79 Cherokee Build, Part 2 (pic heavy)

[Charlie_B]

This is part 2, hopefully the finale, to the build of my 79 Cherokee.

The plan for her is to have a well rounded rig that can get me into some cool spots for camping, fishing, and wheeling; and to-from work reliably when I want to drive it. But ultimately it will depend on the quality of my DIY paint job. If its too nice, it wont get run up against any trees or buried in mud. The XJ will get bigger and more fun for that duty. If its not nice, at least it will be solid.

This is the first time Ive dove this deep into a project by myself. Ive helped folks do body work, Ive helped folks build motors, and Ive always tried to wrench on my own stuff whenever possible. Im learning alot as I go and am completely open to suggestions or criticisms.

Currently
Sand blasting frame/undercarraige

The "To-Do" list is as follows:
(will try to keep up to date)

Motor
-send heads/shortblock to machine shop
-rebuild

Trans/Tcase (th400/qtrac)
-th400 allison spec HD convertor, 4l80 front band/piston, tci pro rebuild kit, deep aluminum pan (got to pull it apart again and air check the drums)
-Qtrac got a new chain, good looking diff and bearings, and new seals.

Body
-sand blast frame and POR or epoxy paint
-strip undercarraige
-remove driver's lower quarter panel and flare
-weld in new quarter panels
-POR or Epoxy paint undercarraige
-glass in new fiberglass flares
-prep body for paint
-sand sand sand sand
-paint (still tossing colors around)

Suspension
-Rustys 4" spring kit
-undecided on tires, but will be 33x12.5 on the stock wagon spokes.

Any suggestions or questions, please post.

<edited to put to-do list/intro in first post>

[Charlie_B]

Some of you may or may not remember my build thread from 2009.

http://www.ifsja.org/forums/vb/showthread.php?t=101885&highlight=build

Then, that fall the following took place...































Started sandblasting, using my 20 gal sears compressor. Got about 95% of the undercarraige to bare metal until it gave out on me. I emptied the shelf of old crap rattle cans and painted the bare metal I had been working so hard on , then tarped her up, pushed her out and let her sit.

In the spring of 2010, I went ahead and took the motor out. And really didnt do a whole lot else. The soon-to-be misses and I bought a house. Needless to say, not a whole lot has happened since then. But this is the year. This is the summer that she will run again.

Here's a couple shots of the upgraded space and how she's been sitting sitting since we moved in almost a year ago.









the little guy's replacement.


Today I had the day to myself. Fired up my little space heater. Organized the garage. Took a bunch of stuff out of the truck. Got the engine on the stand and tore it down to the short block.

















its going to get replaced, but is this considered normal chain stretch?







Whats going on with the casting on the intake side of the head? Its like that on both heads, same places. But looks just like its craked/chipped off.




Thanks for reading.
-Charlie

[EBCIII]

Looks like you have spent a bunch of time and energy on this build. I comend you for that. The fact you are doing it in my book says a lot about you as a person, Beale.

[VonBoomenstien]

that garage is wikkid awesome.

[Eugene 1]

Man that is going to turn out great !

[jaber]

that garage is wikkid awesome.

X2. I would be in heaven in a shop like that.

Your build is going to be awesome.
Subscribed to watch...

[Charlie_B]

thanks for the comments and encouragement.

Ive learned 2 things about big garages so far:
1. Wicked hard to heat with a little space heater and no ceiling. Especially with the sub-zero temps we've been having.
2. ridiculously expensive to finish.

We basically took on the previous owner's garage project. Spent most of last summer finishing the exterior. Ive got a buddy that does HVAC. He's on the lookout for a propane unit heater for me. I plan to insulate and sheetrock after the Jeep is running. Warmer weather is on the horizon and if the truck is running before winter, I can wait until next spring (2012) before doing too much out there.

[Charlie_B]

few questions Im hoping someone can help me with...

1. If I can still see slight cross-hatching in the bores and barely feel the ridge at the top, should I consider the pistons, rings, and bores good to go? Should I get my hands on a dial gauge, just to make sure bore taper is in check?

2. Any harm in going ahead and replacing rod/main bearings, assuming everything looks normal upon disassembly? I would just need to check clearances with plastigauge, correct? What about cam bearings? I am replacing the cam, lifters, and pushrods.

3. Any suggestions for safely supporting the body on its side so I can easily finish stripping it and welding in the floorpan?

4. And Im looking for suggestions on paint for the frame and underbody. Considered POR, but may just go with an epoxy paint.

thx guys

[Charlie_B]

Got most of my engine questions answered here

http://www.ifsja.org/forums/vb/showthread.php?t=136229

Stripped the shortblock yesterday. All the bearings were worn. Im still on the fence about boring it out vs just rings and hone.

As soon as the weather gets a bit better, Im planning to remove the body and roll the frame out and clean it up and sandblast it. Still not sure about what coating I want to use. It will see New England winters and salt. POR? Epoxy Paint?

[Charlie_B]

Made some progress yesterday. Pulled the body from the frame. Wound up having to "retrieve" the 2 rear body bolts. But it mostly went well. Had 2 buddies helping me, and luckily only had one close call when trying to move the body around. Another phone call and 10 min later had 3 more strong backsat the house. (Im sure Im going to have some favors to repay this summer, luckily they like my BBQ ) Got most of the front end of the frame completely disassembled (pics are before this). Planning to do the rest today.








Then finish up my floor install from the bottom.

Any of you scrapped the heat sheild on the passenger side (or driver side for later rigs, if they have them) and ran without it? Ive got to take it off to finish the floors and may not put it back on.

Then I should be able to start blasting by next weekend once Im done with the floors.

Still waiting for Uncle Sam to give me my money back, then shortblock/heads go to the machine shop. And then its just a ton of sanding and painting and finding random parts to assemble.


-CB

[TAWL_BOY]

Whose fiberglass flares did you go with and are you happy with them?

Did you cut the entire old flare off?

I've been searching around alot but I haven't found a detailed writeup with pics on doing the fiberglass flares.

[Charlie_B]

I got them from ZMJeeps. Here is acofficer's thread, where he is replacing his flares with fiberglass. I havent started mine yet.

http://www.ifsja.org/forums/vb/showthread.php?t=132206&highlight=flare

[addicted]

Looking good, she's gonna be nice when you get her finished up.

[Sharps Shooter]

I see an Golden Eagle in the same color as mine.. cept mines in a J-10.. Project's lookin pretty good though.. Look forward to seein the finished results.

[KyooMac]

That is going to be a sweet looking rig!