Well Here is my New(to Me) Jeep(simply called her... named so by a few girls who think I spend too much time with - HER- lol).I am going to continue the story from My Jeep Islander from a few years ago....
So I managed to finally sell my Jeep Islander(See my other Rides)... I ended up losing a lot on it (I sold her for 3000 CAD)... which I was really happy with!! Here in Vancouver BC we have an air care emissions program. Let me just tell you... It was nearly impossible to get that jeep through the standards. I ended up taking it to a Chrysler dealer to have it 'de-tuned' to pass. Really they had no interest at all in dealing with me and I failed the test four times... and each time I took it back to Chrysler, they said it was something else and charged me!... In the end I changed the cat converter myself for 60 bucks and she flew through the test... :) I found a buyer and took what ever offer he gave...
So in the 5 years since I have owned a few different trucks My fav being an old school Ford Explorer... but 4 weeks ago I passed by a little white Jeep three blocks from my house... A little dealing... and an hour later I picked her up for $2100 CAD. She is a 1994 2.5 4 cyl... but with the price of gas at $1.50 a litre (and going higher) I was quite happy... Trust me, I remember my 4.2 and she was a thirsty girl. She has not an once of rust, all kinds of extras (chrome bits, hard top, trailer hitch, great wheels and tires, Body lift, etc) a very pretty Jeep.
So here are the things I've had to do. Being older now and a little more on the smart side, it's been a piece of cake.
1) The transmission was grinding going into second. A little research And I discovered that the AX5 Trans does do this. So rather then pay for a rebuild... I found a low km, wrecked TJ online and offered $300 for the trans. The offer was accepted.. but I had to remove the trans myself... cool.. a great way to learn. Only took an hour to remove. I ordered a clutch kit on Ebay for $100 including shipping (Ebay is the best was to part up your jeep... prices seem to be a third of the part shops)... a week later it was here. I removed my old trans... installed the new clutch and 'new' tranny... and she drives like a new car! Shifts like a hot knife through butter. It only took about six hours with hand tools and I did it myself. The hardest part was trying to turn the shift lever lock ring with a greasy hand... LOL.
2) Rear wheel cylinder was leaking. Cost $17. Parts were so cheap that I decided to replace all the brakes (calipers, rotors, pads, shoes and drums). All told it cost $180 for everything and a Saturday afternoon (with a couple beers!)
3) I replaced the spark plugs, wires, O2 sensor etc. Parts are cheap and easy to do. Total bill was about $60 (gotta luv ebay)
4) Jeep front seats really annoy me. My Islander was really uncomfortable (remember... I had to replace one of the seat cuz the welds broke)... So I decided to investigate options for cheap. Thanks to the Internet I discover that late 90's Caviler/Sunfire seats are direct bolt in replacements. Off to the scrap yard and I found a great pair of Grey seats (total match!) from an '03 Sunfire. $100 for the pair and 1/2 hour later... driving in comfort.
5) I replaced the crap radio with a Sony IPOD control unit ($90 on ebay brand new - $260 at best buy... so Ebay won again), I replaced the sound bar speakers(Sony's) and dash speakers(Pioneers)-(THANKS TO NADINE FRONT NEXT DOOR FOR HER SMALL HANDS!!) and added a JBL 10inch Sub and amp... Also added a CB (for camping up the logging roads of BC), a climbometer and vacuum gauge. I also added a set of 130 Watt Driving lights. Nice chrome lights and a pretty easy instal using the stock harness(just had to add a new relay... turns out the yjs are pre-wired for the fog light option).
6) New stabilizer Bar Bushings Kit in Poly(A Must if you have an Old jeep)... Helps her handle much like new.($20). I replaced the oil presure switch for $25... cuz the quage was being weird, and now works like a charm.
7) Came with a nice Hardtop... but what is the point in Summer RIGHT? So I bought a used great shape full Door Softop and Hardware($300)... but I also ordered on Ebay a brand new Tonneau,Windjammer,Bikkini Top set up made by Pavement Ends($200)... Really cool and easy to use.. I luv it!
8) Just the other week-end a TJ was wrecked and posted on Craigslist(great for parts here in Vancouver).... Super Low miles(60,000km)... So I made an offer on the Engine(to have a spare..crazy I know)...I offered a price of $200.. and it was accepted!!! The TJ still ran(was hit in the back end) so I made sure everything worked and compression was great. I got the entire thing complete(Alternator,Manifolds, starter,dist,etc). It was a no brainer. The dude also had a set of 33's on stock TJ rims at 98%... I offered another $200 on the spot.. and he went for it... COOLNESS. I am looking to change over the tires in the next week(I do love my mags!)
Being older and wiser (and a little more money to play with LOL)... I am loving this Jeep. Granted it is just for fun now as I have a couple other vehicles for daily driving... but here is some advice. STAY AWAY FROM THE EARLY YJ WRANGLERS!. Do not buy a 4.2 with a carb. The later Jeeps with multi-point Fuel injection are reliable. I also think they are built better. Less rust issues (here on the west coast anyway)...
SEPT 2008 UPDATE:
A few more pics of new stuff happening. I had a great Camping Trip and put the Jeep through it's paces(and didn't even break anything!)... The pics are from Crossing the river in Paradise Valley BC.
I bought a set of half doors for a hundred bucks complete. They were in pretty good shape(except the passenger side door lock had been messed with)... so I stripped them down, did the repairs and respray... look very pretty... of course winter is coming so they won't be on untill next year!
I order a set of "glow gauges" from ebay for 22 dollars. I thought they would look nice with the white faces as my jeep is white. I was really surprised how quality the set-up was when it arrived. I took everything tho pieces, cleaned and polished the lenses, and did a nice job of install. Really cool the light scheme now!
OCT 2008 UPDATE:
Just added a reverse Lamp Spotlight. Now I can see as I back up in the Wilds at night!! The hardtop went back on. I replace all the mounting hardware with Stainless.... about 20 bucks... and looks so pretty! I also repainted the inside of the hardtop. I started by trying to clean it... but decided in the end a couple cans of white spaypaint would look much better. Getting ready for Winter. I rubber Undercoated the Front Fenders and tremclad(white)under all the hinges to prevent and Rust issues. Over the last weekend, I finally got round to figuring out where an weird little clunck was coming from. The exhaust was hitting just above the rear axle. After tring to join all the joints closer together... I decided to just grind out 1 1/2 inches between the muffler and Cat.... Worked like a charm..NO CLUNKS! Next month I will put on the winter Rims and tires.... pix to come
DEC 2008 UPDATE:
Earlier this month the Jeep got a set of New Monroe Shocks... Nothing too fancy, but have made driving that much better. Also did a new Distributor Cap and Rotor(only cuz they were on sale) and a set of wiper blades(well needed with all the winter Rain in Vancouver). Yesterday I got round to putting a fex xmas lights on the grill with a big red bow... Tis the season!... and really weird I'm sure when I pull up behind people lol!
MAY 2009 UPDATE:
Time for an update on the Heep!.... She got an extra set of 100 watt driving lights(came in really handy the other for night camping!). I rewired the relays and switches for a much cleaner install(see the pic) Two switches control either bank of driving lights, One switch now allows me to turn off the Amp(as it was a huge current draw!) and one switch is to disable the alarm lamps. I finally upgraded my steering stabilizer with a rough country. Got a great deal at $49.95!.. really easy to replace with my new impact wrench! - literally 5 min! I also replaced my stock transmission mount with a poly mount, Not sure if I like the vibration at idle... but the driveline is much tighter. Only $25 on ebay. I am thinking I may do my engine mounts too but just with new stock units. I replaced my throttle body with one from a TJ(I had lying around in the Garage). I replaced it as trying to figure the idle vibration after replacing the Tranny mount. The throttle shaft seemed to be worn and I thought air was being drawn in and not compensated for by the IAC valve. Much better. Easy swap.... But the female connectors from a TJ don't match the Male YJ. I transferred over the IAC and the TPS, and blocked the extra vacuum fitting. All Good! Last but not least I added a pair of FireStick 4 foot anntenae. Great deal on Ebay for only $50 bucks with shipping!... came complete with the proper wiring etc. I mounted them On the spare tire carrier. Fairly easy, only issues being I had to relocate the third brake light a couple of inches backward and sending the wiring through the rear gate. The only thing is now tunning the set to my CB. Looks like I may disconnect one antenna and have it as a "dummy". Turns out the pair need to be spaced about six feet apart!!!.... that won't happen on any Jeep.... but signal is great with just one.
Thanks for the read... :)
Crossing the Stream!!!
The Jeepin' Crew September 2008
Fog Lamps, and my Windjammer kit.
My Little Sub.... but it makes more then enough Noise!
My New Seats.... and the old ones that came out!
New Stereo,CB,Climbometer, etc...
My UK Shifter Knobs.... and Tidy Engine Bay.
Tranny in place and Rebuilt Driveshaft.
My new Shocks and Sway Bar Bushings...
The Day I picked Her up...
My Spare TJ Engine.... and the Old Grinder AX-5(That I sold...)
Winter Tires & New Brakes...
A little Elbow Grease... and New half doors on the Cheap.
The Gauges after Install.... They Look pretty nifty...
(Even though family and friends think I have gone RICE ROCKET!)
I love the look of the White...
My Jeep Car Cover.... Keeps the Rain when the top is down
& Extra Reverse Lamps.... Super Bright!
Removing 1 1/2 inches from the exhaust... No more Clunck!
Christmas Jeep.... So much for Lights on the Tree!! hahaha
...And they say it doesn't snow in Vancouver!
Off to Work!
Doors Off!
The New Switches!
The Extra Set of Driving Lamps
New Steering Stabilizer
New FireSticks
