Mudderfawker!

[JENSSEN]

Well I put it to a poll,... And well you all won and made me go buy the other Comanche,...

Now when I went to go get it, it was gone someone had taken Him away,... I popped back in a few days later to ask the question that was killing me,... Was it shredded or put to the yard?

My friend who works at the autowrecker said it had been sold bu for what ever reason it was coming back and to my un-belief moments after He said that it was back!

I returned home with a nice bottle of red wine, explained to my wife how no one else was going to save this brave little soul and I got the thumbs up!!!

So may I present to you the "latch key jeep" that is now going to be known as "Latch" for short

http://i651.photobucket.com/albums/uu235/RACE4THECURE/f1920cc4.jpg

http://i651.photobucket.com/albums/uu235/RACE4THECURE/b1ca38db.jpg

http://i651.photobucket.com/albums/uu235/RACE4THECURE/5b2b01e5.jpg

And before anyone asks ; yes this is Comanche #2 , Jeep #5 we own at present and no I am still not finished the first Comanche LOL

[Mudderoy]

Hey I think it's in better shape than the one you've been working on. :popcorn:

[JENSSEN]

Well yes and no,... Rust wise way better, but the wrinkled panels will be a challenge to shrink and straighten the cab "B" pillar and boxside

[4.3LXJ]

Jensen, you just don't have enough Jeeps to work on. I think you need a few more. :D

[cantab27]

ya a good man jenssen,,, saving jeeps one at a time...

[OverEasy]

It's cool that it worked out for you being able to get it! Good thing that bottle of red wine was handy huh? LOL! I can't wait to watch this build (of sorts) when it gets started!

[JENSSEN]

Step #1

http://i651.photobucket.com/albums/uu235/RACE4THECURE/1a9781d2.jpg

[JENSSEN]

Good thing that bottle of red wine was handy huh? LOL!


Ugggggh no Sir, this sales pitch required a nice bottle, one hand chosen for that day and task,.. No I think hard booze will be needed when the ZJ shows up,.....


LMFAO!!!

[OverEasy]

Holy Hell!!! LMAO... Please let us know how that one goes down! If you end up missing for a few days should we send a search party? :mel:

[XJ4IV]

http://i651.photobucket.com/albums/uu235/RACE4THECURE/b1ca38db.jpg
well at least you have a good start on dove nose...:rolleye0012:
awesome catch what was the purchase price of latch? we hardly ever get to see MJ's out here.
Sooooo knowing how we all are, what is the plan on this one? total crawler mud master or SWEET DD?

[JENSSEN]

This one I got for $315.00 , spent another $60.00 on a door , fender, battery and some interior bits,..

So far I am not sure what I want to with it other than give it a sprucing up and maybe just drive it for a bit so it's personality can come out,...

I have had a few ideas like the 97-01 drivetrain swap, I also have some ford 2.3turbo motors and T-5's ,... This one is nice because the rust is so minimal I can play with other stuff

[4.3LXJ]

Cool ideas. I like the idea of staying light. Although I might have blown that idea today with some links I picked up. But I like T5s They shift much better than an AX tranny.

[JENSSEN]

Cool ideas. I like the idea of staying light. Although I might have blown that idea today with some links I picked up. But I like T5s They shift much better than an AX tranny.

I love T-5's! But wanna talk overkill on links? Mine are 3/8 wall on the comp truck lol!!!

[4.3LXJ]

I love T-5's! But wanna talk overkill on links? Mine are 3/8 wall on the comp truck lol!!!

Yup, and so are mine. Joints are larger than Johnny Joints too. I will be putting them in soon. You will love my new track bar.

[JENSSEN]

Hung a good door on the Manche today to see the extent of the collision damage,.. Pretty good whisky wrinkle,... Not quite sure how they managed to damage the mid section and not the lower,..

http://i651.photobucket.com/albums/uu235/RACE4THECURE/8eaa0cc5.jpg

http://i651.photobucket.com/albums/uu235/RACE4THECURE/ea523957.jpg

Now to reverse the damage ,... :nuts:

[4.3LXJ]

You got your work cut out for you. I will be interested to see how you do it. With all the work in my XJ, I would dread rolling it.

[JENSSEN]

some progress ,....http://i651.photobucket.com/albums/uu235/RACE4THECURE/4349edfb.jpg
Split the corner to release the pressure

http://i651.photobucket.com/albums/uu235/RACE4THECURE/93db17b8.jpg

http://i651.photobucket.com/albums/uu235/RACE4THECURE/eb4cb1df.jpg

Little more work on the door jam but really close!!

http://i651.photobucket.com/albums/uu235/RACE4THECURE/e2e9b202.jpg

[4.3LXJ]

Looking good Jensen, you are truly gifted.

[JENSSEN]

I know it doesn't look like alot of progress but it is!

Some color on to see the highs and lows

http://i651.photobucket.com/albums/uu235/RACE4THECURE/4335eb8e.jpg

http://i651.photobucket.com/albums/uu235/RACE4THECURE/1e651547.jpg

Some more tapping,.. And less paint! Step in the right direction

http://i651.photobucket.com/albums/uu235/RACE4THECURE/0698647b.jpg

Now I found I had to close up my incision to keep tapping the highs and lows out, it's not finished yet

http://i651.photobucket.com/albums/uu235/RACE4THECURE/fa2f8a0e.jpg

A little more straightening is required in the b pillar ,.. Another day

http://i651.photobucket.com/albums/uu235/RACE4THECURE/5bf2f3c6.jpg

[JENSSEN]

Well I spent a few hours tapping and welding,.. Added some filler to cover off the few deviations left behind and here we are awaiting the oh so fun part of sanding 90% of it out lol

http://i651.photobucket.com/albums/uu235/RACE4THECURE/ae6f9331.jpg

http://i651.photobucket.com/albums/uu235/RACE4THECURE/8266c7fe.jpg

[4.3LXJ]

Be sure to Inhale deeply.

Looking better, much better. I should take lessons.

[JENSSEN]

So most people think I have a boat load of cash into tools but to be honest most of them can be bought at places like harbor freight or princess auto. Cheap body hammers to use (and modify) for what you need, some dollies , chunks of 2x4's , old sockets, you name it , what ever makes the steel move the way you want it to, here are a few I am using:

http://i651.photobucket.com/albums/uu235/RACE4THECURE/30757c09.jpg

One of my dent pulling techniques,..

http://i651.photobucket.com/albums/uu235/RACE4THECURE/fb184899.jpg

Yup I weld screws or nails to the body then pull, now I try to follow the damage the way it occurred ;

http://i651.photobucket.com/albums/uu235/RACE4THECURE/e136045e.jpg

Then once it's close you can hammer and Dollie it to be in place, sometimes you get it perfect other times you need a bit-o-filler.

B Piller is getting sooooo close

http://i651.photobucket.com/albums/uu235/RACE4THECURE/59b3db47.jpg

And here it is as of when I pulled the pin for the day on it,.. Stay tuned ,.. I guess I should finish the other on too :$

http://i651.photobucket.com/albums/uu235/RACE4THECURE/a1d7e45f.jpg

[4.3LXJ]

I know what you mean about the hammers and dollies. I used to have one good body hammer and a dolly. I did a lot with that. Prota power was nice too, but I had to borrow that.

[JENSSEN]

I know what you mean about the hammers and dollies. I used to have one good body hammer and a dolly. I did a lot with that. Prota power was nice too, but I had to borrow that.


I do have one of those, it does come in handy sometimes but it always seems that I acnt get it in where I need it. So I make tools that will:crazy:

[4.3LXJ]

I used it on a friend of mine's CJ2a. He had body armor on and it rolled backwards into a tree and pushed the corner up and forward. It was handy for pushing it back to where it needed to be.

[bluedragon436]

That new Manche is coming along nicely!! And yes you do need to finish my manche, so I can come pick it up!! LOL.. jk.. I def need to start learning how to do some fo this work, so one day I can do it close to as well as you do..

[JENSSEN]

Found some parts that will allow me to fix this truck even better once my hand heals,.. My hand was good enough to get it off though.

http://i651.photobucket.com/albums/uu235/RACE4THECURE/962cdadb.jpg

http://i651.photobucket.com/albums/uu235/RACE4THECURE/b92a4aa6.jpg

http://i651.photobucket.com/albums/uu235/RACE4THECURE/dee3d2e2.jpg

[eking81]

nice work you really are gifted
body work is the next thing i plan to learn

[JENSSEN]

OK so I wasn't happy about the outcome on the B Pillar, door frame where the catch is is still tweeked and I am un-happy how the door closes
http://i651.photobucket.com/albums/uu235/RACE4THECURE/a1d7e45f.jpg

So I started stripping down the donor panel, now when I cut it out it had portions of the cab still connected , so that had to go,..

http://i651.photobucket.com/albums/uu235/RACE4THECURE/9944a023.jpg

http://i651.photobucket.com/albums/uu235/RACE4THECURE/61e71635.jpg

So I had to find all the factory spot welds that looked like this, now sometimes its easier seeing them from an unpainted surface but these were pretty evident

Hope you can see it just in front of my finger

http://i651.photobucket.com/albums/uu235/RACE4THECURE/fa316583.jpg

So I started with a small pilot hole and then to a bit just larger than the spot weld

http://i651.photobucket.com/albums/uu235/RACE4THECURE/6987e69f.jpg

When I go to remove them off the truck itself I will use these bits designed to cut the sheet metal around the weld and preserve the metal behind for the reattachment.

http://i651.photobucket.com/albums/uu235/RACE4THECURE/994ef011.jpg

And Bazinga! The panels with some light suggestions from a hammer and chisel separated. Now I still need to release the section of the roof and a few more braces before its ready to be installed

http://i651.photobucket.com/albums/uu235/RACE4THECURE/bf8c9de6.jpg

http://i651.photobucket.com/albums/uu235/RACE4THECURE/cb989ad0.jpg

now just need to remove the old panel and weld in the new one,...

[4.3LXJ]

Too bad you went to all that work. But I think if it was mine, this is a better plan and more long lasting results.

[JENSSEN]

Too bad you went to all that work. But I think if it was mine, this is a better plan and more long lasting results.

I wasn't happy with the results,... and I know I can do better especially on this cherry little MJ, I learn every day and on each project ;)

:driving:

[4.3LXJ]

Sign of a true craftsman Jensen

I redo stuff to when I don't like how it works.

[bluedragon436]

The new ride is looking good.. It is def. coming along nicely..

[JENSSEN]

back on it,.. hope the video feed works

http://www.ustream.tv/channel/jenssen

[JENSSEN]

Well if you missed the progress live video here is where I am as of tonight,..

Split the exterior sheet metal of the "spare" A Piller (Thanks Pook!)

http://i651.photobucket.com/albums/uu235/RACE4THECURE/a4d85793.jpg

http://i651.photobucket.com/albums/uu235/RACE4THECURE/9133ba8e.jpg

Pulled the glass as I need access to the spot welds in behind, I got impatient and it got messy

http://i651.photobucket.com/albums/uu235/RACE4THECURE/69fcc6df.jpg

Started to strip the exterior sheet metal off the Comanche after cutting some stress relief strips

and one 1/2 off :)

http://i651.photobucket.com/albums/uu235/RACE4THECURE/98ca7e09.jpg

Always looks worse before it looks better,...

http://i651.photobucket.com/albums/uu235/RACE4THECURE/7b9ead72.jpg

http://i651.photobucket.com/albums/uu235/RACE4THECURE/3a449791.jpg

So now I have to undo the spot welds on the door jam side of the A pillar, test fit the new piece and see if the post is tweeked at all, cross your fingers for me ,..

If all goes well the panel will fit flawlessly and I have no structure damage. The to lift the box, and start on the rework of the b pillar,..

Thanks for viewing!

[JENSSEN]

Got some work done today,..

"A" Pillar in

http://i651.photobucket.com/albums/uu235/RACE4THECURE/2307c198.jpg

http://i651.photobucket.com/albums/uu235/RACE4THECURE/c071ade7.jpg

Started on the B-pillar; This was a scary sight,.. , I knew I was dedicated to finish it :out::out::out:

http://i651.photobucket.com/albums/uu235/RACE4THECURE/f79f5e56.jpg

And after a few hours of test fits and trimming,..

http://i651.photobucket.com/albums/uu235/RACE4THECURE/7ff8c9c8.jpg

http://i651.photobucket.com/albums/uu235/RACE4THECURE/3e1fcf9a.jpg

http://i651.photobucket.com/albums/uu235/RACE4THECURE/172c8b50.jpg

more to come :)

[bluedragon436]

Looking good Jenssen!!

[4.3LXJ]

Looking real good Jensen.

[JENSSEN]

Almost there,...

http://i651.photobucket.com/albums/uu235/RACE4THECURE/d893467f.jpg

http://i651.photobucket.com/albums/uu235/RACE4THECURE/4f34a42c.jpg

http://i651.photobucket.com/albums/uu235/RACE4THECURE/cc20af2a.jpg

http://i651.photobucket.com/albums/uu235/RACE4THECURE/1e21306d.jpg

an you see the seam?

http://i651.photobucket.com/albums/uu235/RACE4THECURE/83b516f3.jpg

http://i651.photobucket.com/albums/uu235/RACE4THECURE/57b39a34.jpg

Earlier in the day:

http://i651.photobucket.com/albums/uu235/RACE4THECURE/2753c703.jpg

http://i651.photobucket.com/albums/uu235/RACE4THECURE/125bd492.jpg

http://i651.photobucket.com/albums/uu235/RACE4THECURE/549dbf59.jpg

Back to it,...

[Carves]

Since my metal working ability is limited to - cleaning up daggy welds with a 4" angle grinder .... :o


.... Stop posting pics of the good job you're doing ... :D

[olds-cool]

Nice work. It takes a lot of patience to replace sheet metal and do it right.

[JENSSEN]

http://i651.photobucket.com/albums/uu235/RACE4THECURE/2753c703.jpg

Back to it,...

Well after some measurements today I realize I have made a grave error and the whole panel is coming out again, I didn't allow for the cab corner to slightly protrude the box, so the lines are all off so can you say re-do? Now to find another cab side,.. :(

[4.3LXJ]

Oh crap. You cannot just shim the door a little? Of course yo can't. You want it done right. The best laid plans go astray.

[JENSSEN]

Oh crap. You cannot just shim the door a little? Of course yo can't. You want it done right. The best laid plans go astray.

its not the door side thats perfect, the door was closed on a hose in that pic, its the back side to the box,.. I knew I should of just done the whole f''ing panel

[JENSSEN]

Well a good score saved me a lot of work! (and I have spares for the next project ;)

http://i651.photobucket.com/albums/uu235/RACE4THECURE/bcd52698.jpg

new (to me ) box side :),.. started on it separated it and working on the 3 dents to has and some surface rust repair.

http://i651.photobucket.com/albums/uu235/RACE4THECURE/c8d81cd5.jpg

http://i651.photobucket.com/albums/uu235/RACE4THECURE/f86f44a0.jpg

Now for the last time,...

This gets cut off and replaced,.. without cutting corners (pun intended)

http://i651.photobucket.com/albums/uu235/RACE4THECURE/fc0834fd.jpg

and this gets changed with the new one. I will be holding onto this one just in case :spongebob:

http://i651.photobucket.com/albums/uu235/RACE4THECURE/be7314a1.jpg

[4.3LXJ]

That come off the red one you were too late to save?

[JENSSEN]

That come off the red one you were too late to save?

Yeah it's a shame, but it is what it is

[4.3LXJ]

Hey, it is for a good cause.

[JENSSEN]

Started stripping and prepping the new B-Pillar

http://i651.photobucket.com/albums/uu235/RACE4THECURE/7c256140.jpg

http://i651.photobucket.com/albums/uu235/RACE4THECURE/83e0977d.jpg

http://i651.photobucket.com/albums/uu235/RACE4THECURE/0556f3e5.jpg

[JENSSEN]

So I had a Coffee at 8:30 ,.. bad idea I am wired,..:crazy:

So I decided to play,..

http://i651.photobucket.com/albums/uu235/RACE4THECURE/7b3e512d.jpg

Split the "B" Pillar to roof

http://i651.photobucket.com/albums/uu235/RACE4THECURE/e135744d.jpg

Started pulling Spot welds out

http://i651.photobucket.com/albums/uu235/RACE4THECURE/4bcb249f.jpg

http://i651.photobucket.com/albums/uu235/RACE4THECURE/c902e788.jpg

Found some interesting stock braze welds

http://i651.photobucket.com/albums/uu235/RACE4THECURE/d4bb8323.jpg

Found a few dings I did in transit :(

http://i651.photobucket.com/albums/uu235/RACE4THECURE/0053d09d.jpg

a little rot to blast and repair before install

http://i651.photobucket.com/albums/uu235/RACE4THECURE/7db7f03a.jpg

http://i651.photobucket.com/albums/uu235/RACE4THECURE/db82fc4f.jpg

[JENSSEN]

Well out came the hammer and dollies,..


http://i651.photobucket.com/albums/uu235/RACE4THECURE/0ec8ec97.jpg

http://i651.photobucket.com/albums/uu235/RACE4THECURE/1ebb3e7f.jpg

http://i651.photobucket.com/albums/uu235/RACE4THECURE/595977c1.jpg

What dents???

[Mudderoy]

I bet it's noisy around your house. :popcorn:

[JENSSEN]

I bet it's noisy around your house. :popcorn:


It's not bad for 2:30 AM,..


:drinking:LMFAO :drinking:

[bluedragon436]

Man I need to find me some scrap panels and tools to work on to be able to remove dents like that...

[4.3LXJ]

It is not all that tough James, you just make little taps against the dolly.

[JENSSEN]

Anything worth doing is worth doing 3 times,..

http://i651.photobucket.com/albums/uu235/RACE4THECURE/bce33d56.jpg

http://i651.photobucket.com/albums/uu235/RACE4THECURE/ec8bf0f8.jpg

http://i651.photobucket.com/albums/uu235/RACE4THECURE/d6c2ffa2.jpg

http://i651.photobucket.com/albums/uu235/RACE4THECURE/076be0c5.jpg

http://i651.photobucket.com/albums/uu235/RACE4THECURE/d7cfd8b4.jpg

:cry:

[JENSSEN]

played for a few hours tonight,..

1st test fit

http://i651.photobucket.com/albums/uu235/RACE4THECURE/2a5a573a.jpg

http://i651.photobucket.com/albums/uu235/RACE4THECURE/3f326844.jpg

http://i651.photobucket.com/albums/uu235/RACE4THECURE/d035c15d.jpg

obviously some alignment is need!!! LOL

http://i651.photobucket.com/albums/uu235/RACE4THECURE/fba9b653.jpg

http://i651.photobucket.com/albums/uu235/RACE4THECURE/14ee1b21.jpg

http://i651.photobucket.com/albums/uu235/RACE4THECURE/370333b9.jpg

back to some inspiration :)

Why does my head always hurt when I work on these things,...

http://i651.photobucket.com/albums/uu235/RACE4THECURE/401fd21a.jpg

[4.3LXJ]

Not enough beer? No wonder it didn't line up

[JENSSEN]

LOL sooo true,.. but this was the mock up to see how I can wedge the two panels in,.. it still needs to be blasted and bead side changed before I can fire up the MIG and make sparks :(

a few rogue roadies,...

http://i651.photobucket.com/albums/uu235/RACE4THECURE/1d0f71e3.jpg

[4.3LXJ]

You guys have deposits on your containers there? Here you could buy some good parts with that

[JENSSEN]

We do but I usually donate the cans,..

Another small update:

An hour and a half of fitting and f*#king around,... it lines up,.. hopefully the pictures do all the work justice.

http://i651.photobucket.com/albums/uu235/RACE4THECURE/18d9c2d1.jpg

http://i651.photobucket.com/albums/uu235/RACE4THECURE/f4e26fab.jpg

http://i651.photobucket.com/albums/uu235/RACE4THECURE/a7f20fcc.jpg

http://i651.photobucket.com/albums/uu235/RACE4THECURE/9b3dc376.jpg

http://i651.photobucket.com/albums/uu235/RACE4THECURE/8c8cb369.jpg

http://i651.photobucket.com/albums/uu235/RACE4THECURE/8c8cb369.jpg

http://i651.photobucket.com/albums/uu235/RACE4THECURE/1f9ac74e.jpg

http://i651.photobucket.com/albums/uu235/RACE4THECURE/3cb09b5f.jpg

[Mudderoy]

Looks good, but I thought the other one you busted your a$$ on looked good too.

[JENSSEN]

Still have it,.. Should be back on it soon as I have a new door now to replace the one I lost my mind on lol

[JENSSEN]

Did some shop spring cleaning,..

http://i651.photobucket.com/albums/uu235/RACE4THECURE/d340895c.jpg

http://i651.photobucket.com/albums/uu235/RACE4THECURE/7066f044.jpg

Time for dinner then coffee,... its gonna be a late night!

[4.3LXJ]

And get rid of all that good junk ... I mean treasures?

[JENSSEN]

Box side off, new (to me) being fitted,..

http://i651.photobucket.com/albums/uu235/RACE4THECURE/61374575.jpg

http://i651.photobucket.com/albums/uu235/RACE4THECURE/832ebdde.jpg

[4.3LXJ]

So is this what you did before working on Blasphemy? You got your priorities wrong man, unless of course you need the shop space :D

[bluedragon436]

Practice makes perfect... Get all the bugs worked out before working on Blasphemy!! LOL

[JENSSEN]

Rust,... this had to be fixed before I continue,..

http://i651.photobucket.com/albums/uu235/RACE4THECURE/c5c92753.jpg

Starting final fitting, everything now lines up

http://i651.photobucket.com/albums/uu235/RACE4THECURE/0e1cecd0.jpg

http://i651.photobucket.com/albums/uu235/RACE4THECURE/fbd6036a.jpg

http://i651.photobucket.com/albums/uu235/RACE4THECURE/0e1cecd0.jpg

Welding in the new stuff

http://i651.photobucket.com/albums/uu235/RACE4THECURE/c83b75e2.jpg

http://i651.photobucket.com/albums/uu235/RACE4THECURE/76f3bfb2.jpg

Looking good!

Finally,..

http://i651.photobucket.com/albums/uu235/RACE4THECURE/d2ecd048.jpg

http://i651.photobucket.com/albums/uu235/RACE4THECURE/006e4da3.jpg

Metal fininishing the roof lines

http://i651.photobucket.com/albums/uu235/RACE4THECURE/c24c1c89.jpg

[4.3LXJ]

Looking good Jensen. If ya had some blue parts on there, you could be patriotic in the U.S.

[JENSSEN]

Looking good Jensen. If ya had some blue parts on there, you could be patriotic in the U.S.


It's damn near a harlequin Comanche now!!

[bigjim350]

Really does look good. And trust me, I can tell how much work you put into it.

[JENSSEN]

Really does look good. And trust me, I can tell how much work you put into it.

Thanks man! Coming from somebody who does the same stuff as me I really appreciate the positive comments!!!

I am going to look at another tomm

[4.3LXJ]

It's damn near a harlequin Comanche now!!

Maybe you could name it Rainbow Manche:smiley-taunt013:

[JENSSEN]

under the knife again an in a big way,.. details to follow,...


:crazy::crazy::crazy::crazy::crazy::crazy::crazy: