ghetdjc320 Posted October 6, 2022 Author Share Posted October 6, 2022 Had to pause to build a paint booth. Should be complete in a day or so. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ghetdjc320 Posted October 6, 2022 Author Share Posted October 6, 2022 Getting all sealed up Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ghetdjc320 Posted October 7, 2022 Author Share Posted October 7, 2022 Body work has started. Doors have been stripped of absolutely all hardware down to the factory shell. Going to be running full size windows in these to delete the factory stationary vent window and give me a full size window for once. Also doing electric locks and windows. Managed to strip off the old bedliner paint that someone had shot over the eliminator graphics. That stuff is nasty to remove. Here is also a small sample of what to expect for the hood. And yes, those are original 98 5.9 ZJ louvers. Going to play around with fitment as the ones I’ve seen installed seemed too far forward. Further back is a bit more agressive. Seems like they were trying to avoid the hood support structure but I don’t mind modifying that to get just the right look. By the way, if anyone needs a set of manual window regulators that work I have two to get rid of. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ghetdjc320 Posted October 10, 2022 Author Share Posted October 10, 2022 Finalizing some details on the underside of the bed before lining. Had to straighten many seams and dents from years of abuse. Wire brushed the whole underside and use a red scuff pad as far as I could into the wheel well areas then water blasted it all. Por15’d all the problem areas and will let that cure overnight before lining the underside. Once that cures it will be flipped over and the top side will be worked on. Also started disassembling the tailgate and separating the shell. This one is in seriously rough shape but I’ll see what I can do. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ghetdjc320 Posted October 11, 2022 Author Share Posted October 11, 2022 Tailgate has been disassembled. Very tricky to straighten this one but I’ll take the time to get it done right. Added some pics of disassembly so you know what is needed if you decide to do it yourself. The entire underside of the bed has now been POR15’d with 3 coats plus 5 coats in the wheel wells. Rhino lining will be next. Will let that cure fully before flipping the bed over to do the rest. All the patch panels in the wheel wells and bed have been seam sealed with 3m heavy bodied 2 part sealer. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ghetdjc320 Posted October 11, 2022 Author Share Posted October 11, 2022 First coat of Raptor is on Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ghetdjc320 Posted October 11, 2022 Author Share Posted October 11, 2022 Second coat finished and masking removed. It’s very important to remove your masking before the liner cures Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ghetdjc320 Posted October 12, 2022 Author Share Posted October 12, 2022 Hammer and dolly work on the tailgate for about 3 hours yielded very good results. Here is a before and after Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ghetdjc320 Posted October 12, 2022 Author Share Posted October 12, 2022 Inside tailgate panel straightened. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ghetdjc320 Posted October 13, 2022 Author Share Posted October 13, 2022 If anyone is interested, here is a way to build a much more stout tailgate. The weight gain was negligible but the strength and panel flex is so much better than stock. Inside of the panels will be POR15’d before reassembly. Probably going to use 3m panel bond aside from a few strategic welds to prevent rust forming in the pinch seams, an issue that just plagues these Jeeps. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete M Posted October 13, 2022 Share Posted October 13, 2022 that definitely needs a separate writeup for the DIY. people need to know these things are fixable! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Smokeyyank Posted October 13, 2022 Share Posted October 13, 2022 Are you using a 97+ XJ window for the front doors? I saw the bleepin jeep write up and eventually want to do that. Hate the smoker vents, but want to keep the original door style and cards. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ghetdjc320 Posted October 13, 2022 Author Share Posted October 13, 2022 1 hour ago, Smokeyyank said: Are you using a 97+ XJ window for the front doors? I saw the bleepin jeep write up and eventually want to do that. Hate the smoker vents, but want to keep the original door style and cards. Yes I am. Actually working on doors at the moment. Pics to come Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ghetdjc320 Posted October 13, 2022 Author Share Posted October 13, 2022 Both doors prepped for primer. You will need to remove the small U channel in the window channel to install the one piece glass. I also had a couple of repairs to make on my doors. For some reason, all the Comanches and XJs I’ve seen develop a crack at the same spot in the door. Added 2 auxiliary drain hole near the front and rear of the door. Also filled the inside lower seam with POR15 and allowed it to seep down into the pinch joint. I don’t want water in the door in the first place, but if some moistures manages to get in, it will not start rusting there. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EUREKA Posted October 14, 2022 Share Posted October 14, 2022 8 hours ago, ghetdjc320 said: Yes I am. Actually working on doors at the moment. Pics to come I'm starting the 97+ window glass swap tomorrow. Looking forward to those pics. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ghetdjc320 Posted October 14, 2022 Author Share Posted October 14, 2022 More pics… My body shop supplier recommended I try the PPG CRE epoxy primer. This stuff is like industrial strength. Can’t believe how well it sticks. Mixed it up 2:1:.5 and sprayed with Devilbiss FL gun with a 1.8 tip. Started at 30psi but it sprays better around 25psi the way I have it mixed and with my desired fan and flow settings. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ghetdjc320 Posted October 14, 2022 Author Share Posted October 14, 2022 The topside of the bed is going under the knife now. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ghetdjc320 Posted October 14, 2022 Author Share Posted October 14, 2022 Bed is in epoxy now. Body work next Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EUREKA Posted October 14, 2022 Share Posted October 14, 2022 Is that your home paint booth? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ghetdjc320 Posted October 14, 2022 Author Share Posted October 14, 2022 6 minutes ago, EUREKA said: Is that your home paint booth? Yep Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gjeep Posted October 15, 2022 Share Posted October 15, 2022 Lookin good! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ghetdjc320 Posted October 17, 2022 Author Share Posted October 17, 2022 Pair of NOS door handles along with the new door glass and tailgate lock actuator came in today. Will be doing a similar tailgate lock to what @Gjeep did in his build (thanks for that write up by the way) since I also have the locking Truck Covers USA cover thanks to @Limeyjeeper‘s assistance in getting these one-off covers manufactured for the Comanche. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ghetdjc320 Posted October 30, 2022 Author Share Posted October 30, 2022 Project name updated Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ghetdjc320 Posted November 1, 2022 Author Share Posted November 1, 2022 Progress continues with body work. Getting close to being ready for the final skim coat. Getting all the lines perfect after welding in new metal is quite a chore. Worth it though for sure. 30 years of abuse is finally being undone. Fibertech filler used over an weld joints and Rage Ultra to smooth out any imperfections. The final skim will be done with Rage Ultra Extra as it gives you “extra” time to work large panels before curing. Block sanding followed by another coat of epoxy primer, block sanding again then epoxy sealer. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ghetdjc320 Posted November 2, 2022 Author Share Posted November 2, 2022 More body work… Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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