I have had several inquiries regarding my YJ project. So I decided to start my own thread regarding the vehicles, parts and progress.
It all started out with the purchase of a 1988 YJ Laredo for three bills, and a 1988 XJ for one bill. The YJ was missing the tranny, transfer case, drive shafts, interior pieces like the front seats, and most of the dash was missing also.
It did have a MPI conversion started, but I am willing to bet that the PO had given up on this daunting task.
At this point, I can virtually do what ever I want to this thing. I elected to keep the motor that was dropped in, and use the Cherokee as a parts donor.
I have an 8.8 I picked up from a U-Pull-It a few years ago that I still haven't gotten around to installing so can't wait to see how this goes for you!
It's good to hear from you again Tshark, it's been awhile.
I am in the process of rounding up all of the components to make this install a quick and efficient one.
Yesterday I had went to my local auto salvage yard and picked up a pair of disc brake calipers for just under $40.00. I had also picked up a pinion yoke flange for adapting my 1310 style u-joint to the 8.8, but Ihad pulled the wrong one, so today at lunch I am going back out there to get the right one. I will hopefully also pick up a set of disc brake parking brake cables from a GC, I have been told that they will work. I will see...
Today I went to the salvage yard and pulled a front D30 axle with 3.73s for $250.00. I also I bought a used 4x4 posi lock that was in excellent condition for only $40.00. Now to prep my axle before I install it.
Thanks! No, I've recently purchased and moved into a new home, well a fixer-upper, for a steal, so all of my spare cash will be going in to it for now. But, I am in the works of installing a ford 8.8 and performing an SOA. All in due time.
Glad to hear you are settling in at the new house. You want that Jeep on the road for this winter. That snow in South Dakota was a warning shot hitting this early and this hard!
Same here. That last winter storm that had rolled through had gotten some people motivated to gather firewood and others to get their roofing or other construction work going before it settles in for the winter. Here in the Uintah Basin, once the inversion sets in there's no break from it until late winter.
It is with deep sadness that I have to report that I have traded in my '88 YJ for an '02 Liberty. I needed something that has more creature comforts than the Wrangler, especially on the longer drives, but I will miss the awesome capability of my Wrangler. Thanks for following along with me on my build. I'm sure that I will have a trail rig build coming up in the near future.
If you're not going to use my gauge cluster anymore I want it back!! Seriously though I'm sorry for your loss. And my loss... I've been following this thread from day one! I've seen this dozens of times before on here over the years though. Progress update after progress update until suddenly "I had to get rid of it." Life happens. Hopefully you can find room in yours for another basket case someday soon. :thumbsup:
I will definitely be doing another Basket Case project in the future. There was nothing like the feel of firing up a project for the first time, except for when we were kids at Christmas. :rofl:
that's too bad. I've been watching this thread for a long time too. I could not have done what you did, and I thought it was coming along really nicely. Sorry to hear it's gone.
Yeah, me too. Just last night I was second-guessing myself on this. But while I do love and miss my Wrangler, I know that the next person will love it as much as I did.
I often see my old basket case around town. Come to find out, the owner of the car lot that I had traded it in at has kept it for himself. I have been keeping my eyes open for another project while exploring in my '02 Liberty.
I'm thinking of buying the Rampage 68035 what is your over all opinion of the soft top? I see you had some issues with the door frame mount and the spreader bar. Did it hold up after some time, any pieces coming apart? I have seen more than a few bad reviews about the top being delivered missing parts, spreader bars bending, stitching coming apart, etc, etc, etc... I really would like to go with the Black Diamond and Bestop doesn't make a Black Diamond for a YJ.
Thanks for the help.
Long story short, you get what you pay for. But, I can add that this top was a good investment. It is a better product than what some will lead on to be. If I had to purchase another one in the future, this will be one of my top choices. With periodic care and maintenance, it will last a long time.
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