Project advice...

[atlshaun]

Specs:
1983 Scrambler
Original AMC 258 i6 / 4.2l with 124k miles
BBD Carb
T-5 Transmission
AMC20 Rear / Dana 30 Front

I will post pics this weekend.

I bought it a few weeks back from the SW USA and it arrived 2 weeks ago. I have an '83 Scrambler with minimal to no rust. The tub has some surface rust and that will be the first thing I will want to take care of.

I sold the original wheels and tires that were on it and replaced them with MT Sidebiters (See my other thread for that debacle) and 33's. Now that those have been machined and fit perfectly I want to begin on my project.

My plan is to remove the tub and treat the underside to prevent it from rusting. While I have the tub off I am going to treat the frame, inside and out to do my best to withstand the rust there too.

The PO had installed a 4” Rough Country Lift and I have already bought a 4.5” Rubicon Express Lift with Monotube shocks to replace it. It’s sitting next to the Jeep as I type this.

My ultimate goal is to do ALL of the following, and I would like help organizing the order in which I do it and any other recommendations for additional items to attend to during the process.

Replace the Rough Country Suspension with the RE
Remove the tub and apply undercoating
Treat the frame, inside and out and also paint the axles
Treat the tub surface rust and then Line-X the inside of the Tub
Paint the Exterior (My plan is to do this at the very end)
Replace the BBD, it stalls at every single stop – with a Motorcraft 2150 kit from ebay
Team Rush Upgrade
Nutter bypass and removal of excess wires
Fix the issue with the Jeep shaking to pieces when starting in first gear
Upgrade to 1 piece Axles on the AMC20
Regear the AMC20 (Currently has 3.31’s) to 3.9 or 4.1
Potentially install a painless wiring kit
Replace differential fluids
Replace Dash Pad
Upgrade Brakes?
A/C install / upgrade
New half top and bulkhead

My budget is $15k

What say you?

 

[gert]

Just Empty Every Pocket 15k sounds good it should cover all the small stuff that adds up quick POR 15 works great to stop minor rust, do as much of the work as you can yourself and have fun

 

[Petescj]

Alot of these things can be done over a few weekends if your still driving it. Lets break this down the best I can:

Replace the Rough Country Suspension with the RE
This is a weekend job. Id do it before removing the tub but after mechanical upgrades that make the Scrambler run better. Since you have it already no use in waiting around if you have idle time.
Remove the tub and apply undercoating
Given your location this is last for me.
Treat the frame, inside and out and also paint the axles
This is best done with the tub off. 2nd last thing Id do.
Treat the tub surface rust and then Line-X the inside of the Tub
Paint the Exterior (My plan is to do this at the very end)
You already put this at the end. Its not last but its close to it. Id paint it with no liner unless your going to me rough on the bed. Durabak makes a smooth coating if you dont want that rough texture of Herculiner. Spray in liner will be the best.
Replace the BBD, it stalls at every single stop – with a Motorcraft 2150 kit from ebay
This is the top of the list for me. When it affects your enjoyment of driving the Scrambler it need to go
Team Rush Upgrade
Nutter bypass and removal of excess wires
These 2 should be done in a 2 weekend stretch. Do not remove any wiring until your completely happy with the way the Scrambler is running. Id drive it a week between the 2 upgrades before I started shedding wires.
Fix the issue with the Jeep shaking to pieces when starting in first gear
Sounds like a bad clutch or oil on the clutch. This could be either 2nd or 3rd (behind the carb) on your list.
Upgrade to 1 piece Axles on the AMC20
Regear the AMC20 (Currently has 3.31’s) to 3.9 or 4.1
These 2 together by a reputable shop unless youve done this before. You will need to source larger carriers for this job.
Replace differential fluids
Very easy and its good to know whats in this new Scrambler purchase. Id empty and change all the fluids 1st.
Replace Dash Pad
Anytime you desire. After paint could give it a real eye popping effect overall.
Upgrade Brakes?
Since theres a question mark behind this I assume they dont bother you much in the current configuration.
A/C install / upgrade
This is something Id tackle when putting the Tub back on. Not having an interior in the way will make it easier
New half top and bulkhead
The half top any time. Start looking for a bulkhead right away. Finding a solid one at a good price can be a challenge. When you do keep it for after the final paint and finish.
Wiring harness
If needed this is another thing Id do when reassemling the Scrambler tub to the frame
My budget is $15k
Sounds good barring any major catastrophe you may run into.


What say you?

A whole bunch of . Read above in red.

 

[atlshaun]

Alot of these things can be done over a few weekends if your still driving it. Lets break this down the best I can:

Replace the Rough Country Suspension with the RE
This is a weekend job. Id do it before removing the tub but after mechanical upgrades that make the Scrambler run better. Since you have it already no use in waiting around if you have idle time.
Remove the tub and apply undercoating
Given your location this is last for me.
Treat the frame, inside and out and also paint the axles
This is best done with the tub off. 2nd last thing Id do.
Treat the tub surface rust and then Line-X the inside of the Tub
Paint the Exterior (My plan is to do this at the very end)
You already put this at the end. Its not last but its close to it. Id paint it with no liner unless your going to me rough on the bed. Durabak makes a smooth coating if you dont want that rough texture of Herculiner. Spray in liner will be the best.
Replace the BBD, it stalls at every single stop – with a Motorcraft 2150 kit from ebay
This is the top of the list for me. When it affects your enjoyment of driving the Scrambler it need to go
Team Rush Upgrade
Nutter bypass and removal of excess wires
These 2 should be done in a 2 weekend stretch. Do not remove any wiring until your completely happy with the way the Scrambler is running. Id drive it a week between the 2 upgrades before I started shedding wires.
Fix the issue with the Jeep shaking to pieces when starting in first gear
Sounds like a bad clutch or oil on the clutch. This could be either 2nd or 3rd (behind the carb) on your list.
Upgrade to 1 piece Axles on the AMC20
Regear the AMC20 (Currently has 3.31’s) to 3.9 or 4.1
These 2 together by a reputable shop unless youve done this before. You will need to source larger carriers for this job.
Replace differential fluids
Very easy and its good to know whats in this new Scrambler purchase. Id empty and change all the fluids 1st.
Replace Dash Pad
Anytime you desire. After paint could give it a real eye popping effect overall.
Upgrade Brakes?
Since theres a question mark behind this I assume they dont bother you much in the current configuration.
A/C install / upgrade
This is something Id tackle when putting the Tub back on. Not having an interior in the way will make it easier
New half top and bulkhead
The half top any time. Start looking for a bulkhead right away. Finding a solid one at a good price can be a challenge. When you do keep it for after the final paint and finish.
Wiring harness
If needed this is another thing Id do when reassemling the Scrambler tub to the frame
My budget is $15k
Sounds good barring any major catastrophe you may run into.


What say you?

A whole bunch of . Read above in red.

Thank you very much for the advice. Anything else you would recommend? I am also going to replace the body tub pucks when putting the tub back on. Your order sounds good.

 

[Petescj]

Thank you very much for the advice. Anything else you would recommend? I am also going to replace the body tub pucks when putting the tub back on. Your order sounds good.

This is one of the reasons Id put the Rubicon Express lift on before you start to tear down the jeep. See what kind of lift it gives you. From what Ive heard and seen ( once ) the RE kit yields more than most 4" kits. This is where Id add a 1" body lift if I needed just a bit more clearance or ever thought Id go 35s.

 

[Jimbos76cj]

I would pull the tub first. It will give you super easy acess to the Transmission and motor, frame etc etc etc.. That's normally my number one thing. Pull body, replace brake and fuel lines, clean and paint the frame, under coat bottom of tub, install lift. Once your happy with all the lower things being fixed then reinstall the tub, run your wires, paint and enjoy. If remove tub wasn't on that list I would say it looks good the way it was laid out. But since it's gonna come off it will make every thing under it easier..

For the harness I would go with a EZ wire kit over the painless. I really like those quality and price. They are marked just like a painless and include every thing you need. Thier 18 circuit kit is about $200 shipped.