a clear understanding of the job at hand.