How To Find A Mechanic To Work On Quadra Trac?

I need to replace the emergency 4WD diaphragm on my '77 CJ7. I have the part but after reading all I can online, don't think I have skills/time/space to do the job myself. I live in a small town, with only a few independent shops. If I search for "transmission repair", one shop with that phrase in its name shows up, along with my regular shop. My regular shop has helped me with a number of vehicles, including the '77, but they are pretty expensive.

Before I call both places, I'd like to have a list of questions to ask that would give me an indication of the chances for a successful outcome, without it costing me an arm and a leg. I assume the first is to ask if they have ever worked on a Quadra Trac, but what else would you want to know?

Thanks,

 

Where are you located?

I think it's unlikely you will find a shop having any experience with these cases. The last one was produced in 1979, which is 37 years ago. JMO - it's not a very complicated part to replace, and there is plenty of how-to information both in the TSM and online. How do you know that the diaphragm is the problem? Does this Jeep have a part-time conversion?

I suggested this before - the majority of these cases were used in the J-trucks, Cherokees and Wagoneers of the era. The two main forums for these cars is www.ifsja.org and www.fsjnetwork.com - either or both of these forums may have members that use a shop near you for work on these cars. However, I think it's really hard to own an old car generally unless you can do the work yourself, or you have deep pockets and can find a specialty shop that works on old cars (at which point a new car would be cheaper to operate). You might ask at local shops that specialize in 4x4 upgrades and service, or ask on your local Jeep/off-road forum - here in New England we have NEOW The NEOW Forum - members of such a forum may have shop recommendations.

 

Find the oldest mechanic you can.

 

pull the case and ship it to the closest Jeep specialty shop..
or
post up on Craigslist and find a mechanic who will do a side job..

either way, your pulling the case

 

I've been working on old cars/jeeps and tractors for 50 years. My dad was a mechanic in WWII and I learned a lot from him. A main lesson was to know when to ask for help. I read the forums after you posted about them. That is when I came to the conclusion that I would need to pull the case (or as suggested on the Wagoneer site, cut a hole in the floor to gain access). I'm old and although I've done frame-off restorations and have split tractors, I'm much more selective now about the jobs I take on especially when working alone.

I'm located near Columbus, IN, about an hour south of Indy. I'll look for 4x4 shops around here. But if my choice is to drop the case to take it somewhere, I'll do the job myself.

I was looking for some advice on how to figure out if the shop would be willing to do the same research (or would be willing to work from what I've found) without me paying for their education. I know I can just ask, but was hoping there might be a better approach. Guess not.

 

The best question you can ask if you "don't want to pay for their education" is "have you worked on a Borg-Warner Quadratrac transfer case and the control systems before?". Otherwise you will be paying for their education. In the big scheme of things when you take something to a repair person that's exactly what you are paying for, their experience and their education (sometimes one and the same).

 

Methinks those forums you're reading are making it sound a whole lot harder than it actually is. If you can split a tractor you can do this. Rather than a hole in the floor unbolt the cross member and drop it down to access the cover. Check the 74 TSM on line Jeep® 1974 TSM online

 

I love that. Would be a great pick-up line.

Split my first tractor this year. Way easier than I feared - my 15 year old daughter helped.

 

I think OP would find the same thing with the diaphragm, changing it, not as a pickup line.

 

Thanks for all the suggestions. I had not read the TSM and should have. I owe timgr an apology for that alone. I think I'm just becoming a grumpy FOG (fat old guy). I'll get back with my progress.