Another Scrambler Purchase/Road Trip - UPDATE- BODY ON FRAME AGAIN
- Thread starter spankrjs
- Start date
- City
- Biloxi
- State
- MS
- City
- Biloxi
- State
- MS
Well, the steam cleaner did great, maybe too good. It uncovered some "hidden issues", as well as caused a few.
The steam cleaner removed 90% of the factory Nutmeg color, which also removed the texture. It also removed all of the white paint.
But, the steam cleaner caused all of these short/shallow gashes, which would be visible through the paint.
It also uncovered all these weird round hole depressions on the inside:
I also uncovered some bare areas, where the gel-coat was completely chipped away:
The 1/2 hard top fits easily inside the back of the tan Scrambler (with Acme full hard top), and due to a time crunch, I took it to a body shop.
The body shop is going to repair the missing/damaged gel-coat, re-prime the entire top, then paint it. The guy at the shop said he has repainted three other jeep hard tops, so I feel confident. He said he could replicate/duplicate the textured finish, too. I am going to paint the entire top, inside and out, with the same Nutmeg/brown color as my green Scrambler's top.
He said it should be done by Wednesday
That should give me enough time to get the glass/seals reinstalled before Moab. I hope it fits over the POS aftermarket windshield frame
That's it for now
The steam cleaner removed 90% of the factory Nutmeg color, which also removed the texture. It also removed all of the white paint.
But, the steam cleaner caused all of these short/shallow gashes, which would be visible through the paint.
It also uncovered all these weird round hole depressions on the inside:
I also uncovered some bare areas, where the gel-coat was completely chipped away:
The 1/2 hard top fits easily inside the back of the tan Scrambler (with Acme full hard top), and due to a time crunch, I took it to a body shop.
The body shop is going to repair the missing/damaged gel-coat, re-prime the entire top, then paint it. The guy at the shop said he has repainted three other jeep hard tops, so I feel confident. He said he could replicate/duplicate the textured finish, too. I am going to paint the entire top, inside and out, with the same Nutmeg/brown color as my green Scrambler's top.
He said it should be done by Wednesday
That should give me enough time to get the glass/seals reinstalled before Moab. I hope it fits over the POS aftermarket windshield frameThat's it for now
- City
- Dillsboro
- State
- IN
- City
- Biloxi
- State
- MS
Thats 'cause he's FAMOUS! :headband:
I think y'all two will see the finished product in Moab, before the "before" pictures even start working on Photobucket again
- City
- Biloxi
- State
- MS
The painter is running late, I should get the top back Thursday night, leave for Moab on Saturday, hope it fits/can get the glass back in
As for the "color", I just chose to paint it the same color as my green Scrambler's hard top, "Dupont 29607H Brown". EDIT - I just picked a color from a color chart, will have to post a code once I get some pictures up. The color I picked has a bit more "red/tan" to it, looks good, not a "perfect" match.
The painter was able to source/find the actual factory stuff, Ditzler Code 24163, which is the textured Nutmeg paint used on the hard tops, but it was close to $400 a quart, so I passed
I'm not doing a "restoration", so that seemed kind of steep, just for the paint
Besides trying to fit/get the 1/2 hart top ready, this past week/weekend has been spent:
1) re-torqueing all the suspension bolts (changed u-bolts/main eye bushings 1,000 miles ago)
2) re-torqued all the transmission/transfer case/bell housing and associated bolts (AX15 swap 1,000 miles ago)
3) windshield wiper binding issues (90% there)
4) fixed the radio!!!!!!!!
5) greased all the suspension points (messy)
6) checked/changed transfer case oil/greased all the steering and u-joints etc.
Still need to:
1) change engine oil
2) change rear leaf spring bushings (shackle end)
3) install 1/2 hard top
4) pack tools/spares
Then hit the road toward Moab on Saturday
Nothing picture worthy, that's it for now
As for the "color", I just chose to paint it the same color as my green Scrambler's hard top, "Dupont 29607H Brown". EDIT - I just picked a color from a color chart, will have to post a code once I get some pictures up. The color I picked has a bit more "red/tan" to it, looks good, not a "perfect" match.
The painter was able to source/find the actual factory stuff, Ditzler Code 24163, which is the textured Nutmeg paint used on the hard tops, but it was close to $400 a quart, so I passed
I'm not doing a "restoration", so that seemed kind of steep, just for the paintBesides trying to fit/get the 1/2 hart top ready, this past week/weekend has been spent:
1) re-torqueing all the suspension bolts (changed u-bolts/main eye bushings 1,000 miles ago)
2) re-torqued all the transmission/transfer case/bell housing and associated bolts (AX15 swap 1,000 miles ago)
3) windshield wiper binding issues (90% there)
4) fixed the radio!!!!!!!!
5) greased all the suspension points (messy)
6) checked/changed transfer case oil/greased all the steering and u-joints etc.
Still need to:
1) change engine oil
2) change rear leaf spring bushings (shackle end)
3) install 1/2 hard top
4) pack tools/spares
Then hit the road toward Moab on Saturday
Nothing picture worthy, that's it for now
Last edited:
again. 
- City
- Landing
- State
- NJ
Need to get that SpankRJS photobucket fundraiser thread going again! 
- City
- Biloxi
- State
- MS
Need to get that SpankRJS photobucket fundraiser thread going again!
LOL
We can make do with some of your pictures for a while
- City
- Biloxi
- State
- MS
The painter is running late, I should get the top back Thursday night, leave for Moab on Saturday, hope it fits/can get the glass back in
As for the "color", I just chose to paint it the same color as my green Scrambler's hard top, "Dupont 29607H Brown".
The painter was able to source/find the actual factory stuff, Ditzler Code 24163, which is the textured Nutmeg paint used on the hard tops, but it was close to $400 a quart, so I passed
Besides trying to fit/get the 1/2 hart top ready, this past week/weekend has been spent:
1) re-torqueing all the suspension bolts (changed u-bolts/main eye bushings 1,000 miles ago)
2) re-torqued all the transmission/transfer case/bell housing and associated bolts (AX15 swap 1,000 miles ago)
3) windshield wiper binding issues (90% there)
4) fixed the radio!!!!!!!!
5) greased all the suspension points (messy)
6) checked/changed transfer case oil/greased all the steering and u-joints etc.
Still need to:
1) change engine oil
2) change rear leaf spring bushings (shackle end)
3) install 1/2 hard top
4) pack tools/spares
Then hit the road toward Moab on Saturday
Nothing picture worthy, that's it for now
Still need to:
1) change engine oil - Good for now, will get it changed before I head back from Moab
2) change rear leaf spring bushings (shackle end) - CHECK
3) install 1/2 hard top - CHECK, what a PIA
4) pack tools/spares - Tonight
Then hit the road toward Moab on Saturday
I picked up the 1/2 hard top yesterday, and with the help of my good buddy Chuck, we got it on. Amazingly, it fit perfect with the aftermarket windshield. The painter pop riveted the front metal strip back on, like stock. At first, the front edge of the top would not sit down far enough, i.e. the metal strip was not far enough down on the windshield. But, Chuck laid across the front edge of the top, which got it down. I was able to install 3 of the 5 screws on the front metal strip, I could not drill the two on the either outer edge, my roll cage gets in the way. The first time I fold the windshield frame down I can drill these two holes. On the back edge, one of the four inserts is missing, so I have 3 bolts holding it down.
We were also able to reinstall the rear glass/seal. Neither one of us had ever done this, took us about 1.5 hours, but we got it. I sure hope the 1/2 hard top makes a huge improvement in comfort, this was a bunch of work to do in a rush/last minute.
I just need to pack up my tools, spare parts, cooler, and clothes, then head out to Moab first thing tomorrow morning.
That's it for now
- City
- Baton Rouge
- State
- La
Awesome!
- City
- Biloxi
- State
- MS
See you Monday!
Look forward to it
Where did I put that Nutmeg, complete, 1/2 soft top with all hardware
- City
- Baton Rouge
- State
- La
Where did I put that Nutmeg, complete, 1/2 soft top with all hardware[/QUOTE]
I believe warehouse 3 isle 17 row 6 on the 4th shelf. If my memory serves me correct.
[/QUOTE]I believe warehouse 3 isle 17 row 6 on the 4th shelf. If my memory serves me correct.
- City
- Landing
- State
- NJ
Last time I saw it , it was in the bedroom closet, first floor.
- City
- Biloxi
- State
- MS
Sorry for the delay, here are a few pictures of the painted 1/2 hard top before I went to Moab:
I just tried to color match the Phoenix Graphics "door appliques" color as close as I could, matches pretty good. I need to get some new "door appliques"; I should have cut them off instead of wrapping them.
The painter did a good job giving the finish some "texture":
It was a good thing I let the 1/2 soft top at home. For almost the entire tip, there and back, I was fighting a strong head wind. I think the wind would have shredded the Whitco 1/2 soft top.
Loaded up for the trip to Moab:
Two "Moab Mall Crawler" shots, parking lot at the entrance to Arches National Park:
The Scrambler made it there, wheeled, and made it back home relatively easy. I had one issue on the way to Moab: In New Mexico, fighting a strong head wind for over 2.5 hours at 70mph, I got the engine to vapor lock. I thought it was the fuel pump, changed it on the side of the highway. Drove a bit more, it sputtered again. So, to restart it, I dumped a bit of fuel directly down the throttle body, it boiled off the throttle plate it was so hot!!!!!!!!! So, backed it down to 60mph until I got into Colorado. Refilled the tank with 91 octane (I was running 86 octane when it vapor locked, and I think it was crap fuel, too), never had another issue Well, except for the rear view mirror getting shook off the windshield when running down a wash board road, and a loose brake light, other then that, it was a great, trouble free trip.
The 4:1 first gear AX15 worked great, too.
That's it for now.
I just tried to color match the Phoenix Graphics "door appliques" color as close as I could, matches pretty good. I need to get some new "door appliques"; I should have cut them off instead of wrapping them.
The painter did a good job giving the finish some "texture":
It was a good thing I let the 1/2 soft top at home. For almost the entire tip, there and back, I was fighting a strong head wind. I think the wind would have shredded the Whitco 1/2 soft top.
Loaded up for the trip to Moab:
Two "Moab Mall Crawler" shots, parking lot at the entrance to Arches National Park:
The Scrambler made it there, wheeled, and made it back home relatively easy. I had one issue on the way to Moab: In New Mexico, fighting a strong head wind for over 2.5 hours at 70mph, I got the engine to vapor lock. I thought it was the fuel pump, changed it on the side of the highway. Drove a bit more, it sputtered again. So, to restart it, I dumped a bit of fuel directly down the throttle body, it boiled off the throttle plate it was so hot!!!!!!!!! So, backed it down to 60mph until I got into Colorado. Refilled the tank with 91 octane (I was running 86 octane when it vapor locked, and I think it was crap fuel, too), never had another issue
Well, except for the rear view mirror getting shook off the windshield when running down a wash board road, and a loose brake light, other then that, it was a great, trouble free trip.The 4:1 first gear AX15 worked great, too.
That's it for now.
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- City
- Dallas
- State
- tx
Wow what a nice rig….I've always had a soft spot for red…man that tan top really sets it off ..
- City
- Cincinnati
- State
- Oh
Note to self: get 4:1 gears in the T-case, if I am going to follow behind "out for a leisurely stroll" Raymond again.
That's O.K. I think I might have the advantage in the sand at Silver Lake this August.
That top looks fabulous, BTW.
That's O.K. I think I might have the advantage in the sand at Silver Lake this August.
That top looks fabulous, BTW.
- City
- Drummond Island
- State
- MI
4:1 is nice - you get a more complete range since 4th low = 1st high numerically. It was nice on those sandstone ups and downs.