Don's Check List

[Danny]

So Don, when are you going to be ready to take on that H3 in the background.

Nice progress by the way.

[Don]

It won't be long! Fuel cell gets here tomorrow. My goal for the end of this week is to get the fuel cell in and ready, install SS brake lines, and build my front driveshaft.

That stuff will get me on the road ...

To be ready for the Fathers day run I'll still need to figure out a cage of some sort, maybe weld up the rear end, and take care of misc. odds and ends ie: change oil, get ubolts to fit better, spring clamps, clean up some booger welds before Roman sees them

Everyone keep your eyes peeled for a decent cheap trailer for me!

[OldGreen]

NICE WORK . . .

which cell did you end up with?

[Don]

NICE WORK . . .

which cell did you end up with?

I got the 16gal, plastic, bottom sump. I've got some 20ga and 1.5x1.5 steel to build a pan to support it. I also picked up a blingin' fuel guage ... whoo hoo, I'll actually know when I'm out of gas!

[Danny]

Don, sounding better every day. I can't wait till we can actually see it and get to kick the tires so to speak...hope they stay on.

[Don]

Just as I get rolling a bump gets thrown in my path .... for the next 4-6 weeks I'm spending most of my week in Spokane for work This is going to put a kink in the jeep/girlfriend/freetime quota.

For an up date, I didn't get all of my weeks goals accomplished yet. The fuel cell is in and mocked up. I ended up tearing out the old crossmembers I had made, and am fabbing up new ones. If my gas holds out I get that complete tomorrow, and hopefully the brakelines and other misc stuff taken care of.

[Don]

It LIVES!

Got the new crossmembers built and fuel cell installed. I have to pick up a few bolts to bolt the straps down, but for all intensive purposes the fuel cell is in, and the jeep is running great!

I bailed out of Spokane a couple of days early to hopefully get a couple nights work in to try and get ready for Cool Desert nights ...

So tomorrow night:
- Re install headlights/ turns and rewire core support
- Re install passenger seat and console
- Re install tailgate
- Finish fuel cell straps
- Re install driver fender flares
- CLEAN!

I drove around the subdivision for about 40 mins tonight, temp got to about 210 and stayed steady ... that is okay, but still not great. So I've got a fan shroud ordered to be delivered Friday. So, if all goes well, I'll scramble Friday after work to get that fan shroud installed, then be headed for the cruise!

I can't believe how good it is running! Even the girlfriend noticed it sounded quieter and smoother than normal. I can get it to lug down to like 200 rpms.

Wish me luck!

[Don]

Update of list to be trail ready

[quote="Don"]Well, I might as well put up the list for all to see to motivate my a$$ to get this thing finished!

-. CAGE!
1. Fix cooling problem ~ Almost DONE
2. Square tube front driveshaft
3. Weld on new shock mounts, check length, new shocks
4. SS extended brake lines - already purchased, needs installed
5. Reconfigure fuel tank ~ DONE
6. Finish raised rear deck ~ DONE
7. Finish SOA stuff - grind in u-bolt channels into diff, spring clamps ... ect
8. Install rock sliders ~ DONE
9. Figure out rear end problem ~ Ignoring for now
10. Rebuild rear driveshaft ~ DONE
11. Traction/ Anti wrap bar

Shake down run!

[OldGreen]

Nice work!!! Can't wait to see it on the trail.

[Grumpy]

Don, if you make the cruise, Susan and I will be in Steve's Caddy (Bernadine), and Jose and Sveta will be in the square back (Hienrich). We'll keep an eye out for you

[Don]

I got the CJ out for a little testing last week at Juniper!! The original plan was just to take it easy and check flex/ clearances. I ended up flogging it pretty hard! I do know now that it will jump

Recently I completly re-fabbed the front axle, new shocks, built front driveshaft, new motor (6 cyl still), re-wired the engine (hei/tfi/duraspark ignition), new brake lines ....

Next on the list is a cage ... that is going to be highly money/job dependant right now

I'm thinking a little Webber run is in the near future.

[Don]

Another baby step, it's all one color! It hasn't been like that since Toby stole my doors!



Cage is the next thing ... if the weather holds I'm goint to strip the seats and stock hoop tomorrow ...

[Danny]

Rattle can?

[Don]

Yup As soon as I get the water spots rubbed off the rest of the body it will look great.

[White trash]

Looks good, I'm down for a webber run whenever you are.

[tobyw]

It hasn't been like that since Toby stole my doors!

I have no idea what you're talking about... <ducks and runs>

[Roman]

You get the YJ rear cage in yet?

Pic's?

[Don]

The CJ got rolled out of its hole in the back yard for some well deserved time spent on it. Jobin was kind enough to come over and give me a hand for the evening. For the first time the CJ has turn signals, hazards and brakes lights working together properly!!! It took a lot of head scratching and a few beers to undo the PO's mess.

Also, got the hard top on, got the full doors sprayed black and did some long over due maintenance on the steering shaft.

I figured I ought to appease the Jeep gods before I start wrenching too heavily on the Bronco

[Danny]

You know it would really be nice to see that old CJ at least once on a run....that would appease the Jeep gods!

[Don]

Well, considering time and money, the CJ may be getting called off the bench to go on a Christmas Tree run, if that ends up happening.

And to be honest, I could use some help putting together a cage. I've got the material to do it. I took a shot doing myself with Tim's bender, but got frustrated and sidelined it. That is one of the last big pieces of the puzzle to get it ready to start shaking down on the trails.

[Danny]

Ya, cages are not something you want to screw up! When you get back into it let me know and I'l be glad to give you a hand.

[Don]

Thanks Danny! I've recently made a whole bunch of free time for myself, so I may be taking another shot at it in the near future. Maybe I can talk Jose into sacrificing part of a day to get it laid up.

[OldGreen]

Only if you trade places with him under El Chivo for that day bro. . .he's like a man possessed.

[Don]

I've spent a lot more time on the wiring this week. I've chased all the non fused circuits and re connected them back to their original places in the fuse block. Also sorted out quite a few misc. gremlins in the dash wiring. All the aftermarket guages are finally wired and working correctly! I'm pretty confident it's not going to catch on fire now!

Last night I pulled apart the ol' Weber carb for a much needed cleaning. Blew out all the jets and cleaned everything I could get to. Chase a few huge chunks of crud out of the bowl. Also discovered a pretty significant vacuum leak.

Put it back together about midnight last night. After having a little argument, it's purring smooth as can be. Got the timing set at 8* btdc and all the carb settings back to factory, just like it's supposed to be.

Tomorrow, the rear carrier is coming out to get welded up and it's going to get a bath. All is looking good for it to go to the dunes on Saturday!

[Don]

After 2 years I guess I could update my goals list ....

Update of list to be trail ready

-. CAGE! ~ Still need
1. Fix cooling problem ~ DONE
2. Square tube front driveshaft ~ DONE
3. Weld on new shock mounts, check length, new shocks ~ DONE
4. SS extended brake lines - DONE
5. Reconfigure fuel tank ~ DONE
6. Finish raised rear deck ~ DONE
7. Finish SOA stuff - grind in u-bolt channels into diff, spring clamps .. DONE
8. Install rock sliders ~ DONE
9. Figure out rear end problem ~ Will figure out when I weld it
10. Rebuild rear driveshaft ~ DONE
11. Traction/ Anti wrap bar ~ Don't think I need it at this point
12. Duraspark ignition conversion ~ DONE
13. Swap Centerforce clutch back in ~ Need to do
14. Rebuild rear body mounts ~ Need to do
15. Finish fuel cell enclosure and hold downs ~ Need to do
16. Install stereo! ~ Yay, creature comforts!
17. Shake down run! DONE Time for part duex