Poor Man's CJ5 (Bringing it back from the grave) - Page 2

rkbell · 05-18-2009, 08:34 PM

If your floorboards are structurally sound - grind all that rust out - you can't beat using fiberglass. It will never rust and it's waterproof (as you know from boat work. I've built a couple strip cedar / fiberglass canoes and also have done some boat repair). The fiberglass is easy to work with and for those of us like you and I who don't weld, it's a good solution for body repair. Just don't expect it to hold up if using it for any type of structural repair.

rkbell · 05-31-2009, 12:36 PM

Well, here's a quick update... been out of town and it's been a while but the painting is getting done and I'm putting stuff back together. Actually started it up today for the first time in over a month and everything seems good - idles and sounds great too!

I've ordered some new armor (black diamond tread) for the rocker panels and rear corners plus new parking lamps, side markers, flares, etc.

I'll sand again with 600 grit and spray a couple more coats once everything's back together.

rkbell · 06-03-2009, 05:43 AM

Another pic with the hood temporarily in place. Also painted the new windshield frame and am going to try and wet sand everything with 600 grit this morning before it gets too hot in preparation for the final coat. Ordered subdued desert American flag decals which will be placed above the Jeep logos. I should start receiving my new OEM flares, rocker panels, marker lights etc today (hopefully). I think adding some black will make it look much better.

**CJeep** · 06-03-2009, 07:31 AM

Great job! I have to say I really like it. The matte finish on the paint, the tube bumper, and really the overall lift/tire combo give it kind of an "old school" look - but don't get me wrong, It's cool.

rkbell · 06-03-2009, 07:47 AM

Thanks CJeep! I hemmed and hawed for a good while trying to figure out a 'paint scheme' and then it came to me after doing 22 years in the Army that I should paint it with the same paint as today's military vehicles (non CARC though of course). Its use will be strictly utility so I really didn't care to make it flashy. The bumper was on it when I bought the CJ and I like it so I just ground it down and painted it. I'll add a winch eventually because I'm sure to need it in some of my haunts!

SuB8HaVeN · 06-03-2009, 07:49 AM

That's some incredible work, and quick too. Did you decide on the color yet?

rkbell · 06-03-2009, 07:57 AM

SuB8HaVeN, the color above is it. Mil Spec Lusterless Desert Sand Dust from Gillespie Coatings. Just got done wet sanding and will recoat as soon as my next shipment of paint arrives (should be this afternoon). BTW - I rattlecanned the entire Jeep and have used a case (12) to this point. I was a little leary of doing it that way but I must say that I'm very pleased with the outcome so far. The Gillespie Coatings paint is the same used by the military for touch-up etc and it is tough stuff, coats really well also.

x550x · 06-03-2009, 08:28 AM

Looks great. I really like the paint color. Once you get some black accents on there, it's going to look even better.

bigjoe · 06-03-2009, 09:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by John Strenk

This manual looks familiar.

I have the same one. I think it's out of print though

Nice job to the OP. Keep up the good work.

HighFive · 06-03-2009, 09:49 AM

That looks like an awsome color to do a desert storm camo pattern! Nice job.

rkbell · 06-04-2009, 03:10 PM

So some parts started arriving and I spent all night installing armor, flares, taillights, hardware, etc. still waiting on a mirror head and front side markers. Windshield is painted and put together sans glass - I'll attempt that when I return in a couple weeks (work calls). At least its beginning to look like a CJ5 again. Still have to finish the interior and herculine it.

rkbell · 06-14-2009, 07:49 PM

Quick update. Came home for the weekend and much to my wife's chagrin, I worked on the CJ and will hit the road again in the AM for work.

I installed the aux driving lights, bed-lined the tub interior, installed the new seats and seatbelts and drove it for the first time in more than a month!

Here's a few pics - still gotta put in the glass and install windshield frame + buy a top, spare tire mount, new tires/rims, etc, etc, etc...

poppatello · 06-14-2009, 08:48 PM

Man she is sweat looking. I have rust in the rocker areas like you and many others do. However I bought the replacement panels, but they do not come with the jeep logo stamped in them. I was disappointed about this so I was planning on just cutting the pieces out and replacing what was bad. But then again, I don't weld either. I do have a welder and plasma cutter in my shop but was never taught how to use them (family business) . So I'm now thinking of using fiberglass. My thing is though I have been looking for a front bumper and never could find anything that caught my eye like yours. You wouldn't happen to know who makes it do you? I got a Warn 8274 that I want to install but waiting for the bumper. Again, great build and good luck....

rkbell · 06-14-2009, 09:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by poppatello

Man she is sweat looking. I have rust in the rocker areas like you and many others do. However I bought the replacement panels, but they do not come with the jeep logo stamped in them. I was disappointed about this so I was planning on just cutting the pieces out and replacing what was bad. But then again, I don't weld either. I do have a welder and plasma cutter in my shop but was never taught how to use them (family business) . So I'm now thinking of using fiberglass. My thing is though I have been looking for a front bumper and never could find anything that caught my eye like yours. You wouldn't happen to know who makes it do you? I got a Warn 8274 that I want to install but waiting for the bumper. Again, great build and good luck....

Thanks. I'm really unsure about the bumper as it was on the Jeep when I bought it, I could do without the large 1/2 inch steel plate on the front though - it may be home brew; the bumper on my last CJ was. I'm in the opposite situation - have a bumper but need a winch - eventually.

genghisman · 06-14-2009, 09:53 PM

How easy was it to rebuild your T150 and what kit did you use? I'm wanting to drop mine, clean, paint and rebuild it before it gets bad. It's shifting fine right now, but I want to go ahead and do it, so when I do start my restore, all I have to do is drop it and set it to the side until time to reinstall. I also have some of the lower side panel rust that a PO decided to hide with diamond plate instead of fixing it. Did you coat the frame and underbody with anything since you didn't remove it? I'll have to visit you with mine someday, since you live only about 30 min. away, and let you see what I'm working with. It's pretty much the same as yours was when you started.