97 TJ Heep to Zombie Killing Jeep Build by north50

7 minute(s) of a 286 minute read

Small strides made in getting the Jeep back together. The rear fender flares have just been laying on the jeep no hardware installed. This was due to looking for rivnuts or nutserts to push into the body for some of the bolts that you can't reach behind. A Google search brought up a thread in which MrBlaine said he had some extras and he would ship them out to anyone in need. I sent him a PM Saturday night (5-5-12) and a quick response asking for nothing more than my address and he said he would ship me some. so today 5-7-12 I have a package marked from California with the rivnuts in it. I have gone back and checked my PM date and can not figure out how in the world this guy was able to get them to me that fast. all I can really say is a big thank you to MrBlaine, whom I had never spoke to before but had always seen his post of wisdom, truly thank you sir. I see your brakes on my jeep in the future if for no other reason than I feel like I owe you, and they are arguable the best setup out there.

Bought a Mopar Jeep fuel door in brushed aluminum and of course painted it with Rustoleum bed liner and installed

Also got the tail lights in, although they don't work right (more on that later)

and my "Hybrid" decal

I had purchased the Nalin speaker brackets for the front to upgrade to 5.25 speakers and tweeter combo. so I bought the Polk setup that seems to be a popular choice for our jeeps. also they are marine grade, which is nice bonus.

This picture gives a good idea of the detail I'm putting into every little piece as I setup all the fender flare hardware to be painted. It's nice working on Jeep parts in the air conditioned house, plus more time with the family while doing Jeep stuff.

Repainted the steering column cover and it looks incredible. it really looks new and not like it was painted at all. Considering it was a faded light grey I can't say enough much better it looks. These little details will make for a "finished" looking Jeep when I'm "done". I know words that should never be associated with a Jeep build.

I have a ton to do yet, including taking the doors back to paint because they didn't mask off the interior partcorrectly so the panels don't cover all of the old color, not a good look. Also waiting on them to paint the roll cage black and get that installed. as well as picking up small bits here and there so I can get the grille and fenders back on. ***NOTE*** for anyone buying a grille or hood for your jeep make sure they are compatible. A small detail I over looked and now have a grille made for the slide to the side latch and a hood made for the pull toward the front of the Jeep latch. Alittle fabricating I'd rather not have to do but to late now.

Hahaha yeah it has come a long way, best part is it hasn't cost me much either. The cell phone pictures really don't do the white justice, plan on taking it out for some nice pictures once back together. These were my inspiration for the white color scheme, just perfect looking Jeeps.

This is my inspiration for the other Jeep.

5-21-2012

Just to update while she is laying next to me in the hospital bed sleeping, the wife's surgery went very well today. Still a long road ahead but headed in a good direction. I want to thank everyone again for their thoughts and prayers. 

Also managed to get the Rokmen GTS and rear bumper primed last week. So I'll be painting and installing them soon. Plan is to have the Jeep back together in the next month or two.

Had to go another direction on the wheels. The ones I had ordered are taking forever and have no end (delivery date) in site. So switched it up for these in the 17" variety.

5-25-2012

Well the Fuel Hostage wheels shipped today so they will be in next week. Also finished swapping over the anti-rock front sway bar from the on hold v8 Jeep to the white one. I painted the Rokmen rear bumper and gas tank skid and also worked on the getting the tail gate mounted. It's an after market tail gate so the handle wasn't lining up the way I wanted but after some persuading the tail gate saw things my way. I installed the new to me steering wheel, the original leather one was shot. Also cleaned up around the steering column and painted all the plastic that fits the back of the steering wheel and around the column.

Purchased a few odds and ends today online. Rubber bumpers that mount under the hood to keep it off of the grille. Also bought the seal that goes around the windshield on the interior part of the glass. The guy who put in my windshield said thats not included, would have been nice to know so I could have bought it the first time, now he has to do it over. Well off to list more spare parts and junk laying around on ebay to fund more parts for the jeep. I'll have pictures next time of any progress.