05 Wrangler penny pincher build

"I like the white one, but quit teasing us with the jeepster. We need a full breakdown of that one" ;)

So, I'm with @Starrs on that one. How 'bout some pics and info on the Commando? You know...in the General Jeep Discussion section?

Lol I should be done with the penny pincher in 2-3 weeks. After I’m done and the Jeep is back in my uncles hands I’ll do a new write up on th Jeepster Commando. Until then I’ll just keep teasing it haha.
 
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So did they just give you a budget to stick to and that’s how you decde what mods to do?
Actually the only cash I’ve spent out of pocket on this is on the lights, hinges, and spray paint so far. I sold the seat covers and the light bar for $160. Lights cost $260 (so only $100 out of pocket, the hinges cost $90 all in with new hardware, And spray paint cost $10. My mom is buying the chrome grill from me as a birthday present for my cousin. Everything else I’ve received for free from a friend or spare parts that I’ve had in my garage. I helped some guys take off their old Tj parts and install new stuff I was selling. They paid cash and said I could keep the old stuff for free. Figured I’d be able to use it again one day. Looks like I lucked out! Told my uncle as long as he bought the parts I would do the labor for free.

My uncle will be in town on Tuesday. I’ll show him everything I’ve done and tell him I’ll need another $300 to “finish” it out. So basically other than the tires and new battery he put on himself this should only cost him $500 out of pocket when all is said and done (so I guess all in is roughly $1,000 investment in a near bone stock TJ?)

Will not be doing speakers or a soft top just yet. I think he cares more about him getting some time behind the wheel for a while and then will upgrade later. Just need to make it a nice birthday present for as little cash out of pocket as possible and something comfortable to drive back and forth to school. Speakers or a soft top might make a good Christmas present at the end of this year.
 
Did a lot done today.

Cleaned the inside of the hard top.
Took out he carpet and got it cleaned.
Cleaned the tub.
Removed the previous owners ridiculous wiring job. No one in their right mind wires things up the way he did....
Put it all back together except for the carpet as it’s still drying out. Still has stained but it’s clean and much better than what it was.
Cleaned up the console.
Detailed the interior panels.
Installed the little fender pieces from an old set of our bushwhacker flat flares.

Fairly happy with the results. Can’t wait for my uncle to see it all on Tuesday. I’m beat. Still have shocks, springs, and a few other things before it’s “finished” (at least for my cousins birthday).
 
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Love what you are doing with that TJ. You really are resurrecting it. I thought I was OCD. But I haven’t pulled the carpets and scrubbed the tub out. I know pics flatter vehicles but that thing is looking like a 20k mile cream puff in your most recents photos. Great job.
 
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Well the carpet still has stains on it but it’s at least clean. It’s better than what it was. Still has a cigerette smoky smell to it. I febreezed the crap out of it. It will look decent with some floor mats over it haha. Hoping I can talk my uncle into a bed rug at least for the front two seats for now. But I guess we’ll see if he can fit it into his budget. I’m sure within the next year he’ll do it.
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Love what you are doing with that TJ. You really are resurrecting it. I thought I was OCD. But I haven’t pulled the carpets and scrubbed the tub out. I know pics flatter vehicles but that thing is looking like a 20k mile cream puff in your most recents photos. Great job.
I appreciate the compliment! I was afraid there for a while when I first started on it that it would just be a pig with lipstick on. Turning out way better than I had hoped for.

My first vehicle was an 88 YJ and it was in half the condition this one is in. My dad had bought it for $4,000 and we spent a good $3,500 or so to make it daily driveable. All my friends and sister had brand new vehicles and I wondered why I had such a piece of junk at the time lol. Looking back now it was one of the better things my parents did for me and I wish I could have that old Jeep back!

Just trying to treat this Jeep like it is my own! Make it something I would be proud of and anyone else who drives it can be proud of it too.
 
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