KFingerlos

While the cleaning goes on (and I’m off between the holidays) starting to prep a new rear axle. Ford 8.8 to replace the D35 when I do the 4x4 conversion.

Mrs. has been cleaning seats, and some matching door cards. Really looking forward to having a place for a center console and some cup holders. No power steering and a manual transmission means I really need a place to put my Pepsi.

Today’s project... starting to prep to install XJ bucket seats. Many thanks to those who’ve gone before. Pulling the 4 bolts from the seat cushion, then the 4 to release the sliders from the frame. Then drill out the 6 rivets holding the XJ brackets to the sliders. And repeat. Leaves me with two sets of sliders. Need to clean the seats and paint the MJ brackets (new reproduction).

Figured I’d start a thread on this build. Coming up on the point where I’ll start making changes. First, the patient, this is a 1991 SWB, 2wd, 2.5L that is as base as you can get. Even had the “radio delete” option. Purchased non-running with a best guess that it’d been off the road for a decade. Previous owner had acquired a sport bar, but hadn’t mounted it (project for later) the story so far. After draining 5 gallons of varnish from the fuel tank, an acid wash, and new filter pump and sender I was able to jump start it. After a set of new injectors it ran on 4 cylinders. after a new set of rockers, push-rods, and lifters I still have a tick-tick-tick in the top end. Going to ‘fix’ that by installing a stereo. With that I’ve been slowly acquiring bits from the u-pull to to replace broken and damaged interior bits and to eventually support conversion to 4wd. I expect eventually to repaint the truck, keeping the Colorado Red color. 4wd conversion, and a SOA lift. End result to be a daily driver, parts runner, and mild to moderate wheeler.

Owned by me, passed a road-worthiness inspection with the State of Colorado today. It runs, it drives, it stops. Beyond it eventually being 4wd need to firm up details of my plans and timeline.