Where to Begin

[dirt lovin doc]

Alright, this is my first project.....I usually have fixed up older street rods, now I am into Jeeps. This is actually my second jeep. The first was a 94 cherokee. This is a 79 Cherokee golden eagle. Paid just over 1000. And it needs work. Where to Begin? The motor is orignal with 40K on the spedo (probably 140) the trans and the transfer cases seem to be in working order. the frame is straigh and seemingly solid. The body needs work. Previous owners have screwed in panel on the floor board on either side - no welding and not very good sealing. I have found rust everywhere. front fenders, floors back to the tail gate, inner fender where the seat belts attach and the rear fender flares and the rocker panels. All the glass /windows need new weather stripping and reworking. I want to take the body off and start on the frame with sand blasting and rust prevention - any suggestions or pity?

[Kali]

looks like a mess! :p
good luck with fixin it up. post lots of pics of your progress!

welcome to poverty!

[PlumCrazy]

no not your Jeep...your wallet of course.

But cheer up, your keeping company with everyone else on this forum and we are up to what 11000 give or take? :thumbsup:

Wayne S

[Subconscious]

I always liked the Burgundy color. Ideally, you should cut out all rusty areas that are no longer sound. Check out available sheet metal floor plates, and compare them to what needs to go from your rig, and buy a size larger than what you need to replace. Cut your floor to match - if you're not a welder, find one and get his advice before you do this, to ensure he has enough material to work with. You know what to do if you're doing it yourself. Finish your welds, prime, and paint. :D

[Dr Teeth]

Decide what you want to do with it first, then plan your build around that.

If you just want to wheel it... I'd worry less about rust and painting the frame and more about drivetrain upgrades.

If you want a daily driver to keep long term you are going to have to do some major rust battling to stitch that body back together.

The biggest difference from building up older hotrods that you'll find is that with jeeps, they aren't worth much more when you're done than when you started so keep that in mind if you don't plan to keep it long and you are looking at big budget items.

I'm putting much more money into my jeep than I could ever sell it for, but it is worth it to me as I plan to keep it long term and use it daily.

Good luck, it's a nice truck with good potential whatever you decide.

Todd

[dngrs1]

Well, I got 8 or 9 grand in my J10, but you would never know it by looking at it. 13 years worth. It has to be a "labor of love". You will never get back what you spend. :)

[dirt lovin doc]

Well, I'm starting with new floor pans, fix the windows and doors and all the rubber- I figure try to button up the inside. Then start on the outside - cut the rust off the rocker panels, front fenders. The rear fenders are interesting. They are fundamentally flawed with the dual sheet metal design, so, I would like to just cut them out and to get something like bushwacker fenders - do they make something that will fit?

[grand_wag_85]

Welcome aboard! I'd start by taking the Halloween decor off the hood, might look a bit tacky...:p

[steven79]

those jack o lanterns are to keep the evel spirits away:D
Oh and welcome to the madnes.

[Jeep_Guy]

Well it looks like youve got your work "cut out" for you, heh. But thats half the fun of owning a jeep. Welcome to the madness. :D

[Tad]

those jack o lanterns are to keep the evel spirits away:D
I wish someone would have told me this 6 years ago.
<-- makes note to add this to the archives :eek:

Welcome,
You may want to check on local/reasonable availability for another/better body.
I've fixed worse rust (I actually still drive worse rust), but I have also cut up and thrown out cleaner rigs.
I'm not saying do it, just check, sometimes you get lucky.