'Da Chief . . . So it Begins again

[SJTD]

Looking good. My carpet came but I was hoping it would take longer so I could get the wiring done.

[cu4whln]

Looking good. My carpet came but I was hoping it would take longer so I could get the wiring done.

Doing wiring cleanup now.

It all worked before I put the dash in ???

[cu4whln]

In Today's News . . .

Dash Day!

It's finally time to load the dash into the Jeep. Woot!

Prep stuff for install.

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Added a bit of paint protection for IP load . . .

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Wires moved out of the way.. Positioned for dash install ...
Column loose and down.

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My buddy came over and helped me ... had to test fit it, drop it down, and hook up the radio stuff.

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Install upper bolts, then center column support bolt.

Then tighten the side cowl screws down.

IN !

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Now have to figure out a few wiring bugs?

Not sure why . . . everything was working before. Sigh.

[78 WIDETRAC]

I found a few things on the door gaskets. Most seem to have problems on the earlier Jeeps like yours. It doesn't seem to be a problem on the later grand wagoneers.

The solutions are anywhere from massaging the flange with a block of wood to finding a foam replacement at a local auto parts store that has the same profile as the original.

Redone. on FSJNetwork has something posted on the replacement he found. I tried to cross post but failed.



Goodluck!

[akguy09]

Door seals

I got my door seals from BJ's and they went in great. they were tight at first, so I did the slam the door thing and let it sit in the hot sun for a few days. Havent had any issues since. Of course my doors are off now so I can paint the cab and bed.

[cu4whln]

I got my door seals from BJ's and they went in great. they were tight at first, so I did the slam the door thing and let it sit in the hot sun for a few days. Havent had any issues since. Of course my doors are off now so I can paint the cab and bed.

What year is your Jeep?

[cu4whln]

In Today's News . . .

Ahhh, a "Special" day in Hell . . .

Today we tackled windshield and trim install.

Step one, clean windshield.

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Position seal on body, start to install windshield at the bottom.

Easier said than done btw . . .

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Then used a fiber stick to work the seal around the seal opening ...
Trying to get the windshield down all the way in and centered at the same time. So much fun !

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After much fussing and struggle, the seal is on the body and the windshield is in it's channel.

The upper corners are a "special" joy !

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Then you have to snap the seal "lock" around the edges... Used a pick tool to help this...

Again, very much fun-n-games . . .

Note black tape on body for slip-up protection.

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Locking it in..
Note the before and after when the tool was dragged along...
Locked when the seam is small btw.

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All locked in !

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Next up: Stainless trim install.
How bad can it be ?? Right ??

Step one, install lower windshield trim.

Hmm, looks easy, in theory. This was not easy OR fun.

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Next, the A pillar trim.

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At this point, I was having so much "FUN", I forgot to take any more pictures.

Must say, the top stainless pieces fit like crapola and were hours to get them "Almost" right.

Dammit Jim! I'm an engineer, NOT a trim installer !!!

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Walk away at 1:30 pm.. started at 8:45 am.

I am DONE with this thing for today.

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[Heep-J4000]

You jeep is looking great!

Working on a windshield is always a bit stressful.

I learned that removing and putting in a full size jeep windshield goes easier when starting on the lower part first with removing and when putting a windshield in starting with the upper side of the windshield.

But I don't know if you had to do it all by yourself or did have help!?

The end result is what counts!

[cu4whln]

In Today's News . . .

You jeep is looking great!

Working on a windshield is always a bit stressful.

But I don't know if you had to do it all by yourself or did have help!?

I had help! It definitely took both of us to get it in.

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More interior work today.

Add lots of glue and install pass side rear wheel well.
Trim edges a bit.

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Made the rear trim panels that are now cut down to fit around the subwoofer opening. The wood is the sub box mount.
Add carpet to abs panels.
Had to rework the carpet set as this area stock has 2 trim panel parts.

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Will do some final tuning and trimming when I get the rear panel installed.

Peeled the original door "skins" trim off.
I removed the foam.. it should glue to the abs panel better ??

I pulled one of the front door panels off too ....

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Spray glue, and put the trim skin on the abs panel.
Then pull the edges over and glue them down.
Not perfect, it took a lot of pulling to get it tight.

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More fine tuning required, but its a start.

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[cu4whln]

More Details . . .

More gluing up trim panels today.

Then started to paint them to match the carpet...

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Going to have some black contrast.
So ash trays and arm rests will be black.

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Can't install the rear arm rests yet, can't find the little weird clips that go into the square opening. Anybody know if those are available anywhere?

Trimmed up the carpet and installed the pass rear panel.

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[78 WIDETRAC]

More gluing up trim panels today.

Then started to paint them to match the carpet...

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Going to have some black contrast.
So ash trays and arm rests will be black.

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Can't install the rear arm rests yet, can't find the little weird clips that go into the square opening. Anybody know if those are available anywhere?

Trimmed up the carpet and installed the pass rear panel.

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I've got 6 clips or so that I just put my eyes on. (still in extra doors) Send me a PM with an address and I'll throw 4 in an envelope heading your way tomorrow. Free.

[akguy09]

What year is your Jeep?

1979 J-10

[brielly]

Lookin good! What are you using to paint the panels? I did mine with duplicolor. It came out nice but did come off a bit when rubbed against.

[cu4whln]

In Today's News . . .

Lookin good! What are you using to paint the panels? I did mine with duplicolor. It came out nice but did come off a bit when rubbed against.

Krylon Fusion .. I was planning on SEM.
But the Painter Supply guy suggested this instead. 1/3 of the price.
I did clean them well with Prep Sol, then SEM plastic prep.

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Been busy with life stuff.
Wife needed my help for 4 days, so no big progress.

However, I have done some small pita tasks that have been waiting in the wings...

Been fine tuning the carpet a bit in the back as I install the rear panels.
I am doing the back first this time...
Last time, I did the front, and never got around to finishing the back.

Turns out, the 3M "Super 77" spray adhesive so many suggested?
Not working all that well for me. Hmmm

Testing some Wedgewood brush on adhesive.
Seems to be working a bit better.
More to follow . . .

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Working on covering the subwoofer in material. that's an adventure in itself!

Did 2 more of the wheels... stripping off the clear coat.
That's not really any fun let me tell you... 1 more to go.
Then it's final clean up and some chrome polishing.

So, why the wheels?

After a long back order,
The BFG AT - KO2s are coming.
33"x12.5" x 15" tires have been out of stock for months.
Finally !!
So, paid my money and hoping they get delivered this week?
We will see

Also chasing down some final needed parts..
A Jeep guy went and pulled an original outside driver rear view mirror.
The chrome is in good shape!
Double Bonus: it's a manual cable remote unit like what came on mine originally.

He also found a center headliner part - The one that holds the front and back halves together.

78 Widetrac is sending me some door panel clips for the rear armrests. TY !!

Little stuff, but needed parts.

Need an original good condition pass side mirror now??

Bueller?? Anybody ?

[cu4whln]

In Today's News . . .

Finished up stripping the clear coat off the last wheel today.

This is a before and after pic of how clouded the clear is after 45 years.

These are "used" wheels, but in pretty good shape overall btw.

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Note - I said "USED" wheels.
There was a decent amount of rust inside a couple of the wheels.
Why? idk ?

BUT - I sprayed these areas with the rust inhibiting paint to slow any future corrosion.
Nobody will ever see this.. Maybe overkill, but I know it's there!

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Next up - get the chrome polish out, and polish the center caps as best I can.
These are apparently like Hen's Teeth these days..
Not perfect by any stretch, but at least i have some !
The closed "Jeep" center caps will be sent out for a repaint soon....

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After stripping the clear, each wheel takes another hour to polish it with chrome polish.
My hands and shoulder hurt tonight.
Also, some small spots of clear REFUSE to come off, so they take extra scrapping and elbow grease.

All done - Thank goodness !!!

This "Clean Up" represents a solid 25 hours of work overall.
And - a TON of effort and ELBOW GREASE.



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Hopefully the tires show up this week...
Looking forward to seeing the Jeep with these on !