Fair offer for A Ruxtell?

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Model T Ford Forum: Forum 2013: Fair offer for A Ruxtell?
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Pat Kelly on Sunday, September 15, 2013 - 08:40 pm:

A friend has a Ruxtell for a 26-27 in unknown condition but it looks rough. The right side tube is bent pretty bad and the shifter lever is real loose in the housing. It's been open to the weather for a long time. What is a fair offer? Thanks, PK


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Jack Daron - Brownsburg IN on Sunday, September 15, 2013 - 08:52 pm:

How much has he offered to give you?


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Hal Schedler, Sacramento on Sunday, September 15, 2013 - 09:00 pm:

One time I paid $800.00 for a Ruckstell and then spent $1200.00 for parts. It sounds like I wouldn't give very much for it. Offer $50.00 and see what happens...better yet offer to trade for a dozen donuts or a bottle of wine.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Hal Schedler, Sacramento on Sunday, September 15, 2013 - 09:09 pm:

BTW, I'v seen Ruxtell spelled a few different ways, but I would bet Chaffin has it right at Ruckstell


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Mike Walker, NW AR on Sunday, September 15, 2013 - 09:21 pm:

From what I've seen, the going rate for non-rebuilt ones which look pretty good is about $800 - $1,200. If it's a rough one, it should go for less than that. It doesn't take long to get a lot of $$ tied up in one if it's had a rough life.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By michael grady on Sunday, September 15, 2013 - 09:25 pm:

Just a quick question...

What year did they become available?


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Dan Treace, North FL on Sunday, September 15, 2013 - 09:50 pm:

Read some about the Ruckstell here:

http://www.chaffinsgarage.com/l-z/ruckstell.htm


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Aaron Griffey, Hayward Ca. on Sunday, September 15, 2013 - 10:07 pm:

Just send your left rear end housing to Chaffin's Garage and get it back modified and with all the parts to make a new Ruckstell.
It will shift like a new Toyota when you get it installed.
I have done it.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Jim Thode Chehalis Washington on Sunday, September 15, 2013 - 10:58 pm:

Pat,
If water got into the axle and did its evil deed, even $100 may be a gamble. If most parts are usable, then it would be worth more.

Jim


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Kenny Edmondson, Indianapolis on Monday, September 16, 2013 - 07:14 am:

Pat, as some of the others have said, get a new one from Chaffins. I've seen quite a few that guys paid too much for and then had to put a lot more money in to get them running.

The only other option is to tear it down before purchasing and inspect every part. You need to be really familiar with them to do a thorough inspection. The parts $$$ for these add up quickly.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Stan Howe Helena, Montana on Monday, September 16, 2013 - 11:03 am:

Unless things have changed since the last time I talked to Dave, Chaffins is out of housings and is having trouble getting a new machinist to machine them. It may be necessary to buy an old Ruckstell to get a housing or wait until they have them in stock again. They have all the other parts, I'm sure. We are fortunate to have a supplier for those parts.

I just about won't buy an old Ruckstell any more unless it is pretty cheap. I have bought half a dozen over the years that were nothing but junk inside. I also think that unless you are pretty knowledgeable about them buying one that is apart isn't much better than buying one that is together. There are a lot of pieces that can be worn to the point where they need to be replaced where the wear is not obvious unless you really know what to look for.

Remember that if you buy a new one or an old one, you also need to rebuild the rear end. You will most likely need new axles, a ring and pinion, 3 sleeves, good axle gears, a new drive shaft pinion bearing, possibly a drive shaft, etc. If you have already rebuilt your rear end you will be money ahead on the Ruckstell rebuild and have a good start on the rebuilding.

I'm working on number 70 for Jon Allen in California, have two old ones to either rebuild or sell off as parts and then I am going to sell off all the parts I have and let somebody else have the rebuild business. I will still put together new ones but no more rebuilds unless somebody brings it in. No more shipping back and forth and I'm not buying any more used ones to rebuild and try to sell unless they are cheap. (I found out that almost everyone that I sold as a "driver rebuild" for pretty cheap went to somebody who wanted a premium rebuild with every part new for the price of a "driver." I should have known better.)

I'm to the point I think anything over $500 for one is too much of a gamble. All you can count on is the housing and the shift lock if you look them over and make sure they are good. I bought two at the Lethbridge swap meet, not a usable part in either one except for the shift locks. Both housings had damage under the grease, both were rusty inside, both had bad damage under the rust. Basically threw $1500 down a rat hole.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Ken Kopsky, Lytle TX on Monday, September 16, 2013 - 01:41 pm:

Stan, I've learned that there is no benefit and that you can not provide a "value" service to anyone. Attempting to save folks money will come back to bite you every time. Either in criticism for less than perfect quality or that the price is too high for an old part. The only choice is to provide your best product all the time and let that dictate the market. No matter how good you are, you'll always be judged by your lowest quality work. Some would complain even if it was free.

I've stopped taking outside plating for the same reason. I can't spend 3-4 hours (or more) restoring a smashed headlight door or an old corrosion pitted steering gear box and just charge for plating alone. Scratches, dings and "surface patina" take on a whole new meaning from the stand point of the owner. And paint, metal and body work is no different.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Ken Kopsky, Lytle TX on Monday, September 16, 2013 - 01:52 pm:

Oh, and if someone says; "it's not going to be a show car", you know that's a yarn. As soon as the car hits the road, it will appear at the local car show or be goo-goo eyed by every club member within 100 miles. :-)


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Chuck Hoffman - Gold Country of Calif. on Monday, September 16, 2013 - 02:55 pm:

Many years ago I did paint and body work as a sideline. I learned quickly that the best way to make money was to buy cars, paint them and sell them as "what you see is what you get". Too many nit-pickers in the world.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Stan Howe Helena, Montana on Monday, September 16, 2013 - 03:15 pm:

Ken, you are absolutely right. The minute they take it to a car show and somebody points out the less than sterling quality high dollar you did as a favor to some guy who is poor mouthing how he can't afford the top quality work, he will tell them who did it and say, "He didn't do much of a job for what he charged me."

Chuck, you are right!!

Lesson learned from 50+ years in business: You can do quality work, you can be low bidder or you can make a profit. You cannot do all three and be fair to yourself and stay in business.

You have to remember the reason you went in business was to get ahead in the world. Lots of people think you went in business to be a charity.

Also, many times this is true: The richer they are the cheaper they are and the harder it is to get them to pay the bill.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Jerry VanOoteghem on Monday, September 16, 2013 - 04:41 pm:

Pat,

If possible, disassemble it first to determine if there's anything usable inside, then make your offer. Post component photos here for help.

That's fair to both buyer & seller.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Pat Kelly on Tuesday, September 17, 2013 - 12:15 am:

I'll see if I can get over to the shop and dissemble it, then post a few pictures here. Thanks for the input. PK


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Glen Chaffin on Thursday, September 19, 2013 - 04:24 pm:

Stan, We now have housings back in stock and have found a new machinest that should keep us well supplied.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Bill Everett on Thursday, September 19, 2013 - 04:32 pm:

I have found that customers don't mind if you make a profit, just as long as they do NOT know how much it is.

1. Best Quality

2. Fastest Delivery

3. Lowest Price

Pick any two you want, and I'll fill your order!


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By ex trooper on Thursday, September 19, 2013 - 05:07 pm:

Since only Steve responded about the TT Ruxtell I found the other day, heres some pics of it. It can be had pretty reasonably FOB Two Rivers, Wi... ws

[IMG]http://i42.tinypic.com/2416rlg.jpg[/IMG]

[IMG]http://i41.tinypic.com/mb7ghf.jpg[/IMG]

[IMG]http://i39.tinypic.com/143djrp.jpg[/IMG]

[IMG]http://i40.tinypic.com/2v7w4cj.jpg[/IMG]

6 lug X 19 inch(?) Hubs and felloes look good, spokes and drums are gawners.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Cary Abate on Thursday, September 19, 2013 - 10:32 pm:

Retired after 47 years , 36 on my own. The key is 5 wide-
Reputation-secret costs-reputation-profit -Reputation. The last is the key to the strong box. And a 6th-80 hr weeks.

Cary


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