A quick recap and thanks to those on this forum for the education. I am on several other non Jeep forums and they have been a huge help over the years. I figured I’d bring this project over here and maybe someone will benefit.
Jeep info, some from the other post and other tidbits I have learned up to this point. Always wanted one of these (TJ era and a “long one” would be a bonus), but obviously I hadn’t done much homework. I’ve had a few FJ’s/trucks I’ve built over the years, and although I am always looking for a project, I already had enough before picking this up. I knew where this LJ was for a little over a year, but again didn’t really know what it was. After asking the owner a few times if he want to sell it, he finally said he would. I am ashamed to say what I paid for it, but I now know it will probably my deal of a lifetime. That won’t stop me from continuing to look! I did scramble with the trailer before he changed his mind.
Since bringing it home, I really focused on the cleanup it needed. It has been sitting for close to 5 years after the original owner became ill. He passed away a few years ago and it continued to sit out in the elements. I am in central CA, so luckily the weather isn’t all that bad but it had still taking a beating just sitting. I’ve never concerned myself with CARFAX reports on projects I bring home, but after learning what this was I bit the bullet and paid them. The report confirmed that it was a one owner, with nearly 60 service records. All were from a local Jeep dealer with the exception of one from Midas Mufflers. If you know their work (I’m sure not all of the shops!), I took a good look and no baling wire used to install a new muffler! From what I’ve learned, the owner bought it and it was used as a commuter, but that’s about it. He lived in the city next to where it was serviced, so all made perfect sense with the maintenance records.
I wish I had taken more before pics, but this is what I have. I got after it this weekend with the little Wagner steam cleaner. Forgot how effective steam is to clean things. Cleaned all of the plastic much better than I thought. Also cleaned up who knows how many mocha- latte- frappuccino drinks were spilled. After cleaning this up and looking at the seat again, I have my work cut out for me. Got the new ACC carpet so in the next week will get working on that. Shoe horned it in before I took any pics of the outside, so will post those down the road. The paint is not great, but not so bad that it will not stay as is!
Jeep info, some from the other post and other tidbits I have learned up to this point. Always wanted one of these (TJ era and a “long one” would be a bonus), but obviously I hadn’t done much homework. I’ve had a few FJ’s/trucks I’ve built over the years, and although I am always looking for a project, I already had enough before picking this up. I knew where this LJ was for a little over a year, but again didn’t really know what it was. After asking the owner a few times if he want to sell it, he finally said he would. I am ashamed to say what I paid for it, but I now know it will probably my deal of a lifetime. That won’t stop me from continuing to look! I did scramble with the trailer before he changed his mind.
Since bringing it home, I really focused on the cleanup it needed. It has been sitting for close to 5 years after the original owner became ill. He passed away a few years ago and it continued to sit out in the elements. I am in central CA, so luckily the weather isn’t all that bad but it had still taking a beating just sitting. I’ve never concerned myself with CARFAX reports on projects I bring home, but after learning what this was I bit the bullet and paid them. The report confirmed that it was a one owner, with nearly 60 service records. All were from a local Jeep dealer with the exception of one from Midas Mufflers. If you know their work (I’m sure not all of the shops!), I took a good look and no baling wire used to install a new muffler! From what I’ve learned, the owner bought it and it was used as a commuter, but that’s about it. He lived in the city next to where it was serviced, so all made perfect sense with the maintenance records.
I wish I had taken more before pics, but this is what I have. I got after it this weekend with the little Wagner steam cleaner. Forgot how effective steam is to clean things. Cleaned all of the plastic much better than I thought. Also cleaned up who knows how many mocha- latte- frappuccino drinks were spilled. After cleaning this up and looking at the seat again, I have my work cut out for me. Got the new ACC carpet so in the next week will get working on that. Shoe horned it in before I took any pics of the outside, so will post those down the road. The paint is not great, but not so bad that it will not stay as is!
