[yamaguy01]

Amazing house and nice Jeep build too! I am looking forward to seeing more pictures! I think building your own Jeep is the most fun part of owning a Jeep. My wife doesn't understand either. None of my hobbies make sense to her, they are all ways for me to waste my money she says.

Dave

[-Rudy-]

Nice job painting those arms, they look really nice!

[OneCleanYj]

Nice! Looks like quite a nice little build-up Hopefully once I get a second vehicle I can park my rig and really tear into it to start on everything I'd like to do.

Where abouts is McCall? My mom lives in White Bird and my aunt is in Graingeville (sp). Haven't been up there yet but the pics I've seen look awesome

[Dogman]

<BeginIdahoTalk>

White Bird and Grangeville are farther north. My Dad lived in Kooskia, right on the Clearwater, for about 10 years (Near Grangeville). I would like to make it back up that way and visit the Nez Perce museum.

</BeginIdahoTalk>

[Idaho-Jeep]

Originally Posted by homeboy1991

Thats gonna look good with that lift, cant wait to see how it turns out. Nice build

Thanks - neither can I!

Originally Posted by yamaguy01

I think building your own Jeep is the most fun part of owning a Jeep.

I agree, so far I have enjoyed it as much as actually driving it!

Originally Posted by yamaguy01

My wife doesn't understand either. None of my hobbies make sense to her, they are all ways for me to waste my money she says.

Good to know I am not alone....

Originally Posted by RudyxTJ

Nice job painting those arms, they look really nice!

Thanks, I am surprised how well they came out! Later today after some football I hope to paint the frame, belly pan and a few other parts.

Originally Posted by OneCleanYj

Where abouts is McCall? My mom lives in White Bird and my aunt is in Graingeville (sp). Haven't been up there yet but the pics I've seen look awesome

McCall is kind of South Central Idaho - about 2 hours North of Boise. Very Rural area - great place to live/work/raise kids, long hard winters... White Bird is North of McCall as is Grangeville which is about 90 Minutes North of McCall. Nice places all, but very different climate, topography etc...

[Idaho-Jeep]

*EDIT* if anyone wants to buy a gallon of black hammrite paint let me know - I bought to much.

Not a lot of progress over the weekend to report on.

Before I can begin the install of the lift I needed to get some painting done on the frame so I focused on that.
I spent several hours with the wire brush on my drill cleaning and roughing up the surface of the frame and wheel wells. I then wiped everything down with acetone to clean off any grease, dirt etc... After that I masked off everything I did not want paint on. I could have just rattle canned the areas that needed paint from the control arm mount removal but I decided to paint the entire frame with Hammerite black. I
like the texture of the paint and it is supposed to be a really tough enamel so it should last. I painted the wheel wells at the same time. My cheap sprayer worked well again although I did get two spots that had a run. Both runs are not visible as they are under on the inside of the frame. It was really difficult to spray evenly while laying on my back under the Jeep.

Everything is masked off and ready to go.


Wheel well before paint:


Wheel well after paint (note I am putting on full corners so I was not really concerned about the paint edge around the wheel well - as you can see):


After the paint and all the masking is pulled off. I also painted the belly pan and front drive shaft (shown in the photo)


Here is a close up of the belly pan and what all the paint texture looks like:


A couple shots of the frame:

[Idaho-Jeep]

Some more of my parts showed up before the weekend.

Since I am having someone else install my gears and lockers (I will be installing the cables and shifters for the lockers later) I thought I would include a couple shots of the parts before they are installed.

Brown Santa dropped these off:


My 4.88s - I would like to go and buy the tools and do them myself but I don't want to risk screwing something up.


One of the OX lockers - that diff cover is very heavy and stout! I am so excited about having selectable lockers front and back!


One of the things I was unsure about with OX was how to install the shifters. I searched around and George at OX (now moved on) told me about this company: http://www.searchers4wd.com/oxlockerbrackets.html
I purchased their double shifter bracket and think I am going to really like this set up. It should also make the install easier since the cable never enters the cab and will be more of a straight shot to each diff.





*Edit*
Here are some shots after I repainted the bracket and did a test fit. As you can see, the shifters will be in front of the drivers seat - over the carpet.

[Idaho-Jeep]

Today I went by to pay a visit to my fenders and corners. Unfortunately not a lot of progress has been made on those. My friend who will be painting them has them at his shop. We worked out the LED light install for the turn signals and running lights (I wanted something similar to what Gunkel & Twitchy did on their Jeeps). I used the same bolt lights that they did, but I was really trying to keep the light hole as small as possible. The hole is actually about the same size as the bulb itself - around 3/8" dia. We decided to cut a small section of the tube out and mount the LEDs to the section we cut out. This "door" has a tab on one end and a flap with a screw on the other end. This will make changing out bulbs very easy if ever needed and allows for smaller holes in the front. The "door" will have a gasket and will help minimize any moisture from getting into the tube. An additional hole will be drilled into the "door" and the wires will run through the tube into the engine bay.

These photos show it roughed out - after it is all sanded down, primed etc.. it will be very smooth and look better. I will get better photos after they are painted. On the front fenders, I am running 3 lights in the front and two on the sides - I am also adding two LEDs on the flares of the corners. Hopefully the lights and the rest of the prep work will be done this week.

The "door" with three lights in front.


the door on the side with two lights:


The side lights turned on:


Close up:


PS.
Here is the project my friend will be working on this winter - going to get a V8 and sit on one tons with 38s!

[Idaho-Jeep]

Not a lot of progress this past week but did get a few things done. My friend who is painting my fender & corners had his compressor go out so they will be delayed a bit longer.

I opened up the boxes I received containing the Rock Hard Sport cage. All the parts had to be cleaned with acetone, lightly sanded and painted. I chose to paint the sport cage with the hammerite black that I used on my frame and belly pan. I also pulled off and painted the stock black bars that mount over the doors.

Before painting I did some test fitting and had to do a fair amount of grinding on both the front vertical bars so the would fit properly. My plan was to reuse the existing roll bar padding and zipped cover but after I had the padding off I started to really like the way it looked without it. It also looked like I would have a difficult time creating a finished look with the holes I would have to cut in the cover. Anyone need some padding and the cover for their TJ?


Painting the parts:



Here is the color and texture on the cage:


Pulling off the cover & pads. The sound pods & seat belts all have to come off too.


They ran the wiring for the speakers and lights on the outside of the main center bar. I wonder why they did not run it inside the bar? Anyway, because I am going to leave most of the bar exposed I decided to run the wire inside.


Drilled a hole near where the wires split.


I then ran it through the bar and out two new holes for each pod.



I also noticed during the test fit that some trimming would be required to the plastic moulding that mounts to the window frame.


Here is a shot of the Jeep as it sits now. I think this marks the half way point of the build. I think this photo represents the maximum amount of parts removed from the jeep. I will be glad to start adding parts instead of more removal, cutting etc... (at least for this build)


I am ordering some dense padding made especially for roll cages to add in some strategic spots once I have the cage installed. I like the look of the painted cage but don't want bumps on the head from rough roads.

I should be able to get the cage installed by Monday or Tuesday depending on the paint.

I have also taken my axles, lockers, gears, trusses etc... to a 4x4 shop. I will pick the axles back up next Sunday. I am looking forward to getting this thing off of jack stands some day.

[Idaho-Jeep]

That photo is of the cross bar right above and behind the drivers head. It is not really an adjustable portion as the two parts are welded together. The speaker pod mounts right over this spot (hence the plug).

Here is a photo of the rear, that photo is of the upper left section.

[kbarwall]

GREAT BUILD! I wish I had the time and money to do what you are doing but school makes me pooor for now...Love your house as well

[yellojeeper]

Nice Jeep, are you planning on painting the body or leave it the stock color.

McCall is an awesome area. I have elk hunted in the Hells Canyon area, units 18 and 22. I can't wait to go back.

[Idaho-Jeep]

Thanks!
No - I like the color, don't see to many modified Khaki jeeps around either. My friend who is painting my fenders & corners wants to do some faint flames (the kind that are very subtle - not red & orange...). I am trying to decide if I should do that or not.

McCall is great (although I get really tired for winter by May). Elk hunting is usually pretty good - wolves are making it a little tough though. Here are a couple of my Bigger bulls: http://www.jeepforum.com/forum/f59/hunting-photos-611984/

[Flatbroke]

Id pass on the flames, unless of course you are a flamer.

[cmoore]

flames are bad luck. Your rig will look awesome without make up on it.