Build Thread Renegade Resurrection!

[CJ BRIAN NJ]

i have had my handful of jeeps too and now that i think about it my CJ5 Tuxedo Park Park Ed. had all wood floors with 2x6's bolted over the rocker rot ! i never had it on the road but it was fun in the creek and in the snow and ice! so your right- to each his own but it makes me happy to see some guys doing it right . im cutting a few corners on mine right now but only cosmetics , i plan on buying a new frame and starting from scratch when i put the addition on my garage in the fall. its going to be a purpose built 4x4 garage with a 5' deep pit (cheaper than a lift ) a few I beams should make for a nice pulley / winch and rail setup so i can lift the jeep from the bumpers with chain hoists. alot of the shops in Holland were like that ant the rail system seemed very usefull for lots of different stuff! removing the top or even the body easily and lifting the frame to put suspension under it.

hope you paint is done soon , im tuned in!

brian

Thank You for the kind words, man this is killing me waiting on it to come back from the paint shop. I took the replacement fender in on Friday and they said they hope to have it done by the end of next week!!!

I know I have been going a little overboard replacing most of the metal but I plan on keeping this for a long time. I have been wanting to replace the Jeep I had in college that I totaled out in a late night crash, rolled it 1.5 times at 60+ miles an hour with no seat belt, lucky to be here today. It was an 1983 CJ7 Black Renegade and was so much fun to drive, when I was sitting in the hospital I vowed to replace it some day. I have owned 2 Wranglers since and it just was not the same. I believe that is why I have been so focused on doing it right and making it last.

I understand guys using plywood to patch the floors, many of them just want to use the Jeep to wheel in and I can fully understand that! I used to wheel my old Renegade and it was a blast. I am hoping to build another one in a few years to wheel with but I plan on keeping this one on all 4 for a long time!!!

 

[Petescj]

Dam this paint shop for making us wait.

Just dropped by the Paint Shop today so I thought I would post an update. I guess my welding warped the sides a little. I am really excited, and can't wait to start putting it back together. I hope I can remember where everything goes! Here's the pics!

 

[rr41mag]

It's a little late now but when installing a panel like you did with your jeep emblem you would tack weld. ex: Tack it in four places, then tack in the middle of those four places then tack in the middle of those eight places etc, etc. Get the picture? That way you heat it evenly and minimize warpage. You have done a fantastic job welding one this jeep for not being a "welder".

 

[CJ BRIAN NJ]

It's a little late now but when installing a panel like you did with your jeep emblem you would tack weld. ex: Tack it in four places, then tack in the middle of those four places then tack in the middle of those eight places etc, etc. Get the picture? That way you heat it evenly and minimize warpage. You have done a fantastic job welding one this jeep for not being a "welder".

i found the complete side panels with the "jeep" stamped in for $20 more than the flat ones. my "finish" welding isnt good enough to mess with something thats that easy to see if i had the flat ones i think i would just use decals . for a novice welder your doing a hell of a job . i have done alot of heavy welding on trailers and excavating/farm equip. but this sheet metal really is an art! and now my frame repairs are in the middle of the light and heavy so im not sure my welder can penetrate so im just tacking in the pieces then having a pro zap it in for saftey purposes.. great job again and weather you like it or not you are now a "Welder" haha!!

 

[Renegade]

When I was at the shop on Friday the painter said you know next time you might not want to cut it so close to the Jeep Logo. I said you are right but the previous owner just laid the second layer of sheet metal over the side and then riveted it in and spread mud all over it, just covering the rot. I didn't have a lot of good metal to work with. I don't know if it is just me but I had to have the raised Jeep Logo. I would do it again, I just wish I would have had some of the advise you all have had to offer!!!!! But it all has worked out, the painter has just a little extra work cleaning it up! I really did enjoy learning to weld on this project, really looking to do some more welding! Maybe custom Bumpers??? hhhmmm??

 

[Renegade]

Sneak Peek!

 

[CJ]

That is a straight black CJ!

 

[Petescj]

Thanks for totally screwing my build thread.

Honestly thats some nice bodywork from start to ( almost ) finished. I know your pumped up after the wait from the paint shop. Congrats and great job.

Sneak Peek!

 

[CJ BRIAN NJ]

Thanks for totally screwing my build thread.

Honestly thats some nice bodywork from start to ( almost ) finished. I know your pumped up after the wait from the paint shop. Congrats and great job.

how did he screw your build thread? just wondering

 

[Petescj]

Cause I know mine will never be that straight. Joke.

how did he screw your build thread? just wondering

 

[sponge]

You have done a great job, I cant wait to see the finished product.

 

[JJs85cj]

Nice work! Can't wait to see the finished product.:drool:

 

[CJ BRIAN NJ]

Cause I know mine will never be that straight. Joke.

i thought it was a joke but you never know when you cant hear the additude and tone in someones voice!

and as for straightness , my buddy just bought a brand new steel tub and his is even wavy when the sun hits it! the bodyshop really out did themselves on that tub ! next time you see them give them a high five and tell them its better than a brand new one! and refer them to alot of eole they deserve it!

brian

 

[amc75matador]

Here are some more photos from today! My dad finally got back from Florida and came over to help give me a hand. I also had a neighbor come over and check out my welds. hhhmmm? I said what? Neighbor said well I think the first pot hole you hit you are going to pop welds!!! He then said his son is a welder by trade. He called him up the street and he put on a demo for me, and showed me what I was doing wrong. What a difference it made, I have been welding all day!!! I think it is great!! He came back by tonight and said they all look great. We then pulled the tub and I am going to hit the rest from the bottom. Had a Great Day with my Dad! It was nice to get some extra help! We have double checked every measurement and things are coming out great. Well here are the pics!!

Looks freaking awesome!
Where did you get the outer floor braces from?

 

[Renegade]

Thank You, I am stoked I went and checked on it today, and they had it outide in the sun! They did a nice job!

Here is the website for the outer supports and where I got the splash guards for the wheel wells.

Classic Enterprises - Restoration, Reproduction Parts for Studebaker, Jeep & Ford Just go to the Jeep Tab, they have great replacement parts and they are made from heavier steel, I had no problem welding them. Good Luck

 

[Petescj]

Yet theres no picture in this post? Your killing us.

Thank You, I am stoked I went and checked on it today, and they had it outide in the sun! The did a nice job!

 

[Renegade]

Please be patient! I have another surprise but I am not going to disclose it yet! Maybe Wed or Thursday, not sure yet will post pics when finished.

 

[Renegade]

I stopped by again today, I can't help it here are a few more pics!

 

[CJ BRIAN NJ]

I stopped by again today, I can't help it here are a few more pics!

its truley beautiful! why cant you bring it home? if your doing the assembly at home find a set of stainless steel or brass tubing cleaning brushes(like baby bottle brush but smaller amd metal.) snip the end off and stick them in your drill to clean paint out of the threads! makes bolting things together easy

congrats again!

 

[Renegade]

Thank You thats a great idea on the brushes. They are not completely finished yet they still need to finish the hood, I took the yellow one up there, the other hood needed too much work. So they need to finish sanding that, and they still need to sand and buff the whole Jeep. Getting closer though, I really hope to have it by this weekend. The owner of the shop thought it looked fun so he went out and bought a new 4 door Jeep and he is looking for a lift and tires!!! Another convert!!!