Project Scuzzy

[jeff351]

On 7/31/2024 at 9:52 PM, jeff351 said:

 

3. windshield wipers don't work now. They did recently, so I need to dig and see if I blew a fuse.

 

On 7/31/2024 at 9:52 PM, jeff351 said:

 

I'm really good at over-thinking stuff. Pulled the cowl off today...wipers weren't even plugged in. That was a hard fix. 

 

Took it to the fuel pump for the 1st time since the conversion. Funny using the 'new' gas door location. Then ran some errands making a run of scrap metal to the local recycler, and later took it for late night for a cruise - those HF lights up front are very impressive. 

Next week I have an appointment with a local shop to check the alignment and charge the A/C system. Not much left to wrap up on this!

[jeff351]

With the newly rebuilt engine, I was good on oil pressure but wanted a better way to keep an eye on temps besides popping open the hood and checking things out with an IR thermometer gun. I looked around at options where to mount a gauge and decided on this Autometer pod. Its a little overpriced as it required a little sanding to get the gauges to fit, and I ended up using some adhesive to hold them in.  I used these for the oil temp gauge and transmission temp gauge.

 

Really simple to install; Mock up where you want it, drill a few holes, paint, and then install your gauges and run the wiring. For the oil temp, I used an old brass tee I've had kicking around at the oil pressure sensor, and for the transmission temp I installed a tee in the transmission cooler outlet line.  Connection-wise, I previously installed a dedicated ignition-on fuse block under the hood for the daytime running lights, so I ran the power wire from gauges to that.

 

 

[jeff351]

Hard to get my phone to focus on the gauges, but it looks pretty sharp at night. Temps right where they need to be, so just a piece of mind nothing is amiss 

[jeff351]

From the Department of Unnecessary Projects:

 The donor 98 XJ came with a Kenwood stereo, which I assumed was good enough, but I could never get it to sound right. Now I have a new Pioneer head unit with 3 sets of pre-outs,and literally about 1/8" of clearance to fit a 10" sub centered behind the console and the 6x9 speakers on either side. Plus just a hair clearance to mount the amps. Now it sounds pretty stout. Funny thing is, I'm way too old for super-loud music...but whatever. I already have hearing loss from the military 

While at it, I also installed a phone holder on the dash. 

[Drahcir495]

the gauge pod looks so good - especially with choice of color 

[jeff351]

I posted on this thread here but figured I'd tie it into my build thread also now that its done.

 

I got a welded up trailer hitch from @krustyballer16. This part fits perfect, if you need a hitch, this is the one to get.

The challenge was "Will it fit with a Gladiator bumper".

Answer, yes. Minor work involved.

Step 1, fit it up. Yes, the bumper was in the way a little, so I weighed my options and decided in the end that I'd rather make the hitch fit the bumper and not vice versa. So a little modifying was in order.

 

Then tack weld, and check fit. A little trim via Dremel of the bumper was required, but not much. 

 

Once I was happy, then final weld. To reinforce where I cut it, I plated it with a section of 1/4" steel. 

 

Then hit with a coat of paint, and install. 

 

Couldn't be happier with the end result. Not a ton of work and it looks great. Now if I get stuck, there's a legit tow-point. 

 

 

[89 MJ]

Looks good!

[jeff351]

Update: nothing!

1600+ miles since I got Scuzzy back on the road with very little drama.

1. Exhaust leak about 500 miles ago - simple fix by tightening the clamp where the downpipe bolts to the header.
2. If it rains hard, water puddles on the passengers floor. No idea where its coming from but since I don't have carpet, its not a big deal. Fixed with a drain hole 
3. Tonight I was inspecting under the hood and when I tugged on the #3 spark plug wire, the terminal pulled out of the distributor cap. That's a new one for me. I had a spare new one on the shelf, so swapped it in. 

Nice having a dependable project.