CJ3b....That is what the vin tag says.

[inVERt'D]

If it holds up for a long time, I'd say that's a good deal for $90. I like the way you did your wheel wells.

[aw12345]

Jonah, once again that is some sweet Jeep building

[jonah]

Thanks guys! I am chomping at the bit now.

The raptor kit has some pretty good reviews online. It is a little smoother than Herculiner which is one reason I chose it, plus it is UV resistant without a topcoat. Also, I just figured a 2K paint would be tougher. We will see.

I also put the check ball back into my accelerator pump, it keeps popping out for some reason. I bent the spring that holds it in to put a little more pressure on it. Hopefully it stays put this time.

[RAT]

Jonah,
The Heep is looking SWEET! Hurry the Hell up man...

[jonah]

I got your progress right here!





So far I have put the panels on (oops, we missed a part of the fender, I'm sure I will have some other touch up anyway).

Windshield installed, hooked up the front lights, started wiring under the dash, installed oil pressure, temp and voltmeter, got the speedo working, made template for trans tunnel cover, made cables for my tailgate (though they would be quieter than the chains), and added rubber mounts for the radiator.

I am hoping to get the cage in tomorrow. It is a really tight fit and I think I need to have a few hands on it to avoid scratching the new paint. Just need to dig up a rope and pulley to lift that thing.

[inVERt'D]

Jonah, I was gonna swing by and get that sheet metal from you anyway, so I'd be happy to lend a hand with the cage tomorrow. I had to install all 200+ lbs of my cage by myself (at about midnight no less) and I did scratch the tub. No big deal with mine, but you haven't even rolled yours yet!

[RAT]

SWEET! lOOKS GOOD. So what part of the fender did I miss? I got blue blind after a while so it doesn't suprise me. Let me know when you're ready and I'll come do the touch up if you want.

[jonah]

Hey RP, just a little thin on the one corner of the drivers fender. You can see a little primer coming through. I didn't even see it until about the fifth time I looked at them. I will take you up on the touch up offer. The front of the grill got dinged during travel so I scuffed it and put another coat on it and got some huge runs! Don't let me near a paint gun!!

I saw you had some carnage and primer on your jeep. What is going on?

Vert, sounds good. What time are you thinking of stopping by? I took it out by myself and it was a chore and with all of this shiny paint I don't want to risk it. I am still going to bubble wrap the areas that will be close. I think my father in law will come down and help too.

I am driving this dang thing this weekend come hell or high water.

[inVERt'D]

What time would be good for you? I'd prefer to avoid the rush hours going both ways. The 91 sucks so I would very likely avoid it.

[jonah]

Anytime is fine, I usually go over between 8:30-10 and I am there until 5 or 6. I would definitely avoid traffic. See you tomorrow.

[RAT]

Hey RP, just a little thin on the one corner of the drivers fender. You can see a little primer coming through. I didn't even see it until about the fifth time I looked at them. I will take you up on the touch up offer. The front of the grill got dinged during travel so I scuffed it and put another coat on it and got some huge runs! Don't let me near a paint gun!!

I saw you had some carnage and primer on your jeep. What is going on?

Vert, sounds good. What time are you thinking of stopping by? I took it out by myself and it was a chore and with all of this shiny paint I don't want to risk it. I am still going to bubble wrap the areas that will be close. I think my father in law will come down and help too.

I am driving this dang thing this weekend come hell or high water.

I may be home this Sunday, depending on how the next two days goes. Gotta go out of town. If you want to do this then, call me. If I make it back I'll come touch up the fender.

[inVERt'D]

Great hanging out with you and the Jeep yesterday, Jonah. Your father-in-law was cool too. That rig is turning out sweet--it's really that much cooler in person. The black and gunmetal gray combo really works. You're gonna love tooling around town in that thing this weekend!

[jonah]

Hey RP, no rush on the touch up painting. Plenty of other stuff to do. I will give you a call.

InVERt'D, yeah, that was fun. Thanks for coming down and thanks for the hand with the cage (and the beverages!). I am still shooting for driving it this weekend - but it might not happen until 11:59 pm on Sunday!

I figure just to drive it down the road:

Finish messing with the front leaf packs.
Bolt down cage (which involves making a mess of plates for the bottom).
Install seats and belts.
Install steering wheel.
Stick some tail lights on it.
Fix my heater bypass system.
Change oil in front diff. Fix cover leak on rear and refill.
Go over all the bolts and torque everything down, slap the plates back on and burn rubber!!

[inVERt'D]

InVERt'D, yeah, that was fun. Thanks for coming down and thanks for the hand with the cage (and the beverages!). I am still shooting for driving it this weekend - but it might not happen until 11:59 pm on Sunday!

I figure just to drive it down the road:

Finish messing with the front leaf packs.
Bolt down cage (which involves making a mess of plates for the bottom).
Install seats and belts.
Install steering wheel.
Stick some tail lights on it.
Fix my heater bypass system.
Change oil in front diff. Fix cover leak on rear and refill.
Go over all the bolts and torque everything down, slap the plates back on and burn rubber!!

Here, let me help you.

Spring packs: It steers, so leave them alone for now--it should be fine for a trip down the street.

Bolt down roll cage. What, you trust man-made bolts more than gravity and friction? Trust me, when rocket scientists are figuring out how to send people to the moon, gravity and friction are at the top of their lists for consideration. Anyway, you've pretty much got those plates done except for the bolt holes, right? Heck, you could probably use some big washers and be pretty safe for a drive down the street...

Install seats and belts. Unless you promised your wife a seat on its maiden voyage, you only need one seat and one belt.

Steering wheel Wasn't there a steering wheel on that thing last night?

Tail lights Did you forget how to use hand signals? Ok, tail lights are a good idea.

Heater bypass system System? Did some of my mental illness rub off on you? As long as coolant will circulate through the engine and not run out, what's the problem?

Diffs Just make sure they have good oil in them and it won't make a perceptible trail down the road. Open the fill hole in the front diff and stick your finger in. If you find nasty oil, or no oil, go to work. Otherwise, run it. How long of a drive did you have in mind? You don't have to cover PCH the first time.

Go over bolts, install plates We're talking 1 hour here, allowing for daydreaming.

You forgot one: bolt on driver side fender.

And don't forget your helmet and $hit-eating grin!

[jonah]

You have some valid points, but a hose and two clamps does constitute a system, and I am sticking to it.

Getting closer!