a very misrepresented online auction purchase

http://s1010.photobucket.com/albums/af228/fordfseries/Jeep%20seat%20brackets/



I started a post a few years ago called "someone else's project" My CJ5 was a very misrepresented online auction purchase. But for the fact the low price I paid for it I would have had to take action to void my bid. Now 4 years later and the purchase of a donor vehicle I hope to get it back on the road. I have drove it but have been switching some things to my liking. I thought you may get a kick out of the pics. Be careful of what you bid for! It has been an experience. I will see if I can find the auction description and post.

 

From the auction description.

Stripped jeep to frame sandblasted and painted.

New complete fiberglass body kit 2,500 dollars

new fiberglass windshield frame 279.00

new fender flare kit 189.00

new poly graphite gray paint 300.00

atleast another 250.00 in primer and black paint

complete new best top and 2 piece doors with all new hardware and hardware 789.00

new windshield 270.00

body mounting kit 100.00

new windshield wiper linkage kit 129.00

windshield wiper motor 65.00

stainless windshield wiper cover 33.00

windshield seal 30.00

windshield seal to body 30.00

deluxe molded carpet 289.00

new front reclining vinyl seat 175.00 a piece

new rear fold down bench seat 289.00

new retractable seat belts 80.00 (not yet installed)

new diamond plate dash 200.00

new auto meter pro comp gauges and sending units 320.00

stainless grab bar 30.00

new mojave 24,000 btu heater with defroster 189.00

new windshield wiper and headlight switches and nuts 60.00

new locking center console (cannot find the keys) 70.00

new stainless steering column cover 25.00

used tilt steering column the ugliest thing on the jeep (was going to replace with a chrome column) 60.00

new ignition switch 30.00

new push button starter 15.00

new gas peddels and linkage 75.00

new brake light switch 8.00

veichle has fuse bow out of 86 jeep but i replaced most of the wiring fuses and relays around 150.00

kentrol chrome hood hardware set 130.00

windshield hinges and door hinges 80.00

mirror kit 70.00

new tail lights and bulbs 20.00 a peice

new marker lights , harnesses and bulbs around 40.00

new turn signal bulbs and covers 30.00

new head lamps ( have not installed yet because the others work) 30.00

new bfgoodrich 33 by 12.50 inch all terain tires

new american racing atlas polished rims

rims and tires 1,280 dollars mounted and balanced

new trailmaster lift springs and shocks 579.00

new front shock extenders 40.00

new doestech baja prerunner 32 inch shocks in the front with built in bump stops( i also have 2 trailmaster shocks for the front i just wanted to try these out) 80.00

shock boots 20.00

new skyjacker duel sterring stabilizer 80.00

new teraflex revolver shackles in the front 189.00

new heavy duty shackles in the rear 80.00

new front and rear bumpers with side guards for the rear 300.00

all new brake including master cylinder, brake lines, wheel cylinders, pads around 200.00

new electric fuel pump and gas lines 80.00

new fuel sending unit 30.00

new molded filler hose, filler bracket and chrome cap 50.00

new front and rear differential seals 30.00

new transfer case seals 30.00

new spicer greasable u joints 20.00 times 4

new addco sway bar ( not yet installed) 189.00

rebuilt transfer case , kit 135.00

new clutch 160.00

new flex plate 130.00

new carburator ( i stuck with a two barrel because of gas) 190.00

new headman headers 280.00

new side exit mufflers designed just for jeeps 80.00

new taylor wires 45.00

new starter 80.00

new plugs, coil, solenoid 35.00

chrome air cleaner 30.00

i bought the veichle for 1,500

that adds up to over 13,000 without any tax or labor or the fortune in gas i spent running to parts stores.

 

Wow. You made me feel better about my online auction purchase...a LOT better!

 

What happened to you?

 

I was really naive at the time. I found one on ebay and talked to the owner directly. He said he would deliver if I would buy it for a certain price...so I did...sight unseen.

I'll never do that again. The Jeep had swiss cheese for front floorboards and the rear panel. The dents and other body damage was revealed after I had it sandblasted. Whoever put the bondo on it was a pro at using it that's for sure. It was 1/4" thick in spots, with no cracking...not bad. The front hubs were broken, the trans had water in it, and it had no brakes.

On the plus side, the guy also brought all the spare parts he had which included 2-360 engines, one T-18A trans (from a J10) with Dana 20 still attached, a spare frame, a spare grill, 2 spare dashes (one from a '76+ one from a '75), and the front half tub from a '75, along with some extra drive shafts and other miscellaneous parts.

The VIN and paint color all match to a '74 Renegade with 304, so that worked out well too.

I'll be concluding 5 years this fall...and it's still not road ready. I have some body work to finish, re-assembly, electrical install, clutch and brake masters, and exhaust to finish. I feel like its close...but I know how projects like this work now. Here's my attempt at documenting it http://pwp.att.net/p/s/community.dll?ep=16&groupid=290922&ck= I haven't updated in awhile though.

 

But you have to like that passenger seat mount, no doubt designed to lessen the stress on the body by allowing cargo to move into dash on impact

 

The cantilevered mount is factory CJ, '76 and later.

Just sayin'...

 

Just looked at your pictures. No pinch bolt in the bell coupler at the steering box, did someone drive it that way?

 

Looks like the perfect example of just how much money can be spent on an old Jeep. Over $13,000 and you still ended up with a MAJOR project to even drive it. Sounds like you could buy a new Rubicon cheaper then going that route. What pictures did you get BEFORE bidding on it? My brother got a great deal on E-bay and has now replaced just about every part other then the tub. He has about 15 grand into a $4000 Jeep now.

 

That is the way the PO had it!

 

That is the way the PO had it!

 

I added the pictures from the online auction. Sounds like a ready to hit the trail Jeep from the description and pictures.

http://s1010.photobucket.com/albums/af228/fordfseries/Jeep seat brackets/

 

Update: I have replaced the oversized radiator that leaked and hit the steering, replaced the 4 blade fan with the correct fan including the shroud and clutch.

I have replaced the steering shaft.

I took out the power steering and replaced it with stock manual steering. I should add the PO didn't bolt the shaft to the steering box, glad it didn't fall of when I drove it!

I have also been reading up on the fact that the t-case will take on the tranny fluid so I have been topping off the tranny (almost 1 quart) and still have gear clatter. I had the t-case and tranny rebuilt or so I though at double "A" MCO turns out they ordered in the tranny and rebuilt the t-case. As I begin to drive it 100 miles now I have also discovered the tranny pops out of second when I let off the gas. Warranty is past due as it sat in the shed while I worked to put it on the road. Didn't get a chance to test it, but then why would I have too? Ha now I know.

Now my opinion on headers.The first time on this site I had not driven my CJ I thought headers were the s##t, as many have written they are loud (which I like) but too loud to drive for distances. The exhaust smell is a little much as well. Now I am looking at something going to the rear with a little noise. Can the stock manifols be used without the damper? My donor manifold damper is cracked, and the flange studs are broke.

Lastly I see the new thread Safety First, I have a choice to stay with my 4" lift and 33's or go back to stock. Although I like the "cocky" look I cannot decide which way to go.

 

the tranny/tcase sharing oil is common. They all do that.

If hte mounting ears or flange ears on your factory manifolds are cracked or broken, you'd be wasting your time putting them back on. I'd buy a replacement manifold from a JY or gets some "in frame" headers to replace the side pipes.

Also, I'm not sure what you mean by manifold dampner. If you included a pic, I apologize since most photo sights are blocked here at work.

 

Take a look at the photobucket link I added some pics of my progress and the damper I mentioned.

 

http://s1010.photobucket.com/albums/af228/fordfseries/Jeep seat brackets/