And it begins...

MetZenDS · 08-11-2007, 10:50 AM

Well, here it is- my first jeep. A 1989 Jeep YJ with 140k miles on it. Bought it for $100 and am pretty sure I got ripped off lol. BUT I guess I have been using it as a daily driver for over a week now lol. Put 300 miles on it

SO FAR- I've replaced all 5 wheels/tires (old ones were rusted/dry rotted), replaced both front and rear axles with those out of a 88 YJ, TOTAL redone the breaking system... like everything- hardlines, flex lines, master cylinder, booster, pads, calipers, rotors.. THAT was a nightmare.. custom rear bumper with tire swing so I could fix the sagging tailgate. Replaced all belts/spark plugs/wires/pulled and cleaned distributor. Gutted the interior carpet/center console. Put a coat of black dupicolor crappy liner in a vein attempt to stop the tub rust until I can cut it out, POR it, and weld new sheet metal in.

Still to go-

Line-x interior and body.
POR frame/most of underside of the tub.
replace sagging leaf springs with 4" lift kit from Rubicon Xpress.
re-gear/replace axles.
32 wheels/tires.
new front bumper w/wench.

http://i141.photobucket.com/albums/r44/MetZenDS_PHOJ/Photo021.jpg

So far I have about $2500 into her.. NO MAKING FUN

**TrailWorthyFab** · 08-11-2007, 10:57 AM

Welcome to the Jeep club. It looks as if you have more than got your feet wet. There won't be anyone making fun of you. This is a great start to a life time of enjoyment. Thanks for sharing your pics!!!

Todd

blue1989yj · 08-11-2007, 11:29 AM

I had to do a lot of that and I paid $2500 for my 89 with 152k on it. Say goodbye to your bank account as we all have. Welcome.

MetZenDS · 08-11-2007, 11:37 AM

LOL! Thanks for the warm welcome

I'll post some more detailed pics once I can get my wife to stop stealing the memory card out of my camera lol.

**The Rat** · 08-11-2007, 11:48 AM

I like the color scheme.

MetZenDS · 08-11-2007, 12:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Rat

I like the color scheme.

lol- I more or less ran out of the overpaint... need to go get another can today so I can get it all one color.

SteveJcoYJ · 08-11-2007, 12:44 PM

they say jeep stands for just empty every pocket not because they bad quality vehicles, but because theres to much to buy and so much your gonna wanna do

good luck

yjbubba · 08-11-2007, 01:07 PM

Just Empty Every Pocket, welcome to the club!!

**mean90yj** · 08-11-2007, 01:40 PM

welcome, and i must congrat. you, you are the first noob to not get yelled at by rusty for not having a sig. filled out. the only critique i would make is i would have immediately upgraded the rear axle to at least an 8.8, but im sure you'll get to that sometime or another. sounds to me like you have more then enough mechanical ability. good luck w/ the jeep, a benjamin does not sound like a bad deal to me for a running jeep, even if you replaced all that crap already.

**drew2000** · 08-11-2007, 01:44 PM

Welcome - nice Jeep and a great price.

Drew

MetZenDS · 08-11-2007, 03:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mean90yj

welcome, and i must congrat. you, you are the first noob to not get yelled at by rusty for not having a sig. filled out. the only critique i would make is i would have immediately upgraded the rear axle to at least an 8.8, but im sure you'll get to that sometime or another. sounds to me like you have more then enough mechanical ability. good luck w/ the jeep, a benjamin does not sound like a bad deal to me for a running jeep, even if you replaced all that crap already.

lol- saw the sticky so I filled it out

As far as the 8.8 goes, I will put one in after I lift it. I was going to do it right away, but got lucky and found both stock axles for $300. I wanted to get it up and driving to make sure there was nothing crazy wrong with it before dumping the cash into it for the 8.8

I'll post more pics after I line the inside and get everything cleaned up. Still have to fix the gapping hole in the driverside floor lol.

Thanks for the imput!

MetZenDS · 08-14-2007, 08:55 AM

Well, got all the steel I need to start fixing the cancer that is consuming the tub of my jeep... This should be an interesting weekend

*side note*
Wife bought a new JK today. I'm not a big fan, but she seems to love it. Looks like the jeep itch is getting into her... hopefully this will expand my cashflow for the YJ lol

MetZenDS · 08-14-2007, 01:08 PM

OK- so sale of the SAAB didn't go though.. wife has cut funding WAY down... any ideas on how I can lift my jeep without spending a fortune... as in- I can get procomp 4in lift springs (only) for around $100... What else would I need to swap out to be able to install these?

FYI- I can do a lot with a motor- suspension is a new thing for me, so please- bare with the nOOb lol

*EDIT*
Correction- they are $70 each.. lol
http://www.4wheelparts.com/PDT339.aspx

YJ Rider · 08-14-2007, 04:37 PM

Only $100, thats a steal. I would take three at that price.

This way you can build it up the way you want rather than inherit someone's work/mess whatever.

MetZenDS · 08-15-2007, 09:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by YJ Rider

Only $100, thats a steal. I would take three at that price.

This way you can build it up the way you want rather than inherit someone's work/mess whatever.

Thats the plan

I'd much rather buy a junker for $100 and end up with EXACTLY what I want (after spending 6-8k), rather than buy a jeep stock in good shape, or hell even a modified jeep for 6k and then STILL have to dump $ into it to get it where I want it.

Matt