[UnderPar]

I started my original thread over in the Jeep Registry but it seems to fit better here. Here's the summary and I'll catch you up to date.

It has always been my dad's dream that one day we would do a frame off together. I went to college, got married, and moved away. Last year he was diagnosed with cancer. Two months later he bought this YJ. 1987 4.2L Auto 89,000 miles.





We didn't do any research. Hell, I didn't know that he was planning on buying anything, so he didn't know what to look for. Naturally it has all the typical issues and more. Seatbelt mounts/rockers, floorboards, windshield frame and hinge area, tailgate, frame rot rear shackle mounts and had been in an accident.

After some disassembling.



Rusted floor pan.



Rusted rocker - my arm fits through this hole.

[UnderPar]

The basic build plan is to fix all the rust damage and install a 4in lift to clear 33s. Everything else is still up for debate.

The tub off the frame.



21 years of rust.



What a mess. You have to love 1980's technology.



The axles are out.





I'm open to any ideas or suggestions you guys might have that will help my dad and myself with this build.

[firefighter315]

Sounds like a great, and long, project. Tons of frame off rebuild info here on JF of course. My guess is to make sure you have at least one or two hundred grinding wheels on hand! The good thing is that with so much work to be done, it will give you TONS of time to spend with your Dad in the garage.

p.s. You are in a great area for wheelin'....I went to college (M.C.) there for a year and really liked the area a lot......

[Jeepsr4me19]

Start with the frame. Look it over good to see what kind of rust your going to have to repair. Then go ahead and mount you new axles while the body is off. Much easier. Go find a 91and up Cherokee(they are everywhere cheap) and get the motor and trans out of it to replace the one you got. EFI is nice. Make sure all your body mounts are solid on the frame and body. The rest is just patch panels. treat the rust with a good rust stop. There is a ton of stuff to do a body off right. You will have roughly the same in this as going and buying a newer model needing nothing other than driving. I understand you want to spend time with your father and this is a good way. I would rather be going and wheeling or riding instead of busted knuckles and sore muscles from all the work needed.......

[blue1989yj]

As said, start with the frame. Since you are going to do it all, do it right. Replace any old fuel lines, brake lines, brakes, gaskets, etc. No need to have to take it apart again once you are finished. Are you keeping the 4.2L engine? If so look into the Nutter Bypass and eliminate most of the vacuum lines under the hood. Most of all, don't let this be a "rush" project. Take the time to spend with your father and enjoy it. There are tons of threads here on rust treatment and fixing. Keep us updated as we all like pics.

[UnderPar]

Both of the rear shock mounts were rusted through and the rear cross member looked like swiss cheese. I know that I could have fabbed up some of my own but we are lacking in the scrap metal department at the moment. I called a local shop and they only sell full sheets 4x8 and that would not help with the shock mounts. I was also a little worried about how precise the body mount holes would have to be so I ended up buying all three pieces from the jeep dealer for $78.

[krd]

wow, i went through the same problems with my build up.

[KTM265]

That turned out really nice...

[Brandon_YJ]

Wow, this would make for some sort of human interest story in a Jeep magazine.
(and I don't mean that sarcastically)

Looks like you have your work cut out for you though, but being a YJ it is very easy to work on, weld on, hammer, on, fab on, etc.

Good luck, and expect a PM from me shortly.

[Mean Max]

What a great story & project!

I did a complete teardown/rebuild project with my Dad many years ago on an MG Midget, it was a good time.

Sorry to hear about your Father's poor health. My Dad is in bad shape these days, and I live 12 hours away from him. That sucks.

I'm down here in south Florida, and my Dad is basically your "neighbor" over in Newland N.Carolina, just a couple of miles away from you.

[93jeepyj]

wow sorry to hear about your pops, thats a great way to spend time with him though. what are your plans for the drivetrain?

[UnderPar]

what are your plans for the drivetrain?

For now the plans are to use the stock drivetrain. Dad drove it 130 miles home when he bought it, so it is in fair shape. The problem was that it only got 11mpg on that trip. I will be removing the MCU and intalling an MC or Weber carb and doing the nutter bypass. I plan on having it on the road by spring. Down the road though it will be getting new axles and prob a 5.3L.

[93jeepyj]

sweet! sounds like its gonna be a fun project and a sweet jeep when you guys are done... then again it is a jeep so its never really done

[JFranko]

You'll have plenty of time with your dad in the garage. My dad an I did a rebuild that took nearly 4 years to complete ( started when I was in 8th grade, didn't have to have it until I was 16 so there was no hurry). It's sad that you and your dad are going to have to do it with such a burden, but you'll still have a great time doing it.

[greenmanalishi]

way to go man !!!
being a father of two wonderful young boys i look toward the day they can drive but spend as much time with the old man,
enjoy,enjoy enjoy
cheers
jim