Build Thread 1973 Super Jeep Refurb

[Chilly]

Getting close to final coat of primer. And I've concluded that while I don't mind welding in repair panels I'm not yet very good at it.

Chassis was done several years ago, body mounting points were in sufficiently short supply that I figured I needed to fix the body before I took a tub ride while the chassis endeavored to persevere on down the trail without me. Tub was barely attached behind the firewall, although the tub was not horrible for a 1973 in W. PA.

First step was to scrape and scrape and scrape asphalt undercoating. Previous owner was a Platinum Club member at the Zeibart gentleman's lounge, which was a pain to remove but is what preserved most of this Jeep.

After scraping undercoating I had it wet-glass blasted and discovered that all of my scraping was wasted time. The blaster removes undercoating without a lick of trouble (I hadn't scraped the backside of the grill yet, blew right off).

After blasting my buddy and I applied a coat of PPG white epoxy primer to hold it while we worked on patch panels:
- L&R floor pans
- Driver side cowl support, only needed the bottom
- Transition step from front floor to back floor
- L&R hat channels
- Rear had channel
- Various floor patches, mostly over outboard ends of rear hat channels.
- L&R rocker panels
- Rear non-tailgate panel, Renegade -type (not installed yet).

All panels were sourced from Classic Enterprises, and were quality pieces. I've never tried panels from another source but I found nothing lacking with the Classic pieces. They're excellent people two (Lamonte and Mark are who you will speak to on the phone). First rear panel had holes for lights interfering with seams for the fender tubs but they are sending me a replacement even though I had if for three years, and of course had no receipt. Great parts, AND great service.

Here is a photo from when chassis was finished and untouched body was reinstalled: http://i1006.photobucket.com/albums/af188/b_foster/SuperJeep/DSCN1379.jpg

 

[Chilly]

 

[Chilly]

Two-into-one junction, custom stainless exhaust by local shop in Mercer PA (E&E Welding). Runs into Flowmaster 40-Series, dumps out high and tight behind drivers side tire.




Dana 30 with alloy axles (supposedly 2X as strong as stock) that use Dana 44 -sized u-joints, Lock-Right in the center. I dig the narrow track enough that I won't be changing them out. Still has drums, may go to discs someday. New axles, pinion bearings, seals, ball joints, spindles, hub bearings & seals, shoes, drums, springs. Essentially a new 30 with stronger axles, though I've read some unflattering reviews about Alloy USA axles recently. Mine pre-date Omix ownership, probably bought them six or seven years ago.



First chassis test drive. Who can ID the "treasure" in foreground and background?

 

[Chilly]

Received my tube fenders from Amazon, look pretty good for the price, so long as they fit up OK (won't know that for a while). They're from E-autogrilles, but their website doesn't show them. Seems they only sell them on Amazon for some reason. Some reviews say they are near clones of Smittybuilt fenders but with a grill on the side, which I would prefer was not there. But for the price I can ignore them. They do not come with inner fenders, but are intended to use factory inner fenders. I have a pair of cracked up, dented, rusted original fenders from which I can excise donor inners. Only problem is the inners are a bit cracked up as well, and slathered in undercoating. Nothing time, elbow grease, and a welder can't cure.