Got a few things done today. I lined up the half doors with some pin-style strikers: Black Mountain units from Collins Bros Jeep, so they at least close now. Also buzzed off the front (fender) pieces of the diamond-plate rocker pieces – I have some repop fenders to replace these nasty old things, and I’ll be doing the ‘clamshell’ treatment I did on Dookie about 15 years ago with the new fenders. Also surveyed the engine compartment and sprayed down some PB Blaster to get ready for Saturday’s fun.

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Looks like a big rusty mess, but my ’71 Mach 1’s engine was worse, and seized as well. This one at least turns. I’m hoping the brake booster is still good.

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After some major cleaning of the garage, picking up some big tools (26-gallon air compressor, low-profile transmission jack, full set of wheel skates, and a tow bar), I’m finally ready to bring Dave’s Jeep home from Harry’s back yard.

My wife decided we needed to rename the Jeeps, since Dave’s Jeep is being pieced together from others, it’s now “Klooge.”  “Klooge” was a name Dave used to use for his toon when we played Unreal Tournament so many years ago, so I asked my wife if I needed to rename mine to “Dookie” (my toon’s name), and just like that… “Dookie” it is.  My wife likes to name our vehicles, and she’s pretty much a genius about it, as well… so, it’s all good.

Here we are in front of Harry’s house with Klooge hooked up to Clifford (The Big Red Dodge – wife’s fault again, LOL).  It towed like a dream… probably would’ve been even better with the right amount of air in the tires.  LOL!

Tow bar from Tractor Supply for only $150.  Not a bad deal.  Did just fine.

Finally found a use for the bumperettes, since there’s so much bondo on the side panel, and since the diamond plate’s non-ferrous…

And here we are in the driveway.  Klooge and Dookie, brothers reunited, and will be donors for a major heart transplant between the two.  

Tomorrow, I start in on getting Klooge ready to pull the 304 & TF-999.

Don’t worry, the Mach 1 is safety tucked away in the garage, and I have some motivation for a quick turn on this project, since Klooge is blocking it in – ain’t goin’ nowhere until I get this Jeep out of the way.  Not to mention, the wife’s not all that impressed by having her car hanging halfway out from under the carport… even MORE motivation to get these engines swapped in the next few days.

Went to Austin, TX last Saturday and scored a complete ’86 258/T-5/D300 for my pal’s ’86 Golden Eagle, and found me a 304/TF-999 for my ’80 CJ-7. Of all the luck, the 304/TF-999 came with an ’80 CJ-7 Laredo, which I’m thinking my other BFF needs a Jeep project, once I swap the 304/TF-999 for my 258/T-176. Also scored an early YJ top for mine (I like the bigger windows), and grabbed some half doors, a YJ soft top, and some ‘like new’ CJ fenders for my pal’s new project.

I got really super lucky. My buddy Harry was looking for a ‘new’ 258 for his Jeep, and found a guy on Austin Craigslist selling the ’80 Laredo, since I’d mentioned a long time ago wanting to swap in an AMC V8 & TF-999 – we were originally thinking of me getting the Jeep, swapping the 304 & TF-999 into mine, using the Jeep for parts, and giving him the 258/T-176, but then he noticed the same guy had another ad for the ’86 258/T-5/D300 also for sale. He decided to go for that, and I also found a bunch of other listings (an ’89 258/TF-999/D300 and thought about getting that, but then I asked my other buddy Dave if I got the Jeep, if he’d be interested in a project Jeep after I swapped in my 258/T-176 – which he was indeed interested).

So, I’ve had yet another car-related “SQUIRREL!” moment, but at least it’s not a ‘new’ car project… just freshening up an old one and hookin’ up my BFF with a new toy. At least it’s not as bad as my Mustang project started out – with the engine and tranny from my Jeep in there, at least it’ll be a runner when Dave comes to pick it up.

I finally decided to chronicle some of the bigger projects on the Jeep with new Jeep Tech pages.

In addition to the Jeep Corners page,
http://www.mister4x4.net/Off%20Road/jeepcorners.htm

I’ve added the following:
Spare Tire Rack:
http://www.mister4x4.net/Off%20Road/tirecarrier.htm
Nerf Bars & Front Bumper:
http://www.mister4x4.net/Off%20Road/frontbumper.htm

All of these projects happened back in 2009-2010 before I started in on the Mach 1. Some new upcoming projects include:
– Engine mods (Clifford Intake, Borla Header, Holley Sniper Fuel Injection, valve job, clean up the engine compartment)
– Adapt the TJ seat brackets to fit the seats better
– Full carpet & insulate the hard top
– Do something different with the Mister 4×4 graphics

Enjoy!

After separating from the Air Force on 9 Oct 1996, I decided I wanted some bigger tires and a lift kit on the Jeep. I went to a local tire shop (big mistake) and inquired about an Explorer Pro Comp 4″ lift with some 33×15.50 Interco TSX Super Swampers and 15×10 black modular rims.

First of all, never go to a tire shop for 4×4 work. They overcharged (like 200%), took 3 times longer than promised, basically lied to me on pricing, and kept bugging me about how to do the installation (duh, it’s 4 leaf spring packs, shocks, a drop pitman arm, and 2″ spacers for the transmission/T-case mounting bracket/skid plate – not rocket surgery). Should’ve been an easy job, but nope. Lesson learned.

But – it was so damn cool when I finally got it back.

The first thing I did was shore up the interior by getting some sheet metal screws and reattached the A/C to the dashboard.  After that was done, I picked up a nice JVC AM/FM/Cassette deck from the BX, and scored some second-hand stereo gear from a couple of friends.  I tore out the seats and laid down some black astroturf (rather than carpet) and bought some new seat covers.  Then I got a padded roll-bar cover, spare tire cover, and bikini top from 4WD Hardware.  So basically after some hardcore cleaning, the astroturf, some seat covers and a kickin’ stereo, the Jeep’s pretty much mine now.  No turning back now – and no pictures handy.

All of this stuff happened while my wife was stationed in Korea. The deal happened so fast, I didn’t have a chance to consult with her as it all transpired. I was a little afraid she would be upset when I finally got a chance to call her to tell her I had sold the Blazer and bought a Jeep. But quite to the contrary, she was almost ecstatic since she actually really hated my Blazer – another story.  OK – so that went well and it looks like the Jeep is a welcome addition to the family, after all.

So, sometime in March 1995, I checked in with my friends at the Auto Hobby Shop, and Don was talking about this cool old Jeep CJ-7 sitting in Stall 1, asking what I thought it was worth, being a 4×4 guy. I said that it looked like about $3500 to me, and he then asked, “What about if I took the winch off it?” Well, a winch is just an accessory, so I’d said it was still good for $3500. Then he asked, “Do you think it would sell for $1400?” I asked him if he’d take a check, and to give me a couple days to sell my ’78 K5 Blazer.

Little did I know there were wheels & deals flying around while I was getting the Blazer sold to an old paintball buddy. I showed up on Saturday with the money, and one of the other guys had already sold it to someone else in my unit, who had no idea I was already working a deal. He then ‘sold it’ to me for another $100. Guh… whatta PITA, but oh well – I have an awesome Jeep CJ-7 now!

Here are a few shots of it in the driveway after I got it home and washed.