My '81 journey. . . so far.

[scrambler4315]

This has been a roller coaster of an experience so far. But, just to get things out to maybe clear my head and also to let my fellow 8 owners know how the trip is going.

July '25) 81 Scrambler is delivered to the house. I notice right away that there are a few minor issues. Nothing big, but things I'd like to change/fix. I drive it around to the back of the house where I can work on it. I discover the following.
- Half of the switches on the dash don't work at all, DOA.
- It doesn't have the 4 speed or Dana 300 (as advertised)
- It doesn't have the 'glass tub as advertised
I tinker with it on and off, taking around the block a few times to test things out. I notice that it stalls if I hit the brake and have the turn signal on. And I find out only the right turn signal works as the clock spring is toast, so that gets replaced right away.
Aug '25) I keep fiddling with things, trying to get grounds good, still dealing with electrical issues. That continues until Nov '25 when I buy the Painless harness
Dec '25) Install the Painless wiring harness, and in the process I find all kinds of splices and just cut wires in the factory harness I pull out. I would have spend months chasing all of that. I get the harness in, some things work some things don't. I find a blown fuse right off the bat and the one relay for the turn signals doesn't work. Headlights and front running lights don't come on. Fuel gauge isn't working again but I may have wired that backwards, and my back up lights don't work. I spend several days fixing bad grounds (not in the Painless harness, on the Jeep). I get the front lights working (still don't know how). I get the turn signals working, that is how I found the bad relay. Now the backup lights. This is where I really kick myself. I am trouble shooting them as I had to replace the reverse switch and I know it is wired correctly. My dumbass put the tail light lenses on upside down, and yes, they have "TOP" stamped in them. Flip the lenses, and my backup lights work!
Now I just need to figure out why this stupid DuraSpark ignition isn't letting me start the Jeep. I have 12V at the coil, but she won't fire. I still have to put some shrink tube on a few of the wires I won't need, like the clock and tach. I don't have either of them.
The list of "This needs fixed" keeps getting longer and longer, and I don't seem to see an end. But, I have one beautiful Scrambler to tinker with, Rowena is her name.

The list of good far outweighs the bad. The 'glass tub is actually full steel, and most likely original as it has the VIN plate still riveted to the firewall and the sides are stamped "Jeep" not "Joop" or smooth. It has a good running 258 with a knockoff Weber 38 carb, the T150 3 speed is smooth enough for around town, and the Dana 20 transfer case works well. I need to adjust the shift boots so they don't mess with the 4wd engagement. I still need to fix the entire heating system. Heater core has been bypassed and I don't know if the fan motor works as the switch to turn it on is seized up and does nothing. But the ducting is there (except for the defroster mid hose) The frame is solid and the axles, even tho they are narrow trac, are in good shape. New brakes front and rear, decent tires, nice wheels. I do plan to upgrade to an HEI Ignition, but hopefully I can get her running again before then.

What I have gotten done, really does make me feel good and gives me some satisfaction that she will be on the road again soon. My goal is to drive her to work by the end of January. Wish me luck, I have a feeling I'm going to need it!

 

[Kim Dawson]

Sounds like you bought it without actually seeing it. Must have been a good price. Big plus on the steel body. You've really been working steady on it. Congradulations. Pictures?

 

[scrambler4315]

It was bought, mostly sight unseen. I saw quite a few pictures on the site where it was being sold, but I didn't get a chance to look first hand as it was in Rhode Island and I'm in Nevada lol. It was, in my opinion, a good deal. I have been steadily working on it, trying to fix the mistakes of the previous "restorer" and also to make it my own. I will have to get some new pictures with the dash from my 84 and some of the other little things I have done. Took the half aluminum doors off, might sell those. Took the back seat out, probably going to try and sell that. As for the rest of the "issues", I look at them as an opportunity to make this Scrambler better. Plus I put pride in doing it the right way and not cutting too many egregious corners haha.

 

[barrys]

Have you posted any pictures of your Jeep? We want to see some!

 

[Kirk]

Did you purchase this CJ8 from Smithfield Classic Cars? If so, I looked at this (red) CJ8, test drove it, and seriously considered buying it. I thought it was odd that it had a 3-speed transmission and was curious how it would perform on the highway. I did find a post where someone in FL was working on it before it went up for auction; I'll see if I can find that post for you.

 

[Kirk]

The dealer didn't know that the body wasn't fiberglass or that it was a 3-speed. I actually asked the dealership about fixing the switches on the dash; apparently, they never did. If you were not aware, the dealer also needed to have the transmission rebuilt before he shipped it from FL to his dealership in RI. I thought the frame and body looked good, but you are right, it still needs a few things, but nothing big.

If you click on the OP name in the following post, you will find additional photos and posts of the work he did as a previous owner, including paint: https://www.facebook.com/share/1TffjYNVLx/

 

[scrambler4315]

As a matter of fact I did buy it from them. I know it sounds like a lot of complaints, but yes the body and frame are all in great shape. The fixes, other than the electrical issues, aren’t really that hard to deal with. It’s just the time and effort.
No, they never fixed a bloody thing lol. But at then end of the day, what I’m going to be using the Jeep for, it’s just fine and if I really want a 5 speed, I have a T5 with a Dana 300 with bell housing I can swap in.

 

[scrambler4315]

The dash that was in it was a hacked up stainless steel POS. I put the dash from the pile of parts from my 84 8. Looks odd, but I’m too old to actually care.

 

[scrambler4315]

I just looked at the FaceBook posts and what not from the OP in the post you linked. I have to really question what he actually did now. The dash is different than what was in it when I got it, no floor mats at all, the decals are gone off the hood. A bit of head scratching going on over here. Eh, I don't think I will fester on it too much, she is all mine now and I can give her the love and attention she needs to be a proper driver. Once I get the HEI ignition for her, and get her running right again, then I will get my "To Do" list together and get her right, well as right as I can. But I plan on putting some work and miles into her!

 

[barrys]

It looks nice!
A dealer not being able to tell if an old Jeep body is fiberglass or steel is pretty bad(everybody has a magnet). Would honestly make me not believe much of anything they would say about any vehicle they sell.

 

[Kirk]

It appears that someone purchased it and made additional changes at some point. Regardless, I just thought the FB posts might give you additional insight into it’s history. Good luck with it, I look forward to seeing what changes you make, to make it your own!

 

[scrambler4315]

It appears that someone purchased it and made additional changes at some point. Regardless, I just thought the FB posts might give you additional insight into it’s history. Good luck with it, I look forward to seeing what changes you make, to make it your own!

It does, actually. It is kind of cool to see a previous iteration of the Jeep and seeing where it was when I got it home, and then yet today when I have done a few things already. Thank you for that information.