Some times you win, some times you win big, and then it snows

[rushpowersystems]

This started last summer when I took some time off work and finally got the 5 year old (daughter) out in some rocks. The wife and I decided it was time we bought a CJ, she is still pissed at me for selling my scrambler 15 years ago, she is right. We spent the entire summer driving through Utah, Idaho, Wyoming, Nevada and finally found one less than a mile from our house.

I wanted something I could build and not worry about dents or scratches, rattle can special. The guy that owned it was building cabinets in the back of his garage, the Jeep sat for 4 years, with out an air cleaner, so I decided dry fire would not be a good idea. We agree on $700 which was a fair price. The fact that the peddle gave no indication that the vehicle had brakes at all helped me decide on the tow truck. The old 31 ford A with rods stops better than this thing.

Stripped everything down, new pan, bottom of engine looks clean as could be, in fact it looked like it had a rebuild not too long ago. New valve cover gasket valves are all tight, new HEI distributer, 92 XJ column, comvert to power brakes, rebuilt a used weber to replace the 600 Carter AFB on a 6cyl ?!?, replaced the very black spark plugs, fuel pump, add a pair of 12" electric fans, of course a 200 amp alternator, complete rewire, wheel cylinders, fluids, and quality audio system.

now this did not have a top I am going to commission bracket fabricator to build a roll cage that will be my frame then a custom top. Last night I fired it for the first time, I am into it $1300 and I don’t need an engine, big win considering the body is about 90% straight and it has suspension and body lift, 33" Thornbirds with decent tread, and 12.5 aluminum wheels. I am happy, tomorrow I am going to drive this thing.

Now today it’s a blizzard with at least 12" on the ground, I am young enough to stand at the open garage and think about it, and wise enough to shut the garage door and go sit by the fire. I am taking Tuesday off to drive this thing. I will post up some photos later, future plans are evaluate the condition of the AMC 258 i6 / 4.2l engine and design fuel injection most likely based on Megasquirt, with a little tweaking of my own. http://www.jeep-cj.com/forums/images/smilies/drool.gif

 

[mylittlecj5]

12" of snow? Thats what the CJ is made for! Take a ride without a top! you'll love life again!






(when you thaw out!)
I used to drive my old '55 to school in sub-freezing weather..No top, no doors, no WINDSHIELD! :O I just wore a snowmobile suit, goggles and really heavy gloves! Ah to be young again!

 

[LongHorn]

This started last summer when I took some time off work and finally got the 5 year old (daughter) out in some rocks. The wife and I decided it was time we bought a CJ, she is still pissed at me for selling my scrambler 15 years ago, she is right. We spent the entire summer driving through Utah, Idaho, Wyoming, Nevada and finally found one less than a mile from our house.

I wanted something I could build and not worry about dents or scratches, rattle can special. The guy that owned it was building cabinets in the back of his garage, the Jeep sat for 4 years, with out an air cleaner, so I decided dry fire would not be a good idea. We agree on $700 which was a fair price. The fact that the peddle gave no indication that the vehicle had brakes at all helped me decide on the tow truck. The old 31 ford A with rods stops better than this thing.

Stripped everything down, new pan, bottom of engine looks clean as could be, in fact it looked like it had a rebuild not too long ago. New valve cover gasket valves are all tight, new HEI distributer, 92 XJ column, comvert to power brakes, rebuilt a used weber to replace the 600 Carter AFB on a 6cyl ?!?, replaced the very black spark plugs, fuel pump, add a pair of 12" electric fans, of course a 200 amp alternator, complete rewire, wheel cylinders, fluids, and quality audio system.

now this did not have a top I am going to commission bracket fabricator to build a roll cage that will be my frame then a custom top. Last night I fired it for the first time, I am into it $1300 and I don’t need an engine, big win considering the body is about 90% straight and it has suspension and body lift, 33" Thornbirds with decent tread, and 12.5 aluminum wheels. I am happy, tomorrow I am going to drive this thing.

Now today it’s a blizzard with at least 12" on the ground, I am young enough to stand at the open garage and think about it, and wise enough to shut the garage door and go sit by the fire. I am taking Tuesday off to drive this thing. I will post up some photos later, future plans are evaluate the condition of the AMC 258 i6 / 4.2l engine and design fuel injection most likely based on Megasquirt, with a little tweaking of my own. http://www.jeep-cj.com/forums/images/smilies/drool.gif

Blizzard ready!

 

[BrockGrimes]

Not top, soft doors, windows down, LOL.

 

[rushpowersystems]

The thing about Utah is, it will be above 50 degrees this week. Our weather can be much like the Great Lakes area, storms will come in off the Great Salt Lake and pick up moisture and dump it in the “lake effect area” which my house is in, but it melts rather quickly.

Lived here my entire life, hate snow, don’t ski, and with age comes wisdom. If you taunt murphy is law will bite you, first time driving this thing, in a blizzard, will result in getting towed home in a blizzard. Its set up to be towed but I only want to use that on the way to Southern Utah.

Why do I stay here? 2 days shipping from west cost ports, 5 days from east coast, very close to main Utah hubs for UPS/FedEx, and 2 hours from Moab. I can put up with snow for a few more years. But then I am going to toss the snow blower in the back of the truck, drive south until someone asks me what that thing is in the back of my truck.

 

[rushpowersystems]

Well ! Drove it today and it has a rod knock! Sure am glad I did not start with fuel injection.

I do a tech article for a local street rod magazine and I was going to go a year with carb and keep notes. The following year I was going to convert to fuel injection and run it for a year to show the difference in MPG and performance.

Well time to make a decision.

 

[IOPort51]

Well ! Drove it today and it has a rod knock! Sure am glad I did not start with fuel injection.

I do a tech article for a local street rod magazine and I was going to go a year with carb and keep notes. The following year I was going to convert to fuel injection and run it for a year to show the difference in MPG and performance.

Well time to make a decision.

You wanted a CJ, Karma brought you this one. It's not nice to turn your back on Karma.

 

[LongHorn]

Well ! Drove it today and it has a rod knock! Sure am glad I did not start with fuel injection.

I do a tech article for a local street rod magazine and I was going to go a year with carb and keep notes. The following year I was going to convert to fuel injection and run it for a year to show the difference in MPG and performance.

Well time to make a decision.

I'd like to see those results.