We have been happily servicing the Melbourne area since 2016. We specialize in Jeep and 4x4 repair and modification. We are a full service repair shop and we also carry Jeep and truck accessories. If the item you want is not in stock, we can have most parts available the next business day. Schedule your appointment today. We have been happily servicing the Melbourne area since 2016. We specialize in Jeep and 4x4 repair and modification. We are a full service repair shop and we also carry Jeep and truck accessories. If the item you want is not in stock, we can have most parts available the next business day. Schedule your appointment today.
Billing & Overcharges
• My final invoice contained changes from the earlier estimates. When I broke it down afterwards, several charges did not add up.
• I was told I would receive a 15% military discount on labor, but the final bill ended up being about 15% higher than the estimate—effectively canceling out the discount. Despite raising this with the owner, I never received a resolution.
• I was billed $663.24 for 6 quarts of transmission fluid, even though the transmission takes 12 quarts and the oil came with the transmission. The owner himself admitted he wasn’t sure why this was charged.
• I was billed $500 in labor to install headers (on a crate motor) plus $400 for the headers themselves—headers that cost $199 direct from Speed Engineering and were the wrong type (Camaro/Nova headers, not Jeep).
• I was billed $1,200 in labor just to connect the headers to the existing exhaust system. Parts were billed separately.
• I was charged $213.07 for a “multi-purpose bearing” with no clear explanation of what this part was for.
• There are many more overcharge examples on the invoice.
Quality of Work
• The headers installed were incorrect, rubbing against the firewall and major exhaust leaks. This led to severe fumes inside the Jeep, forcing me to drive with the windows down just to breathe.
• After returning the Jeep for “repairs,” the problems got worse, with backfiring and running rough.
• A Midas technician confirmed the headers were the wrong ones and refused to even attempt a repair because of how improperly everything was installed.
• RCI4x4 repeatedly claimed they bought a complete LS swap kit from RPM Extreme, but when I contacted RPM Extreme directly, they confirmed RCI only purchased a wiring harness. This at least explains the wrong header issue.
Customer Service Failures
• Despite multiple attempts, the owner never followed up with me about billing issues or the ongoing problems.
• When I reported the continuing exhaust issues and that another shop confirmed the headers were incorrect, the response I got was simply: “Those headers came with the package so I don’t know what to tell you.”
• After fewer than 500 miles on the new motor, the Jeep broke down on the highway. The alternator (which the mechanic said looked like it came from Amazon) failed, and I had to pay for towing and replacement out of pocket.
• A subsequent mechanic also found the transfer case to be leaking, adding yet another repair to the list.
Final Thoughts
In the end, I had to spend a lot more money at another shop to correct RCI4x4’s work. Between inflated charges, incorrect parts, poor workmanship, and lack of follow-up, I cannot recommend RCI4x4 for LS swaps—or for any significant Jeep work.
If you are considering an LS swap, I strongly suggest researching reputable specialists, contacting companies like RPM Extreme for trusted recommendations, and not relying solely on online reviews. My experience with RCI4x4 was costly and frustrating, and I hope this helps others avoid the same situation.