97 TJ Heep to Zombie Killing Jeep Build by north50

11 minute(s) of a 286 minute read

So again tonight after everyone in the house goes to sleep the dogs and I make our way to the garage to work on the Jeep. Got some more small things taken care of tonight so now the entire dash is installed and looking good other than it's spice color. Painted a bunch of small bolts, brackets, latches you name it that still needed to be installed. It will be together enough by next Monday to bring it back to work and get some help making it run again. Still in need of a few small parts like the cover for the interior of the tail gate latch and the holder for the hood prop.  

I have decided on these sliders/steps for the Jeep.


Then just a SYE and some CA's and it will be done for now, then onto building the V8 which is screaming my name at this point.

6-22-2012

I did try and pull codes but the scanner said it couldn't communicate. I've looked at the CPS and even replaced it, then a few days later I went as far as to re-inspect the new one and make sure it was seated properly. I inspected all under the dash where the alarm was wired in and out under the hood on the drivers side. I had removed all of it and nothing looks out of place. I had the battery tested and also tried a new battery. The lights do dim some while it cranks with any battery I've tried. Checked all fuses 20+ times now, had issues with radio not working and odo blinking when left turn signal on, interior lights not functioning, fog lights not working. Fixed all those issues, Wrong bulbs in turn signal side makers and radio ground no attached behind gauges, fog lights wired in by PO. Replaced and checked all parts to the ignition. Can hear the fuel pump kick on and then off when I turn ignition and have fuel in the rail, confirmed by pressing valve and hooking up pressure gauge. Replaced plugs, plug wires, cap, rotor, coil it needed a tune up anyway but still nothing. I'm no certified mechanic and although I own a power probe electrical issues are something I don't have the time or patience for. So I will be bringing it back to work via a tow truck (free) and having the professionals find what ever small stupid thing it is that is causing my issue.

7-2-2012

I did some electrical diagnoses over the weekend with the help of my father I law. Had no spark at the plugs and no spark from the new coil. The crankshaft position sensor checked out ok and I thought the cam shaft sensorwas working. 

So then this morning I had the jeep towed into our shop at work and they hooked it up to the snap-on scan tool. Gave one code and so some test were done to figure out where the communication between the systems was being dropped. Everything was checking out ok but still no spark or injector pulse. Seemed as though the new cam shaft sensor I put in wasn't functioning at high enough voltage as the ohms were low. Replaced it with another new one and still no start. Checked signal to the computer and it was good but the signal was being sent out as a positive on wires that should be ground and it was activating the ASD relay. So the short of it computer is toast, new one flashed to my vin should be here by Friday and hope to take the jeep on its madin voyage this weekend. 

Pushed down the driveway for tow truck, ordered some JKS ACOS adjustable coil over spacers. The winch and bumper really squatted the front down, looks like a drag car

At the shop

7-4-2012

I keep thinking about putting the rear bumper and tire swing out on from the other jeep and a roof rack

Without a doubt I'm very lucky to have access to the shop, expensive tools and great people who know how to use them and are willing to help. He said the Snap-On scan tool was like 15k. Sure hope to be driving it this weekend. I'll be installing the exhaust tomm. and then it's just a matter of a few small details to get it on the road. 

I did notice my steering box is leaking pretty badly so I may take the one from the other jeep or look at an upgrade. Also have all the parts for the full doors to go back together. Bought new everything for them including glass (which needs tinted).

7-5-2012

Thank you, It's always nice to hear others enjoy it as much as I do.

So on the ride into work today I had a green TJ pass me with a little half cab hard top on it and no roll bars out behind it only a little pickup bed. This is absolutely how I'm headed with the V8 Jeep, looked fantastic. Wish I would have snapped a picture.

Progress was the word of the day. I found some front spring spacers in the garage last night so no ACOS adj. spacers for now. So brought them in to the office today and was able to find the time to install them and get closer to a level sitting Jeep, still a slight sag up front. Maybe I'll buy the ACOS to address this down the road. I've also removed the front cowl to fix the vent area in it as the body shop painted it all white and I'm not a fan.

Had also brought some other parts and pieces with me and so I cut and removed the old rusted up mess of an exhaust and hung the new MBRP cat back exhaust. Still have to mount the shiny tip, and find a new down pipeand high flow cat. Maybe even a new header. also brought in a stock intake tube and box to replace the crap that is in it now.

Will be installing the other front seat and getting the glass for the full doors tinted tomm. Also need to go over everything one more time before it is road worthy. 

I removed all the holes in the tail gate and rear of the tub which makes for a clean look, but now I'm trying to figure out where to mount the license plate. i have thought about using a plastic dipped magnet to mount it when it's needed. It's a work in progress.

Best part of the day was when I got home and the new computer was at the door step. Fingers crossed that it fires up tomm.

Then it's back to the house so I can install the 1.25 BL, Rokmen GTS and rear bumper. I want to drive it some as well to wear down the 33" tires then I can justify going up to 35's

7-10-2012

Well after running some it has smoothed out, I was told it most likely has wash down in the cylinders from all the gas being shot in while I kept cranking it. No big deal it burns off, still plan on gapping my plugs correctly and using the suggested plugs. But with it being mobile I backed it into the garage and dropped the hardtop on it. For most of you this is bikini top or topless season, for me the heat is just to much in the summer and that is when I use the hardtop the most. Now the dead of winter here is perfect for topless jeep riding.

Might have all of the kinks worked out for the weekend but won't be using the Jeep. Wife goes in for first of four chemo treatments on Thursday and will be absolutely miserable right through the weekend. Still it is a step in the right direction and toward a full recovery.

More pictures after I finish it up, and of the V8 as I work on it some.

7-15-2012

drove the Jeep out of the garage and turned it around to put back in and work on the driver side door. Before bringing it back in I decided to clean it off and take a few pictures.

Steering box is leaking, hence the pizza box

Interior panel and door handle need to be installed on drivers door next. Problem is it has been dented at some point and now the metal is stretched. So the inside of the door handle rubs on my new glass, which I'm not a fan of. So working out how to support it out ward and keep the handle off the glass, which only happens when you roll the window down.

Have to drill out two bolts that broke into the tub when I rmoved the rear seat so I can reinstall it.

Winch is on the Jeep but still needs to be hooked up.

Hood cowling is off at the moment to be repainted and to fix the section in the middle that they painted white. i have it removed and will paint it black to reinstall.

Back in the garage ready to be finished.