[danheit]

Thanks for all the input guys. It is great to hear both sides of it, as well as see where the poll is going. Evidently Resto-Mod is everyone's suggestion of choice. Now, before things go too much further, just to let everyone know, I don't get burned out on Jeeps. It is what I actually do to releive stress and get away from the rest of my everyday life. Also, my version of a "new" body is just a swapped tub from somewhere else, not a $2K brand new tub. So far, I have sourced a great CJ tub for $200, but I have to drive 5 hrs each way to go get it. I am focusing on something a bit closer for now, but we will see. I think I really am going to go towards making it a nice resto mod cruiser. To all the nay sayers, I DEFINATELY appreciate the constructful criticism, but as always, once I spend the first penny on penetrating oil, I am considered invested in the Jeep, and it will either end up completely finished, or I will sell it to some kid half way done for about a third of what I have in it. Either way is ok with me though! I am trying to keep this build below $1000. I can do all the work myself, including paint, so I think it is doable. I just have to find a cheap tub close by so that I'm not spending 300 in gas! So far, I am only into the Jeep about $400, including the purchase of it, gas to get it going, wasp and hornet killer, and some other odd's and ends. All I really am looking for is a decent tub to swap in, I will make some tube fenders, I already have an extra windshield frame, hood, front bumper, etc. Just need to go to storage to get it all.

[danheit]

Finally made a bit of progress...IMO. I have been searching for weeks to find a suitable (cheap) YJ tub to swap on the CJ, and have finally found the best (free) one! I know it is a bit rough, but will serve as a good base. Comp cut will be covered up with crusher corners and a bit of body work will be involved, but should turn out great! Here's what I am going to pick up on Tuesday:

[danheit]

Yes, as I said, I know it looks a bit rough, but c'mon, look at what I am working with on the CJ! Oh, and all of the parts pictured are included!!!! (I am paying an extra 150 for the doors...)

[danheit]

So I couldn't wait until Tuesday to get the tub, so I went and got it last night a little spur of the moment! That was the most insane trip I have ever taken (I will post pics a little later today and you will see why! The trailer I used was just a bit smaller than the tub and frame! Got everything all the way down to the AC! Operation tub swap will begin this week!

[schecterguy]

hey I see you made it back alive. Can't wait to see what you make of it, good luck and glad I could help!
Here's my build: http://jeepforum.com/forum/showthread.php?t=611550 I have it a lot easier, the 95 tub is galvanized steel, so rust hasn't been an issue. Yet...

[danheit]

Well, today I had a window of about 3 hours to work on the Jeep, so I packed up some tools and headed to my buddies house (where the Jeep is kept, the HOA doesn't let me keep it at my house).
Today I got the windshield removed, and the glass taken out for transplant into my new windshield, removed the hood, fenders, aluminum rocker guards, steering column, etc. Got all the way down to the last two body mounts under the rear floor section, right in front of the gas tank, and I can't get the damn things out!!!! This Jeep has amazed me so far, as I haven't come across a single stuck bolt.....until these two! It's like every bolt was put in with anti-seize, except the last two body mount bolts. can't really get in there with a grinder, so tomorrow I will take the sawzall to the floor from the top, and cut around them, then grind them off from the top. Did run into a good chunk of frame rot today though, dunno if it is worth fixing or not, as I don't think I'll be keeping this one for any period of time. Gonna clean it up, blast the frame, and paint it either POR or Rustoleum. Pics of all my work will have to wait until I get the body off, as that is my next "checkpoint" so to speak. Once I get that, then get the YJ body off of it's frame, I will be ready to rock and roll. Motor is still in great shape, so I will just run some new brake lines and fuel lines, slap the new tub on, CJ front clip, and go.

[danheit]

Finally got a couple hours to work on the CJ. Got out the old Sawzall and cut around the body mounts that I couldn't get to, and went to pull the body off, only to find the many things I forgot to unhook. Here's my follow-up checklist that I would suggest to you all:
1. Heater Core lines
2. Accelerator Cable
3. E-brake cable/assembly
4. Fuel filler lines and neck
5. Vent lines
6. Auto trans shifter cable
7. Speedometer cable
8. Q-trac vacuum lines
9. Remaining wiring that you forgot!
10. Brake Booster Vacuum hose
11. Brake lines, fuel lines, anything that may be clipped to the body
12. DOUBLE CHECK ALL BODY MOUNTS THAT THEY ARE OFF!!

Here's some finished pics from today....

Oh, and special thanks to my buddy Chris for letting me do this at his house, since my HOA won't allow it in my neighborhood! I got a fine just from having my new tub parked in the driveway overnight!










And here is what will be replacing it....







I've got a bit of work ahead of me, as there is a good bit of frame work to be done, but I think this will be a fairly easy project to get knocked out, and I plan on having her driving within a week. We'll see!!!!

[danheit]

Finding myself being rather lazy and unmotivated. Spent the entire day on the couch today, cause it was drizzling outside and I didn't want to work in it. Hate myself for it now, cause I won't be able to touch the Jeep again until next weekend. Bah!

[imtheant]

[QUOTE= Either way is ok with me though! I am trying to keep this build below $1000. QUOTE]

Bro with a house like that and you rolling around in a Range Rover you are worried about a $1000 budget??

[Military Jeeper]

Cut your losses and find another Jeep.....

[danheit]

[QUOTE=imtheant;6011859]

Originally Posted by Either way is ok with me though! I am trying to keep this build below $1000. QUOTE

Bro with a house like that and you rolling around in a Range Rover you are worried about a $1000 budget??

Not the budget, but the point of it. Anyone can build a Jeep by throwing cash at it. I have ALWAYS done mine on the cheap. My current TJ only has about $3500 in it, INCLUDING the purchase price. I want to build the CJ on a 1K budget just to know I can still do it. It was easy a few years ago, but with metal prices, and the rising cost of parts, it is getting harder and harder.

Originally Posted by Military Jeeper

Cut your losses and find another Jeep.....

Nah, I already have a good jeep to tool around town with. Half of the fun of owning a CJ is the build. I just really wanna get this one going, but am losing ambition due to crappy weather and pure laziness. Just need to figure a way to get off my a$$. Going to work on someone else's Jeep on Monday though, so that should definately get me back in the swing of things. That and seeing other people's build threads always inspire me, just unfortunately they do it late at night, and my CJ is outside in someone's yard about 20 miles from me!

[jcal73]

Looks like you got a YJ booster setup with the tub.



Jeff

[my84cj7]

Awesome man! I love a good CJ buildup. Good luck.

[danheit]

Originally Posted by jcal73

Looks like you got a YJ booster setup with the tub.



Jeff

Yep As far as I know though, the 95 setup is the best, and this is a 92, but it has GOT to be better than the 79 booster setup. I even still have all the YJ brake lines and hoses!

[my84cj7]

Can't wait to see it done, keep us posted.