1983 frame off refresh - finally

[ScramblerTN]

Well, progress has been slow and other things have come up. We've all been there. Got the spare tire carrier blasted and painted along with some fender support brackets I picked up from ChopShop on here. What a trip he is, I really like talking jeeps with that guy!

The next is from my D300 that I'm freshening up.

I'm supposed to/planning on picking up the majority of my panels minus my tub this weekend from my painter. I've been reading other posts here of those that are dissatisfied with their guys. I'm not in any hurry to get this done and my guys busy full time and I just let him go at his pace and all will be well.

I've got the t case to assemble, install the drive shafts, fill trans, t case, both axles with fluid, install rear caliper brackets and calipers, finish hard lines for brakes and fuel. If I get my doors back I can assemble them too, I've got both full and half. I need to look for a pair of TJ black uppers on the CL too.
Next comes the tire purchase.......I'm 90% on the 33-10.50 BFG TAs

That's plenty for now but I'm glad to be back in the game and feel revived to complete this project.

I went with the 33x10.50 bfg at's in the original ko's. I bought a set of the new ko2 for my f-250 and don't like them nearly as much as the ko's. Why the hell bfg changed one of the most popular tires beats me. Oh and I'm also running a 4.5" lift on the jeep. I think the tires look great on that amount of lift

 

[mhinchliffe]

Just so you guys don't think I'm slacking. I spent a little time on the K Line soft top I bought on here from another member polishing the windows getting it ready. It's just the same as doing the EisenGlas on my boat use ammonia free glass cleaner and microfiber ONLY! Then a black pad on the DA polisher with 205 polisher will sufficiently clean these things to a nice crystal clear shine.
Here's what I got done on it. I'm very pleased.

Notice how clear and defined the black is under the clear window where it's adhered to the black top in this picture.

Here a nice shot of the clear reflection

Got to have the requisite warning label thanks to the anti-Darwin people

And the "money shot"

On a side note being a huge Ohio State fan the seller is from Oregon so this has to be a little mighty duck doo

Because of this!.........

Hate on haters

 

[Randyzzz]

Just so you guys don't think I'm slacking. I spent a little time on the K Line soft top I bought on here from another member polishing the windows getting it ready. It's just the same as doing the EisenGlas on my boat use ammonia free glass cleaner and microfiber ONLY! Then a black pad on the DA polisher with 205 polisher will sufficiently clean these things to a nice crystal clear shine.
Here's what I got done on it. I'm very pleased.


On a side note being a huge Ohio State fan the seller is from Oregon so this has to be a little mighty duck doo

Because of this!.........

Hate on haters

Almost spit my coffee on the keyboard from laughing. That top looks great! Sorry about the Duck Doo...Can I get away with calling it "patina"?

 

[mhinchliffe]

Randy, just because it's you I'll call it poo tina💩😱

 

[mhinchliffe]

Picked up the tailgate today and will get a few more pieces next weekend. Really, really looks nice[emoji108]🏻[emoji39]

Here's the U-pol raptor liner tinted to match. I'm recalling liking it!

And with the reflective decal I got on this board

With the dash and pad

Now I need to start putting things together and not pose them for pictures. This has really breathed life into me on this project. My guy did a great job!

 

[mhinchliffe]

Here's a mock up the rear caliper location. I got the speedway metric GM weld on caliper brackets for $10 each
Brake hoses are 1990 S 10 fit.

 

[mhinchliffe]

Ok guys, I got a little snowy day work done with my 2 little assistants! Finally got the rear disc brackets welded on and the brake hose tabs located and welded on too.

I had mounted the brake hose tab on the drivers side on the top (12:00 position) and when I stepped back and looked at it said no way. As the suspension bottom out it would smash the tab/hose between the bump stop and axle tube. Glad I caught it now!
If anyone has a proportioning valve heat shield and would like to email me its dimensions I would greatly appreciate it. Here's a picture of one. I can shear and brake one no problem and would like to make it as close to oem as possible.

 

[firefighter736]

I had mounted the brake hose tab on the drivers side on the top (12:00 position) and when I stepped back and looked at it said no way. As the suspension bottom out it would smash the tab/hose between the bump stop and axle tube. Glad I caught it now!
If anyone has a proportioning valve heat shield and would like to email me its dimensions I would greatly appreciate it. Here's a picture of one. I can shear and brake one no problem and would like to make it as close to oem as possible.

I may have one of these - let me check in my pile of parts. I'm going to have to move my prop valve anyway so if I can find it it's yours.

 

[mhinchliffe]

Oh, how I love karma! TIA

 

[mhinchliffe]

Did a little more work this afternoon with my little helper!

Because of the lift the factory? brake hose mount tab couldn't be used so the little guy and I used this

To make a blank to put in this

And after about 3 minutes we had this engineered and fabricated into this

Then it was on to flaring some 3/16" brake line. I decided to scrap the stainless lines that were on it and use new ones from the start that I would make. I did want to reuse the stainless spiral wound rock protector that was on them and I did. I formed most of them quite some time ago and finally got to a point that I could get the correct fittings for them. I've got all of $6 in the necessary fittings and I think $25 in the line itself, so for $31 I got new brake lines[emoji12]

Here's the right front marked for cutting

And double flared

And finally installed

And here's the left front buttoned up

Just gonna see about the heat shield and mount up the proportioning valve and make those flares and secure the lines to the frame.

Let's hope this lightning pace I've seen over these past 2 days continues and I'll have plenty of updates!

 

[mhinchliffe]

The pace hasn't slowed but I had to remind myself that Rome wasn't built in a day, though if I were running the job it would've been!
Got the two rear brake hard lines run today at lunch as work is picking up a bit as it normally does this time of year. It's not much but, hey!

Passenger side

Drivers side

Next it's the t case sort out

 

[Randyzzz]

Looking great!

 

[mhinchliffe]

Why I've been so adamant for the proportioning valve heat shield, I don't know but I had to have so I just made one. Here this guys engineering interpretation of the AMC original.

And as Classic Enterprises puts on their parts, made in USA![emoji2]. I kind of stole that from Certifiable Jeeps thread [emoji106]🏻

Then because I just "want" to have a twin stick I'm this far in the process of making the selector lever tabs. I got the drawings from Toybox off-road via the web for nothing and took some 1-1/2" X 1/4" flat stock and off to the mill I went. These are gravy to make and I may be persuaded to make more with a pm. On that note, if you've got a Dana 300 shifter laying around let me know as I now need one.

The best thing about it tonight was that me and the little guy got to hang out in the shop. He made his mother a Valentine's Day gift. He is so proud of what he made it was just a cool night

 

[Randyzzz]

The best thing about it tonight was that me and the little guy got to hang out in the shop. He made his mother a Valentine's Day gift. He is so proud of what he made it was just a cool night

Awesome!

 

[zr10054]

I Have a shifter for $300.00 and I'll throw in the 300 transfer case free.

 

[jims chop shop]

That's quality work man !
Glad you are happy with the parts I sent you !

 

[mhinchliffe]

Thanks Randy! Appreciate it. Dennis, you're killing me! Jim, I've got the direct dial to your parts store and I know I'll always get good stuff.
Now to decide what to do today............

 

[zr10054]

Thanks Randy! Appreciate it. Dennis, you're killing me! Jim, I've got the direct dial to your parts store and I know I'll always get good stuff.
Now to decide what to do today............

If I had a extra shifter I would be happy to give it to you.

 

[zr10054]

This is why we build our own.

 

[mhinchliffe]

Well I've picked up a few more parts but none of the big stuff yet. I've got my left fender. What I had done was base/clear on the exterior and tinted liner on the inside and under side. Under the hood the firewall will be shiny and not lined.

This one has to get the hole that to PO had drilled thru for his sliders. My paint guy missed it. We're clear on these now.

Then I put the Omix Ada plastic glove box in and installed my push button on the door itself. Then the door went on the dash. It took some adjusting of the latch tab holes to get it to stay shut.

And another

Through the CJ8 network I came across an older Warn W stamped winch plate that needed let's say some straightening. This came from The Wicked Winch of the West, ha ha! I put the heat to it and 3 lb beater on an oak log and got it really straight. Then for some final tweaking it was off to the press to put the finishing touches on it.

Here's the big bend

The cheap but indispensable harbor freight shop press

And working out the kinks

The next two are shots of the front and back edges.

Not too bad if I do say so.

Here's the W stamp

More coming.........