1997 Wrangler TJ tub-off restoration build

myjeep3

TJ Enthusiast
Joined
Jul 4, 2019
Messages
477
Location
MA
Hello there,
Though I would start a new thread that will show my restoration progress as I go through it.
I purchase this jeep recently and decided to restore it as much as I can. I am new to wrangler, so get ready for my
million questions.
The jeep will only be used for street driving, no offroading or rocks crowling, just regular driving.
My plan is to do a tub off restoration.

Here are some pictures of what I have done so far.

tapatalk_1562879583338.jpeg When I got it.

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Its a work in progress. Today i took in the shop and started to strip it out.
As you can see, fenders and hard top are out. Removing the fenders wasnt too bad.

I am somehow puzzled and haven't figure out how to remove the wire harness before removing the body of the frame. Where do I need to disconnect? There isnt much wires from the driver side, but on the passenger side I see the wires go and connect to the Fuse box under the hood. Do I disconnect from there or do I disconnect from inside the car??

Please advise. thanks

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Making progress.. everything is disconnected and tub is ready to be pulled.. looks like i may need a hoister in order to pull it all the way up.. was thinking about sourcing 4 people and lift it up but the shifter is too tall and we cant lift too high enough to clear it.. unless there is a way to remove it with less pain.

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Damn, that's some serious rust! You're a brave man for taking that on (y)

Yea i know..lol..but it will get done.. love the challange...

Tub came off today.. will start examining and drowing a plan of attack. All i know is that this thing wll look brand new by the time am done with it.. it just a matter of some cash for new parts and a million hours of labor work.. lol.
I have learned alot so far.. so i guess its worth it..
Here are more pics..

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Did a little more work on the jeep yesturday. I found a 1ton engine hoist on sale for $120 and grabbed it so that i could full the engine off the frame. Today i will disconnect both axles and clean those separately. This frame doesnt actually look too bad as i was expecting. I can see that the previous owner had already repaired it using thos expe nsive safe-t-cap kits.
I only need to repair both sides rear end of the frame, both side rear spring mounts (news ones arriving today) and the from bump stop metal tubes which rotted.. will have to fabricate those, maybe with a 2" pipe.
Was going to sandlast the both frame and axles but those shops around here are asking too much for it..so am going town on it. Clean the shit out of it, sand it town, clean it more thn paint.

I have already started to grind the frame to bare metal and realize that it goes alot grease at the front section. Was thinking about a spray bottle filled with heavy duty degreaser and water to clean it up. But i read people saying not to put water on bare metal.
Any recommendations on how to degrease this frame?

Here are some pics..and more to come.

Thanks

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Por 15 and Chassis saver seem to be popular but i dont think i can find it locally.
I did started sending the frame down, not too bad at all as most of it is surface rust..just the sections needed repairs have deeper rust.

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Got more done this morning. Welded the rear reinforcement pieces and replace the rear spring plates. This used 220v welder is powerful, best cheap investment ever.. will continue sanding the frame down and repair/replace whats needed..then wll start prepping for some POR 15. Then will tacle cleaning and prepping both axles.
Slowly am getting there..
More to come, stay tunned.

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