Official Gramps' Memorial Eternal OT Thread

#12,527
#12,527
McDad said:
I do it as a hobby and to buy cars at deep discounts compared to retail. Im a novice; still learning.
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My family has done that as a business since the 40's. My grandfather started it and my dad and uncle continued it until they retired. The age of carfax and reconstructed/salvage titles make it difficult to make it as a business. My uncle still does some and has a lot where he and his son sell them.

I still will build personal vehicles and vehicles for my business every now and then. I'm finishing up a 2015 f150 lariat loaded to the max with only 11k on it. It was a stolen and recovered and it had extensive superficial damage. I've had to replace every body panel except the bed and tailgate. Also, have had to replace both the front and rear bumpers and front grill, both taillights and one head light. The taillights were $700 New but fortunately you can buy just the shell and reuse your radar modules for $300 each. Headlights were $1000 New but I found one used with a broken tab for $400. The mirrors were $800 each new but I found them used for $400 each. Went used on the doors for $700 each. Very expensive repair but it will be a very nice truck when it's finished. I'll post some before and after pics in a few days.

Where do you source your parts?
 
#12,528
#12,528
marcusluvsvols said:
Good man. Anyone who helps veterans get honored at their funerals, in any way, has my respect. *tip of the hat*
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I would help more of them but they’re not always a trusting bunch. They don’t always believe I’m there to do it for free, and being at least 30 years younger than the youngest guy there looks odd. I’m also not a veteran or gunsmith so that works against me as well. And posts have been ripped off before. There are stocks and parts on those rifles that can easily go for hundreds of dollars, unscrupulous “helpers” have offered to buy them nice new stocks or “upgrade parts” and take the GI ones off their hands. So they swap a $100 op rod for the post’s $400 op rod, or a $100 stock for a $500 stock. Nevermind you’re technically stealing Army property, people still do it. The guys at the post don’t know the difference, to them an M1 is an M1 and the parts are all the same. It’s sad people take advantage of others but there are jerks all over.
 
#12,529
#12,529
marcusluvsvols said:
Having just seen my brother get full honors at fort Gordon for his funeral, and then my dad get the same in ktown at Berry funeral home because he was cremated, my pappaw was buried in the veterans cemetary in knoxville, and the USAF chaplin, USAF color guard, VA director all did and incredible job for my pappaw. Put the other 2 to shame, and my dad was a colonel to my pappaws master sergeant, both served over 20 years.

Little differences

At FORT gordon, my lil brother got 7 qty M16s firing 3 rounds each for 21 gun salute. Then the rifles were placed on the ground for all to see and the men stood at parade rest forever. They were just kids, mb 20 yrs.

Dont remember dads numbers. His was done by volunteer retirees, it was a little sloppy compared to the other 2. Was heartfelt and appreciated though.

Pappaw had 3 riflemen fire 3 rounds each. Was weird. However, the pallbearers all marched perfectly intime, they folded his flag with the most precision i have ever witnessed, and presented it to his wife beautifully. It was amazingly well done.

View attachment 175020View attachment 175021

Pappaw at top. Lil bro at the bottom
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Sorry for your loss.

I think it's disgraceful the military isn't providing trained burial details to every veteran anymore. My best friend from HS dad passed a few weeks ago, medically retired from the Marine Corp due to wounds in Vietnam, Silver Star and the local VFW had to due the honors at his funeral.
 
#12,530
#12,530
InVOLuntary said:
My family has done that as a business since the 40's. My grandfather started it and my dad and uncle continued it until they retired. The age of carfax and reconstructed/salvage titles make it difficult to make it as a business. My uncle still does some and has a lot where he and his son sell them.

I still will build personal vehicles and vehicles for my business every now and then. I'm finishing up a 2015 f150 lariat loaded to the max with only 11k on it. It was a stolen and recovered and it had extensive superficial damage. I've had to replace every body panel except the bed and tailgate. Also, have had to replace both the front and rear bumpers and front grill, both taillights and one head light. The taillights were $700 New but fortunately you can buy just the shell and reuse your radar modules for $300 each. Headlights were $1000 New but I found one used with a broken tab for $400. The mirrors were $800 each new but I found them used for $400 each. Went used on the doors for $700 each. Very expensive repair but it will be a very nice truck when it's finished. I'll post some before and after pics in a few days.

Where do you source your parts?
Click to expand...
Sounds like you found a gem in that truck. Lots of work to repair and replace but worth it.

In TN, when i submit paperwork for rebranding, i must include VIN of donor vehicle when buying used parts. So, i try to stay away from the sketchy private sellers who do not provide VIN. I mostly stick with salvage yards, car parts.com, LKQ and such.

How about you?
 
#12,531
#12,531
McDad said:
Sounds like you found a gem in that truck. Lots of work to repair and replace but worth it.

In TN, when i submit paperwork for rebranding, i must include VIN of donor vehicle when buying used parts. So, i try to stay away from the sketchy private sellers who do not provide VIN. I mostly stick with salvage yards, car parts.com, LKQ and such.

How about you?
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Yes, you have to have that documentation when you apply for a title. You can sneak in a few parts from private sellers. The wheels and tires were stolen and I found a set of used factory ford on Craigslist.

I was wondering if you knew about car parts dot com. Interestingly enough, I was able to purchase the hood, fenders, and some other parts new from ford for less than used in a salvage yard. From 15 on the fords are aluminium so it doesn't take much to damage a panel beyond repair.

Where are you in Tennessee?
 
#12,533
#12,533
InVOLuntary said:
Yes, you have to have that documentation when you apply for a title. You can sneak in a few parts from private sellers. The wheels and tires were stolen and I found a set of used factory ford on Craigslist.

I was wondering if you knew about car parts dot com. Interestingly enough, I was able to purchase the hood, fenders, and some other parts new from ford for less than used in a salvage yard. From 15 on the fords are aluminium so it doesn't take much to damage a panel beyond repair.

Where are you in Tennessee?
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Is it a fluke you bought new oem from Ford for less than salvage or is that a regular occurrence? I don't even think to look at new.

Im in Middle Tn between Columbia and Lawrenceburg.

Where you be?
 
#12,537
#12,537
McDad said:
Is it a fluke you bought new oem from Ford for less than salvage or is that a regular occurrence? I don't even think to look at new.

Im in Middle Tn between Columbia and Lawrenceburg.

Where you be?
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I'm just a little north of Knoxville.

Reason I asked is I had a very bad experience with two salvage yards in Murfreesboro. I would avoid them if at all possible. They are crooks. Murfreesboro auto parts and one right next to it. Both are shady as heck.
 
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#12,538
#12,538
McDad said:
Did you simply detach the panels at the mounts or did you have to drill out spot welds?
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Everything was bolt on. I'm no body man so I bought the parts, prepped them and sent them to a friend that paints. The doors, I disassembled and sent them to him and he fixed any dings and painted them and I bolted them on. My dad is an old body man so he helped me a lot.
 
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#12,540
#12,540
InVOLuntary said:
I'm just a little north of Knoxville.

Reason I asked is I had a very bad experience with two salvage yards in Murfreesboro. I would avoid them if at all possible. They are crooks. Murfreesboro auto parts and one right next to it. Both are shady as heck.
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Good to know.

We need to exchange contact info. I need your expertise, brother.
 
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#12,543
#12,543
McDad said:
Sounds like you found a gem in that truck. Lots of work to repair and replace but worth it.

In TN, when i submit paperwork for rebranding, i must include VIN of donor vehicle when buying used parts. So, i try to stay away from the sketchy private sellers who do not provide VIN. I mostly stick with salvage yards, car parts.com, LKQ and such.

How about you?
Click to expand...


Sounds like you are doing a good job.

Btw...if you here of a 6.9 or 7.3 idi diesel for sale let me know!
 
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#12,544
#12,544
McDad said:
Is it a fluke you bought new oem from Ford for less than salvage or is that a regular occurrence? I don't even think to look at new.

Im in Middle Tn between Columbia and Lawrenceburg.

Where you be?
Click to expand...
I missed the part about buying new a fluke. No, you'd be surprised. I do buy wholesale because of my family's business but I've found the same parts on line for the same price. Just Google "oem Ford parts" (if you're working on a Ford). There are dealers that offer parts online. You can even put your vin in and it will identify parts that fit your vehicle.

Also, check my edit on the email address above. I forgot a "." In the middle.
 
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#12,548
#12,548
also the principals and associates at my firm are having offsite meetings, leaving the staff unattended.

When the principals aren't here I am more productive. When the associates aren't here I am less productive.
 
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