04Ford/Offroadfabworks/NoLimitKustoms/Darrell Braun

[superhawk2002]

Started out good I guess, went really bad towards the end.

Here is a basic rundown of what happened leading up to Darrell getting FIRED. I would never let him do a custom lift on anything ever again -- not because of his fab skills, but because of his business skills and credibility, integrity, honesty, and time management skills as a person.

As most of you know, I have been building my dodge up. The fabwork of the rockwell swap was done by 04ford -- Darrell Braun.

Please PM me prior to ever dealing with him. I dont feel its necessary to make a long super detailed message for everyone to read. Before dealing with this guy, PLEASE PM me for details and then you can make an informed decision prior to giving him money. If other members wish for a complete details on my dealings with him (or the mods request it), I will post up. I would prefer not to at this point. I will give everyone a basic rundown of what lead up to all this, but will leave the small details out for now.

Heres the finality of it all. I owed him 750 for the completion of work and more parts. That included a rear bumper I didnt get and limiting straps I didnt get. Knock it down to 550. There is still A LOT of work needed to be done to complete all that was agreed upon.

I was supposed to get rebuilt axles. I find out nothing was new in the axles which I paid 400 dollars for TOTALLY REBUILT axles. Rebuilt means lubed up old bearings and new gear oil. I want my 400 back. Work is far from completed -- It is going to cost about 1000 more out of pocket money to fix it all. The driveshaft Darrell had done 3 times is still wrong. Also, the rear brakes have to be redone. I will be posting pictures of everything soon.


Heres a short run down of problems..

1.) Delay after delay. He had nothing in stock and I had to order everything with my own credit cards since he had no credit anywhere. Didnt really bother me, but Darrell had no plan of attack to build the truck. Everything takes a week or more to ship. Why have someone come when you can just tear it down and then wait? Several promises to have it done or at least parts done were never met. Look again at my buildup page of all the promises saying it would be done my mid June.

2.) Work gets done, but my truck must be completed by July 1st since he has bills to pay and another truck suppsoedly coming in. Also, his Dad wanted the barn back. Darrells shop is his Dads pollbarn --- this is where the magic of Darrell making custom parts and designing new things happens. So we hurry to finish. Get my truck home. I am leaving in two weeks. Didnt feel comfortable leaving my truck and keys there seeing as how Darrell treats clients vehicles.

3.) Darrell is supposed to deliver the finished truck to go to Haspin Acres on a Friday afternoon. He calls Friday and says they are on the way. I dont hear from him til Sat morning saying the truck is on a trailer and on the way. I damn near was panicking the entire night and early morning since Darrell wouldnt answer the phone -- didnt know if my truck was in an accident, someone wrecked, etc... I thougth my truck was in pieces out on the interstate somewhere. Finally, after some trailer excuses, its not coming. I drive to Ohio and finish as much as possible there (since it wasnt even close to done) and drive it slowly home Sunday morning.

4.) We work on some stuff at my house. He has to leave since he brought some random girl with him --- plus we needed more stuff to finish. I write him the check with his promise to be back NO LATER than Tuesday with the front driveshaft. He would not cash the check, in fact only wanted cash anyway. All hell hits the fan Monday with my bank -- he cashed the check first thing when he got home and I was hit with tons of overdraft fees.

5.) He cashes the check with no calls and no shows til I threaten to reverse paypal transactions. He calls back IMMEDIATELY -- amazing that he calls only after I am forced to make a decision whether or not to get money back. Says he will be here first thing Friday by 8AM. No calls and no show til early afternoon saying he had to meet with his lawyer unexpectantly. Shows up at 730PM with a cousin who had to leave. Agreed to meet Monday the 24th. Wanted more money which I didnt give him. All is set to finish on Monday the 24th.

6.) No call no show again til I get a PM on Tuesday the 25th that he wanted to finish now. I told him to call. Get a PM on Thursday again saying he wanted to finish.

7.) DARRELL GOT FIRED. I Trumped his a$$. PMs start going that he is taking parts off my vehicles, email stating to be careful driving my vehicles, legal threats, everything. END OF STORY.

There are many more details if needed. My only advice is to stay away from him. He has done this to several people and scammed a few businesses. He is now threatening to take parts off my vehicles and so on. Claims I didnt give him a chance -- please read through my threads begging him to call me and beggin him to finish. I even offered to tow my truck back to Ohio to have it finished. Leaving your vehicle there will result in it being driven excessively, burnouts done, etc -- others will drive it, people will go on joyrides, etc. PM RDNHIGH RAM if you have any thoughts on this - he got to see firsthand Darrell in action with others vehicles. THAT IS THE MAIN REASON I WANTED IT HOME WHILE I WAS GONE, PLUS DARRELL DEMANDED IT BE OUT OF HIS DADS BARN.

You make your own decisions. Work with Darrell at your own risk. Look through these posts and ask around about him. Feel free to PM me for a complete rundown of everything.

[superhawk2002]

Maybe I didnt understand this screen, but I think it says axles completely rebuilt. Nothing was rebuilt. The prices turned out to be average, the work is ok (except for the fact much of its not done), minus some major flaws in the rear brakes. I am now paying to have it all fixed out of my own pocket. It is running me about 1000 bux to fix all the things he did wrong.

Here is the screen shot of his prices -- the brakes and all his ideas are essentially from USA6X6 --- thats where he gets lots of his stuff. The other prices I paid for out of pocket like heims, metal, locker, etc...



The bearings are old, the bushings were worn. The old parts in the axle turned out to be the problem with my steering and camber as well. Darrell screwed me on a check, he screwed up my front driveshaft several times, he never shows up as he promises, took my money with no responses, lots has happened. And of course -- lots of work is still not done. I have receipts, signed agreements, emails, PM's, and phone records if anyone is later interested.


Everything I have has been turned into the county prosecutor as of yesterday. Helps that I work for them. I should not have to worry about a vehicle falling apart while driving (considering I have a 7 month pregnant wife) since Darrell is threatening to dismantle my vehicles. I have even offered to send parts back to Darrell if he so feels the need -- like 400 dollars worth of (REBUILT) axle parts, rear brake setups, etc. I at this point am not filing any claims to get money back, but that may change as this progresses.

[Copasetic]

Damn Jeff, that sucks. At least you know now and won't have to worry about dealing with him anymore. I went through a similar situation a few years ago, but it was no where near as extensive as yours. I give a guy (that was supposed to be a good buddy of mine) that owns, or used to own, a shop $2200 for 4.56's front and rear and a locker in the rear of my 1990 Z71. I got a leaking rear end, a crappy limited slip (that caused me to get stuck the very first time I took it out by the way) and rear brakes that didn't work. Did I mention that there was NOTHING done to the front end? I found that out the first time I put it in 4wd. I feel your pain man. It sucks though that a few of these folks make it hard on the rest that are trying to make an honest living by creating some killer trucks. Good luck on the rest of your build. I got me a gas saver about 2 weeks ago so the Blazer is sitting as of now saving gas. Hopefully I'll be able to start work on my axles and get them ready to put in my truck in the next few months. Keep us posted on the rest of your progress!

[DIXIEDIRT]

sorry to bring back an old thread but i was in florida when most of this was happening and the SOB was gonna try and take advantage of some free publicity from my college, he even wanted me to come down and help him out some, thank god i didnt.

[PunisheR]

That sucks.. I would die for your business here in FL. Nice name though.. (no, J/K). -Jordan

[DIXIEDIRT]

you dont get any of the big rockwell/ag tire guys Punisher?? i want to start a 4x4 shop in lakeland but i got to compete with dale baugh, spikers and intense offroad, 3 of the biggest private 4 wheel drive shops in central florida, not including 4 wheel parts and chucks in orlando, and baughs, spikers and intense is like 10 minutes from my dad, i figure i can sell stuff at like 100 above cost which is about 200 to 300 under what they sell stuff for i can make killer money, i figure if i can sell 3 kits or 4 kits a week while working at the chevy dealership i can make decent money.

[superhawk2002]

Darrell is now operating as Offroadfabworks.

He has not changed any of his usual ways. Just thought I would update this. Do your homework on any fab shop before giving them your money. Even though the reputable shops may charge more, it is often worth it for good reason.


There's a link in Pirate and Chucks Truck. Search yourself -- I do not want to see anymore board jumping and such -- it's causing enough issues on it's own.

[hieneken49]

man u guys should open shops up here, the place by me(meadowlands 4x4) makes u wait 2 weeks before they even look at ur truck to tell you if they will work on it!

[superhawk2002]

Here are all Darrell's current online names or versions of them. In case you read this Darrell -- I will update this thread as much as possible til the day I die, you die, or this board dies.



o4ford
mopar_powered
strykertt
offroadfabworks
offroadfabworks.com

ebay name: offroadfabworks256

Fordtruckworld he is known as StrykerTT, Chevy and Dodgetruckworld he is Cumminspowered....all of which his name is listed as "Mike", with his address of record on those sites being (which is his old address in Celina)
505 second st
Celina, OH 45822
dirtman79v@icqmail.com

Oh Darrell Dearest -- who do we know at 575 Morosgo Drive in Atlanta -- seems you have been browsing the internet there in the last few months. Time to investigate further.
OrgName: BellSouth.net Inc.
OrgID: BELL
Address: 575 Morosgo Drive
City: Atlanta
StateProv: GA
PostalCode: 30324
Country: US




Edited to update the info being sent to me.

[RamAford]

Thats great Jeff! maybe he will get what is coming for him one day!