10-MAY-2012
Lots of rust!
Looks like one owner of this Jeep spent some time putting epoxy on the floor of the whole tub, unfortunately the rust was growing under the epoxy.
12-MAY-2012
Passenger side rust
Looks like there is a lot of rust and some cracks to go along with it.
12-MAY-2012
Rust and cracks
A closer look at the rust and a bad crack going up the firewall.
12-MAY-2012
A closer look at the crack on the passenger side firewall
I guess all the flexing of the rusted floor caused this crack.
12-MAY-2012
Passenger seat rust support
It looks like someone knew the seat needed a little extra support so it wouldn't fall through the floor!
12-MAY-2012
Drivers side rust
Pulling up the rubber on the drivers side exposed more rust.
12-MAY-2012
Closer look at the drivers floor
This is a closer look at the drivers side and so far it looks to be not quite as bad as the passenger side floor.
12-MAY-2012
Rocker panel rust
After scraping some of the epoxy/paint away some rocker panel rust is exposed. Looks like I have some work ahead of me.
01-MAY-2012
Transfer case shifter
Just as I thought, the TC shifter wasn't functioning. After removing the inverted boot I found that the shifter was just sitting in the shift box not even bolted in!
What is really a pisser is that the driveline shop that worked on it for my brother, cut the driveshaft because they said it was too long and caused damage to the adapter between the TC and trans, then they told him that they tested the complete 4WD system and everything was working perfect! There is no way these guys ever got the Jeep in four wheel drive with the TC shifter unbolted.
04-MAY-2012
New front springs
I found that the problem with the front suspension was that the springs were worn out and almost flat causing zero wheel travel, very bad shackle angle, and the front shocks bottomed out. Driving this Jeep was a joke as the front suspension felt like the rigid rear end of a Harley hard tail!
I installed a set of YJ rear 4" lift springs. They fit perfectly and now the front suspension actually works. But now we have some new issues.....
04-MAY-2012
The shocks can now work!
Now I actually have some wheel travel with the new front springs and the Jeep is somewhat pleasant to drive.
03-MAY-2012
Problem with front driveshaft
Now that the front suspension is lifted to a working height, the front driveshaft that was shortened 2 1/2" by the "driveline" shop is now too short. With 1 1/2" of spline showing at ride height and only 2" of actual spline, it's not going to work.