So I’ve went down the rabbit hole...
Let me give some back story. When I was a child my dad had a Scrambler that he loved but around the end of highschool, he had to sell it. He always talked about, and how he should have never sold it. So I was keeping my eye out passively, more for him then me. Well about 18 months ago I had notice one on EBay, looked pretty good and the price was good, no reserve, and little time left. So without thinking I threw a bid at it and forwarded it to dad. Well low and behold I won the auction, got it shipped from PA to FL, went through the hassle of getting it registered and am now the proud owner of my own CJ8. I’ve talked about give it to dad but he doesn’t really have a place to properly store it and he’s pretty deep his 57’ so at least for the time being she’s mine.
The Scram was in surprisingly good condition, especially for a sight unseen Ebay purchase. It had a fresh paint job, a PO had converted to EFI (tbi kit, I believe). Started right up and ran pretty good, had to chase a few minor gremlins. But all and all pretty solid. So I’ve just been kinda enjoying it for the past 18 months. I did have a issue at times where it seemed like to would be struggling for fuel. I have been pretty much keeping the tank full and that has mostly rectified the issue. So I assume it was the pickup and/or junk in the tank. Ordered a new tank, pickup and replacement skid plate, as mine has large missing rusted out pieces. Before dropping the tank I noticed the leafs looking really tired and decided why not replace. While the exterior looked good, the floor had been patch not perfect but decent enough and the body seem pretty solid. The old coating on the frame was dull and flaking; which always bothered me, nothing was rusted through or any very heavy rust spots. So I decided, with all this extra time on my hands, I would clean up and coat the frame in por15. Frame/Body on. So I started busting all the old coating and rust off the frame and underbelly panels. Don’t ask me why but I didn’t drop the tank at that time so I’m currently going back and coating that area I couldn’t get to. With the tank out I decided I might as well replace all the fuel lines and some how my technical advisor (father-in-law) convinced me that I should replace the brake lines as well, and new springs, shoes, etc. I decided if I was going to do that, I should also do a vacuum master cylinder upgrade. Well with everything apart and cleaned up I noticed some seeping at the rear differential. After doing some research while the seals are pretty cheap and it’s probably well over due for a fluid change my understanding is I have to pull the axels and hub to get to the inner. So now I’m debating changing to one-piece axels!
Oh I left out that I returned the originally RC lift kit after reading more about the quality and the recommendations to just do a YJ conversion. So I have new OME springs, shocks, MORE shackles and both front and rear hangers. I managed to break the in frame nuts, so I will be trying my luck at replacing with nutserts.
Basically I somehow ended up in what I think would be considered a frame on restoration which I was not prepared for, financially, space or most importantly skill wise! Wish me luck.
Let me give some back story. When I was a child my dad had a Scrambler that he loved but around the end of highschool, he had to sell it. He always talked about, and how he should have never sold it. So I was keeping my eye out passively, more for him then me. Well about 18 months ago I had notice one on EBay, looked pretty good and the price was good, no reserve, and little time left. So without thinking I threw a bid at it and forwarded it to dad. Well low and behold I won the auction, got it shipped from PA to FL, went through the hassle of getting it registered and am now the proud owner of my own CJ8. I’ve talked about give it to dad but he doesn’t really have a place to properly store it and he’s pretty deep his 57’ so at least for the time being she’s mine.
The Scram was in surprisingly good condition, especially for a sight unseen Ebay purchase. It had a fresh paint job, a PO had converted to EFI (tbi kit, I believe). Started right up and ran pretty good, had to chase a few minor gremlins. But all and all pretty solid. So I’ve just been kinda enjoying it for the past 18 months. I did have a issue at times where it seemed like to would be struggling for fuel. I have been pretty much keeping the tank full and that has mostly rectified the issue. So I assume it was the pickup and/or junk in the tank. Ordered a new tank, pickup and replacement skid plate, as mine has large missing rusted out pieces. Before dropping the tank I noticed the leafs looking really tired and decided why not replace. While the exterior looked good, the floor had been patch not perfect but decent enough and the body seem pretty solid. The old coating on the frame was dull and flaking; which always bothered me, nothing was rusted through or any very heavy rust spots. So I decided, with all this extra time on my hands, I would clean up and coat the frame in por15. Frame/Body on. So I started busting all the old coating and rust off the frame and underbelly panels. Don’t ask me why but I didn’t drop the tank at that time so I’m currently going back and coating that area I couldn’t get to. With the tank out I decided I might as well replace all the fuel lines and some how my technical advisor (father-in-law) convinced me that I should replace the brake lines as well, and new springs, shoes, etc. I decided if I was going to do that, I should also do a vacuum master cylinder upgrade. Well with everything apart and cleaned up I noticed some seeping at the rear differential. After doing some research while the seals are pretty cheap and it’s probably well over due for a fluid change my understanding is I have to pull the axels and hub to get to the inner. So now I’m debating changing to one-piece axels!
Oh I left out that I returned the originally RC lift kit after reading more about the quality and the recommendations to just do a YJ conversion. So I have new OME springs, shocks, MORE shackles and both front and rear hangers. I managed to break the in frame nuts, so I will be trying my luck at replacing with nutserts.
Basically I somehow ended up in what I think would be considered a frame on restoration which I was not prepared for, financially, space or most importantly skill wise! Wish me luck.