before and after: I need some motivation here

[3rdelement]

So I keep seeing these glossy painted GW and wt cherokees looking sharp. is mine hopeless? or does it just need some tlc?

Mine now:


thats the only body damage besides both bumpers being slightly pushed in.

do you have a before and after picture that might lift my spirits?

[ClovisMan]

30 bucks worth of bondo and krylon would fix that right up....I prefer camo-jobs myself.

[threepiece]

If that's the worst of it than you have what I would consider a great start, even if you wanted a shower!

[Gambler68]

sawzall, patch panel, and a little welding before the bondo

[3rdelement]

prefab panel or just from a donor gw?


i think why im questioning the project is because its running like crap, and all i have done at this point is bought parts. im ready to get this thing goin already. :-\ flu got me this weekend. maybe next weekend will turn out better.

sorry jeepstress. here is my resized pic:

[lost1]

Hang in there man...

Back in '08 I bought mine for $360 and it ran out of desperation, I think. The motor was shot, the tranny was weak and sloppy, both axles needed a lot of minor work, emissions wasn't even a remote possibility... you get the picture. Don't even get me going on the brakes.

Today the tranny's pretty healthy, the motor got swapped for a lower-mileage one, and most of the serious issues have been resolved. Here and there I take the time to work on the interior; make some interior panels for the cargo area, get the headliner out of my face, make the carpet look orange again, etc. Someday I may even look at getting the emissions stuff hooked up again.

It's a trial, working on these things. But man is it ever sweet when it's all working together like it should. Just hang in there and work on something different till you're feeling ready to tackle the big stuff again. That's how I've done it, anyways.

P.S. I didn't mention the exterior because don't want to. It's depressing. Yours is in way better shape than this poor old horse.

[3rdelement]

i appreciate it guys.
the interior is fine(no radio or speakers, which sucks)
needs new carpet and a headliner(easy just gotta spend the $$$)
engine has a valve out. but got new heads from a local member
rebuild carb(kit on the way, i know the power valve is shot)
vac canister was just sad, ordered a replacement and made the necessary mods
exhaust leak(baaaad, also the head riser needs replaced, part on the way)
leaks fuel when i fill it up.(fill hoses need replaced, parts in hand)
fuel gauge isnt accurate(bjs sent new sending unit and sock)
water temp gauge isnt working(bjs sent new temp sending unit)
PO mounted fuel pump in the engine bay, so im having to relocate to near tank

so yeah just got lots ahead of me, and just cant get enough time to get on it.
but thanks for the krylon, bondo, sawzaw, comments.

for $400? i still think i got a good deal.

[threepiece]

prefab panel or just from a donor gw?


i think why im questioning the project is because its running like crap, and all i have done at this point is bought parts. im ready to get this thing goin already. :-\ flu got me this weekend. maybe next weekend will turn out better.

sorry jeepstress. here is my resized pic:

That's a reasonably cooperative area. If there aren't any soft spots than I wouldn't do any cutting or welding. That damage can and should be repaired by bumping alone, again, provided there are no soft spots.
Dan

[Asphalt Cowboy]

Don't know if it's motivational or not, but you've less to do than I.

before


after

[3rdelement]

did you find that one on craigslist? i thought i saw that exact one on there one day late last year. good luck with yours too!

[Asphalt Cowboy]

Not the one on CL. She set in Manhattan for a couple years with a 4sale sign. Got a bug up my butt and stopped one day about four years ago.

She looks this way now on account of foolishness and snow drifts.

[krek]

Before:



During:

[3rdelement]

amazing what some paint can do.

[JeepNOFEAR]

before


after


Glad I did it for the learning experience. Would I do it again....H*LL NO!

[WagoneerinWi]

Not an FSJ but here's my before and after on my bus.


Before


After


At this point it was 3 days with rubbing compound/wax and painting the wheels.