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Post by yjsaabman on Feb 22, 2015 9:52:11 GMT -5
The name comes from the license plate number and the car it used to be on. "Project" is also a loose term, at this point, as this is more of a fixer-upper, for now. The subject is a 1994 Jeep ZJ Grand Cherokee Laredo with the 4.0L/42RE auto/NP231 drivetrain. I'd been looking specifically for the 93-95 with the NP231 transfer case with no full time option. It was a trade at work headed for the scrap yard, and I saved it from that fate. Overall it's got a nice, clean body shell with 167K on it, and so far I've replaced the right side ball joints, the muffler and tail pipe and the air filter. Next on the list is 4 tires, and I think then it's ready for inspection. Right now it's just nice to have something that will go when the snow gets deep, since everything else in the driveway is lower than stock height. Once it's all squared away mechanically (it has a few oil leaks, and the like) it will most certainly get a budget boost, because they all look better with a little lift, and then I can get out and have a little fun with it!
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wonk
Moderator
Life is tough. It's tougher when you're stupid.
Posts: 1,080
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Post by wonk on Mar 1, 2015 17:15:05 GMT -5
HEY, someone is actually still alive around here!!! I haven't checked in for the last week. Been busy with work, crappy weather, and surfing/researching gun forums in the spare time. Glad to hear you're getting up off the ground again.
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Post by yjsaabman on Mar 3, 2015 21:55:41 GMT -5
Ugh, no talk of crappy weather. Thank god I fought some fresh meats onto this thing today, my driveway is currently an ice rink. And I do mean fought! Must have been bottom of the stack tires, 235/75R15 Wrangler RTS that measured 4.5" outside bead to outside bead on 7" wheels. I was not a happy camper.
Oth, a small exhaust leak to weld up and a marker light bulb to replace and I think it's ready for inspection. Either way, with the 6"+ they're calling for Thursday, I'm glad to have it!
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Post by yjsaabman on Mar 4, 2015 23:01:37 GMT -5
Exhaust leak fixed, marker bulb replaced, another one out, sticker from my employer's competition removed, and some interior clean up done today. Just over $1050 invested at this point and really happy with how it's coming together.
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wonk
Moderator
Life is tough. It's tougher when you're stupid.
Posts: 1,080
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Post by wonk on Mar 5, 2015 12:05:22 GMT -5
We got a VERY RARE snow for March around here last night. Anywhere from 4" - 20" depending on where you're at. We got around 9" -!0" here at the house. They called off work for today and if I'm lucky tomorrow too. : ) This was after raining at least 2" yesterday and temps going from upper 40s yesterday morning to -1 for Friday.
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Post by yjsaabman on Mar 5, 2015 20:07:28 GMT -5
We got around 8" here, went in for about 2 hrs this morning and then got sent home. ZJ did great with new meats. Going to get down to single digits, going to get very icy.
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Post by neil on Mar 9, 2015 7:34:45 GMT -5
I'm with you Wonk, am I'm to blame as well! I find I don't really have much spare time at all anymore.
Great to see you own a Jeep again Andy. Good luck with the project.
Hopefully looking to put together a wheeling trip this month or next, and Wonk, planning on trying to get to Arkansas possibly this year! Peace out! I'll check back soon
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Post by yjsaabman on Mar 9, 2015 17:08:17 GMT -5
Well, I'll have to see what I can squeak through for this thing, we have a little one due in August. I see the free time and extra $$ all getting very slim for at least a few years.
I've been researching ZJ builds on Pirate 4x4, going to check out what's "trending" in the builds over on JeepForums. Found Rough Country 3.5" kits on eBay for $400, sounds like a great place to start on a budget!
Oh, and I picked up a welder about a month ago, so I can actually do some fab work at home. Went with the Hobart Handler 140 from Tractor Supply. Rated up to 1/4" in a single pass, so I'll be good for bumpers, and such, but heavier axle/suspension welding will require a little more machine.
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Post by neil on Mar 15, 2015 15:02:14 GMT -5
Not really.....preheat and do multiple passes. honestly you will find that it really doesn't have the umph for 1/4" single pass on anything but a beveled butt joint, but a good machine non the less. flux-core will be your friend on heavier stuff. don't run any bigger than .030 wire solid and 0.035 flux. I miss having a small mig for portability and quick little jobs. Probably will pick another one up at some point. I'm buying another tig, so ill wait on the mig. Just have to be quick on the trigger for light stuff with my big mig.
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wonk
Moderator
Life is tough. It's tougher when you're stupid.
Posts: 1,080
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Post by wonk on Mar 15, 2015 15:37:22 GMT -5
Id like to have a nice mig myself. Don't need it nearly as much as I once did but if some A&&WIPE hadn't broke into my garage I'd still have one. Got my Miller 220 mig, my torches and tanks, and my generator. Plus totally cleaning out my Jeep. Bad part was I didn't dare turn it in to insurance as I was guaranteed they would cancel me and I would be on high risk costing me 2-3 times the ridiculous amount I'm paying now.
I HATE A THIEF!
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Post by neil on Mar 16, 2015 6:38:22 GMT -5
10-4 0n that. that really stinks!
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Post by yjsaabman on Mar 18, 2015 16:58:06 GMT -5
Thieves and drunk drivers! :thumbdown:
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wonk
Moderator
Life is tough. It's tougher when you're stupid.
Posts: 1,080
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Post by wonk on Mar 18, 2015 17:37:33 GMT -5
I figure thieves have got me for about $13,000 - $15,000 in the past 5 years.
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Post by yjsaabman on Mar 20, 2015 12:03:18 GMT -5
I figure thieves have got me for about $13,000 - $15,000 in the past 5 years. When we bought our house the garage was completely unsecured, that was taken care of the first weekend.
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Post by neil on Mar 21, 2015 5:48:19 GMT -5
where are your neighbors when all this thievery is going on! I get calls all the time for people dropping off jobs or looking suspicious! I would know right away if something was going on.
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