88 Pioneer - storage unit build

[Tj1]

It has taken a while for me to gather parts, tools, time, more parts, and sometimes motivation.

 

My Pioneer started its life in Ohio, then a short trip to the dealership in Michigan. The original owner had eventually given her to my aunt as a commuter. She cleaned his house and such. He had passed away and with no next of kin she held on it the jeep, letting it sit in their apple orcard for many years. At a family gathering I saw the comanche longing for some attention, and a couple of weeks later I took her to her new home.

 

 

Unfortunately my living arrangements are poor when it comes to vehicle maintenance, so I had to rent a 10 x 15 storage unit.

 

 

Its been super tight and most times difficult to wrench or fabricate. I just keep telling myself it'll be worth it.

 

I started buying the parts for a Alexia based SOA lift before I even had the MJ. First thing on the to do list is to get the carpet out and expect the worst....

I didn't take any pictures of the before, the pan under the pedals were gone.

 

I started hacking the top of the frame off and started plating off the rails.

I bought the c2c pans, and the reviews are true. Lots of trimming and fitting are needed with theses.

[Tj1]

Next was the passenger side, which were not as bad, but RUSTED.

I should remind everyone about fire safety and have an extinguisher at the ready.....

[Tj1]

She had no cat, O2 sensor, or muffler so thanks to Amazon primes shipping: new pipes!

 

Now that the pans are in I can start the lift pulled the D35 out and slapped on the preches from ruff stuff

brought it up about 5"

[Tj1]

Slowly I got to the front end. Shocks, coils, control arms, track bar, CA drop brackets....

Bolts to the shocks were stripped so I had hack them out. But everything installed looks nice!

[Tj1]

With front lifted I noticed that the rear drive shaft had only about 3/4" of splines in the tcase. So out with the old and in with the new! Local driveline company did a killer job

My buddy has some spare xj parts so I grabbed some seats, hood, and doors (soon to be chipped in half doors). The one seats frame was rough and needed stitches.

I didn't want sliders so I used some spare angle I had and made some brackets.

No more driving around on a milk crate

[Tj1]

I got some 2x6 tubing for rockers/sliders. Cut out what was left and stuck the tubing in.

Welded 3/16" 1" round stock from frame to the slider. Cut some flat stock to tie in the fenders to sliders.

 

There was a present under some bondo..... more rust!

I learned I hate body work

 

She got some new shoes! I ended calling interco and ordering direct, saved over $50 per tire versus ordering from 4wd or summit.

[Tj1]

I read dirteatr made his own tailgate handle, so I whipped one up. The wooden dowel and rusty brackets had to go.

The old bumper was part 2x4 part 3x4 steel tubing. The wood was starting to rot away (wasnt even treated lumber!) so I ripped out the tubing and hacked it up....

[Tj1]

Pulled the seats to prep for monstaliner. In the mean time I got to install the quick release fire extinguisher

Made a lock ring tool for the gas tank, uni tasker tool but it doesn't take up much space.

Drilled some holes for disconnect links

The prop vavle in back was shot, so to jegs I went and routed a manual one in the cab. Incoming line through the firewall by the booster and the outgoing line through the upper part of the trans tunnel. No more ebrake till I install a hand one in the center.

[Tj1]

Other fixed items that don't have photos are new hard fuel lines, soft and hard brake lines, new gas tank, CAD flip, new oil pan, all new wires from cab to the rear, drums/shoes/springs/cyliners, barnes 4x4 shock mounts, a couple sensors fuses and relays, upgraded harness for the headlights, ordered the autopal lenses, and much more to come. Still have to make the cowl hood, half doors, change the header panel, and add a center console.

Slowly but surely I am just empting every pocket... as if my TJ wasnt costing me enough already!

[DirtyComanche]

There was a present under some bondo..... more rust!

I learned I hate body work

 

 

I was thinking "Hey, that body looks pretty clean" and then you posted that. :eek:

[cvic90]

That's pretty good for working in a storage unit.

[Tj1]

 

There was a present under some bondo..... more rust!

I learned I hate body work

 

I was thinking "Hey, that body looks pretty clean" and then you posted that. :eek:

Drivers side is all patched up and sanding filler down right now.

 

I hate living in a rust belt

[Tj1]

Driver side is whole again and will be finishing the passenger side soon

[MancheKid86]

storage locker build..... LOVE IT!!!!

now thats getting your use of what you paid for.

 

i never thought of this, ive done regears in the dirt and 4wd swaps in a cul-de-sac.

but that is gold

 

keep up the great work, MORE PICTURES =] 

[Tj1]

I installed done RE coil spacers to help level out the rake yesterday. It sits so much better now. Also finished up the passenger fender, just need to hit it with the primer.

[MancheKid86]

I installed done RE coil spacers to help level out the rake yesterday. It sits so much better now. Also finished up the passenger fender, just need to hit it with the primer.

 from factory it had roughly ~1.25" rake. levels out nicely when loaded

 

 

wheres the pics!

[Tj1]

I started trimming the front fenders down. No more flares and I'll have to patch a little bit of rust in areas.

[Tj1]

Drivers side trimmed and patched

Now she's rocking some pins

[Zebvance]

KEEP UP THE GREAT WORK!

[Tj1]

KEEP UP THE GREAT WORK!

Thanks, she's been a handful. I can't wait to finally wheel her soon. Pitures of that will be posted when it happens!

[Tj1]

first coat of the monstaliner rolled on. I figured practice on the inside before starting outside around fenders and along the rockers

[Reddout]

Very impressive. Minimal work space but maximum results.

[Tj1]

Finally moving her out of the unit. She's going to a buddies place with lots of room for her to run around. Hopefully if the work schedule allows, I'm taking her camping this weekend and will finally be able to wheel her.

[DirtyComanche]

Right on.  Good to see her out of the cage. :cheers:

[Reddout]

It's pretty cool the storage people let you work on your truck while being stored.  I know some don't allow that, especially around here.  She's going to love the "fresh air"