neohic

I built one years ago that utilized a stock fuel pump assembly in a square box behind the cab. Half was fuel and half was a toolbox. It was right around 30 gallons and used the factory fuel gauge.

NEAT!!! This confirms what the second owner told me that the truck was originally from Washington. Seattle, Minnesota, and then Colorado.

Ceiling panels next.

Christian Hazel of Four Wheeler recently put out an article about five Jeeps that we should all own at some point. Here: https://www.fourwheeler.com/news/features/5-classic-jeeps-you-need-to-own/ Can’t say I totally agree but it totally got me thinking. What would be my list? Do I need to have at least driven everything on it? While I’m not 100% set and I might even regret a decision or two, here’s my list: 1.) Intermediate CJ5 (1972-1975) Yup... I’m absolutely being bias here as this is currently my daily driver. I agree with the article that the intermediates were that magic era where AMC took over and put their engines in them, but also before the build quality fell off the map. The ‘72-‘75s were just modern enough that simple bolt ons or 4.0 swaps are easy enough to really make a good driver out of them. They keep the vintage feel and bare bones vibe of the original Jeep yet still have the option to enjoy driving it everyday. Definitely #1 on my list. 2.) Any Wagoneer I’ve never owned one but I’ve driven a few. These Jeeps are all too easy to make up memories that never actually happened to you! One sit in the driver seat (especially the early models) and all the sudden it’s 1966 and you’ve got the family loaded up on your way to see Mount Rushmore or you’re on your way back home to surprise the family with this years Christmas tree on the roof. These things are just beautiful cruisers regardless of what drivetrain it has and are the purist form of “road sofa” I can imagine. 3.) Willys edition JK two door I’m just as surprised to see a JK on my list as you are. That said, not a Rubicon?... too much hype. The Willys edition was a bit of a throwback for me in terms of stock equipment and options. Sure, they could be completely dripping in all the whiz-bang things but the Willys package was offered as a bit of a stripper model but with the right parts where it counted. They had the later 3.6 engine, the six speed manual, and limited slip 4.10 gears. I think the Rubicon transfer case is overrated behind a manual trans as is the front Dana 44. These little rigs in stock form with the addition of a cheap mechanical locker in the front is easily on my list especially now that JK prices are finally starting to come down. 4.) Any cheap XJ EVERYONE needs to experience a cheap XJ wheeler! Scratches?... pinstripes. Dents?... plungers fix the big ones. It finally died?... get another. I loved my Cherokee before it went off to the Grim Jeepee in the sky. That thing went everywhere it was pointed and I like to think it had a big, dumb smile the whole time getting bounced off rocks and hung in trees. 5.) Any flat fender CJ These things keep you humble. At any point you’re having a rough day you can hop in a flat fender, put the windshield down, and putter along at 45 mph all while feeling at least a smirk creep onto your face. The first run of CJs had more in common with tractors than they did with any other vehicle when they were new and now. Simplicity is key here and I’d take it a step further in saying that I’d rather have a completely original flatty than a restored one just because of how every rust hole, dent, and farm engineered modification tells a story. That’s my list! Suppose I should put the Comanche as at least an honorable mention. They’re odd and now they’re really getting hard to find a good example, but, as far as driving them, I’d put it on par with a first generation XJ. My personal Comanche is full of personal memories but I think I could’ve had those in so many other vehicles just the same. Anyhow... what’s your list?

Got a little snow overnight. ... but today the high is in the mid 40s. So? Doors always come off over 40°! Having somewhere to go on a chilly day is my happy place.

Feels good to not be the only one to be MJOTM twice anymore! Well deserved, Wade. Can’t believe how much of a transformation it’s been!

Merged the two threads to keep the conversation going. Such a great looking MJ!

I’m pretty sure the engine is out of an ‘89 or ‘90 YJ as it’s got the later valve cover and even a few Chrysler stamps. The old cable was a bit of a cobble. This one is about two inches longer but there’s no cable clamps!

Rob, eh? I heard he was still doing Comanche stuff every once in a while. Any pictures of the Laredo?

Dang! Been a while, eh? Any pictures of said Datsun?... or an update on your Chief for that matter? ... yup, thread high jacked.

So many slow moving projects to tackle. I decided to make my own trim this time around just to break to the steel panels. Everything is based on 2x4s and are just ran through the table saw and routed to get the right contours. The overhang finishes and trues up the wainscoting and the top inch thickness matches the 1/2” OSB I’m using for nailers on the walls. I need to finish up the nailers on the front wall before I can wrap up the trim cap. It’s far enough to get a measurement for the top 2/3 of the walls though. Started on the nailers on the ceiling too. ... more to come. I picked up another little trinket this weekend to get me thinking about things. I think I’ve dated it to 1904 or 1905. Will it end up in the shop?... probably not. It’s got a broken hinge that I’ll fix eventually. A friend of mine was using it as a fence post and he offered it to me a while back. I think I’ve got plans for it?... stay tuned for that hopeful future thread.

The other day I was driving to the hill to my place and then “CLUNK!!!”... my food goes right to the floor. It was still running as well as it does so I figured it was just the throttle cable. Low range/first gear made for a slow idling rest of the way home. Took a closer look and rattled the dice on a 1990 Wrangler cable. Only had to wait a couple days on the local parts store but the fit was perfect!

Hell yeah!

Super slow pitch project today. Got all but the three tiny pieces of wainscoting on the front wall done. Need to make up the trim cap and then get going on the ceiling. Can’t wait to see the reflection of the next project in the wall!

It’d look good with a camper behind it. Such an amazing looking truck.

Ceiling it gonna be BRIGHT!!

Understatement.

Bump. For the last nine months I’ve been working in a shop that builds fossil recreations for museums.

It bugs me to a point when Jeep... Stellantis?... uses older CJs in their ads. I get it that they’re trying to show the soul and the history behind the name. What gets me is they’re doing this after all the lawsuits with Mahindra and the total lack of intention of ever producing another true utilitarian vehicle. Either be what you advertise or start embracing what you’ve become. It’s like selling the sizzle without the steak.

Trying to finish the interior of my shop first so I’m not working around it.

Vapor barrier is done. More cleanup is done. I’m ready to start putting up wainscoting when it comes in. As part of more clean up I was able to downsize how I was keeping material mobile so I could move “the pile” around depending on where I was working. There’s still a cart but it’s now nothing more than a glorified skate board. Feels pretty good to see the majority of the walls.

Well, ya see... The original plan of where the walk door and the windows was a little different from where they ended up. Obviously that piece of conduit was dropped in the ground before the concrete was poured too. I like having exposed conduit in my shop so I can add circuits easier in the future and I like having less outlets per breaker for less load while I’ve got a bunch of stuff going on... this means more conduit. Then there was a big demo job I was a part of that I was careful about pulling all of the (nearly brand new) wire out that’ll cover about all of the 110v in the shop. So now I’m wiring the 110v side of my shop for only the cost of conduit... which is expensive. Long story short: I moved the breaker box location because I thought it’d look funny between the windows, my wire was free, conduit is expensive, and I’d save the cost on conduit if the box is closer to where the majority of the outlets will be. ... I guess it made sense in my head?