So I'm usually a CJ guy but I came across this stock 2004 LJ that I just couldn't pass up (I'm also working on an '81 Scrambler so I thought they fit well). Anyway, the LJ was owned by an older guy, only thing he'd ever done to it from what I can tell is install a transmission cooler on the front bumper for a camping trailer he towed. So far I've gotten it apart and am getting started on the putting it back together part. I was really surprised to see the frame is in great shape, not a single hole or weak spot, just a few spots of surface rust, looks like he was pretty good at keeping it undercoated 
I'm going to upload some pics but thought I'd ask for some input on some of my rebuild steps. One I'm done, I will be putting it up for sale.. I have built several CJ's at this point and the builds kinda keep me going after life took a couple screwy turns a few years ago but one they are done I'm happy to let someone else enjoy them. I am going for 'close' to original so I'm not doing a lot of upgrades for offroad, etc.. I like to work with a project that starts as close to stock as possible so everyone can be sure it hasn't had all kinds of crazy stuff done to it.. and whoever ends up with it can go ahead and basically modify a brand new classic jeep to their own preferences. So, If anyone wants to comment, critique.. whatever.. I'd love to hear from you and as I have questions, I'll put them up here too. I'm located somewhere between Kingston and Toronto if anyone's in the area. Always nice to meet new people. Thanks for reading!
what I've done so far:
- strip it to the frame, blast, thoroughly clean inside of frame
- frame interior painted with eastwood internal frame paint
- frame exterior painted with eastwood rust encapsulator platinum and then eastwood chassis black
- both axles stripped and similarly redone
- starting to reassemble
Parts so far:
- new Old Man Emu springs with ~2" lift all around (gives it a little without mucking up geometry)
- new Rancho RS5000's all around, plus a Rancho steering stabilizer
- option of either new 15" Pro Comp rims with new Falken Wildpeak 31's or slightly used M/T 15" rims with new Goodyear Wrangler 33's
- new rotors, calipers, pads all around
- new fuel tank skid plate and straps
- several new u joints, tie rod ends, steering ends, ball joints, etc...
- off road bumpers I had around (will be redone) with a swing away carrier
- new borgeson steering shaft
- new down pipe with catalytic converter
- other random things I haven't thought of right now..
Jeep also has soft top, hard top, full doors, half doors...
It going to need some body work of course, but I'll get the chassis done first.
I'm going to upload some pics but thought I'd ask for some input on some of my rebuild steps. One I'm done, I will be putting it up for sale.. I have built several CJ's at this point and the builds kinda keep me going after life took a couple screwy turns a few years ago but one they are done I'm happy to let someone else enjoy them. I am going for 'close' to original so I'm not doing a lot of upgrades for offroad, etc.. I like to work with a project that starts as close to stock as possible so everyone can be sure it hasn't had all kinds of crazy stuff done to it.. and whoever ends up with it can go ahead and basically modify a brand new classic jeep to their own preferences. So, If anyone wants to comment, critique.. whatever.. I'd love to hear from you and as I have questions, I'll put them up here too. I'm located somewhere between Kingston and Toronto if anyone's in the area. Always nice to meet new people. Thanks for reading!
what I've done so far:
- strip it to the frame, blast, thoroughly clean inside of frame
- frame interior painted with eastwood internal frame paint
- frame exterior painted with eastwood rust encapsulator platinum and then eastwood chassis black
- both axles stripped and similarly redone
- starting to reassemble
Parts so far:
- new Old Man Emu springs with ~2" lift all around (gives it a little without mucking up geometry)
- new Rancho RS5000's all around, plus a Rancho steering stabilizer
- option of either new 15" Pro Comp rims with new Falken Wildpeak 31's or slightly used M/T 15" rims with new Goodyear Wrangler 33's
- new rotors, calipers, pads all around
- new fuel tank skid plate and straps
- several new u joints, tie rod ends, steering ends, ball joints, etc...
- off road bumpers I had around (will be redone) with a swing away carrier
- new borgeson steering shaft
- new down pipe with catalytic converter
- other random things I haven't thought of right now..
Jeep also has soft top, hard top, full doors, half doors...
It going to need some body work of course, but I'll get the chassis done first.
