KISS Daily driver (keep it simple stupid)

[Interceptor]

I may have an extra half top at the end of rebuild, if I do, it will be painted Nutmeg. So I can switch up different color tops.

 

[Interceptor]

Started to put together my dash together. All went well until I went to put on wiper know. Switch came apart when I pushed know on.

 

[Interceptor]

Today is Christmas Day 2024.
I have gone past the point of no return on my KISS project.

I have resisted, for probably years, of taking the Scrambler apart. Now have have no references to reassemble.
I can't even remember what I had for breakfast yesterday.

 

[Interceptor]

Finally separated body from frame.

Going to take by a body shop just to get a price on floor set. Most likely I will be stuck doing it.

 

[Interceptor]

I wanted a hitch I could trust, not to be worried about how much tongue weight.
All the ones I saw for sell appeared to be aimed at light duty applications.
This hitch by Curt claims some high numbers for tongue weight and pulling weight. Way more than I ever plan.

It bothered me that all the other hitches bolted to the lightweight end brace only. This hitch has side bars that that bolt to the Jeep frame.

It was designed for a CJ7 or 5, it clearly stated it would not fit a CJ8. THIS IS ACCURATE. I'm hard headed and wanted this hitch, so now I will butcher up a very expensive hitch.

The problem is the rear body mounts of CJ8 are in the way of arms. My solution is to cut hitch arms to butt rear body mounts.

 

[Interceptor]

I'm sure that towing 4000 lbs will not be attainable now. I doubt I'll ever towe over 1000 lbs. So far I happy with purchase.

 

[Interceptor]

Well I cut the arms and installed. I'm completely satisfied with how it is mounted.

 

[Interceptor]

After some cutting and alignment I have completed installing my Ruged Ridge XHD aftermarket front bumper

 

[bigwalton]

It's not a bad looking bumper. I didn't have mine on long enough to use the tow points, but I was thinking I'd swap those bolts out for new grade 8s if I had kept it.

 

[bigwalton]

Well I cut the arms and installed. I'm completely satisfied with how it is mounted.

View attachment 117056View attachment 117057

Did the through-hole on the frame get an internal sleeve?

Love the way this worked out for you.

 

[Interceptor]

No sleeve, I tightened good and no collapse

 

[Interceptor]

Hitch for my rear receiver

 

[Interceptor]

Body/frame bolt kit from fellow member CJ-Jim. From his ebay store.

 

[John N]

Before you put too much faith in using your hitch as a recovery point, take a good look at the bolts that attach it to the frame and the condition of the frame where the hitch is bolted.

 

[bigwalton]

Before you put too much faith in using your hitch as a recovery point, take a good look at the bolts that attach it to the frame and the condition of the frame where the hitch is bolted.

Scroll up, he just installed the hitch. -- good point for others though.

 

[Interceptor]

Update, 4 years since I started this thread.
I almost hit the easy button and ordered a aluminum tub from Canada. Local body shop was more than a new steel body just in labor cost.
So I'm doing metal work in my yard. Used all Classinc parts

 

[Interceptor]

Still alot of work to do.

 

[gpassida]

Stay with it! It's totally worth it in the end. I'm still in shock that I pulled off my rebuild. Never did anything to that level before. And both my wife and I are amazed we drove the Scrambler 3K miles last summer to Colorado and Idaho and back to Nor. Cal. (my tow rig broke on the first leg of the trip) You will have some great adventures when you get it done!