This all started about two years ago. Saw this YJ sitting in a driveway near my house with expired plates, seeing this I went to talk with the owner. He said it had an engine problem and only ran on 5 cylinders, his price was $2500 firm (a good deal around here, jeeps aren't cheap around here). After thinking about what the problem could possibly be, I decided to pick it up.
Got her home and immediately removed the valve cover. As suspected, one of the push rods had come off the rocker. $20 in parts later I was on the road.
The first time she went off road was with the worn out stock everything. Needless to say, it didn't take much to get stuck. These pictures also give a good impression of the condition (faded paint, generally just rough around the edges).
Not soon after, I decided a full respray was necessary. Turned out to be a lot rustier than expected.
Before
It turns out that it had been in a minor accident on the drivers side, whoever fixed it did not do so properly. This is what was removed:
I love that paint. Did you spray it yourself? What did you use (bc/cc, single stage, brand, etc.)? Just curious, I'm looking to paint mine and am leaning toward metallic silver. I'm thinking PPG Omni single stage to keep the price down but haven't settled on anything.
Mmn, I'll have to get back to you on the specifics of the paint. I know it is made by Endura and it's a poly, but that's all I can remember. As for the paint job, did the body work myself, with my dad and brother (except for that gross rust repair), including multiple sandings of the entire thing. The body guy actually sprayed the paint.
heh anything after 88 was galvaplated so little more corossion resistant .
I have an 87 myself and had to deal with cancer issues , but there is no bondo just weld and grind and paint not too pretty but super funcional can't fall off when u drag a rock . to be honest i only had about 50% of rot u had.
You did nice job fixing old lady
I couldnt resist the urge and replaced 4.2 with something little bit modern
We'll see what happens to the motor. I wouldn't be surprised to see a tbi 4.3 in there, but a university budget doesn't really leave room for an LS series motor; although it would be nice. :drool:
I have been searching for a Taurus 3.8 electric fan for the YJ for some time now, but it seemed like every time I went to the junkyard they had either been pulled or were broken.
Today I was browsing and I happened to find a nearly new (still has part# stickers on it) fan in a 3.8 taurus. I picked it up for $25 and plan to eventually install it with a Delta Current Control E-Fan setup.
I have decided to make a fairly drastic change to the direction of the build. This friday I should be getting a front drivers side drop D44 from an 81 Waggy, I think I will also take the AMC20 out of the rear. With those axles in my hands I am very tempted to go SOA, but this is my year round DD so I'm really not sure. I've also read that the AMC20 that came in the Wagoneers is stronger than the CJ version. I'm not sure if I should hunt for another rear or just keep the 20. Matching 44's would be nice, I just don't know if I will be able to find one.
I'm getting both of these axles for about $200, I couldn't pass it up.
Does anyone have experience converting the waggy 44 to 5x5.5"? Does that retain the locking hubs?
I'm also still on the fence deciding between the BDS 3.5" and the RE XD 4.5". I'm beginning to lean towards the RE because with these axles I may as well go to 35's (I'll be regearing no matter what). The problem I have with RE is that I can't order upgraded rear springs in the kit and that is something I would really like (plans for swing out with spare, jerry cans, hi-lift and the hardtop is on 8 months per year).
I'm considering it, in the end it would probably be less money because I was already planning an SYE and all the other things associated with the SOA. The only thing to add would be a rear ladder bar and some steering upgrades.
Got some work done on the axles. Removed the calipers and steering, started tearing down the hubs too, but no pics of that.
I've decided on the RE 4.5" XD for the lift. I seriously considered going SOA, but it is more that I need at this point in time and is really overkill for my uses.
Well I put a 1" BL on recenty, so I don't really want to replace it. I'm just going to buy the springs and shocks for the kit to save money too, the vast majority of the other stuff won't even work on these axles.
Got a little bit more done today, stripped the hubs as much as I could (need specific hub socket to go any further). I'll likely upgrade to warn premium hubs before this thing goes back together and keep the stock hubs as spares.
i WOULD SPOOL THE REAR I KNOW SEVERAL PEOPLE THAT RUN SPOOLED AMC 20'S AND HEY HOLD UP PERFECT. I MEAN IF YOU ARE PUTTING A TUN OF MILES ON EVERY WEEK MAYBE IT ISN'T A GOOD IDEA BUT OTHERWISE GO FOR IT. ALSO I MEAN A FULL SPOOL NOT A MINI OR A WELDED OPEN DIF A FULL ON SPOOL.
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