'98 Sahara build: "Staying the Course"

So, my Son-in-Law presented something to me a few hours ago, and it's messing with my mind. Seems his aunt is moving to California, and is selling off the vehicles. He bought her little 2000 2-door Blazer, she's keeping the Cadillac, and only has one vehicle left to sell: a TJ. He showed me pics. Looked to be an all stock Sport. Automatic. Convertible soft top in the pic, but he said he's almost certain she has the hardtop, as well. He doesn't know the year, or if it's a four banger, or the six cylinder. Just hit 88,000 miles. She'll sell it on the "Friends and Family Plan" for $5,000. Gonna meet with her this week, and see if we can work something out (like how the hell I'm gonna get this past the wife!). I may have to agree to part with a couple (or three) project cars... :rolleyes:
 
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Looks like one of his uncles up near the Canadian border has some property, and is interested in the TJ. It's only right that he gets first dibs, as I'm just an in-law. However, she knows my interest in it, so that seed has been planted.

Hope all had a happy Father's Day!
 
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Popped out all the control arm bushings (front and rear arms). Looking forward to the new bushings arriving this week. Also spent quite a bit of time working on scale rust...again...still. For those of you with these pristine frames, you just don't know what you're missing. You really feel like you've accomplished something when a section goes from shi-nasty to quite presentable. @Ranger_b0b knows what I'm talking about! ;)
 
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Decided I needed to play with something that didn't involve rust, so I cleaned up the rear control arms, sanded them lightly, and then shot 'em with some self-etching primer. It was a nice break from corrosion. But then I decided to remove the gas tank from the skid. When I did, guess what was waiting for me? My old nemesis...rust. Lots and lots of thick, scale rust. I started chipping away at it, and actually broke through the skid in one section. Unacceptable. So now I either head back to Olympic 4X4 and pick up a clean OEM one, or I get an aftermarket OEM style one, or...I'd love a Rokmen skid, but being that I don't want to do a body lift at this point, I'd have to use 1/2" spacers to lower the skid. I dunno. Got a lot going on. In fact, 4 Wheel Parts called me today and left a message. I ordered stainless steel brake lines (the hard lines...full kit) from them. They asked me to call them in the morning. Couldn't figure out why, but now I think I know. I ordered it as a customer pick-up, but I forgot to do so. I have so many new parts being shipped to me that I just forgot that they weren't. Sheesh! I'll call them in the morning.
Here are a few pics. Nothing terribly exciting, but it's progress.
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glwood said:
What does it take to get those control arm bushings out?
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I "rented" a ball joint removal/installation tool from O'Reilly's (If you return it within 48 hours, it's "no charge"). I used their collars and the "pucks", but set them up on my hydraulic press, rather than use their C-clamp style tool. Did all eight control arms in about an hour and fifteen minutes. It was a breeze!
 
If you end up getting a stock replacement gas tank skid, look to get one from an 03 and later (maybe 02) They are heavier gage steel, and a much better protector of the bomb (gas tank) under your ass. I think they will cross over, but if not, I can't imagine it would take much to do so.
 
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Ranger_b0b said:
If you end up getting a stock replacement gas tank skid, look to get one from an 03 and later (maybe 02) They are heavier gage steel, and a much better protector of the bomb (gas tank) under your ass. I think they will cross over, but if not, I can't imagine it would take much to do so.
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I thought I had read that somewhere, but was uncertain. Thanks for tip. I'll check into it. I know there's a local guy who still has the skid off his wrecked '05, but it was a right hand drive. Uncertain if there's a difference. I could always just take my old one along to compare, I guess.
 
My thoughts exactly on the 03-06 skid. If that's an easy switch, I'd do it, much tougher. I have beat my stock 05 skid and am not worried about it. Plus, there is a mod to raise it 1" if you do ever decide to do a BL. Otherwise, it's forking over the big $$$ for Rokmen or Savvy.
 
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Just got back a bit ago from Olympic 4X4 in Snohomish, Washington. They're a 4X4 wrecking yard, shop, and parts store. They can be a little pricey on some items, but I also discovered that you can negotiate with them if you're pleasant about it. What I picked up today was a late-model ('03-'06) gas tank skid, a steering wheel, the full length fuel line and vent tube, an exhaust hanger, a couple of plastic vent "Ts" for the gas tank, an aluminum heat shield, and some miscellaneous hardware. Out the door price was $166, which I was fine with.

The pics tell the story...
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For those of you who have never had the opportunity to compare the differences between the early OEM gas tank skids ('97 to '02, though there is some debate about the last year of the early style) and the late-model ones, I offer up some pics for you to see. As far as the material thickness goes, my '98's is .075" thick, while the later one is .085" thick. While the .010" difference doesn't seem like much, I can say that the extra stamped "ribs" or channels in the later ones definitely aid in the rigidity of the skid. Also, the one-piece stamping of the later ones is much stronger than the welded-on pieces the earlier ones had. Additionally, the earlier skids are completely open on the driver's side, whereas the later ones encase the fuel tank. I paid $45 for the later one, including the straps.
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