Finally! The 'manche chill out couch!

[Automan2164]

Well, the locals around here have known I've wanted to make a couch out of an old MJ bed, and a bench seat, and would always ask if anyone was trashing a bed or bench seat for cheap. The stars really never aligned for me, but I finally got the chance. The yard was having a half off sale, so the local CC guys and myself decided to make a day out of it yesterday. So 89Eliminator, whowey, 88MJXLS, and myself all met up. I snagged an axle for the ZJ, and we stumbled on a poor 'manche. '89 Pioneer, 4.0L, 2wd BA 10/5. Someone who knew what they were looking for already grabbed the domes, badges, tailgate innards... So we picked over what was left. We got the painted flares, rear carpet panel/plastic, tailgate, and the gas door. It was pretty rusty but overall not too bad.

 

 

My haul:

 

 

So, getting back to the couch... It bothered me all last night that I didn't pick up the bench, and the bed... So I went back today. I really love those Pioneer graphics on the red truck, so it was perfect. After I took out the bed liner, the truck rocked forward on the stands, and made it easy to get under... So after some cutting, and some wrenching, it was all mine. I didn't feel bad cutting it up, as the bed was already beyond saving... I hate you salt.

 

 

 

 

Out the door with the bench and the bed section for $21.89. He counted the bench as a bucket ($20 reg), and only charged me $10 for the bed section! I love that place!

 

I set the whole works on top of a couple of recycling bins, and mocked it up. Put in some crap tails I had laying around. I still have to bolt everything down, but it looked good, and was at a perfect height for me. I'll have to make a wooden base for it at this height. I had the girlfriend model it, and she took a pic of me trying it out.

 

 

 

 

Now all that is left to do is clear a section of wall out of the garage so I can put it in there!

Rob L. :cheers:

[whowey]

Better let your mom see the picture of Angela on the couch....

 

 

Of course now I can f' off around here all day tomorrow instead of going back to the JY again.

[MJRemi]

Looks like a fun project. How do you guys find such inexpensive junkyards? I went yesterday for my virgin trip to a San Diego junkyard that specializes in trucks and suvs. I saw four XJs and one of them was a Limited in great condition. I was going to go crazy with stripping it until I was quoted some prices. $100 per door. $90 dash. $100 front grill. $90 bumper. $800 D44 etc.,etc. I composed myself and left with a nice leather steering wheel and a passenger side pivot wing window assembly. $70 for both. Anyway, have fun with the couch and don't forget to hook the tail lights up for ambiance. :cheers:

[jimoshel]

Now all that is left to do is clear a section of wall out of the garage so I can put it in there!

Rob L. :cheers:

The garage?? THE GARAGE?? And pray tell WHAT'S WRONG WITH THE LIVING ROOM??

10-4 on the tail lights. Hook 'em to the stereo so they keep time to the music, A la disco.

[btm24]

that bench looks rly nice to. are you gonna put it up against the wall in your garage? looks cool

 

Brandon

[jpdocdave]

Very cool man, the Pioneer graphic really sets it off.

[JohnQ]

I think it needs the bumper for a foot rest. 8)

[STERLING STINGER]

too much time on your hands...

cool concept

[MJCARENA]

Looks cool, You should hook up the tail lights through a hazard flasher, so they flash on and off. :cheers:

[STERLING STINGER]

ya, when your romping on it :thumbsup:

[Automan2164]

Well, I would love to put it in the house, but, where I really want it is in the garage! I am trying to think of where I could put it in the garage where it would be out of the way.

 

It will still need to be re-cut on the back, as I was in more of a hurry to just get it done than straight... Cut it about 30" back from the rear of the tail light notch, so I have about 10" to play with. I would like to see if I could find (or if any of you) have some red XJ/MJ front flares that are junk. I would like to put a partial set back on to hide some of the lip rust. Other than that, my only plans are to make a wood frame for the bottom, square up the back, make a back panel, and fabricate a drink holder (of course) for the notch where the stick shift was.

 

I must say its pretty comfortable. I can't wait to have it set up in the garage with the tunes crankin'.

 

Rob L. :D

[88MJXLS]

Liked the idea of the 'manche couch, but definitely liking it more after seeing a rough version of it! I have the leather rear seat out of a Regal as my chill couch, but this is way better :cheers:

 

oh, and ditto on the tails as ambient lighting, might have to make the long drive to harvard to check it out when it's done, lol :rotfl2:

[XXLMJ]

Instead of a wood base maybe you could use some old rims cut in half?

[88MJXLS]

Instead of a wood base maybe you could use some old rims cut in half?

or even some old rims laid flat and invert the plastic caps as the drink holders? I have a couple rims you could use if you want to go that route

[Automan2164]

I would like to use steel, or rims, but my work found it necessary to take away all shop privileges. I would think that a couple stacked rims on each side would be the right height....

 

Rob L. :fs2:

[JeepcoMJ]

...

 

I have a welder...

[jeepdoggydogB]

Love it Rob, finally a Comanche rumble seat. :bowdown:

[500 MJ]

The dream is finally coming true. ;)

[comanche12]

me like! :thumbsup:

[terrawombat]

Thought you might like this:

 

http://southjersey.craigslist.org/cto/2111604409.html