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girlyjen78
04-11-2013, 09:54 PM
So I guess it's about time I start a "build" thread since all the cool kids are doing it...

I bought the Jeep of craigslist from a lovely couple in Needville, TX at the end of June 2012. It was like love at first site when I saw my YJ for the first time.

I made a random decision while hanging out with my Dad on Father's day that I wanted to buy a Jeep. So the search began...I searched high and low around town and all of Texas for that matter. Did a thorough internet search, went to a few Jeep dealers and didn't find anything that was nice enough but also budget friendly...I had almost settled on a Jeep that I found one Friday but decided to just sleep on it. That's when I woke up in the morning and did one last Craigslist search and found "the one"! I was out and about driving around town checking out a few at some shady small dealers when I decided to utilize my craigslist app one more time...I called the couple and was down in Needville, TX within an hour! Test drove it for a good 30 mins out on the country roads, took some photos and fell in love. And the story continues...

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v626/girlyjen78/Facebook/94%20Wrangler%20YJ/389005_10151872435865611_192500977_n.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/girlyjen78/media/Facebook/94%20Wrangler%20YJ/389005_10151872435865611_192500977_n.jpg.html)

girlyjen78
04-11-2013, 10:17 PM
I knew that some of the things just HAD to go once I took ownership of the Jeep but here are some photos I took the day of the test drive. I had to come back the following week with the cash!

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v626/girlyjen78/E6519213-9F8A-400C-875D-CDEFAF6B4A42-2278-0000022E2837B5F2.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/girlyjen78/media/E6519213-9F8A-400C-875D-CDEFAF6B4A42-2278-0000022E2837B5F2.jpg.html)

Got rid of those camo seat covers, the carpet and those Texas floor mats. (no offense anyone) I'll post after pics of the interior once I get some...

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v626/girlyjen78/0A808456-BE65-4D5D-99AC-B5859285BB82-2278-0000022E2387A692.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/girlyjen78/media/0A808456-BE65-4D5D-99AC-B5859285BB82-2278-0000022E2387A692.jpg.html)

I didn't know it at the time but I quickly grew to have a distaste for the chrome on my Jeep. I ended up painting those bumpers and will post photos in another reply.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v626/girlyjen78/438F541C-D04A-4A29-BD2F-8B92F023B59F-2278-0000022E0D93C987.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/girlyjen78/media/438F541C-D04A-4A29-BD2F-8B92F023B59F-2278-0000022E0D93C987.jpg.html)

Anyone ever dye a seat? I'd like to replace it with a black seat but this seat is in great shape...

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v626/girlyjen78/D8B6EF67-ED3F-4CD5-994E-0753BD8C3136-2278-0000022E07FE0B01.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/girlyjen78/media/D8B6EF67-ED3F-4CD5-994E-0753BD8C3136-2278-0000022E07FE0B01.jpg.html)

A little trivia...I just love these dash design and didn't know it at the time that this was a YJ!?! I was still a Jeep newbie! I love my square headlights, too :D

Oh, and I'm going to do something about those rusted screws in the steering wheel. Kinda just want to get a new one. Or paint that aluminum color....Hammered black!

girlyjen78
04-11-2013, 10:35 PM
I don't have photos of things that were fixed, replaced, diagnosed and whatever else last summer but the "short" list of it all is:

Pulled out the carpet - Smelled like dog and had to go!
Installed new AC Compressor
Replaced burned out AC fan switch - involved some soldering which was fun!
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v626/girlyjen78/127E741F-148C-4587-86BF-799EF9D2D699-2278-0000022E55B7D02E.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/girlyjen78/media/127E741F-148C-4587-86BF-799EF9D2D699-2278-0000022E55B7D02E.jpg.html)
Pulled out a bunch of crazy left over wiring
Replaced or re-wired some of the crazy and hazardous wiring from previous owners
Repaired side 6x9 speakers that weren't working - just needed wiring
Replaced a perfectly good stereo head unit with a new stereo head unit - Probably could have used a sanity check doing some wiring that day lol!
Replaced radiator hoses, flushed radiator, still had a leak, replaced and quadruple checked the hoses and still had leaks...Gave up and took it to downtown radiator.
New water pump (weep hole was leaking - who knew?) installed and new thermostat.

Then I eventually met my boyfriend who was also a Jeep owner (but he has one of those XJs :D), hence why I am on this site and the story continues...(with photos!)

4.3LXJ
04-11-2013, 10:53 PM
You did this yourself? Congrats. Naomi will have to accept you into the Jeepacorn club.

4x4Dalton
04-11-2013, 11:00 PM
Yea just the one time I've seen the jeep and talked to Jen you can tell she's put alot of time,sweat and probably a few choice words(hey it's a jeep) into it. Can't wait to see it grow up :D

girlyjen78
04-12-2013, 06:44 AM
You did this yourself? Congrats. Naomi will have to accept you into the Jeepacorn club.

Yes! I do a lot of the work myself with the help of my Dad and now my boyfriend...I can wrench with the best of them most times :D

girlyjen78
04-12-2013, 06:45 AM
Yea just the one time I've seen the jeep and talked to Jen you can tell she's put alot of time,sweat and probably a few choice words(hey it's a jeep) into it. Can't wait to see it grow up :D

Aww thanks, Bear!! Just a few choice words that start with "F", "S" and "F" again!

lol

TimmyTXJ
04-12-2013, 07:26 AM
Yes! I do a lot of the work myself with the help of my Dad and now my boyfriend...I can wrench with the best of them most times :D

'Tis a rare and wonderful thing to find a woman that not only tolerates my fascination with mechanical mayhem, but encourages and participates in it as well. A am truly a blessed man to have found her! (Even if she thinks Wranglers are better than Cherokees) ;)

girlyjen78
04-12-2013, 08:28 AM
'Tis a rare and wonderful thing to find a woman that not only tolerates my fascination with mechanical mayhem, but encourages and participates in it as well. A am truly a blessed man to have found her! (Even if she thinks Wranglers are better than Cherokees) ;)

You are such a sweetheart! I am the lucky one in this relationship :p:D

Wrangler's ARE better!

ArmyGuy45
04-12-2013, 08:35 AM
You are such a sweetheart! I am the lucky one in this relationship :p:D

Wrangler's ARE better!

I agree with you 100 percent....
































.... on the sweetheart thing, not the wrangler thing.:rotfl2::D

girlyjen78
04-12-2013, 08:37 AM
I agree with you 100 percent....
































.... on the sweetheart thing, not the wrangler thing.:rotfl2::D

Hahaha! :sign0181:

Mudderoy
04-12-2013, 08:51 AM
Finally some pictures! :D :popcorn:

XJ Wheeler
04-12-2013, 04:39 PM
Looks good, amazing to find one unabused and in such good shape for its age.

Its is cool that you don't just have a wrangler to have the top done, and actually work on it. Guys like that.;)

TimmyTXJ
04-13-2013, 09:26 AM
Looks good, amazing to find one unabused and in such good shape for its age.

Its is cool that you don't just have a wrangler to have the top done, and actually work on it. Guys like that.;)

This guy especially. ;)

girlyjen78
04-13-2013, 07:37 PM
Looks good, amazing to find one unabused and in such good shape for its age.

Its is cool that you don't just have a wrangler to have the top done, and actually work on it. Guys like that.;)

Thanks! I actually wanted something I could work on and kinda make it my own. :D

girlyjen78
04-13-2013, 08:45 PM
In December/January we decided to fix the chrome on my Jeep and that started with taking the chrome grill overlay off and painting the bumpers!

After a lot of cleaning, sanding, primer and rattle can painting I ended up with some nice Hammered black bumpers! Here are some photos from the project. The back bumper was in pretty bad shape with surface rust!

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v626/girlyjen78/0C6A7A70-D16F-48DF-81FA-E229753722CD-2278-0000022E6C2E7870.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/girlyjen78/media/0C6A7A70-D16F-48DF-81FA-E229753722CD-2278-0000022E6C2E7870.jpg.html)

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v626/girlyjen78/C50A4A69-EB3C-4D0F-9EDD-55FCA72D13D1-2278-0000022E67789C1D.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/girlyjen78/media/C50A4A69-EB3C-4D0F-9EDD-55FCA72D13D1-2278-0000022E67789C1D.jpg.html)

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v626/girlyjen78/ECAE9680-D014-4566-AF22-0FA34F21A710-2278-0000022E630CB74A.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/girlyjen78/media/ECAE9680-D014-4566-AF22-0FA34F21A710-2278-0000022E630CB74A.jpg.html)

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v626/girlyjen78/Facebook/94%20Wrangler%20YJ/703794_10152414851990611_1046684027_o.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/girlyjen78/media/Facebook/94%20Wrangler%20YJ/703794_10152414851990611_1046684027_o.jpg.html)

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v626/girlyjen78/Facebook/94%20Wrangler%20YJ/703814_10152414851980611_1115155615_o.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/girlyjen78/media/Facebook/94%20Wrangler%20YJ/703814_10152414851980611_1115155615_o.jpg.html)

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v626/girlyjen78/Facebook/94%20Wrangler%20YJ/333143_10152414852205611_1632438375_o.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/girlyjen78/media/Facebook/94%20Wrangler%20YJ/333143_10152414852205611_1632438375_o.jpg.html)

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v626/girlyjen78/Facebook/94%20Wrangler%20YJ/736454_10152414852215611_1989505593_o.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/girlyjen78/media/Facebook/94%20Wrangler%20YJ/736454_10152414852215611_1989505593_o.jpg.html)

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v626/girlyjen78/Facebook/94%20Wrangler%20YJ/614748_10152414852280611_657558887_o.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/girlyjen78/media/Facebook/94%20Wrangler%20YJ/614748_10152414852280611_657558887_o.jpg.html)

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v626/girlyjen78/7EF9B404-33D6-4BCD-B9A9-C9E58C3DE56F-2278-0000022E793A2D35.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/girlyjen78/media/7EF9B404-33D6-4BCD-B9A9-C9E58C3DE56F-2278-0000022E793A2D35.jpg.html)

4.3LXJ
04-13-2013, 08:49 PM
Back in Black :D

XjJeepacorn
04-13-2013, 10:09 PM
In December/January we decided to fix the chrome on my Jeep and that started with taking the chrome grill overlay off and painting the bumpers!

After a lot of cleaning, sanding, primer and rattle can painting I ended up with some nice Hammered black bumpers! Here are some photos from the project. The back bumper was in pretty bad shape with surface rust!

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v626/girlyjen78/0C6A7A70-D16F-48DF-81FA-E229753722CD-2278-0000022E6C2E7870.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/girlyjen78/media/0C6A7A70-D16F-48DF-81FA-E229753722CD-2278-0000022E6C2E7870.jpg.html)

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v626/girlyjen78/C50A4A69-EB3C-4D0F-9EDD-55FCA72D13D1-2278-0000022E67789C1D.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/girlyjen78/media/C50A4A69-EB3C-4D0F-9EDD-55FCA72D13D1-2278-0000022E67789C1D.jpg.html)

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v626/girlyjen78/ECAE9680-D014-4566-AF22-0FA34F21A710-2278-0000022E630CB74A.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/girlyjen78/media/ECAE9680-D014-4566-AF22-0FA34F21A710-2278-0000022E630CB74A.jpg.html)

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v626/girlyjen78/Facebook/94%20Wrangler%20YJ/703794_10152414851990611_1046684027_o.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/girlyjen78/media/Facebook/94%20Wrangler%20YJ/703794_10152414851990611_1046684027_o.jpg.html)

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v626/girlyjen78/Facebook/94%20Wrangler%20YJ/703814_10152414851980611_1115155615_o.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/girlyjen78/media/Facebook/94%20Wrangler%20YJ/703814_10152414851980611_1115155615_o.jpg.html)

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v626/girlyjen78/Facebook/94%20Wrangler%20YJ/333143_10152414852205611_1632438375_o.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/girlyjen78/media/Facebook/94%20Wrangler%20YJ/333143_10152414852205611_1632438375_o.jpg.html)

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v626/girlyjen78/Facebook/94%20Wrangler%20YJ/736454_10152414852215611_1989505593_o.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/girlyjen78/media/Facebook/94%20Wrangler%20YJ/736454_10152414852215611_1989505593_o.jpg.html)

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v626/girlyjen78/Facebook/94%20Wrangler%20YJ/614748_10152414852280611_657558887_o.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/girlyjen78/media/Facebook/94%20Wrangler%20YJ/614748_10152414852280611_657558887_o.jpg.html)

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v626/girlyjen78/7EF9B404-33D6-4BCD-B9A9-C9E58C3DE56F-2278-0000022E793A2D35.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/girlyjen78/media/7EF9B404-33D6-4BCD-B9A9-C9E58C3DE56F-2278-0000022E793A2D35.jpg.html)

Nice work! Keep it coming!! What are your future plans?

Brasscatz
04-13-2013, 11:15 PM
Much better!

girlyjen78
04-18-2013, 10:41 PM
Much better!

Thanks!!!

Next is the lift!

girlyjen78
04-26-2013, 11:22 AM
Nice work! Keep it coming!! What are your future plans?

Installing a Rough Country 4" lift! Can't wait!

prcjeep
04-26-2013, 12:32 PM
When's the date? We, Myself and Carlyn, would love to help out.

prcjeep
04-26-2013, 12:38 PM
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v626/girlyjen78/Facebook/94%20Wrangler%20YJ/703794_10152414851990611_1046684027_o.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/girlyjen78/media/Facebook/94%20Wrangler%20YJ/703794_10152414851990611_1046684027_o.jpg.html)

]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v626/girlyjen78/Facebook/94%20Wrangler%20YJ/703814_10152414851980611_1115155615_o.jpg[/URL]

Is that your Santos In the pictures? One of my favorites from st arnolds

Mudderoy
04-26-2013, 12:46 PM
Installing a Rough Country 4" lift! Can't wait!

Good I was wondering about this.

girlyjen78
04-26-2013, 02:07 PM
When's the date? We, Myself and Carlyn, would love to help out.

I'm gonna see if I can't get started tonight/tomorrow!

girlyjen78
04-26-2013, 02:08 PM
Is that your Santos In the pictures? One of my favorites from st arnolds

It is! Love everything from St Arnolds!

girlyjen78
04-27-2013, 12:23 PM
Well, got back from O'Reillys with my new 6 ton jack stands and pb2 just in time to realize a known small gas leak has turned into a much bigger one...so we're going to have to examine that problem before starting the lift. Oh, and once that's done I need to take the Jeep to Discount tire to see if I can get a wheel lock for the lug nuts that are in my Jeep since the previous owners didn't have it.... Le sigh! Can't ever just go out into the garage and do what you were set out to do for the day with a Jeep :(

4.3LXJ
04-27-2013, 12:25 PM
Man, ain't it the truth. But it is all in fun. Just jack it up and if you have to pull the tank, pull those rear springs at the same time

Brasscatz
04-27-2013, 05:13 PM
Hope you're working in the garage too... this rain we're having prematurely ended our Celtic Festival outing today.

TimmyTXJ
04-29-2013, 06:18 AM
Hope you're working in the garage too... this rain we're having prematurely ended our Celtic Festival outing today.

That rain was ridiculous! Thankfully, we had the forethought to pull Jennys Jeep into the garage before tearing into it. We didn't get too far on the lift though, we were sidetracked by a leaky gas tank. Can you believe the only thing holding that tank in place was the skid plate?! Scary.

Brasscatz
04-29-2013, 06:42 AM
That is very scary! Hope you got it fixed though!

prcjeep
04-29-2013, 08:27 AM
Is the tank cracked or just leakng from one of the seals?

Discount tire will break the wheels lug locks of for like 4 bucks each... Carlyn's YJ had the same issue. Now you could do it yourself too, find a socket that is just barly too small and hammer it over the lug nut, then remove with impact or rachet.

4.3LXJ
04-29-2013, 09:54 AM
That rain was ridiculous! Thankfully, we had the forethought to pull Jennys Jeep into the garage before tearing into it. We didn't get too far on the lift though, we were sidetracked by a leaky gas tank. Can you believe the only thing holding that tank in place was the skid plate?! Scary.

Just think if you didn't have the skid plate :shocker:

Mudderoy
04-29-2013, 10:09 AM
Just think if you didn't have the skid plate :shocker:

They would have found the problem sooner! :D

4.3LXJ
04-29-2013, 10:25 AM
No doubt

TimmyTXJ
04-29-2013, 10:54 AM
Is the tank cracked or just leakng from one of the seals?

Discount tire will break the wheels lug locks of for like 4 bucks each... Carlyn's YJ had the same issue. Now you could do it yourself too, find a socket that is just barly too small and hammer it over the lug nut, then remove with impact or rachet.

I believe we pinpointed the problem... aside from the unsecured tank. The low pressure return line popped of the barb on top of the tank. Pretty sure a 3/8" hose clamp is all we're gonna need to fix this one. Tank straps on order as well, I'm sure a tank sliding around contributed to the problem.

We're gonna keep the socket idea in our back pocket for now, I've done that before with great success on a single locking lug. It was a bit of a hassle though and I'm not sure we want to mess with that x20.

Mudderoy
04-29-2013, 11:24 AM
I believe we pinpointed the problem... aside from the unsecured tank. The low pressure return line popped of the barb on top of the tank. Pretty sure a 3/8" hose clamp is all we're gonna need to fix this one. Tank straps on order as well, I'm sure a tank sliding around contributed to the problem.

We're gonna keep the socket idea in our back pocket for now, I've done that before with great success on a single locking lug. It was a bit of a hassle though and I'm not sure we want to mess with that x20.

I figured you had a torn hose, so if it just popped off even better. I read (after I replaced the pump/filter/regulator) that you are supposed to change the straps anytime you take them off. So after reading Jen's issues I went over to RockAuto to see if they carried them. Yep, sure do. $20 or $25 depending on brand. Just in case some of you XJ boys are thinking about your straps now. ;)

bluedragon436
04-29-2013, 01:51 PM
Glad to hear that you hopefully have the leak fixed, and will have the tank safer and secured when it's all said and done....

Having to deal with the locking lugs X20, sounds like someone lived in a rough part of town and were really worried they'd lose their rims... or they got an amazing deal on the lugs.... LOL Hope you guys are able to find a "key" for them, so you don't have to deal with doing it the hard way on all of them!!

girlyjen78
04-30-2013, 10:12 AM
I believe we pinpointed the problem... aside from the unsecured tank. The low pressure return line popped of the barb on top of the tank. Pretty sure a 3/8" hose clamp is all we're gonna need to fix this one. Tank straps on order as well, I'm sure a tank sliding around contributed to the problem.

We're gonna keep the socket idea in our back pocket for now, I've done that before with great success on a single locking lug. It was a bit of a hassle though and I'm not sure we want to mess with that x20.

x19 since we found I am missing one ;) Nothing surprises me with this Jeep! I love it to pieces and it is in great shape but whoever built it sure did kinda piece it together lol!

girlyjen78
04-30-2013, 10:15 AM
Glad to hear that you hopefully have the leak fixed, and will have the tank safer and secured when it's all said and done....

Having to deal with the locking lugs X20, sounds like someone lived in a rough part of town and were really worried they'd lose their rims... or they got an amazing deal on the lugs.... LOL Hope you guys are able to find a "key" for them, so you don't have to deal with doing it the hard way on all of them!!

I am not sure where it lived before it lived in small Texas country town called Needville where I bought it. I keep meaning to check if my lug locks for the rims on my tires will work but of course my car was at my apartment on Saturday when we were in the garage in Cypress...

I'm glad the gas tank issue isn't something big, too! I like the smell of gas fumes but not THAT much!