[cbmadcow]

Hey Guys,
Figured I start this thread.
Purchased a 98 TJ 4Cyl 177miles with some rust frame issues for way to much.

Check the following thread for all the before pics:
https://www.jeepforum.com/forum/f9/new-england-used-jeep-opinion-4433249/

The day I got home me and kids removed the interior and disassemble the dash.
The plan was to start cleaning, replace the radio, fix some wiring, get the headlights and horn working.
On order:
New carpets, sound/heat dampening material, full cover, bikini top, replacement hi beam turn signal column switch, horn, Aux rocker switches, USB charger to replace cigarette lighter, and some other misc stuff.

 

[cbmadcow]

Next on the agenda was to get the headlights and horn replaced.
Previous owner installed some janky air horns.
Had to replace one of the headlight sockets as it was burnt to a crisp.
Replaced the hi beam turn signal column switch.
After that both hi beams and low beams work properly. Only issue I am having is it seem my passenger side low beam has a 1v voltage drop. It is enough of a difference that my wife said that headlight looks dimmer. It may be the two different bulbs.
Plan to get some matching replacements.

At this point I took a better look at the frame and realized I had more frame cancer than I had anticipated.
Both the passenger and drivers side had thin enough metal I was able to push it right in and make 2 decent size holes on both sides in the same spots.
I did buy the center frame rail repair kits
https://www.ebay.com/itm/193586285428
I may not get to them until after the summer.

 

[cbmadcow]

Yesterday I started the rust mitigation on the front floor pans(they really weren't that bad).
My brother in law gave me two bottles of coraseal. After some quick grinding and cleaning I applied one coating.
Today I painted the front floor pans with some rusty metal primer. I then plan to put down some truck bed liner to finish it off.

I also dissembled the rear shoes, to my delight found all new hardware shoes and new drums. They just needed to be adjusted.

Started to put back together the front dash. New cheap Walmart radio, USB charger, some new rocker switches for future lights(which I already have), and reinstalled freshly painted plastic housing around steering column.

 

[cbmadcow]

Got a small amount done.
-Rhino lined the front floor pans
-Got the dash all back together.
-Installed 2 used Jeep center caps on the front wheels.
-Dropped off registration at DMV

2 issues
Found a rust spot on the tub, rear passenger side.
Vent controls do not function properly air is only coming out the defrost vent(will further investigate).


And why are all my pictures uploading 90 degrees off.

 

[FLRed]

Looking sweet. Any progress since the last post?

 

[cbmadcow]

Wow Melbourne, Hello from the other side of the globe.

I hadn't been updating this since there wasn't much interest in it.

Since purchasing it I have done the following:

- Finished the interior with new sound/heat material and new replacement carpeting.
- Painted the inside door panels, center dash, and glove box.
- Installed super basic aftermarket BT radio.
- Replaced turn signal flasher thing on steering column
- Replaced both headlight connectors
- Performed a basic tune up: Cap, rotor, wires, sparkplugs, oil change, oil filter and new air filter.
- Replaced front brake pad, front brake rotors and readjusted rear brakes.
- Had friend weld in drivers side center eBay off brand SafeTCap.
- At this time cleaned out as much rust debris within the frame rales and spayed a bunch of rust prevention spray paint within in
- Replaced front suspension, used Rough country 2.5" springs and shocks, and front steering stabilizer.
- Added 1" of metal washers to the center skid to take care of driveline vibrations.
- Installed a universal fuse box with 6 relays for various lights and future 12V electronic expansion
- Installed two switches on gear shifter and 2 switches on front center dash. 1 switch is being used for spot lights, another is connected to LED driving light pods
- Installed eBay 7" LED headlights ( not to happy with them, super bright but can not angle them correctly).
- Installed Rough Country rear cargo netting for when the top is off.
- Replaced shifter knob

To be installed
I am working on replacing all the front control arms and install new camber bolts. this should fix my alignment issue.
I just purchased(today) front seats from a 2006 Jeep, newer center console(has rear cupholders and OEM subwoofer), also included the gear shifter leather cover and bracket.

 

[cbmadcow]

Pictures

 

[cbmadcow]

As it sits right now:

 

[cbmadcow]

Today was productive.
Replaced all front control arms, installed new front bumpstops, and replaced the front brakes with slightly longer ones.

 

[FLRed]

Looking good! Yeahhhhhh still figuring out everything I need to update on my profile. I'm down in Florida (not nearly as fun haha). I was reading your list, seems like we have a lot of the same stuff going on. I'm knocking out lining the interior at the moment. I have to find some donor seats too, the seats I have are pretty gnarly and if theyre already out might as well find some to replace the ones I have. The seat brackets themselves were rusted enough that I went and got more off of Ebay, a lot cleaner and rust free.

Really digging the dash work!

 

[cbmadcow]

Really digging the dash work!

I will try to get some updated interior pics soon. Weather here has been awful.
The seats in the picture need a good cleaning before they get installed. I picked them up on FB Marketplace for $150.
They are from a 2005 and up model so the passenger seat should tumble farther forward. My kids were having a hard time with current seat. The bar in the back is really awkward to pull and get it to tumble forward.

 

[cbmadcow]

Took longer to finish the interior needed to wait on some parts.
1. Newer center console was installed with upgraded OEM subwoofer.
Used a Pyle 6.5" subwoofer and a small 100w stereo amplifier tucked it behind the radio.
It won't shake your doors off but is adequate for my needs.
2. Replacement seats installed. Added 1.5" Rugged Ridge seat risers and StableSeat bushing/washer replacement kit.

 

[cbmadcow]

Not the best pics:

Next spring or summer I may take another crack at cleaning the seats. Or I may just get seat covers.

 

[cbmadcow]

Well had my first tow today with this Jeep. At least I got all my errands done.
Does not turn over...Suspect it is something to do with the clutch interlock.
Been wanting to remove that anyway.
Will look it over more this weekend.

 

[cbmadcow]

Just an update:
All it ended up being was the ignition switch.
And me rather than replacing it I I installed a push button start.
Found a 12v ignition source ran it to the button then spliced it into the yellow wire directly off the ignition switch.
I did it this way so that you still have to turn the key to the on position and push the clutch to get it to engage the starter.

I also installed an Amazon relay box to run any accessories I want to add.
Currently I have 2 fully used for lights 2 more wired to switches in the cab and 2 additional relays.

 

[cbmadcow]

Just got this in the mail today will be installing this weekend:

Also got some stickers:

FYI that jeep forum sticker is over 12 years old.
Hopefully it still sticks!!!.

 

[cbmadcow]

Got a bunch of work done.
Removed the rear gas tank, rear shocks, and removed all plastic fender flares.

Painted front speaker covers, passenger side handle, passenger side airbag cover and glovebox.
Funny I used the same color paint for the glove box and airbag cover.

 

[cbmadcow]

Another weekend of rusty fun:
Rear shocks installed

Welded a plate to the rear upper control arm frame
*Note this was done because previous owners were idiots and removed the inside part of the safety cap.
Before Fitting plate made by my dad Plate welded in and painted

Wire brushed, cleaned and painted as much of the rear as I could
Replaced gas tank skid plate

Fixed broken return gas line (finally no more CEL)
Reinstalled 5 of 6 plastic fenders flares. Had to replace a bunch of nutserts

Reinstalled side steps

Drove Jeep as much as I could this weekend with the top off.

 

[TymO'Byrne]

The "not a rubicon" stickers are cool. Rock on!

 

[cbmadcow]

As it sits right now:

Recently replaced the rear main seal, oil pan seal, had to open the timing chain cover to check those components (al seemed fine).
Need to buy/finish:
Buy new clutch friction disc and new starter bolts.
Get AX-5 checked out maybe rebuilt(very noisy in all gears except 4th)
Buy/install 1-1.25 inch body lift
Passenger frame side needs repair/welded( already have the center frame safety cap).
Flush coolant(already drained)
Remove snorkel
Maybe new motor mounts and TC mount.
This is what is needed to get back to driving it.
After will be addons like bumpers and winch and new soft top.