Pfrenet Posted June 11, 2007 Share Posted June 11, 2007 I'm finally starting the restoration of my 88 Eliminator. I have a lot of work ahead of me, I will be doing a complete restore and making some modifications. I will be replacing the bed, drivers door and rockers Repair minor rust on Gate ansd replace handle. Repairr rear bumper Repair Passenger door. Completely clean and POR-15 the Frame. Check floors and repair if necessary Repair minor rust on Front fenders Replace Front header panel, grill, etc.. Replace the headliner Replacing door windows as the vent windows are rusted paint (color undecided now, may be two tone) I intend to do all body work without the use of any plastic bondo, I will mostly be using new metal and hammer/dollie all dents and in some case using heat. I will only be using a very thin layer of metal body fill just to cover any small imperfections. I started with the donor bed, as it was almost rust free, but had many golf ball size dents, I found some rust when I removed the fender moldings, so I cut out the rust and fabricated new pieces and welded in place. I cleaned and sanded the underside and then started the process of hammering out all the dents.. After 40+ hours most of the dents are out and sanding done. The next step is to POR-15 the underside and spray inside between the inner wheel wells, I want to ensure that this box will not rust for a very long time. I'm also POR-15ing the outter bottom of the box, I will be using the Tie coat over so that I can put a base coat over it, this will be the first time I tried their Tie Coat..hope its good. Hope to finish this part by end of week. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mfpdm Posted June 11, 2007 Share Posted June 11, 2007 Nice work on the bed. Looks like your no stranger to body work. Good luck with your color choice. I still can't decide on one. :dunno: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rockhardzj Posted June 12, 2007 Share Posted June 12, 2007 Lookin good. :cheers: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Oizarod115 Posted June 12, 2007 Share Posted June 12, 2007 :popcorn: wow Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pfrenet Posted July 4, 2007 Author Share Posted July 4, 2007 The project is coming along pretty good considering the time I'm spending on it, I also started a frame off restoration on a 92 YJ for my brother.. I decided to move my 64 Pontiac out of the garage and move to a portable garage (working on this one for 7 years now).. had to move my 49 Ferguson tractor from there (restored this last year)..fun trying to find places to put my toys... I finished the box protected with POR-15. I then proceeded to do the rockers. I got the rocker panels from "showcars-bodyparts". They looked pretty good.. But what a PITA when installing I had to cut them as the rockers on the MJ are tapered, after market are just straight bends. Probably would have been better if I made my own. Spent 7 hrs on each side to get a good fit. While I was sandblasting some of it was hitting the frame, what a find,,there was absolutly no rust, not even pits, this frame was well protected. I removed the front fenders and found that they were unrepairable, so I ordered a new set. When I removed the front bumper I had another surprise, I was able to unbolt with no problems and when removed found no rust again on the front it was absolutely clean. Even the inner fenders were very clean. I then proceeeded to remove all the interior to check out the floors, again what a surprise..only minimal rust on the drivers side, no holes, only minor surface rust.. Not bad for being in a Province that uses salt.. Thats about all for now, my next step is taking off the old box, curious to find out how the frame looks under there.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
88swampedmj Posted July 4, 2007 Share Posted July 4, 2007 dang what color is your truck?it looks black outside but grey inside i like that grey its nice i wish i had the money for a full resto on my driver.. you should put a 97+ front end on your truck that would make it even better ;) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pfrenet Posted July 4, 2007 Author Share Posted July 4, 2007 The original color was grey, I'm thinking about going a dark cherry metallic pearl with silver along the bottom. As for the front, I wish I had of thought about going 97+ , but I had purchased all the new parts already. I will be going with the white side marker lights and possibly modifying the front grille to give it a different look Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pfrenet Posted July 10, 2007 Author Share Posted July 10, 2007 I got the box off this weekend. Frame looks very good, no holes or major rust. I sprayed part of it with a paint stripper to see what it looked like underneath, looked pretty good for a 19 year old frame. I was surprised that it was galvanized metal. I will be stripping the rest of paint off and cleanup, then Por-15. over the next few days. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
88swampedmj Posted July 10, 2007 Share Posted July 10, 2007 ..nice man... keep up the good work iam really interested to see how this thing turns out Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bacon Posted July 11, 2007 Share Posted July 11, 2007 how the hell did you find a 19 year old comanche with such little rust here in new brunswick? that is friggin amazing, it looks like it came from the southern US or BC. i wish mine looked half that good. can't wait to see it when it's done. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ejndssn Posted July 11, 2007 Share Posted July 11, 2007 lookin good that will be very nice truck once your done with it. Have you decided what type of paint are you going to use. :hmm: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pfrenet Posted July 11, 2007 Author Share Posted July 11, 2007 I actually found it in Nova Scotia, 3 years ago. Problably lasted because it looked like it was coated several times with some kind of rust protectant..it was a PITA getting it off, even when I took off the bed liner, the bed was coated with a thin layer of rust protectant. I will likely use a Sikkens Base coat Clear coat. Thinking a Dark Cherry Metallic Pearl paint. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bacon Posted July 11, 2007 Share Posted July 11, 2007 holy crap....it even came from NS, that makes it even harder to believe. what a find. i bought mine in kingston ns and the rocker panels were made out of foam insulation, a little bit of mesh, and a bunch of bondo. frame was all scaley (actually broke on me the first time i took it on a twisty trail). oh, and the PO replaced pretty much the whole floor. seriously, nice find on a completely unrelated side note, do you know who owns the red comanche on prospect sitting across from wood motors, inside the fence? is he building it? i see it's got a 97+ front clip..... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pfrenet Posted July 11, 2007 Author Share Posted July 11, 2007 I've seen two red ones around in the last month, one was an Eliminator very nice shape, almost mint , had Sask. plates on it, the other one I saw last weekend, not too bad shape looked recently painted but could see a lot of bondo. Wouldn't know who owns thae one you seen, will have to check it out... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pfrenet Posted August 4, 2007 Author Share Posted August 4, 2007 I finally got some work done on the MJ, not easy doing two restores at the same time, here's where I'm at on the YJ.. Now to the MJ, I finally completed putting POR-15 on the frame inside and out and the floor. I added an extra leaf on the rear springs as I load this truck up pretty heavy.. Here's a shot of the rear end finally completed, I'm now starting to work on the front end, replacing the coils, bump stops. I've decided to add only a 1" lift. I figured to keep this as a 2WD. Will look for a 4WD when this one is completed. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohnQ Posted August 4, 2007 Share Posted August 4, 2007 Looking good. I want to do the same and POR 15 my frame. How hard is it to pull the box off? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pfrenet Posted August 4, 2007 Author Share Posted August 4, 2007 Taking the box off is not hard, at least I was fortunate that all the bolts came off easy. There are 8 bolts holding the box on. You also to remove the gas tank straps, gas spout , E-Brake assembly and the wiring for the rear lights. It took me about 2 hours to complete. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pfrenet Posted August 13, 2007 Author Share Posted August 13, 2007 I got the front end done this weekend, welded in the new bump stop and added 1" lift and new shocks. Need to get larger tires.... I've been eyeing the ones off the YJ ..wonder if my brother would notice them missing.... Started putting her back together, installed new fenders and header panel. Hope to have completed in two weeks... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pfrenet Posted September 5, 2007 Author Share Posted September 5, 2007 I was hoping to have this project completed, but due to too many other things going on its going to take a little longer..here's where I'm at, I decided to spray on the liner before painting the truck. I used a product called Gator Guard II, I sprayed on 4 coats, I wanted a nice texture, came out very nice.. I then painted the back of the cab and front of the box so that I can put the box back on..also painted under the hood so it could be installed. Once I had the box on, I reinstalled the gas tank, E-brake assembly, etc..Went to start the truck...wouldn't start..saw the gas gauge needle was way past the full mark..figured it was likely the ground..cleaned up around the ground on tank, tried 5 times, no success, I then realized, I likey needed the ground on the left rear light, once done, truck started up right away...what a relief. Next, I painted the inside of the doors, the grill parts, headlight bezels, other small parts..I'm painting the truck a Dark Cherry Pearl Metallic and Silver..It looks like a Darker Candy apple red..pictures don't do it justice. Next step will be painting the truck, hope to have done this weekend Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rob S Posted September 5, 2007 Share Posted September 5, 2007 Sweet, I like the color! :cheers: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pfrenet Posted September 10, 2007 Author Share Posted September 10, 2007 Got the truck painted this weekend, can now start putting it back together.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pfrenet Posted September 19, 2007 Author Share Posted September 19, 2007 I getting near the end, ..I had to order a near rear bumper and new light sockets for the park lights, the connections were rusted out. Hope to have by next week. All the Interior work is almost completed, just need to add new speakers and sterio system. here's a few pics.. All the decals were made by Spencer from Jeepsticker.com, he did a fantastic job. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JeepcoMJ Posted September 19, 2007 Share Posted September 19, 2007 that's extremely impressive. is the front a bit lower than the back though? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pfrenet Posted September 19, 2007 Author Share Posted September 19, 2007 Ya, it is, I added a leaf on the back didn't realize it was going to give me that much lift, I only added 1 inch in the front. I'm likely going to add another 2 inches to the front The leaf springs are quite stiff right now but once I add load it will likey take some stiffness out. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pfrenet Posted September 27, 2007 Author Share Posted September 27, 2007 :cheers: The restoration is completed.. I added a 2 1/2" lift to the front. I also decided to buy new rims and tires. Here are some interior shots, new headliner, also changed the dashboard bezel for a woodgrain one. Now I will be searching for another Comanche, this time a 4X4, have a few leads already... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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