jdjonesdr

So, I said screw it, and ordered all three. Dirt cheap.

While we're waiting for those to arrive, we dig into the electrical system.

One of the big problems of most older jeeps are their electrical systems. Bad grounds pop up every where, and because of that, you get all kinds of electrical problems. Plus, the previous owner, who had an A/C shop, had obviously been under the dash before, because all kinds of stuff has been cut, eliminated, wired together... you can imagine.

I'm replacing anything that looks past it's prime under the hood, wiring wise, and getting the electrical system up to snuff.

The parts came on Monday, so all of those are back in, and I'll be finishing up the wire project in the next day or so.

Once that's done, I'm gonna get it back on the road, use it for a few weeks, then off to the paint shop!

Oh, I'm still searching for some minor trim pieces, an overhead console with a functioning compass/thermometer, and a digital compass.

jdjonesdr

So now we're in Christmas season, and nobody feels like working.

I'm gonna take a rest until Wednesday, then get back to it.

Merry Christmas to all you folks. I hope I'm not boring ya.

ol"blue

Keep up the good work.

jdjonesdr

Thanks Blue!

Oh man, where was I?

A/C is all done, colder than a witches tit. All the electrical is fixed and functioning.

Sent her our for a new windshield.

I was originally thinking about gluing the lower door plastic trim, but stared at it until I convinced myself it would look better without it, so it's gone. (carefully stored in the closet.) I also bought and installed new bumper mounts and end caps.

Bought and installed a new windshield wiper motor and reservoir tank.

A biggie - Shimmed both doors on the lower hinges, and the doors lined up PERFECT on the first try. I amaze myself sometimes. Sprayed a ton of WD40 in the key locks, door latches, hinges.... everything works, except for the electric door locks. Guess I'm gonna have to pull the door panels to get at those to lubricate. They work, but not like they're supposed to.

Threw in an original radio. ****!!!! The original speakers are still good.

The windshield had a crack, so I threw on a new one yesterday.

Since I replaced just about everything else under the hood, I decided to change the water pump and idler pulleys. (anybody think I'm nuts yet?)

So now, the thing starts right up, runs pretty damn good, no squeaks or issues. No clunks or sounds when I hit bumps. It's nice and cool inside, and I've got tunes.

I only need a couple more things...


Both side vent windows with locks
The overhead console
The in dash digital clock
The chrome trim above the grill and lights. (you can see an example in this pic I borrowed)


Once I get my hands on that stuff, it's heading for the paint shop.

jdjonesdr

Well.. a lot has happened in the last few weeks, to say the least. I ended up changing some more stuff, like the speakers, door panels and some other minor stuff.


As I mentioned, I Got the A/C all put back together. It blows nice and cold, but it's fighting a battle with that black paint!

I finally found the side vent windows, a clock, and the overhead console compass. (Did you notice the new windshield?)

I had to fix the wiper motor, and repair all of the fluid jets on the front and rear windows. The pumps were shot, and the nozzles were incredibly clogged. I actually used the little red tube that comes on a can of WD 40 to make the connection in the rear. I still can't believe how good it works. Perfect!!

I was able to fix the spring of the roll up cargo cover in the rear. I was also able to find the grey latches that hold the cover in the rear. Believe it or not, two little plastic pieces that are literally worth their weight in gold. I got those still in the OEM bag from a guy that sold me the jack. He bought them new in the early nineties, and never installed them. What luck.

While I had the door panels off to change the windows, I sent them off to have new particle board installed inside. The old panel boards were in pretty bad shape.

I stuck in a factory radio, and bought and installed 4 new Infinity speakers, one in each door, and two in the back.

I found a brand new OEM jack and handle that a guy took out of his truck when it was brand new, and it was stored in a closet for 23 years. It's now latched down under the rear seat with the original handle and lug wrench.

I installed another instrument panel that I got on the cheap on EBAY that looks like new.
I was also able to find a new radiator overflow bottle (white plastic) and a new windshield wiper liquid reservoir (white plastic too) and stuck them on.

I tore apart the factory hood mounted trouble light with the magnetic base (one of the rarest options you can find) and got it working, and it now retracts the cable when you pull on it. Cool!! Everyone wants to buy that thing.

So.... it was finally time to send her off to a shade tree body shop, and throw a few coats of flat black on her. It took the guy 4 days to sand it down, and spray the paint. I also installed all new front and rear lights.

Here's how it turned out..







What do you think? Change those wheels??? lol

I haven't decided on that. If I can find newer wheels, I'll probably throw on a set of those.

All in all, not to bad for what's going to be a dependable weekend around town beater.

The only thing really left to do is a couple of minor things: the vacuum on the 4wd actuator doesn't work, so I gotta troubleshoot that, even though I'm not interested too much in having 4WD, and I need to pull the valve cover and brake fluid reservoir and and paint them too.

Once that's all done, the engine will get another full wash down, then a coat of clear spray (an old dealers trick) that will make the whole engine compartment look like a new truck. Simple.

jdjonesdr

I wanna throw out a special thanks to Jim in Texas. This guy has found every little pain in the butt part I asked for. How cool is that?

He got me the rear cover hooks, the compass, the clock, and a couple of other goodies. Anything I requested, he always gave me a "Yeah, I think I can find that!!

What a great guy. A board member of the highest standing, in my opinion.

Thanks again, Jim. If you ever come to the Dominican Republic. I'll take ya out and show you what "latin fever" is all about!!

mitch500

awesome! good job!

where in the DR do you live? I lived in Cabarete on the north coast for 3 years!

jdjonesdr

Thanks a lot!!

I've lived all over the Dominican Republic, including Puerto Plata (Maimon) and Cabrera.

I've been living in west Santo Domingo for the last 7 years or so..

I'm guessing most of the guys on here don't know what they're missing

jdjonesdr

Well, finishing things up.

We've shimmed the doors again to get them to shut even better. They almost close by themselves.

I found the problem with the 4WD. The red vacuum hose to the transmission vacuum harness had a crack in it. Imagine how much fun it was to find that!

I cut the hose, slipped both ends into a piece of rubber hose, and now it's good as new. I've got 4WD!!

In the next day or so, I'll pull the overhead console, and install the compass/thermometer display.

I still haven't figured out what to do with the wheels.

jdjonesdr

I got a pm asking about interiors shots. Here's a couple for you guys.






http://i1024.photobucket.com/albums/...psd14521a0.jpg

And a secret code shot of a sign on a truck in front of me...

jdjonesdr

And..... today

Still fixing little things..

The two door Prado 120 is one of my other SUVs. I also have a 2 door Montero I never use. I just sold my Land Rover Range Rover a few weeks ago because I never used it either.