I'm looking forward to it too, then I can actually get the damn thing out and have some fun. So far this project has been one of my more expensive toys that I haven't even got to use yet. It's been fun and I've learned a ton already though, very addicting.

I'm pretty sure you could beat me to the swap if ya wanted, but I'll be plenty pleased if I get that and a few other things done and can wheel mid May

 

What part of Minnesota are you in?

 

Nice updates Jart! I still can't get over how good the total body Monstaliner looks. I love it. Looking forward to seeing the engine swap progress!

 

I'm about 15 minutes south west of the Gilbert off road vehicle park, less than an hour north of Duluth. I basically live in a swamp with a name.

I checked out your build thread, looks like some nice work. Where are you at?

 

Thank you. I'm very happy with the way the Monstaliner came out too. Will be a little bit of a shame the first time bang it up, but it is a Jeep so I'm not going to lose sleep over it. I'm debating on using the stuff on my '03 F150. A number of spots went to hell already on it (thank you MN DOT for using so much salt on the roads) and I think I can manage a pretty good looking job. It may even help hide the fairly poor job of patching I would do

Any plans on when you'll be Monstalining your rig?

 

Thanks man. I live in Moorhead MN next to Fargo ND, I go up to Gilbert at least 3 times a year. Lucky your so close. I love it there! I could spend days on the trails.

 

Cool. I've only been to the Gilbert OHV once to ride along with a buddy in his XJ, but it was pretty cool. I've got power line trails, ski trails, logging roads, and stuff like that to play on within a few miles of my place. Gotta love living in the sticks

 

I'm getting up bright and early tomorrow morning (Saturday) to get it started. Lots of work ahead of me! I took a 3-day weekend to be sure I get it done.

 

Cool. Good luck to ya. I'm definitely happy I did it.

 

Great build man, Hang in there and good luck with everything.

 

 

Thank you. Hopefully I'll be working on her again soon so I can get my thread back to having interesting updates.

 

Cool. Looks good. You have a nice clean looking rig.

 

Getting closer to starting the swap. Got my take home final I’m hoping to knock off tomorrow and Saturday and my class will be done til September. This will allow me to have a bit more free time again. I’ve actually been productive in the garage lately getting ready for the swap and I think it’ll pay off. I’ve been cleaning a bunch of stuff out of there so I have plenty of room to work. I’ve also got around half of the electrical in the garage updated and will finish that before the swap. I started by thinking another light or 2 would be nice and then I saw how bad the old wiring was… not cool. So I’m replacing the old wiring with new Romex and the fuse box with a cheap Homeline panel. I’ll probably make some simple workbenches for laying things out as I remove them/etc also. It may take some time up front but will make the job easier and I need them anyway.

I went back to my original plans and came up with an updated list of things to do. For the most part I want to try to focus on getting the “must do” things done and other things will be put on the back burner til after I get to play some.

Short(er) term work
- Finish installing lift stuff (bar pin eliminators in front, transfer case drop, shocks in rear, sway bar disconnects, check/torque all nuts and bolts)
- Engine swap
- Install winch
- Relocate battery to rear with big wire
- Install relays/wiring for rack lights
- Upgrade some of the small power wires as it makes sense
- Install CB radio
- Make a hi-lift jack mount for on my rack
- Get the other seat and seatbelt back in
- Tie rod end and U-joint replacement
- Alignment

Long term
- Spare tire mount (probably something off the hitch receiver)
- Install upgraded axles
- 35” boggers (need new wheels for the new axles, figure I’d upgrade it all then)
- On board air
- Alternator upgrade
- Tool storage
- Dual battery setup with isolator and inverter
- Upgrade stereo for blue tooth hands free

Possible long term
- Raspberry Pi or tablet for diagnostics with OBD, music, navigation, whatever else I can think of (yup, geeky ****)
- Backup camera and others for some self spotting assistance
- May continue with interior color change/etc, not too important at this time

Hopefully by next weekend I’ll be posting before pics of the engine and starting to pull it apart!

 

A song just for your build comes to mind. KMFDM's Juke Joint Jezebel (Metropolis remix)