97 TJ Heep to Zombie Killing Jeep Build by north50

5 minute(s) of a 286 minute read

Well a bit more progression in the axle swap today. This was the first time really climbing under jeep2 and all looks pretty good except for the axles. I mean it's odd how the undercarriage is pretty clean some surface rust that will clean right up. But the axles are complete rotten rusty pieces of crap. So good thing are they are headed to the scrap yard.

And I guess this is why the jeep doesn't move when put in gear and why I bought it for cheap.

Have the axle lined up to go in the rear but will be doing alot of cleaning and painting before hand. 

I'm glad the holidays are here and all but it is really going to cut into my progress. I have set the end of January as my deadline to have Jeep2 ready for sale.

1-6-2012

Alright back at it today after work. got the rear section of the frame cleaned up on both sides and painted (came out sort of glossy plan on repainting with a more flat black) and rolled the the axle under it. Should be able to get the axle hooked up tomm. and maybe rest of the frame cleaned up. The rear tires look so little because 1. no air in them to fit under rear bumper 2. rear is on jack stands. hope it looks better once put back together. 

Also cleaned up the front of the frame and repainted. You can get a good sense of the issues with the current fenders and grille in this picture, both are being replaced of course. I cut off the metal bands that the Sahara style rocker panels mount to as I will be putting some sort of rock sliders on in their place.

I've been pulling off the little parts like mirrors, wiper arms, soft top rear bar mounts, roll bar padding, visors etc etc.... and cleaning them up at home in the evenings. plan is to get the axles done at the shop then have it painted while most parts are stripped off. Then get it home to finish the small detail stuff. Then once done with this black jeep if I haven't become to attached to it sell it and get back to building the first Jeep into a beast.

1-9-2012

I will be pushing to get the Jeep all done this weekend so I can then install the axles in the green Jeep and bring it home to start on next week. Wish me luck, I have a lot to do but time to do it so we'll see how it goes.

Valve cover gasket
Paint and install exhaust manifold
Clean and install intake manifold
Drop transfer case and transmission
Install SYE and speed healer gear in transfer case
Replace flex plate and reinstall transfer case and transmission
Remove rear axle and put cleaned up axle in with 4:88's

Should make for a good post in the what did you do to your TJ today thread

1-10-2012

Got stuck sticking around work late tonight but didn't have a change of cloths so had to stick to doing things to the jeep that didn't involve climbing under it.

Removed seats and center console and general cleaning of the inside of the tub as it will get painted when the exterior does.

I can start to see this jeep coming together and may have to keep it atleast until I finsh building the v8 jeep.

The wife has started given me a hard time for spending so much time on the jeep so I wisely have decided not to shave until I get it out of the shop at work. Thus either really pissing her off or giving her something to look forward to and be motivated to see me get it to that stage as well. I'll let you know how that works out for me.