Matthew Reed

Made a little more progress this morning. Pulled the intake manifold, fuel rail, and ignition coils off. Also removed the rest of the engine accessories minus the fan as its too much of a pain and I don't need to take it off anyways. Someone is coming later today to pick up the engine so thats a bit of money back in my pocket for parts! Ordered my lift last night and priced out everythign I'm going to need for the swap and right now I'm at about $350 in parts plus the lift.

Here's what I'm ordering for new parts:
Full gasket set
Clutch kit
Diff gaskets
Power steering lines
Radiator and heater hoses
Sway bar bushing kit
Motor mount
Trans mount

Matthew Reed

Didn't get much done today. Finished removing everything in the engine bay along with the automatic shifter and the blanking plates for the transfer case and clutch master. Took the pedal assembly out of thesonor car as well. Didn't get much else done today. Picked up a sweet new to me light bar for almost nothing! Not sure if I'm going to mount it on the bumper or the roof but right now I'm leaning towards the roof. Will post some pictures when I get a chance.

XJIrish4x4

You can pickup some brackets that go in your upper pillars for that light bar. Pretty cheap online eBay.

Matthew Reed

I will probably just fab something up myself.

In other news, I have 3 pedals now!



Also drilled my holes for the clutch master.

XJIrish4x4

Nice job! Moving along pretty quickly

Matthew Reed

Trying to do what I can when I can. Most of my big stuff is done for now. Waiting on my lift kit before I start swapping axles and suspension parts. I don't want to take everything apart twice. Hoping to pick up an engine hoist soon as well. Harbor freight had them on sale last weekend and of course they had none in stock.. once I get that I can pull the engine and clean up the engine bay and then start swapping parts over from the donor car.

XJIrish4x4

HF will come around again, that or see if you can use those 20% or 25% off on one.

Matthew Reed

XJIrish4x4

At least with HF it will be brand new and warranty if you choose to get it.

Matthew Reed

Small update today. Hoping to get some real work done this weekend.

Got the last bolt out of the transmission. Removed the driveshaft and exhaust as well. Ready to pull the engine as soon as I can get my hands on an engine crane. Once that's out, I can get to degreasing, sanding, and re painting the engine bay. Then the donor parts start goin back in!

Matthew Reed

Update! The engine is out!



Took a little longer than I expected. I missed one of the bolts on the bottom and in my excitement to get moving on this job I forgot to unbolt the flexplate... Went back and did that and she came right out. Now to clean up this engine bay and get it ready for paint.

Matthew Reed

Got some more work done on Steve today. Got the engine bay cleaned and painted and started bedlining the interior. I just did the hatch area today but I think it came out pretty well. My lift kit came in today so that was exciting as well! Unfortunately while examining the front axle on my donor Jeep I realized the spring perches were looking pretty rusty... to the point where they might be unsafe. Yet another problem I didn't foresee, but I will deal with it. Now I guess I'm on the lookout for a front axle with 3.55 gears.

Unfortunately parts buying is on hold. With the government shutdown right now there's no guarantee I'll get my next check sooooo it's gonna be a waiting game for now. Not to worry though, there's plenty to be done in the meantime!

XJIrish4x4

You work for the Government or Military? I feel your pain I'm active duty Navy.

I feel like I'll be working for free soon

Can't you cut off those u bolt perches and weld new ones on? Save you from finding another axle but then I'm not sure how much they would cost.

D30 up front right? Pretty common and I'm sure easy to source

Matthew Reed

First update of the weekend. Finished bedlining the interior but I think I'm gonna add another coat in the footwells since those areas will wear the most. Since the back is done I decided to start reassembling the interior.





Also got the wiring harness, vacuum lines, and some other components swapped in.



Still searching for a front axle. I could weld on new perches, but honestly the front axle on the donor jeep just doesn't look like its in great shape. Very rusty overall, so a new one may just be a much better option. I found one on criagslist with an Aussie locker in it that I might pick up.

XJIrish4x4

Looks very nice!! That bedliner I will admit is very stinky stuff inside. More so probably because it has not been very warm up here for it fully cure I don't know. I opted two full coats on mine and in some places 3 for the sake of how you said in high traffic areas. Mine seems to be holding up well and no wear marks from driving it. I also have water still leaking in the back and although it has sat on it for a couple days until I get it cleaned up it soaks up pretty well with a towel and the bedliner stays intact.