One thing I've learned; There's never fixing just One thing

[Jjkage84]

So, over the past few months, life has forced me to jump head first into getting my Wagoneer on the road.

Probably the biggest thing I've learned in this endeavor, is there's no such thing as a quick fix, let alone an easy install/fix/solution when it comes to full size jeeps. Let alone any older vehicle to be fair I guess.

I've owned my Jeep for 3 years. It was in pretty sorry shape when I got it, but didn't "look" horrible. I didn't really do too much to it since I got it. Funds, life, whatever kept me from jumping into the project until now. I've learned a lot and, not trying to toot my own horn, but came to the realization, I can figure some stuff out when the need arises. It's been a journey, no where near finished, but I'm thankful for it.

I don't have a clue about 75% on most of the stuff but, so far I've put in a new water pump, fan clutch, rebuilt my carb and installed that, fab'ed up a new tailgate window lift arm, installed a new flex track on my driver's side door, new shocks, fab'ed up a fix for my front shock tower, dropped the gas tank, and am now in the process of fixing my floor boards.

I knew two spots were horrible, just below the rear cargo hump. I bought a 4x8 sheet of 16 gauge sheet metal to fix that and attempt to fix the bottom of my gas tank skid plate cause its rotted. I hadn't taken out my driver side seat yet, but did so yesterday. That of course let me to having to grind off a bad bolt, (I.E. Never just one thing), and found a generous amount of cancer that will need to be replaced. Basically my entire drivers side portion will be getting new sheet metal.

The pros make body work look so, so easy on tv. I've found in all my dealings with vehicles, having read right tools makes working on vehicles so much better and enjoyable! I've done the whole shade tree thing for so many years, it's a wonder I'd ever even want to mess with any of it again.

Long story short, if you ever get intimidated about projects like me, have no fear and jump into it. Research, and just do it. It's amazing what you can do and what you can come up with when you're put on the spot and "Have" to. It's been a great lesson, and not just about Jeeps.

Oh, here's some pictures of my progress













Have fun guys, enjoy it all, and try to get the right tools. It's a sanity saver!

[Jjkage84]

Just some pictures of my progress.

[FSJ Guy]

Looks like you're having fun!!

[Southern Gorilla]

Probably the biggest thing I've learned in this endeavor, is there's no such thing as a quick fix, let alone an easy install/fix/solution when it comes to full size jeeps.

Amen!

But I'm glad to see you've taken the challenge to heart. Every bit of success for one of us is an inspiration to the rest of us.

[Jjkage84]

Oh its definitely became a personal challenge of mine to finish it, or at least enjoy it on the road. I've been told I'm wasting my time, it's ugly, it's a hunk of junk, that I was in too deep, that I didn't know what to do, how to do it, have had it kicked (literally) and damaged. All of which pushes me harder to prove all them wrong. The only thing I enjoy more than success is proving those who said I couldn't do something wrong.

But I couldn't agree more. Seeing everyone else on here and the mother ship, doing what they love, keeps me moving on. Every time I get bummed out and think it's too much, I jump on here or there and see someone doing some awesome mechanic work in the street, on the trail, or even in a big awesome garage, and it let's me know I'm not the only one struggling, or the only one daring what seems like the impossible!

[Jjkage84]

Got the settings figured out and now playing down a nice weld too! Accomplishment is one of the best drugs!

[jaber]

On thin stuff, you dont want to run beads. You want to do a crap load of spot welds so it dont get hot. Then it deforms...

[Jjkage84]

Yeah, I've found that out too lol. On that weld in the pic, I basically spot weld, cool (about 2-3 beats), spot weld, ect. On my next floor board section, I'll probably do that for about an inch and move to a new spot. The welds are a million times better and cleaner than before. Really looking forward to jumping into it tomorrow again.

[jaber]

Its actually better to put a spot weld, move 3-4" down the seam and do another, all the way around, then add one spot to each place. It will allow the first spot to cool by the time you get back around to it.

Also, the one thing I still have to do to mine, is drill holes over the body channels and weld the floors to them. Mine pops and moans because its not done yet.

[Jjkage84]

Well, I didn't get as much time as I was hoping for to work on the Jeep today. So of course I didn't get nearly as much as accomplished as I was hoping. (D@mn you night shift!).

Anyways, one of my driver's side seat bolts were stripped so I had to grind it off to get the seat out. I ended up grinding the bolt flush with the body frame, drilled it out and through the other side of the body frame. I am going to run a grade 8 bolt through to secure the seat. But, I took a piece of steel piping and cut it to fit between the two sections of the body frame so I could torque down the seat bolt.

I wasn't able to put the steel piping directly between the two holes like I was hoping because the nut that the original bolt was through, in between the two sections of the body frame, wouldn't budge. So I had to offset it just a bit, but I think it'll serve the same purpose.







Thanks Jaber! I'll have to give that a shot! And I definitely am going to just knock that out while I've got it all out and ready! Keep tuned for progress pics!

Oh, and I got the entire section ready to cut my new metal and weld tomorrow!

[Jjkage84]

Lower lip section. Got this welded fully and another body section in. Will upload more pictures tomorrow.

[Jjkage84]

[Jjkage84]

Coming along. Got the drivers side done up. Now just time to work on the passenger side which shouldn't be as bad, and the gas tank skid plate. Once km done with that, should be on the road.

[haminawag]

Not bad kimosabe, it'll be a beaut when she's done.

[Jjkage84]

Finally got the floorboards done! It's been a long time coming!