Hello, all!
After a month or so of lurking and asking annoying questions I feel it's time to introduce myself to the community. I'm Jason, known as Cavicatz24 after my first car infatuation - a 1990 Chevrolet Cavalier Z24.
My FSJ love is a 1982 Jeep Wagoneer Limited named "Bessie". I got her from a close friend for free after she got it free from the Lukemia Foundation. Still not quite sure why the Foundation would consider a 10 mpg beast in Bessie's condition a good candidate for a low income woman on an extremely fixed income but whatever the reasons, she was given the jeep.
After asking me to tinker on it and driving it around for about a year, she gave it to me as a thank-you gift for all the work I do on her vehicles, no matter what they may be (she knew I wanted the jeep from the moment she got it and I got it running proper for her).
I've spent quite a bit of time looking Bessie over and figuring out what needs to be done and what non-required mods I'd like to do.
I've also got quite a bit done:
-Got the gauge illumination lamps and cigarette lighter working
-Replaced the standard dim halogens with Sylvania Silverstar lamps - big difference!
-Installed a tach so I could see what my revs were (was worried they were too high at freeway speed but found out revs were fine).
-Stripped the carpet and headliner (was hospitalized after a bad allergy to the black mold - intibated for 36 hours)
-Fixed the tailgate latches and glass - thankfully the motor was okay and I just needed to bypass the wonky tailgate switch
-Wired in the switch that will control two fuel pumps for my main and aux tanks
-Fixed the T/C shift lever and reattached the stabilizer bracket - now I can shift my T/C!
Still need to do many repairs:
-Herculine the interior to replace the mold and dirt prone carpeting. Also replace the seats with something mold-free and a little more comfy. Also reline the headliner
-Re-plumb the entire fuel system and install the electric pumps.
-Replace the windshield seal and the liftgate glass guides and seal
-Re-wire or replace weak and damaged door lock and power window actuators
Lots of engine work to do:
-Want to use 4 barrel intake and install a carb that doesnt leak
-Reseal intake, exhaust, valve covers, oil pan, and oil pump
Not to mention the steering and suspension repairs needed:
-Replace the worn out leaf springs. Since I want to lift it anyway I'll use BJ's 4" all spring lift. 2 birds with one stone!
-Replace upper and lower ball joints
-Replace sway bar and end link bushings
-Replace all the destroyed body bushings
And the old girl has her fair share of rust. Some really small bits here and there and the completely rotted rear quarter panels just behind the rear wheels. no biggie, tho - Rock Auto has what I need for a very reasonable price!
And there's a few things I want to do:
-4" lift kit - needing to replace those worn leaves is a pretty good excuse!
-Aquire a spare set of rims and M/T tires - either the stock size or 30x9.5r15. Don't want to go too big.
-Install a working radio, speakers, and a boomer in back. Gotta have my sounds!
-Install some off road driving lights. Still not sure if I want to do 2 on the bumper, four on a roof bar, or both....
-Replace my stock alternator with a much higher output, along the lines of 100 or 140 amps to run all kinds of gear not to mention my stereo and lights
-Strip the damaged paint and repaint it flat black. that way I won't cry if it gets scratched while wheeling but it'll still look good.
-Tint the windows. 35% on the driver and passenger front windows, 5% on the rest.
-Install dual batteries
-The exhaust is lousy - a cheap catalytic converter (but the other emissions stuff was stripped?), cheap muffler, loose pipe, and crush bent tailpipe. Would like to replace all that crap with a straight 2.5" pipe to a Flowmaster (or something similar but more affordable (free, if possible!) with a turndown just before the rear axle.
There's sure to be stuff I've forgotten, but I'll add it and check off my progress as I go along.
Now for the pics!
So, this is my new pride and joy, and the reason I'll be asking so many more questions! Glad to be here and I look forward to all the help, information, and even (constructive) criticism you all have to offer!
Time to introduce myself... and my project!
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Actually, I have no idea where that sticker is from! It was on the rig when I got it and I thought it looked pretty cool so I left it. Just adding to the sticker collection, now!
Replaced the hose for now (until I run hard lines along the firewall for my dual tank project) and the smell is slowly dissipating. 
Linear Mode
