Messed up 1500 3.6

[SwedenRam]

First post, I ended up buying a 2013 3,6 4x4, I knew it had some flaws being and old work truck, but during it's first 12 years and about 104k Miles some of the previous owners/maintenance people should not be allowed close to any vehicle carrying any tool, so far I have found:

Dual HVAC controls, a newer one in the dash, the other one behind, the new had the multi cable, the other had that 5 port cable
Removed AC condenser and installed after market oil cooler, a hack job with zip ties and cut oil lines
Used as few as possible screws putting the front together
Bent coolant return line for the heater core and engine oil cooler to access a hose clamp, most hose clamps not tightened
Cut of the head lamp brackets on both sides, and the white sliders taken away
Stock radio messed up turn knobs
Steering wheel chewed on by a dog, dog hair everywhere
Wheel studs and nuts cross threaded on more then half the studs, three different kind of nuts
Tires are worn uneven
Missing brackets, mounts and seals on almost every service item under the hood
Missing brake fluid cap
Missing zip ties and broken connectors on a lot of the engine harness
Jack and spare wheel missing

There is probably more, but there isn't a lot of rust, being from the rust belt it's actually in fairly good shape
Hopefully it would be OK after som TLC

 

[Rado]

First WELCOME to the group !
A ton of great info here !
Just ask and try the Search box sometimes you may find some answers there as well !
I have hit or miss with the search box !

Sounds like a project for sure !
Bummer you got a bigger project then you thought you had !

As for the Pentastar V6 with over 100k on the clock I still love mine !
18/20 MPG is not too bad either

Bummer Gomer Pyle worked on your truck !
Hope all goes well with the repairs !

 

[Bigskyroadglide]

There are some people who could tear up an anvil

 

[SwedenRam]

Can anybody verify that the 2013 model year has the same bracket for the AC as the 2014 and newer, my AC compressor is just hanging in the two top bolts directly in to the cylinder head, lower bolts doesn't match up.
Did some more research, I have a Wrangler JK AC Compressor, should be installed with only three bolts, I need to find some fitting bolts, the ones that where used were way to long....

 

[mdc1990zr1]

I don’t know who did the pre purchase inspection on that vehicle, but unless you got it for scrap value, that looks/sounds like a never-ending money pit. This vehicle would have been a hard no for me. After seeing all that, I wouldn’t have even taken it on a test drive. As the vehicle ages, you should expect more repairs each successive year. With the butchery done to this, I could pretty much guarantee it didn’t receive maintenance on time or with quality products. Now you have to undo all the witchcraft on top of it. Good luck

 

[SwedenRam]

I don’t know who did the pre purchase inspection on that vehicle, but unless you got it for scrap value, that looks/sounds like a never-ending money pit. This vehicle would have been a hard no for me. After seeing all that, I wouldn’t have even taken it on a test drive. As the vehicle ages, you should expect more repairs each successive year. With the butchery done to this, I could pretty much guarantee it didn’t receive maintenance on time or with quality products. Now you have to undo all the witchcraft on top of it. Good luck

I got it like realy cheap, I didn't expect it to be pristine in any ways, but it's so much strange **** done to it that it's hard to figure out just why... You can find all the stuff you need all over ebay, amazon, rockauto and whatever, and still it's whatever found in the ditch at a junction somewhere, and as long as it runs....

 

[mdc1990zr1]

I got it like realy cheap, I didn't expect it to be pristine in any ways, but it's so much strange **** done to it that it's hard to figure out just why... You can find all the stuff you need all over ebay, amazon, rockauto and whatever, and still it's whatever found in the ditch at a junction somewhere, and as long as it runs....

If you’re looking for a quality repair, you can forget about Amazon and eBay. Stick with rock auto or you’ll likely be doing it again or chasing problems especially with electrical components

 

[SwedenRam]

If you’re looking for a quality repair, you can forget about Amazon and eBay. Stick with rock auto or you’ll likely be doing it again or chasing problems especially with electrical components

Amazon is good for shipping within the European Union, I compare prices a lot from different vendors, Rock Auto is great in many ways, but shipping is killing the prices since I'm abroad, they tend to pack in large boxes....

 

[SwedenRam]

Can anybody verify that the 2013 model year has the same bracket for the AC as the 2014 and newer, my AC compressor is just hanging in the two top bolts directly in to the cylinder head, lower bolts doesn't match up.
Did some more research, I have a Wrangler JK AC Compressor, should be installed with only three bolts, I need to find some fitting bolts, the ones that where used were way to long....

Even more research, replacement AC compressor for the 2013 is the JK one, stock one is no longer available, so it's just wrong/missing bolts..

 

[Marshall]

I have not read every post, BUT if it is that bad why did you buy it?
Was it at night and you could not see or look at stuff?
Kind of like a on line auction, you don't know any history, so it has to be really cheap
I have bought lots of old trucks and fixed them, but I knew what I was getting into.
Complaining after the fact is too late.