Well, I've been quiet I know...lots been goin' on here. We've been working on our finances. Proud to say we've gotten our expenses down from (at the start 2 years ago) $3200 a month, to (currently) around $1000. We plan on shrinking that a lot more. I also just got promoted to management at the country club I work at, only took me 5 months. That'll help even more financially. We're still praying that by next summer we can begin the move to Salt Lake City. We're as anxious as ever. We've gotten our minds set in the right direction, together, and we're focused.
I've been working a lot on the Jeeps to get them in shape, too. I found a guy locally on craigslist who sells Jeep parts cheap and he seems to have what I need when I need it. I had both Jeeps in the shop once in the last month to get some more extensive repairs done. Not too bad on the wallet, either. So, the past 2 days I've been working on Jen's Jeep. Funny how I had my Jeep for a year longer than her and seems like all I do is fix hers up...hmmm! Anyhow, I bought a used black grill $75 from the craigslist guy, we'll call him Eli...cause that's his name. Also got a very good used radiator $80! and used stock unfinished steel front bumper $75 (needs a little patchwork). Good deals all around. He's gonna sell us a nice used soft top and/or hardtop at some point for CHEAP! Here's some pics of the work over the last 2 days. It was a bi**h!
I've been working a lot on the Jeeps to get them in shape, too. I found a guy locally on craigslist who sells Jeep parts cheap and he seems to have what I need when I need it. I had both Jeeps in the shop once in the last month to get some more extensive repairs done. Not too bad on the wallet, either. So, the past 2 days I've been working on Jen's Jeep. Funny how I had my Jeep for a year longer than her and seems like all I do is fix hers up...hmmm! Anyhow, I bought a used black grill $75 from the craigslist guy, we'll call him Eli...cause that's his name. Also got a very good used radiator $80! and used stock unfinished steel front bumper $75 (needs a little patchwork). Good deals all around. He's gonna sell us a nice used soft top and/or hardtop at some point for CHEAP! Here's some pics of the work over the last 2 days. It was a bi**h!
Below is the "new", used grill in black and the old wrecked grill in white.
Below is the "new", used grill in the prime, sand, paint to white process.
Below is the the gutted shot. Like a fish...
Here's the old, "shot" radiator...
Finally, finished product.
I did a lot of small things while I was under the hood too to make adjustments and clean up some issues. Remounted the cold air intake so it all fits better now. I had to change out the lower transmission hoses because the old radiator had threaded fittings while the new one was easy hose & nipple fittings. Lot of cutting and sawing... Had to cut the electrical for the front lights in order to get the old grill off, so I had to rewire all of that as well. Frustrating job but not nearly as frustrating as the last couple jobs. Maybe I can get to MY Jeep soon.
To do: I have to take off the old bumper and mount the new one after I patch up and paint the new one. While I have the old one off I want to take my rust wheel on my grinder to the bumper frame, as you can see in the pic above there's plenty of light rust, and then paint it black. Then I'm going to fab' a plate to cover the horizontal space below the grill. Also need to replace the fenders to get this front end back in shape. That's all for now friends.
August 10, 2011 at 9:32 PM
looking good man!!!