neohic

Wow. https://www.motortrend.com/cars/ford/bronco/2021/2021-ford-bronco-first-look/ I’d say Ford definitely did their homework in terms of what makes the Wrangler such a hit. The seemingly easy ways to make it your own, the option packages, and the coil over suspension paving the way for huge aftermarket upgrades really shows why Ford took the time they did to release the new Bronco. That “Sasquatch Package” that can be added to any trim level that includes 35s and a rear locker?... sweet! If I were to go out and decide between this and the Wrangler, it’d be a no brainer. Jeep has been doing the same routine for years because it works for them and it’s great! The technology, safety, and availability in the aftermarket continues to expand but their core of the Wrangler remains the same. I say it’s about time there’s a modern removable top 4x4 on the to shake things up! Given a big bag of money, I’d be a Bronco driver.

That looks like a great truck for someone who wants to clean it up and keep it as an honest, well optioned, original truck.

I remember seeing that truck in Troy’s (yellaheep) storage yard. That is such a good truck! Wish I was looking to buy.

Same catalogues I’ve got too. Saw mine come directly out of the printing box they would’ve been shipped in.

Been real itchy to pull the tin top off lately again. It hasn't been off since it went on to "check clearances" when the roll cage went in. I've got a bikini top but nothing to keep the rain out being it parks outside. No... it will not be going in the new shop. If anything is going to start living in there it'll be my Eliminator. There's a few companies that make trail covers which are essentially just bomber cap looking tops that the ear flaps go all the way down to the rockers. Try and find one that'll work with an early CJ though... nope. Might try and play around with a canvas tarp. I really need a soft top.

I washed my wife’s car today which got me thinking about the Comet wash from last year. How’s it holding up? August, 2019: Today: Meh... not terrible?... but not red either. It doesn’t have that chalky feel to it before the Comet but it obviously hasn’t kept the color. Whatever. Maybe I’ll hit it with another bottle of NuFinish... maybe.

Hell yeah!!

Bump for an update? Nick hasn’t been around here for a couple years but it’d still be nice to see what happened next.

Okay... NOW my roof is totally done. That is, until I figure gutters, anyhow. Tough to see but I trimmed out where my exterior lights are going to go also. Then I got rained out for what looks like the rest of the day... as per usual for trying to work on a weekend.

The retaining wall and garage floor were poured at the same time. Carport, apron, and walkway between the retaining wall and the garage floor were poured the following day.

Interesting. Didn’t know the TJ mini console was a thing. Neat!

I don’t necessarily have a year to complete, but I did have to ask for a six month extension due to me not having any inspections of activity that the county knew about over the entire winter. The structure is really all they care about until I have my “final”. I have until October before I’ll need to pay for an extension... hopefully I’ll have my permit satisfied by then. Really I just need to have an inspector out to have a look at things. Good catch with the tree too, Brent! It was my intent to see growth with taking my pictures in the same spot every time.

Plans for the doors?

You're right! Done and done.

Damn shame. He was a wealth of knowledge and a real gentleman from the times I've passed messages with him. You will be missed.

Any idea the story behind this carcass? Truck looks familiar.

Another day of sneaking in time between needing to get other stuff done and dodging the weather. Three sides are totally done minus slinging some silicone around the window frames. Almost forgot about the snow bars still needing to get on the roof... I found those tucked in a corner. Still a long road ahead.

Perhaps. Not quite on my radar just yet. I need to get the other structure up and basic wiring done so I can get my building permit over with.

Main color of the siding started today. Got three sides wrapped up very quickly as the majority of the trim was already done. Kind of plain color choices in hindsight but it’s not like I’m going to change it. Not much for color opportunities when ordering pole barn siding. Had there been something between the gray roof and black as the next option?... would’ve done that. Something between red and tan for the walls?... yup. The neighbor’s house on either side is a lighter brown so I guess it’ll just blend in. Hopefully more to come tomorrow. I need to finish the gable on the back wall, finish around the windows, and obviously the front of the shed. Then on to the carport. Landscaping, some bushes, and trees should jazz it up a little more too. Maybe next year.

Very sharp.

Seems like every weekend lately has me working on something I wasn’t planning on or helping someone else for a day. Then the next day is spent on the shed, fighting the wind, and just generally not feeling like I got much done. This was another one of those weekends. Last weekend was another yet. Managed to get some paint on the the trim on the front of the shed a week ago. Trimmed out and almost finished the wainscoting today. Feels like eating a whale. I matched the brown from the windows. Didn’t want to bring in another color to the mix. Still need to decide what to do for finishing the big doors but it’ll probably include cutting some panels and painting them white to match the walk door.

As do I. The T5 was an option in the CJ7s and it’s the same dimensions of the T4. Part of me is hoping to just stumble across someone doing a full drivetrain swap and is looking to get rid of their 258/T5/Dana 300 combo. That’d be almost a bolt in deal. Guy us can wish anyhow.

Very true.

Now there’s an interesting thought. To me this feels a bit like going backwards minus the 420 though. 1972 was the first year of AMC really taking the reins and added the inline six. At times I really wish my CJ was just a few years older that I’d show zero remorse about dropping in any GM V6. Replacing an AMC 258 with a Buick 225 just feels... wrong. Any opinions on the T5 transmission? I know they aren’t the most desirable but the majority of the driving this Jeep sees is pavement. I’d like to see this turn into a vehicle I can pick a direction and just go. If mild wheeling is in my way of the perfect campsite then so be it.