Not really sure why or how to start this. I miss blogging and sharing with members of various forums I've been a member of. Let's just go with that.
Also please note that as of this moment I'm typing this at work during a very slow time period so pics will be posted sometime the next five days. After all, we all know
and/or "pics or it didn't happen"
A bit of background. The past four years have been a struggle for me at times. Nothing too bad in the grand scheme of things as I know first hand there are people everywhere that had it worse than I did. I'm not complaining and am actually thankful for the situation and the lessons I learned. Over all from around September 2104 until just this past December (2018) I was a bit lost in Life. I voluntarily left an organization that I'd been part of for literally half my life and at the time didn't realize just how crucial that organization was to how I defined who I am/was. Things are better now.
During those four years I really let me TJ go down hill. If some of my friends from back then could see her now I'd be extremely embarrassed. I know/knew better, but at the time just didn't do anything about it. Fortunately that's changed now. So, I decided I try a build thread to document and share where things with my TJ are now, where they've been (at least a little bit), and where I have ideas for where to go. I'm hesitant to use the word "plan" as it always seems Mr. Murphy delights in de-railing any plans I may make. So now I just kick around ideas, adapt to Murphy, and normally over-come... normally.
Let's get started, shall we?
14January2019
I have always loved my TJ. Some have said I'm obsessed. They don't Jeep so... yeah.
Where things were when I started last weekend:
Front bumper missing the milk jug and is actually dented inward on the passenger side. Ironically, I was hit by a news vehicle by a reporter in a hurry to get to an accident to do a live report from. That didn't happen. What did happen was the station's Equinox suffered over $1,500 in damage vs about $120 or so to my TJ. Goofy boss gave me grief that as bad as the Equinox looked my TJ must be in pieces. He shut up quick when he saw how little damage was on the Jeep.
Fenders need replacing due to rust. As in if I stand over them and look down I can see the tops of my tires in some places. I've always said "Tax return time" but then never did anything about it. This is the absolute most embarrassing thing so far.
Wheels starting to show rust/possible pitting. Need to find a good all-around set and get them installed. Tires are still usable but wouldn't hurt to replace them too. Since I tend to be on-road more than off I'm thinking of going back to a street/pavement tread but I'm not 100% sure on this anymore and require more research.
Third brake light needs a riser. I actually already have one, just never installed it. Definitely on the To-Do list for this Spring.
Head lights and brights don't work. I won't say how long this issue was present other than someone watches out for me as far as law enforcement is concerned. Also at least I had working fog lights and wasn't out at night for more than 10 minutes or so in town.
Stubby radio antenna is lacking. I installed this a long time ago as I didn't like the looks of the OEM one. Most times I wasn't driving enough to warrant a radio or I used my iPod so this wasn't a priority.
Center console arm rest pad cover is annoying. Always sliding around and starting to turn color where I usually rest my elbow on it. Also the tumbler/lock/latch has always been a PITA to get depressed and opened. Forums suggest a couple of fixes but I discovered its a metal one so still looking into it.
Rear seat. Nothing wrong with it per se, but now that the kids are grown I haven't used it in almost a full year. Granddaughter will need it at some point, but for now it is just kind of there.
Bestop Insta-trunk. I like it, but thinking if I remove the rear seat I may save up for one of the Tuffy Security Decks. Not sure on this one.
Where things are today:
Replaced the light and multi-switches. Everything works but driver side head light is orange-brown. From what I have found online so far it looks like next nice weather day I need to check the ground and the connector plug. Hopefully I won't have to splice/re-wire anything as I still need practice in that area.
May have found an OEM bumper with the center mount for the license plate. Unfortunately Iowa requires a front plate or this wouldn't be an issue. Also has the slanted end caps. Keeping my fingers crossed on this one.
Actually purchased a set of the JEEP logo coasters/cup holder bottoms. Didn't need to trim them and my coffee mug likes them.
Purchased and installed a Teraflex antenna mount above my passenger tail light and a Firestik CB-style AM/FM antenna. So far better reception than the OEM on front had. Was reminded the hard way to measure instead of guesstimate lenghts as 9 ft was just shy of what I needed. Proper length of coax is scheduled to be here Thursday so my OCD can relax about a cable running from under my passenger seat straight to the glove box.
Cleaned the poor TJ out. Removed way too much trash and spare change ($2.83), did a couple of quick runs over the interior of the windows and dash before the cleaning spray started to freeze. Not perfect but a LOT better than it was.
Topped off fluids under the hood and got tires back to proper pressure.
Everything else is still waiting for either warmer weather or access to a garage with good lighting and somewhat heated.
Where I'd like to go:
Thanks to members of the forum my confusion about doors has been cleared up and I have feelers out for full doors. I'm lucky enough to know two different guys that do paint work so I'm not confined to any specific color. After bouncing an idea off one of the graphic designers I work with I think I'm going to have the full doors painted red on the lower portions with black on the upper area to match the look of my half doors with fabric uppers.
Have feelers out for replacement fenders and looking into getting the pocket style flares that are only as wide as the stock OEM ones were. I like the style but miss the more aggressive look of the narrower flares. Had they been an option at the time I would have gone with them to begin with. Will get them painted black to match my current ones.
Co-worker who works full time at an auto parts delivery company is always letting me know what types of wheels they have in stock along with if he sees any good condition Jeep wheels at some of the salvage yards he delivers to. Hoping by end of summer to have at least new wheels if not new wheels and tires.
Wednesday I have a center console arm rest pad showing up. It is not the Rugged Ridge one but close to it. When I was checking reviews I noticed the majority of them were pet owners that mentioned the pad holds up well to dogs and is pet friendly.
Finally get around to installing the MOLLE tailgate panel I purchased years ago.
Acquire a Jeep Dog. I will name him Watson so I can quote Bell often. I'd like a husky/shepherd mix. Better half says we need a mini. I can roll with that.
Road trips. I need to go on more road trips or at least get 30+ miles away from town. Too many places in Iowa I still need to explore and share.
So that's it for the first post in this thread. Pics by the weekend.
Also please note that as of this moment I'm typing this at work during a very slow time period so pics will be posted sometime the next five days. After all, we all know
and/or "pics or it didn't happen" A bit of background. The past four years have been a struggle for me at times. Nothing too bad in the grand scheme of things as I know first hand there are people everywhere that had it worse than I did. I'm not complaining and am actually thankful for the situation and the lessons I learned. Over all from around September 2104 until just this past December (2018) I was a bit lost in Life. I voluntarily left an organization that I'd been part of for literally half my life and at the time didn't realize just how crucial that organization was to how I defined who I am/was. Things are better now.
During those four years I really let me TJ go down hill. If some of my friends from back then could see her now I'd be extremely embarrassed. I know/knew better, but at the time just didn't do anything about it. Fortunately that's changed now. So, I decided I try a build thread to document and share where things with my TJ are now, where they've been (at least a little bit), and where I have ideas for where to go. I'm hesitant to use the word "plan" as it always seems Mr. Murphy delights in de-railing any plans I may make. So now I just kick around ideas, adapt to Murphy, and normally over-come... normally.
Let's get started, shall we?
14January2019
I have always loved my TJ. Some have said I'm obsessed. They don't Jeep so... yeah.
Where things were when I started last weekend:
Front bumper missing the milk jug and is actually dented inward on the passenger side. Ironically, I was hit by a news vehicle by a reporter in a hurry to get to an accident to do a live report from. That didn't happen. What did happen was the station's Equinox suffered over $1,500 in damage vs about $120 or so to my TJ. Goofy boss gave me grief that as bad as the Equinox looked my TJ must be in pieces. He shut up quick when he saw how little damage was on the Jeep.
Fenders need replacing due to rust. As in if I stand over them and look down I can see the tops of my tires in some places. I've always said "Tax return time" but then never did anything about it. This is the absolute most embarrassing thing so far.
Wheels starting to show rust/possible pitting. Need to find a good all-around set and get them installed. Tires are still usable but wouldn't hurt to replace them too. Since I tend to be on-road more than off I'm thinking of going back to a street/pavement tread but I'm not 100% sure on this anymore and require more research.
Third brake light needs a riser. I actually already have one, just never installed it. Definitely on the To-Do list for this Spring.
Head lights and brights don't work. I won't say how long this issue was present other than someone watches out for me as far as law enforcement is concerned. Also at least I had working fog lights and wasn't out at night for more than 10 minutes or so in town.
Stubby radio antenna is lacking. I installed this a long time ago as I didn't like the looks of the OEM one. Most times I wasn't driving enough to warrant a radio or I used my iPod so this wasn't a priority.
Center console arm rest pad cover is annoying. Always sliding around and starting to turn color where I usually rest my elbow on it. Also the tumbler/lock/latch has always been a PITA to get depressed and opened. Forums suggest a couple of fixes but I discovered its a metal one so still looking into it.
Rear seat. Nothing wrong with it per se, but now that the kids are grown I haven't used it in almost a full year. Granddaughter will need it at some point, but for now it is just kind of there.
Bestop Insta-trunk. I like it, but thinking if I remove the rear seat I may save up for one of the Tuffy Security Decks. Not sure on this one.
Where things are today:
Replaced the light and multi-switches. Everything works but driver side head light is orange-brown. From what I have found online so far it looks like next nice weather day I need to check the ground and the connector plug. Hopefully I won't have to splice/re-wire anything as I still need practice in that area.
May have found an OEM bumper with the center mount for the license plate. Unfortunately Iowa requires a front plate or this wouldn't be an issue. Also has the slanted end caps. Keeping my fingers crossed on this one.
Actually purchased a set of the JEEP logo coasters/cup holder bottoms. Didn't need to trim them and my coffee mug likes them.
Purchased and installed a Teraflex antenna mount above my passenger tail light and a Firestik CB-style AM/FM antenna. So far better reception than the OEM on front had. Was reminded the hard way to measure instead of guesstimate lenghts as 9 ft was just shy of what I needed. Proper length of coax is scheduled to be here Thursday so my OCD can relax about a cable running from under my passenger seat straight to the glove box.
Cleaned the poor TJ out. Removed way too much trash and spare change ($2.83), did a couple of quick runs over the interior of the windows and dash before the cleaning spray started to freeze. Not perfect but a LOT better than it was.
Topped off fluids under the hood and got tires back to proper pressure.
Everything else is still waiting for either warmer weather or access to a garage with good lighting and somewhat heated.
Where I'd like to go:
Thanks to members of the forum my confusion about doors has been cleared up and I have feelers out for full doors. I'm lucky enough to know two different guys that do paint work so I'm not confined to any specific color. After bouncing an idea off one of the graphic designers I work with I think I'm going to have the full doors painted red on the lower portions with black on the upper area to match the look of my half doors with fabric uppers.
Have feelers out for replacement fenders and looking into getting the pocket style flares that are only as wide as the stock OEM ones were. I like the style but miss the more aggressive look of the narrower flares. Had they been an option at the time I would have gone with them to begin with. Will get them painted black to match my current ones.
Co-worker who works full time at an auto parts delivery company is always letting me know what types of wheels they have in stock along with if he sees any good condition Jeep wheels at some of the salvage yards he delivers to. Hoping by end of summer to have at least new wheels if not new wheels and tires.
Wednesday I have a center console arm rest pad showing up. It is not the Rugged Ridge one but close to it. When I was checking reviews I noticed the majority of them were pet owners that mentioned the pad holds up well to dogs and is pet friendly.
Finally get around to installing the MOLLE tailgate panel I purchased years ago.
Acquire a Jeep Dog. I will name him Watson so I can quote Bell often. I'd like a husky/shepherd mix. Better half says we need a mini. I can roll with that.
Road trips. I need to go on more road trips or at least get 30+ miles away from town. Too many places in Iowa I still need to explore and share.
So that's it for the first post in this thread. Pics by the weekend.
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