Her rear end just doesn't feel right

Two things are important in the near term:
1) that rear cross member is rusted out and falling apart; needs to be replaced;
2) there is nothing between the front bumper of the jerk following too close behind me, and my rear lights.

So after spending a couple of days grinding rivets off the frame-to-cross member and cutting a couple of bolts (okay, 8 bolts!) the draw bar and cross member came off.  Above is the original.

The new one is just a C-channel steel with some holes and other cut outs drilled, and a little bit of bending and shaping.  turns out a guy in North Carolina makes a perfect replica for a very reasonable price ($100).

But for added protection (?) I decided to add a bumper to the rear end that would extend out beyond the tail lights and provide a modicum of protection.  I looked around and decided brushed steel tube looked best.  Of course, that was of the choices I had that would fit.

I'm not 100% happy with the look as it's not stock nor is it appropriate.  If I can find a similar bumper for the front, to balance the look, I'll stick with it.

Thanks for looking...

Something to hang on to...

There are two holes in the dash...okay there a lot of holes in the dash but two just stand right out because there is NOTHING in those two holes.

The CJ line has a grab  bar right in the middle of the dash, just offset to the passenger side.  Obviously for someone to hang on to when the road gets rough and considering that handles anywhere else were not very practicable (no roll bars remember) so having one on the dash sort of makes sense.

Problem is, there is NOT a grab bar on the Old Girl!  Two nice holes, in just the right place.  But what happened to that bar?

The answer is lost to time, but it turns out these are easy to get and I actually had a choice of 3 finishes:
1) Chrome;
2) Black (matte);
3) Primed and ready for the paint color of my choosing.

I chose Chrome:

Isn't that nice?

Thanks for looking...

That sexy look over her shoulder...

Mirrors.  And other details of course.  But let's talk mirrors.

Originally the CJ family had a simple post sticking out the driver's side with a small round mirror on it.  Then in about 1965 somebody at Kaiser decided to listen to safety advisers (aka the gov'MENT) and increase the size of the mirror.  They chose a rectangular job.

In the above photo you can just see it.  That's a photo from the 1969 assembly line in Toledo, Ohio.  Likely taken just before Kaiser SOLD OUT to AMC, but hey that's not my bag, baby.  But this photo plays a few roles in some other things I'm doing to make her like her original self.

Later in the '70's, I believe about '74, the rectangular mirror was replaced by two square mirrors, one on each side.  Enough on the history you say, what about the Old Girl?

Getting a perfect replacement for that style of mirror is pretty difficult, unless I can find someone willing to part with theirs...unlikely since the few that exist, exist because the owner wants to keep their Jeep original.  Otherwise most of those mirrors went to the same place the Old Girl's went: caught on some branch while on the trail, and subsequently the remnants were removed and sent to the local landfill.

So, I browsed the internet with my...browser, and found a pair of replacement mirrors.  I decided the price was right and got a pair, one for each side.  I doubt I'll ever install the one on the right simply because it would require tapping 4 holes, et cetera; and for accuracy she wasn't born with 2 mirrors so why bother?

So I've got this beauty mounted.  Of course after all the adjusting and getting it just right...can't see much out of it because of vibration.  Just a blurry mess.  Oh well, at least she looks good!

Thanks for looking...

Can I get the door (handle), Madame?

Okay, this is a bit of character.  The Old Girl saw some action in her younger days; some bits got ripped off by branches and other things while running through the Maine woods.

Like her mirrors...the spare tire holder...the side steps...and the left door handle.  But no need to fret; it's a simple door mechanism so any door handle works:

I believe that's available from the local hardware store, typically seen on some older homes.  The handle is glass with a square steel post and certainly goes all the way through.  Hey, it works!

So I decided to go cheap and got some nice handles to replace the existing ones; the passenger side still works but is corroded; I'll replace that one when I do some restoration work on the doors and top.

Much better and now it looks natural, new, almost like it was supposed to be there.  Of course, I still cannot lock the Girl, but why should I?  It's not like I keep anything of value inside her.  The "value" is really the Girl herself.  Any anyone with a modicum of hotwire knowledge can take her.

But then again down here in Southern Maryland she's the only one of her kind...so if someone takes her they need to break her up quick, which means she won't be worth much.  So I'm not too worried and besides, she doesn't get out of my sight much.

Thanks for looking...

Something better to cushion my rump

11 September, 2012

The original seats in the girl are done for.  I'm keeping the frames as I want to have them restored, and the photos show the original colors.  I believe they are Trim Package # 338 - Buckskin, but as is other things "not quite right" with the girl this isn't the right trim for the color (Omaha Orange).  For that matter, technically in 1969 or 1970 none of the production CJ-5s were painted in Omaha Orange, according to published options and records.  I suspect most of those "factory options" were for the Toledo factory, not the Ontario factory where the Old Girl was made.    

When I do the restoration I'll go for a material that is similar to the two colors here.  Not sure what I'd call those colors, but a brown and an orange-tan sound about right.

I went on line and searched for new seats.  My choices are not many.  I decided to go with Rugged Ridge front seats.  The color I got was "spice" as it looked closest to the original seat color.  The tan ones were too light.  The seats are for the intermediate CJ5, made from 1973-1980.  Other than how they are mounted, the tub should be the same...

After discussing how to mount the new seat in online forums I had resigned myself to basically having someone local fabricate (as in weld) a new mounting bracket for the passenger side.  The driver's side fit perfect as is.  Eventually someone who'd bought the same seats showed me the mount he made from steel angle stock, using just bolts.  His solution wouldn't work for me, because his seat mounted to brackets on the tool box whereas mine mounts to a bracket on the tub with different measurements, because I don't have a tool box.  Why Kaiser could not have used the same pattern on both seats is beyond me, as it would easily have fit and made it more common.  At any rate, looking at his method gave me inspiration and I was able to use 1/8th inch steel plate, 3 inches wide and 15 inches long to basically mount the existing bracket to the seat.  All with bolts so nothing was damaged.  I went ahead and sanded the rust off the old brackets and repainted them.  Real sharp.

I'm not sure I like the high backs.  I got them for the back support, although it ain't much; but they don't look stock.  I may regret this in the future, but for right now they work and it means I can drive her!

Thanks for looking...

Gas Cap and o-ring

12 September, 2012

I ordered new seats and few other bits and bobs that are just cosmetic.  Since I know I want to replace these items I just did it.

While I'm awaiting those things I'm doing a bit of troubleshooting to find my fuel leak, or whatever is creating that gas smell.  The gas cap doesn't appear to be making a good seal, and when I checked the fuel sender on the tank (had the seats out anyway) the existing o-ring is the wrong size and appears ineffective.

So I went to my local parts place and got replacements.  No leaks at all and that gasoline smell is gone.  Plus the engine runs just a tad smoother, probably because there is pressure in the tank and not suction from the fuel pump.

I think I've figured out  why there is no air coming out of the heater.  The switches (off vs heat vs defrost) work off vacuum.  I found what appears to be a vacuum hose not connected to anything under the hood.  Another future project...

The engine seems to run a bit hot.  After yesterday's short ride (15 minutes) I moved the license plate from the grille to the front bumber and the heat coming off the hood / grille was almost unbearable.  It was a cool day here yesterday, high only 78.  The coolant is circulating because the radiator and hoses are hot.  Probably okay until next Spring, but something to look into.  The temp gauge doesn't work, always says COLD, but that should be an easy fix once I figure out the wires.  The hot engine may explain why it feels so hot behind the firewall.

In the meantime...she's running and she's on the road.

Thanks for looking...

Brakes are better

I don't like working on brakes.  I must admit it is a bit satisfying once done, knowing the work was done right and all, but before and during the process I just don't like brake work.

So since she needed an oil change (well, just to make me feel better) I took her to my local mechanic (he gets all the really hard stuff) and asked him to check the brakes, change the oil, check for leaks (okay, I know of a couple) and look at the steering.  Essentially a good once-over.

He brings in his specialist who only works 3 days a week and only works on old vehicles.  His "old school" guy.  Brakes were way out of adjustment, all the way around.  E-brake not working at all, fluids low all around, leaks in main bearing seal and around transmission.  I'd need to get some parts (he doesn't source antique parts) and most of what he was telling me went right over my head.

Good news in the near term is that the brakes work real well, no pulling and based on adjustments everything feels much better.

That means I can now get her tagged and titled!

Thanks for looking...

So what have I gotten myself into?!

August, 2012

After getting the girl home I had to assess what I've got before just jumping in and driving.  Some Jeepers do just that and while many are just fine some get themselves into some trouble.

My uncle always just jumped in, pumped the gas and pulled the choke.  Started her up and then went.  But then again he'd had 40 years with her and knew every wheeze and squeak she had.

I also had to get her titled and tagged so I could take her to a shop and have some assessment done...you know, things like brakes and steering.  The good news is she's technically historic, or antique, and therefore doesn't require emissions testing.  No way she'd pass that!

After a good check of fluids (she WAS driven onto and off of the trailer) I took her for an easy drive around the 'hood.  Brakes are wonky.  Pulls to the left...then the right...then back left again.  A hard stomp on them and she's all over the place.

Wanders about on straight roads.  The steering needs some attention.

Noisy around the transmission and/or transfer case.  Vibrates a bit as well.

Fuel gauge doesn't work, nor does the temp gauge.  I've read this is a common problem.  Lots of orange overspray as well.  Lights sort of work...turn signals don't and neither do the emergency flashers.  Brake lights work.

And the gas smell.  Obviously a leak somewhere.

Under the hood...the battery tray is barely together.  Okay, it's not.  I'm just kidding myself.

No mirrors on outside...let's see, according to the factory photo I have here, she should have just the one on the left, and it's rectangular, not round (pre-1968) or square (post 1973).

You know, I'll just pretend that's the Old Girl coming off the production line...

Cosmetics:  Look at this door handle:

That's an easy fix.

Seats are falling apart.  The seat covers are falling apart as well, actually they may be only thing holding seat cushions together...have to find new seats if I'm going to drive her.

No grab handle on the dash.  Just the holes.

The rear cross member (or is that a bumper?) is rusting away.  Lots of holes that aren't supposed to be there.  The draw bar is starting to come apart due to rust (and there's lots of paint on the rust).

Note there isn't a "4 wheel drive" logo on the tailgate.  Where will I get the stencil?

Well, time to start putting things together, and finding a reputable place to buy parts.

The FUN begins!

Thanks for looking...

The Old Girl is mine!

7th August, 2012

She was originally my uncle's Jeep.  He got her back in 1970 when he was quite young as something to have fun with.  She likely never went more than 50 miles from central Maine where he lives.  

She DID spent lots of time in bogs, along logging trails and generally "in the woods".  I understand a few empty beer cans have been known to rattle around behind those seats in the cargo area!

My brother and I both have connections to her but during very different times.  I've driven her a bit (maybe my Grandfather's red one more?) and so has my brother.  Seven or more years apart given we both have memories of doing that during our high school years and that's the difference in age...

The running joke between us, and the whole family participated, was which one of us would get it and how we'd determine that: arm wresting, sprints, or cards it didn't matter because in the end it came down to who had the time and inclination to treat her right.

So on the 7th of August, after we agreed I could have it and my uncle and I agreed on the price I jumped in the truck and got up to Maine before either one changed their minds!  Talk about exciting; I looked forward to the trip all the way up and then driving her when I got home.  While my uncle was quite at home jumping in and just going, I wanted a good look over her because some things about her just weren't right.  So I didn't drive her while in Maine but waited until I got her home.

That's when all the "fun" started.

Thanks for looking...