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My old 1981 SCRAMBLER returns 25 years later

I moved the Scrambler back in the shop when I finished with my hay bine. I was working on detailing a 2015 Equinox repo I picked up for my daughter.......and I have the attention span of a squirrel. The Jeep was sitting there, looking dusty and sad from sitting. The top has gotten faded and stained after 10 years of sun and trails. I use Meguiars Ultimate Black on all of my black plastic, works awesome. Since I had a bottle in my hand, why not the Jeep top? vinyl is plastic?

Full disclosure, The top was dusty from sitting in the hay barn all winter, I didn't wash it 1st.

This is after one application, I usually do at least two on neglected plastic

After 2 days the top still looks almost new. And judging from past use, should last most of the summer, if not longer.

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The Meguiars even took the mud strains off, I had tried all kinds of stuff, even power tools
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jbeemer said:
My A.D.D. is flaring up again............:huh:

Put a new brake shaft retainer plate in my 8274, my had shape to it. I didn't realize it was supposed to be flat until it was back together. so I order one and replaced it it.


Also picked up a 300w light bar just in case it gets dark

Did a test fit.

Made some stainless brackets to mount it

Hooked the booster pack to it, just for fun


Started putting the JB conversions HD front out in the tcase


Started on the in cab cage


Click to expand...
This is really cool. Im working on my 84 Scrambler that has sat for 18 years. What size tubing is your cab cage made from?
 
84 Scrambler said:
This is really cool. Im working on my 84 Scrambler that has sat for 18 years. What size tubing is your cab cage made from?
Click to expand...
I just realized I hadn't replied to you...........

The main hoop is stock. The front parts are 1 7/8" OD. That's what I had dies to bend
 
Been awhile since I did any updates...........

I brought the Jeep in the shop to do some winter maintenance and repairs, hard to believe it's been 11 years and almost 50K miles.

Here is the list I had started before I brought it in.


Straighten rear axle
Change rear diff
Change front diff
Paint front diff cover
Paint rear diff cover
Front Sway bar bushings
Rear Sway bar bushings
AC leak (coil under dash?)
Clean carpet
Change oil?
Coilover duel rate locknuts
Paint front bumper
Paint rear bumper
Grease super joints
Move drivers rear bumper stop forward
Change power steering filter
Clean air filter
Grease CV joint
Move track bar bracket up 2 inches
Replace Track bar rod ends
Paint drag link
Remove leaf spring hanger

And because :needpic:

The rear axle was warped from welding years ago, I heat shrunk the bottom and got the camber straight out way back then. The Jeep always had a slight pull to the right. after many times aligning the front end, and adjusting links, over many years. I checked the Rear axle toe.......It was toed out a 1/2". I used a few chains, a come-a-long, some steel tube, some wood blocks, some torch heat, some water cool, and several hours. But it is now within 1/16" toe and camber.

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I'm now committed to the links and coilovers, the leaf spring mount is gone........

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My track bar bracket angle was off by 2" in height from a last minute pitman arm change. It cause very slight bump steer, not enough to cause drivability, but I noticed. So I moved the cross brace up. filled the holes in the bracket, redrilled, added doublers on the holes, and moved it up. I also replaced the heims that had some play and painted.

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In between work and snowmobiles running down our horse fence. (n)


More Cleaning and maintenance..........

I think I'm gaining on my list faster than I'm adding to it.


Straighten rear axle

Change rear diff

Change front diff

PAint front diff cover

Paint rear diff cover

Front Sway bar bushings

Rear Sway bar bushings

Polish wheels

Paint front bumper

Paint rear bumper

Grease super joints

Move drivers rear bumper stop forward

Grease CV joint

Move track bar bracket up 2 inches

Replace Track bar rod ends

Paint drag link

Clean lug nuts

Paint front driveshaft

Adjust limit straps

Square up axles

Replace front lower link Grease zert

Replace king pin Grease zert

AC leak (coil under dash?)

Clean carpet

Change oil?

Coilover duel rate locknuts

Change power steering filter

Clean air filter


My wheels were getting really dull, and the beadlock rings would make you bleed from rock Rasch. So I took my die grinder with scotchbrite, then Mothers to polish them.
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I bought my shocks used about 10 years ago. They have always been gray, but were turning black in spots. I tried cleaner wax, nothing. I tried Mothers polish, nothing. I tried Brasso polish, Nothing. Then I tried a 30 year old tube of Simichrome, bingo. To my surprise, the shocks have some type of chrome on them. So with a $40 can of Simichrome, most of a roll of microfiber towels, and many hours. The shocks are starting to shine.
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And the freshly painted bumpers
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