Needing direction...

[cdvcj8]

Before I painted mine myself I talked to a few shops. I got similar prices. However, they were all restoration shops. They want to put you thru a assembly line process and they expect to make everything perfect before it's painted. I didn't want to pay the money or take the time that their process entailed. I wanted to do all the disassembly myself and then just drop off the body to be painted fairly well and I wasn't concerned with perfection as it's a Jeep There are probably good paint shops (a step above Maaco) that will do a good enough job for a lot less money, but I haven't been able to find them in my area. I think the best bet is to find a good semi-retired painter that runs a side business and who will work with you. I was give a lead by a friend that has 30+ cars and uses him. However, I was inspired by some of the guys on here (Surfjeepzx was certainly one) to do take it on. Lots of mistakes, but when I repaint it next time it will be better and it was very satisfying to say I did it myself.

 

[bigwalton]

If you're just calling asking about blasting/painting a body, most shops are going to think restoration and perfection.

I'd be really detailed with them on your thoughts but the issue is that they won't want to be held liable for issues if they don't go all the way. Think about calling a welder and asking for booger welds, that's kinda where they're coming from.

Someone doing paint on the side in a garage/shop would be ideal, as cdvcj8 mentioned. Ask around your local Jeep folks. Mike Starkebaum (Scrangler) on here would probably be a good resource in KS. He runs 4x4 Land in Topeka, you could call there and ask if he knows anyone in his network. Same deal with chiefwaho/Jason Adams. PM him here.

 

[tower210]

Just a couple of morsels of info here.....I had mine done in KS. Soda blasting the tub was about $325.......primer, paint and supplies were almost $1,300 not including any labor........ Not hard to see how it could be $3-$4k

 

[cattleman1977]

It's been an embarrassing long time since I've accomplished anything on this project. Since August we've had a baby boy, got through harvest, and have been bogged down in numerous other projects.

However, I did pick this up tonight.

$300 cash for everything. When he gets the wiring harness out I get that too. This is a reman 258 with 5000 miles on it. The transmission is a 5-speed and I think I'll stick with my 4-speed but it might be nice to have on the shelf. Maybe this will give me the inspiration to get rolling again.

As far as my paint dilemma I've kinda decided to paint the frame myself. Once I get time I'll do the sheet metal work. Then I'm going to try and have the weld spots/new metal matched since I'm partial to the patina.

 

[cattleman1977]

Found a guy locally to do some of my body work since I haven't managed to get to it. As I was looking over the things I need to load up for him I discovered this:

One of my employees must've drove over it with something... Happy. Maybe it can be fixed.

I did talk with mike from 4X4 land in Topeka on Friday. I'll likely get a lot of my parts there. Looking forward to some progress.

 

[mhinchliffe]

Gotta love employees!
Get back to it, that's what I'm telling myself too.

 

[cattleman1977]

Actually had a little progress yesterday!

I can't wait to start seeing some changes! I loaded up a bunch of things to take to the body shop. My intent was to take one project but ended up taking two:

After I loaded everything up I went to my office for an hour. I came out with ten different things on my mind, forgot the trailer was hooked up, threw the truck in reverse like I always do and proceeded to crush my bedside... Idiot. I pull trailers all the time and know better. The fact that someone drove over my windshield looks pretty minor in comparison. NEVER park a trailer where you can't drive forward if you can help it. [emoji22]

 

[zr10054]

I'm just coming to the end of repainting my Scrambler and my paint job cost will be $5K plus another $800.00 for the blasting. My painter said he actually had almost $1,000.00 more in materials than he figured. I should get the doors and top back next week.

 

[cattleman1977]

That paint job looks very good. I was hoping to get away with not repainting mine simply because I really like the patina. But given the amount of welding that needs done in probably going to have to. I will likely stick with the chestnut brown metallic.

 

[cattleman1977]

Actually accomplished something this evening. It wasn't much but some progress is better than none. The way it's looked for 9 months:

After:

I know absolutely nothing about axels. This jeep had 230,000 miles when I bought it and the speedo cable was not hooked up. I'm thinking I should just have them rebuilt. I'm going to see if Mike at 4X4Land in Topeka does axels and what it costs. Any thoughts? Anything I should consider in the process?

Sounds like the body shop has started. I'm ready to start reassembly...

 

[CJ7Pilot]

That's an interesting steering stabilizer....

If you have time, you could probably tackle the axles yourself. It's a pretty straight-forward process, but it can be time-consuming depending on how much you're changing.

On my last Jeep, I re-geared both axles, and installed Tru-Trac differentials. It was my first time working on axles, and I was pretty intimidated at first, but they turned out great!

Eventually, I'll do the same with my Scrambler axles.

Aside from that, I'm pretty sure everyone would recommend one-piece axles in the rear, if you don't already have them. This is also a good time to look at some sort of locking differential, if you think you might need it.

Have fun!

 

[Polarfire]

One-piece axles in the rear if you don't already have them. Also, you might consider different gearing depending on what size tires you're going to run and what use you have planned for it.

 

[gazzo]

Ditto on the stabilizer. That's crazy. Sure would have centered well though

 

[barrys]

Quadratec sold those. Called a "4 way steering stablizer "

Sent from my SM-J320P

 

[John N]

Quadratec sold those. Called a "4 way steering stablizer "

Sent from my SM-J320P

There were matching shocks too....I think they were called 4 Way Equilizers. Late '70's early '80's stuff.

 

[barrys]

They were still selling them this century I think. Definitely in the late 90's.

Sent from my SM-J320P

 

[MrBeep]

I highly recommend 4x4 Land. Mike has always sponsored our National Scrambles and is the host for this years in South Dakota. You won't find a more knowledgable axle person anywhere.

 

[cattleman1977]

I highly recommend 4x4 Land. Mike has always sponsored our National Scrambles and is the host for this years in South Dakota. You won't find a more knowledgable axle person anywhere.

Well that's good because I left my axels with him yesterday. He spent almost two hours with me. Based off my end goals he suggested 4.10 gears coupled with my T176 transmission and 33" tires. It currently has 2.73 gearing. I'm also putting posi-trac in the rear axel but decided against a locker at this point. I doubt I'll have the opportunity for hard core wheeling often so simple is maybe better... If any of you disagree I'd like to hear why. It is going to cost more than I'd like but given my limited experience with axels and all of the other things I need to do myself I decided to farm the axels out. I've reached the point where if this (and some projects at home) is going to get done I just can't do it all myself.

Also ordered a 4" rough country lift. I have a 2" rough country on my '78 ford and am happy with it. The money I'll save vs. a bds or re will allow me to do some other things.

He showed me several projects he's working on, it was all very impressive. It will cost about $700 to have the frame powder coated but I'm leaning towards wire wheeling it myself and using POR15.[emoji848]

After looking at a cage he built for a CJ-7 I will probably have him build a family cage that will be tied to the frame. I wish that wasn't necessary because I prefer the stock roll bar look but I am going to make this thing a six passenger jeep for myself and my family. If anyone has pictures of nice full cages I'd like to see them.

The body shop is working on my tin work. I need to order a windshield and frame and also a tailgate. Any suggestions on crown vs. omix-Ada?

I know it's sacrilege around here but I was very impressed with the line-x in a 7 he's building. I think I'm going to do my interior and underside like it.

This is where things get fun (& agonizing). I'm excited to start ordering parts and putting things back together. Thanks for all of your suggestions.

 

[cattleman1977]

There were matching shocks too....I think they were called 4 Way Equilizers. Late '70's early '80's stuff.

Mine has the matching shocks but it's all going away.

 

[tower210]

I agree completely with the 4.10s......Mike and I had that conversation and somehow I talked my way into 3.73s because I had a 4 spd and I was worried about highway. Turns out 373 wasn't low enough to satisfy me with a 4 spd (my chassis is perfectly happy at 80mph) and I ended up swapping in a t5 anyway. Wish I had done 4.10.