So I've always wanted a jeep, said the newbie.

After years of putting it off , a 1995 , 2 door xj pretty much fell into my lap. Neighbor was selling it, $350.
It Started..I bought it.

Starting to delve into this project as a first timer, knowing nothing of jeeps or vehicles for that matter I decided it's time to learn. So here I am, after weeks of research and looking at people's threads be signed up and I'm here.

First thing I noticed was someone's half *** attempt to patch the rusty floor, so ripped all the interior, seats, plastics, dash out to get the floor To something I'm happy with, having never fabricated metal before I figured here's my first challenge and I'm fairly happy how the new floor pans are coming along. I ordered a 4'x8' sheet of 1/16" steel for this.




I did not cut the frame, this was done by the previous owner cutting out the floor I'm assuming.







Bending new pans with the help of my future rockers/rocksliders and an adjustable wrench for smaller bends.

 

For someone who says they know nothing about cars, you look to be off to a good start. Welcome to the CF. Do work son.

 

Welcome to the forum. Good find for $350.

 

Thanks guys, appreciate it! Weather has been rainy last few days, unfortunately no indoor work space so im halted.

And Scott, thanks! Ive tried to do my research and to be honest almost everything i've learned in the last few weeks came from these forums so i decided these are the ones for me. Everyone seems super friendly and respectful from what i've seen. Ill try to post as i progress.

Thanks XJWonders! Im just north of you a bit, Scranton Area.

 

Today i went out to assess the rust scenario in the front floor pans, unscrewed 10,000 self tappers, driver side was as expected, passenger side revealed a disconnected hose from somewhere and a rain leak running down my old floorpans.




Here is the old half *** floor patch, raining today i found out i have a leak somewhere running down the old floor pans under the dash. (Passenger Side)





Heres the leak, not sure what connection that is? (Under passenger dash)





Took out his old floor patch, and mystery hose #1 was chillin there for me.





Heres a close up of mystery hose, im sure its an easy answer but my Haynes book did not arrive yet.

 

Are you sure that's a water leak on the passenger side or is it coolant? You may have a leaky heater core. Good start man, glad to see you jump right into it!

 

I don't believe so, I haven't moved the jeep or had the key in, first day it was there I noticed was with the rain. I won't exclude that however, I'll check it out tomorrow to verify, thank you man!

 

Either that or you will probably have to replace the windshield seal

 

That connection your talking about, (black wire with the metal end?) looks to be the antenna lead to the back of your radio.

 

Thanks man! Going to check it out today and see what happens with some water

 

Oh wow im going to feel super dumb if that what it ends up being, About to head out today and see what i can get done, ill trace that connection back and see where it goes. Its hollow however, seems to be more of a hose than a wire, either way thanks again Scott!

- Edit So i checked out the hose, looks like it connects to my trans

 

So I after fabricating all of my new floor plans, I realized it's time to learn to weld. So did some research and went out and picked up a Hobart Handler 140, Flux cored / Mig combo. I am a tattoo artist and checked out welding and gave it a shot. My first practice project was my welding cart/work area for the yard.



Picked up some scrap steel at the junk yard. $25 for everything




Table on hinges with removable legs for now






Wheels off, Paint time




Flip out table, will be topped with 1/4" steel for portable welding table

 

thats pretty slick if i do say so myself! Portable table!

 

I like the table. The jeep was a good deal at 350. Good luck with the floor pans.

 

Thanks dudes, Appreciate it!