The Ultimate "While I'm In There" (Advice Needed)

[Backpacker]

Hello everyone! It has been quite some time since I have posted. I nearly gave up on my project after losing all of my parts and literature (and a lot of other very expensive stuff) to a former "friend". But life happens and now, years later, I find myself with a pretty cool opportunity and need some advice from some seasoned MJ owners.

 

After taking some local community college paint/collision courses I have access to their "restoration class" in a few months. You take in your own project and have a semester in a fully furnished shop to restore it using the skills you've learned from the previous courses. I will be tearing the truck down completely leaving only the drive train and cab. The bed, all panels, and the entire interior will be removed for paint.

 

This poses the ultimate "while I'm in there I might as well". Since I will be removing nearly everything, I should have better access than I will ever have again (hopefully). I would love some advice from people who have more experience than me doing this kind of stuff on what I can do to prep the truck for the final class, and anything I should really do while it is torn apart and in a professional shop with a lift. 

 

As for technical stuff, my MJ is a 1989 Pioneer 4.0 4x4 (My first ever car). It's straight and mostly rust free (Needs floor pans but otherwise clean), and runs reliably as a daily, but has started to feel a little tired. I remember starting Cruiser54s tips years ago but beyond that the truck has really only had oil changes and brakes, plus the smaller jobs like a water pump and an exhaust manifold gasket. 

 

TLDR: After years of neglecting my daily I have access to a dream shop to tear it down and do some real restoration work, any advice for prep and what to do while the truck is apart?  Pictures included of the jeep and of the shop.

[89 MJ]

My honest advice is don’t cheap out and save stuff for later. Now will be the easiest time to do things like pull the dash to replace the heater core, change suspension bushings, fix all the leaks. It’s all more money, but it’s going to be the cheapest to do now. 

[Pete M]

if you can, plan on stripping EVERYTHING out of the cab.  the firewall will have more problem areas and the only way to get at them is with the dash out.  you must find all the water leaks now, or it'll all go bad again later on when it gets wet again.   

 

 

[JZLAJeep]

Sorry to hear about the setback from your "friend." That sounds like an awesome "course." Good luck!

[Gojira94]

What part of central NC are you in? I'm in the central NC area too (Clayton). I can't say I've got a lot of things left over from my build, but anything I've got that you can use, you can have. Shop looks like the one at Wake Tech...

[Chico]

And keep us updated please! I'm looking at doing the same thing here...maybe. lol

[Backpacker]

14 hours ago, 89 MJ said:

My honest advice is don’t cheap out and save stuff for later. Now will be the easiest time to do things like pull the dash to replace the heater core, change suspension bushings, fix all the leaks. It’s all more money, but it’s going to be the cheapest to do now. 

For sure! It's really a question of what I have the budget for now. Even though it would be cheaper in the long run to do now I only have so much money in savings (And that is not a large number unfortunately). I will be doing the heater core and all the steering/suspension wear components, and taking care of some of the oil leaks.

[Backpacker]

13 hours ago, Pete M said:

if you can, plan on stripping EVERYTHING out of the cab.  the firewall will have more problem areas and the only way to get at them is with the dash out.  you must find all the water leaks now, or it'll all go bad again later on when it gets wet again.   

 

 

That is my biggest fear, Everything except the dash is already out, and the dash will 100% be coming out before I get to the bigger jobs. Having it out also provides better access for welding in the new outer lower A pillar (Door hinges started tearing off  )

[Backpacker]

8 hours ago, Gojira94 said:

What part of central NC are you in? I'm in the central NC area too (Clayton). I can't say I've got a lot of things left over from my build, but anything I've got that you can use, you can have. Shop looks like the one at Wake Tech...

I'm right in between Cary/Apex, but I might be getting a job out in Clayton! And I always love meeting other Comanche folks. You are right it is the Wake Tech Hendrick center. they fully revamped it, added in another shop and the really fancy paint booths. The new classes they are offering are insanely well priced, and only two days a week.

[Backpacker]

2 hours ago, Chico said:

And keep us updated please! I'm looking at doing the same thing here...maybe. lol

I will! I am really hoping to do this truck right, it really deserves it. I'll do my best to document everything