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I guess it's time for a build thread ... I will update this post as more pics/info comes in.
Background: I'm a die-hard Jeep guy from Miami (This SJ is my 10th Jeep but 1st FSJ). An old Cherokee has been my dream Jeep for almost 20 years. I started looking hard about 5-6 years ago but all I found was either a rust bucket or way to expensive. When one would come by that fit my needs it seemed I was either broke or timing was off.
The purchase: I finally picked up a running '76 Cherokee about 4 months ago. Jeep was yellow/white and came from NV with almost no rust at all. Interior/Exterior was all original with unknown mileage as the previous owner put in a 360 from an 83 and a manual 4 spd tranny. Originally the Jeep had a 360 and an auto. I'm still not happy with the non original engine/tranny but the plan was always to go non-original with a tricked out setup anyway. Either way, it will need some work on this setup as the clutch is new but changing gears is jumpy. I'll know more when the mechanic reinstalls the engine and takes a look at it.
Now: First thing I decided I needed to do is deal with the cancer before it got worse. I have always wanted the SJ in blue/white so I had a local body shop strip the entire Jeep, bring it down to bare steel, remove the engine and replace the couple sheet metal spots that needed replacing. The body was absurdly straight and needed very little work. As you can see, someone cut the floor to access the fuel pump. Instead of just welding it back, I'm making an access door out of it. I have a new front windshield coming in and a full weatherstripping kit (minus large side windows - can't find it so reusing the old ones). I also had the bumpers rechromed. Reanodizing the grill and roof rack is out of my budget right now but will be done in the future.
Next: After it leaves the shop I'm just going to put it back together and drive it. The plan is to do the interior next. I'll probably buy the rug shortly after getting it back and start looking at what it will cost me. Hopefully it will be done before the end of the year. I need to change the steering column to one for a manual SJ as well.
Future: re-anodize the grill and roof rack. Take the body off the chassis and clean / paint it after doing a 3-4" lift.
Far future: Pull the engine and redo it for performance and paint it.
Well it's back in from the body shop and we put most of it back together today. I had to order new side markers and there are a couple parts I can't figure out how they go back (I created a thread on that in the FSG general forum) but it's going real well. I'm hoping to polish the wheels tomorrow and paint the hubs. I also need to see why I'm leaking oil on the manifold. Sorry for the night shot but we literally just finished working on her.
Just wanted to do a quick update with some current pics.
I'm still concentrating on the exterior. I still need to apply the decals, clean the rims, mount the front hood bar (looking for mounting hardware), emblems, and find some suitable side mirrors (not going with the original). Almost done!
Mechanically I need a new radiator and my valve covers are leaking.
Once I deal with the above I'll stay tackling the interior.
NICE . Had a blue one 1976 back in the 80s . I beat the crap out of it and killed and junked . Back when you could by them for 2 or 3 hundred bucks . Cant wait to see stripping. Will you be changing color of the interior
fsj454 wrote: ↑Tue Dec 31, 2019 9:05 am
NICE . Had a blue one 1976 back in the 80s . I beat the crap out of it and killed and junked . Back when you could by them for 2 or 3 hundred bucks . Cant wait to see stripping. Will you be changing color of the interior
Will it's been a while but I wanted to give a quick update.
I have not done much since my last update. My current project is to get the rear window on and working again. Honestly, she was sitting without being touched for almost 6 months. For a while there I thought I was going to have to sell her to pay some bills after a divorce. Actually took her out to take pictures to sell her and quickly realized she was not going anywhere. So back to work on her I've been.
Since my last update I've gotten her running mechanically great and mostly finished the exterior. Still need to find brackets for the e-brake since everything is gone and it needs to be done from scratch.
Here are some recent pictures:
Last edited by miamitj on Wed Nov 04, 2020 6:52 am, edited 1 time in total.