Engine/Transmission (1994 - 1998) Ripped off on eBay, need some mechanical help please.

[CSchafer]

The engine going to 2200 right off the bat sounds like normal operation of a stock 47rh . Everybody is suggesting get a new trans and transfer case when the truck IS moving and IS shifting. Since the add said that they replaced fuel system parts, I would start there, get a fuel pressure guage on it and see what's up. Inspect fuel lines for dampness and change filter. I would be ****** if I bought a new trans and new T-case when all it needed is some fuel supply and some lube on the t-case linkage. :{ . The transfer case is letting the truck move and is not making any bad noises, right? So it is not the first problem. Pull the trans pan and inspect for glitter, the fluid should be a nice red but I have seen it pretty brown and the trans still works fine. If the trans is shifting and there are no metal shaving in the pan I would move to power from the engine as being the problem.

 

[Skydiver]

PAdkins.



This is bad. If your going to take legal action I would do nothing to the truck other than get estimates for repairs. Maybe have the truck appraised by someone certified to do just that.



This David Hanrahan must pay for his sorriness. Lawsuits can be very time consuming . Speak with your best attorney ASAP. You need at least To get all your money back.



Run a carfax on the truck. I don't know what good it will do other than be able to speak to the previous owner.



After looking at the pictures this truck may not be safe to drive.



I wish I could get involved in helping you give Hanrahan justice.

Be sure you document everything !!!! Time and date on everything !!! Phone records where you talked to DH.



Do have a printed copy of the add that ran on e-bay?

Did the title have any liens or other problems?

This scam artist does not need to know you are taking legal action. He will run and hide. If you must communicate with him do only through certified mail.

Good luck

 

[MAleksandrowicz]

I am in CT. Do you have his address?

 

[NHays]

I don't want to get into this post. And you know what they say about opinions. #1. DO NOT DRIVE THIS TRUCK ANYMORE!!!!!. not even to test. You have enough damage to the frame that its a ticking time bomb. I would park it and put the keys away until you get the legal stuff sorted out. #2 stop trying to fix it, in fact I would forget about ever using this truck for anything again, except for a few parts. Get the thing looked at by an attorney with an appraiser. I would seek a suit of fraud at least. The guy used the internet for the fraud so you may be able to get it bumped to the FEDERAL level. I would do this as soon as possible as time is of the essence. You have deadlines and because its crossed state lines you might even have to pay penalties for length of time between actions, I don't know the particulars, but you need to move on this NOW. As for the seriousness of this situation, its stuff like this that gets people killed. GOOD LUCK . hope this pr!cK gets whats deserved him!!!!!

 

[bighammer]

Sorry about your truck. I don't know automatics at all, but looking at the seat on your website, it looks as bad, if not worse, than my seat. (also a 94, but with twice the miles on it) How much wear on the pedal pads and floor? Plowing is rough sometimes, but some wear is more miles related. I would guess the odometer was either rolled back or disconnected for a long time.

 

[arthr31]

ditto on several things others have said here.



I would have to agree on the miles being incorrect. My last truck (i live in the rust belt) had about 244000 miles and the frame and parts under the body didn't look quite as bad as this truck. the seat alone looks like it has 300K on it...



as far as persuing this guy, go for it full speed. i'm not a lawyer- but I have been involved in events/environments where people did illegal things via the Internet. If they catch this guy, and you press charges I can only imagine that he'll be charged with wire fraud (and over state lines is a federal crime), conspiracy, fraud, and who knows what else.



you may not get your $ back, but he'll likely be put a way...



agreed on don't drive the truck either- with such bad rust cancer you have no way of knowing how weakened some of the parts are... good luck, sry this happened to you.

 

[QWaller]

To the buyer,

If it helps any, I too got burned on a car from E-bay. I went to pick the MINT Mustang up from a delivery depot, Dead battery and spewing gas when I did get it fired up. Not a good sign when they were moving it around the yard with a forklift due to "safety concerns"... I say live and learn and pick yourself up and do what you can to move forward. It will leave you with a quite a sour note to start with though. Best of luck.

 

[PKirby]

I have bought 2 late model rebuildable wrecks and a 70 Chevelle body on eBay. I had the seller to e-mail many detailed photos of several areas on the vehicle. If they don't send the photos, I don't bid.

In my opinion the truck would be unsafe due to chassis rust even if the other items are repaired.

 

[PAdkins]

Hi All,



I am actually quite familiar with the legal system and the issues at hand. Unfortunately I would have been much better off legally had it never arrived. This is mostly a civil issue; however the FTC will accept my complaint as will the Newton CT Police Department, it just won’t go anyplace. As I mentioned earlier I will be filling lawsuits. For those who asked; his name is David Hanrahan his business name is “American Motor Group” of 105 “D” Pane Rd. Newington, CT 06111.

I’m not really trying to “fix” the truck and have no intentions of driving it except to gain more information. I’m just getting as many opinions and suggestions as to the base problem as I can. I want to go into the estimate process with as much knowledge as possible. I would not even bother doing this except for the eBay fraud protection plan requirements. Another question was as to a Carfax. I ordered on prior to bidding. It came back clean and paralleled the vehicle’s history as David had related it. It actually was one of the criteria I used in the decision to purchase. I researched this about as much as I could short of flying out there (which I wish I had of) prior to my decision. I also wish that I had found this site prior. As helpful as you all have been, I’m sure that someone here could have previewed for me and I would not be in this pickle.

I crawled under the truck to take a look at the linkages and surprisingly the chassis and linkages are very rusted but the underside of the cab does not seem to be. I expected the floorboards and bottom of the doors to be rusted out, they look/feel solid, so there’s one good thing (I guess?) which in the scheme of things is irrelevant.

 

[vssman]

Here's the web site to the CT DMV complaint form: http://www.ct.gov/dmv/cwp/view. asp?a=799&Q=245324&dmvPNavCtr=|30157|#30164



It looks like he is running a dealership and in CT there are regulations that the DMV has in place to protect the buyer. If he is not a registered dealer, then the DMV would possibly fine him for running a dealership w/o a license. Some others have seen jail time out here in CT for this type of fraud. Fill out the form/call the CT DMV office and register an official complaint against the seller. Good luck...



edit... Here's the address to the DMV in case you can't get to the web site



Department of Motor Vehicles

Dealers and Repairers Divsion

Complaint Unit

60 State Street

Wethersfield, CT 06161

 

[PAdkins]

vssman,

Thank you very much, that info was on my list of researching to be done. You just saved me some valuable time, I very much appreciate it.



Phil

 

[BTighe]

good luck and dont back down.



if anyone finds it in their heart to do violence on this gentlemans behalf, please take pictures of before and after.

 

[Dave M]

I just read this thread and... WOW. I happen to live in Ahwahnee which is 7 miles NW of Oakhurst and I work in Oakhurst. I can't do much with troubleshooting transmission, Tcase problems but I'm fair with the engine. I have had this diesel for about 3-4 years now and am getting more familiar with it. I've been fighting this steering problem right now to get rid of the dreaded "death wobble".



If I can be of help let me know. Pm me or respond on this site and I'll look at it for you. With help from TDR we should get something figured out.



I bought on EBay site unseen from a dealer in Texas and was very happy with my 97 dually. Sorry to hear of all your trouble. I love my truck and am hooked on the Cummins diesel. At least we should get together and chat diesel cummins. Welcome to TDR.



Dave Miller

 

[PAdkins]

I just read this thread and... WOW. I happen to live in Ahwahnee which is 7 miles NW of Oakhurst and I work in Oakhurst. I can't do much with troubleshooting transmission, Tcase problems but I'm fair with the engine. I have had this diesel for about 3-4 years now and am getting more familiar with it. I've been fighting this steering problem right now to get rid of the dreaded "death wobble".



If I can be of help let me know. Pm me or respond on this site and I'll look at it for you. With help from TDR we should get something figured out.



I bought on EBay site unseen from a dealer in Texas and was very happy with my 97 dually. Sorry to hear of all your trouble. I love my truck and am hooked on the Cummins diesel. At least we should get together and chat diesel cummins. Welcome to TDR.



Dave Miller

Dave,
It's a very small world. I actually live just over the Mariposa/Madera line off of Harris Rd. just before the bridge. We will have to get together.

 

[Dave M]

You have a PM with my contact info.



Dave

 

[Ruckuz]

Any updates??

 

[Dave M]

Any updates??

Through emails with "PAdkins" 3-4 days ago he was taking the truck into the valley for estimates last Thursday and may not have gotten that completed.



I'm curious as to whether he can return the truck. If he can't return it he has a lot of work to do to it. Hope this works out so he can get a decent Dodge Cummins that he can enjoy.



Dave

 

[Ruckuz]

yeah, that would be nice. pull the engine and put it in something else.

 

[PAdkins]

Through emails with "PAdkins" 3-4 days ago he was taking the truck into the valley for estimates last Thursday and may not have gotten that completed.



I'm curious as to whether he can return the truck. If he can't return it he has a lot of work to do to it. Hope this works out so he can get a decent Dodge Cummins that he can enjoy.



Dave

Sorry guys, I have had it in for estimates. It's been three days so far and they still are not done going through it. So far they know that the wiring is mostly shot and has been adapted/repaired badly several times. The trans is basically shot. At first they believed that it had a fuel problem, but as of today they believe that the engine seems fine just the trany is slipping. The wiper motor and switch are both bad. The front end needs to be rebuilt. The mechanic said that it is almost as if it was sitting in water as it's not just the frame and drivetrain that's rusted but things like the steering column and all of the linkages as well. Now of course he has never been out of CA, so he probably just doesn't understand the amount of snow this thing has seen. I'm a little worried that they will be able to go through it all in time; I need to get the estimates to eBay's “Fraud Protection Plan” people by the first. I'll update as I can.

 

[FYarcho]

Hi sorry to hear about your problems. I live over here in Sonora. Not to far away. If there is any help I can offer you can reply. We have a pretty good following of diesel truck owners here where I work.