Project Supertramp

[preacherman]

Several years ago I told a friend who owns a car dealership in Texas to keep an eye open for a used jeep that would be a good "tramp" truck. Something I could take up to my family cabin in New Mexico and leave during the summers for family to drive around in. Just a no frills camping, hunting, fishing, sightseeing, flogging truck.

Last spring he called me with a deal of a life time. He had just taken in on trade a 1999 Jeep TJ wrangler with 80K. It has a 2 inch lift 31's a 5 speed, and the 2.5 4popper I told him that would be way more than I wanted to spend and he said, "here is the thing, it's got a salvage title so I only gave $3,200 for it, give me $3,600 and it's yours" After thinking about it for half a second I snatched it up.

I have been driving it around and on some light trips working the bugs out and formulating a plan. This week I tore into it.

Let the build up begain....

[preacherman]

Problems: It has a salvage title for a reason. The frame is straight and the body damage has been fixed. For the longest time I could not figure out why it was still considered salvage and not rebuilt then I wen to replace the bad motor mount.

After looking at it I noticed the pass frame side motor mount was bent (the mount that is attached to the frame). After thing about how to tackle it I made a plan. I called Davey's jeep and had them send me a frame side motor mount. They just cut on off a 99 tj frame and sent it to me. They only charged $45 + $15 shipping. A killer deal considering Jeep will not even sell me one.

I broke out the 4 inch grinder and used a cut off wheel to carefully cut the old mount off (forgot to take a before pic) and was able to get the old bent mount to come off with about 45 minutes of grinding. The pics are of the frame and the two mounts side by side.

[preacherman]

I have to go to a funeral this weekend so I got to go but here are a few teaser pics. See if you can guess what two projects are next.

[phxtoad]

I'm guessing you are going to add a hot tub. Nothing says relaxation more than Jacuzzi'n in the middle of nowhere. I'm right, aren't I...

Todd

[BigAl]

See if you can guess what two projects are next.

I'll guess Rhino lining and maybe a pulpit?:sombrero: I totaled my jeep, bought it back as a salvage title, fixed it and had retitled as a reconstructed title. It's amazing all the more it takes to total a vehicle.

[grahamfitter]

See if you can guess what two projects are next.

Project one: Crime of the Century
Project two: Take the Long Way Home

After all that hard work you can stop for some Breakfast in America :)

Cheers,
Graham

[preacherman]

I like those ideas. How about a jacuzzi with a pulpit. Now that would be cool, my kind of preaching. "Today we will be reading from the book of chillllllll"

[Lynn]

I like those ideas. How about a jacuzzi with a pulpit. Now that would be cool, my kind of preaching. "Today we will be reading from the book of chillllllll"

I once saw a little store-front church that had a jucuzzi out front that they used for baptisms.

[preacherman]

I had a very productive week. First I got the new motor mount welded on and the jeep back together. I was amazed at how well the jeep drove after it was fixed.
http://i128.photobucket.com/albums/p171/preacherman75/IM000102.jpg

Then I decided I needed a cold air intake. After looking around I decided to make one. Three trips to the auto parts store and 1 to home depot and I had this. Total cost about $35

http://i128.photobucket.com/albums/p171/preacherman75/IM000103.jpg

Installed
http://i128.photobucket.com/albums/p171/preacherman75/IM000106.jpg

[preacherman]

Then I noticed I needed a new battery. My old one was leaking and bulging very badly. I am gonna shop around for a new one but while I had everything apart I decided to clean up the wiring with some gold plated connectors. ( No more corrosion yea)
http://i128.photobucket.com/albums/p171/preacherman75/IM000109.jpg
While I was cleaning up the wiring I noticed the jeep was already wired (minus switch and lights) for some off road lights. I added a new switch, and installed some pro comp lights. The jeep already also had KC windshield mounts (but no lights)
http://i128.photobucket.com/albums/p171/preacherman75/IM000110.jpg

[preacherman]

Then it was on to the line the tub. I stripped the inside, cleaned up the floor with a combination of wire wheels, sandpaper, and scotch pads.
Before
http://i128.photobucket.com/albums/p171/preacherman75/IM000111.jpg

After
http://i128.photobucket.com/albums/p171/preacherman75/IM000112.jpg

This is a center console I got from Haggis (thanks again)
http://i128.photobucket.com/albums/p171/preacherman75/IM000113.jpg
After a coat of paint I installed it and here is what everything looks like.
http://i128.photobucket.com/albums/p171/preacherman75/IM000116.jpg
http://i128.photobucket.com/albums/p171/preacherman75/IM000117.jpg

[preacherman]

Last three things I did.

The PO had installed tan roll bar pads??? I got some fabric paint from the auto store and painted the pads black, to match the rest of the jeep.
http://i128.photobucket.com/albums/p171/preacherman75/IM000118.jpg
I really enjoy having a outside themp gage handy to tell me what the temp is so I installed this brookstone one I had laying around.
http://i128.photobucket.com/albums/p171/preacherman75/IM000119.jpg
Last thing I did... I will let you guess my next project (hopefully this next weekend)
http://i128.photobucket.com/albums/p171/preacherman75/IM000100.jpg

[Maximus Ram]

Sounds like a very productive weekend.
I like the 4x4 wooden bumper your fabbing up there:coffeedrink: :yikes:

[preacherman]

It's just slightly rusted 2x4 3/16 steel, should make a great bumper.

[Maximus Ram]

gotcha..I see it now. Its funny, the angle of my monitor made it look lika a 4x4 piece of wood..don't know why, just did.

[preacherman]

Spent the day building a swing away tire carrier. Should be finished tomorrow. I will post up pics when I am done.

[tdesanto]

I'm anxious to see. Looks like you've been hard at work.

[Jeep]

gotcha..I see it now. Its funny, the angle of my monitor made it look lika a 4x4 piece of wood..don't know why, just did.


It's quite hilarious when you really see a wooden front bumper for the first time (had wooden body lift and seat mounts too!!) Then the fear that it shares the same roads that the family does sets in.....

Great project, I am almost done my salvage job too. (1997 TJ)

[preacherman]

I just realized I never posted any pics when I finished the bumper. My bad.


http://i128.photobucket.com/albums/p171/preacherman75/DSC_0202.jpg

http://i128.photobucket.com/albums/p171/preacherman75/DSC_0205.jpg

http://i128.photobucket.com/albums/p171/preacherman75/DSC_0209.jpg

[preacherman]

a few more

http://i128.photobucket.com/albums/p171/preacherman75/DSC_0204.jpg

http://i128.photobucket.com/albums/p171/preacherman75/DSC_0200.jpg

[Exrunner]

where did you get the hinge and latch?

[preacherman]

I got the hinge at http://www.atozfabrication.com
and the latch at a local granger.