Avocado 71
- Thread starter 707Jeeper
- Start date
- Joined
- Jul 21, 2024
Leaving on vacation this week. Still working on details, Old temp gauge was too small for the hole. Upgraded it and the volt meter for a tighter fit. Holes were anything but round. Test drive proved too much for the original speedometer I cosmetically restored. This one came new with the Jeep so it went back in. Nice to have a fuel gauge again.
Broke out the spray cans and blended in the bare and rough spots on the Jeep. This is where the old sticker I removed had taken the paint down to primer. Its a 10 footer so good enough.
Painted the front of the fenders. I will take a Scotch Brite pad to it later on to knock off the shine.
Went after where the old club emblems were. There was some Bondo there and I dug in with the sander. Didn't catch it until the paint was on. Real repairs were outside of the scope of the project today so it was so it was finish and move on for now. Its a 20 footer. Won't need the stickers to hide the peeled paint anymore.
Broke out the spray cans and blended in the bare and rough spots on the Jeep. This is where the old sticker I removed had taken the paint down to primer. Its a 10 footer so good enough.
Painted the front of the fenders. I will take a Scotch Brite pad to it later on to knock off the shine.
Went after where the old club emblems were. There was some Bondo there and I dug in with the sander. Didn't catch it until the paint was on. Real repairs were outside of the scope of the project today so it was so it was finish and move on for now. Its a 20 footer. Won't need the stickers to hide the peeled paint anymore.
- Joined
- Aug 16, 2019
Good looking Jeep!
- Joined
- Jul 21, 2024
Vacation week so not much progress on the Jeep.
Went with a side by side group and we explored the Beatty, Goldfield and Pahrump NV areas. Here are a couple of pictures of Rhyolite.
Stopped by NorCal's place and he helped me with the 1" DOM tie rods and drag link. Installed those, aligned the front end and centered the steering wheel when I returned home.
Installed the Brennan's garage skid plate. Supposed to be tougher than stock.
Jeep is going into a shop Monday for the locker's to be installed. After that it is off to the muffler shop. Still on track for the Rubicon.
White Jeep engine is finally finished and will be picked up on Monday. It has been in jail at the shop for way too long.
Went with a side by side group and we explored the Beatty, Goldfield and Pahrump NV areas. Here are a couple of pictures of Rhyolite.
Stopped by NorCal's place and he helped me with the 1" DOM tie rods and drag link. Installed those, aligned the front end and centered the steering wheel when I returned home.
Installed the Brennan's garage skid plate. Supposed to be tougher than stock.
Jeep is going into a shop Monday for the locker's to be installed. After that it is off to the muffler shop. Still on track for the Rubicon.
White Jeep engine is finally finished and will be picked up on Monday. It has been in jail at the shop for way too long.
- Joined
- Jul 21, 2024
Jeep returned from the shop. Grizzly lockers front and rear. TEN alloy axles in the front. Ruff Stuff diff covers. New AVM hubs. New rotors and pads on the front axle, Rear axle has new 11" drums with parking brakes.
Muffler shop was able to squeeze dual exhaust in with some nice sounding Flowmaster mufflers. Both exhaust manifolds were removed machined flat and reinstalled. Adams driveshafts.
Full day of wiring on the front of the Jeep. This finished cleaning up the random wiring from its past. Did the full 12 volt mod to the headlights.
Added a winch disconnect and made a filler piece from the shroud to the radiator.
Winch received a new hook and a wireless remote. Remote has a zip tie tether on it.
Added a sun screen to this Jeep as well.
Bought a new Trasharoo. Found my old one a while back. Went to look for it again and it was not to be found.
Made it down to the beach for some testing. Pulled the Jeep hard in the sand and the temp only made it to 195 and recovered quickly. With the old radiator set up it would boil almost immediately. Not a full flex but enough to verify shock lengths and bump stops. Couldn't even get up on the stump with the original worn out trac lock and open front end.
Rear pic. Few more things to tinker on prior to the Rubicon trip as well as getting some test miles on. Feels like we are on track.
Muffler shop was able to squeeze dual exhaust in with some nice sounding Flowmaster mufflers. Both exhaust manifolds were removed machined flat and reinstalled. Adams driveshafts.
Full day of wiring on the front of the Jeep. This finished cleaning up the random wiring from its past. Did the full 12 volt mod to the headlights.
Added a winch disconnect and made a filler piece from the shroud to the radiator.
Winch received a new hook and a wireless remote. Remote has a zip tie tether on it.
Added a sun screen to this Jeep as well.
Bought a new Trasharoo. Found my old one a while back. Went to look for it again and it was not to be found.
Made it down to the beach for some testing. Pulled the Jeep hard in the sand and the temp only made it to 195 and recovered quickly. With the old radiator set up it would boil almost immediately. Not a full flex but enough to verify shock lengths and bump stops. Couldn't even get up on the stump with the original worn out trac lock and open front end.
Rear pic. Few more things to tinker on prior to the Rubicon trip as well as getting some test miles on. Feels like we are on track.
Last edited:
- Joined
- Jul 21, 2024
Started the week out with a spring change. The OME springs came out and BDS 2" springs went in. In my application the OME springs were very flexy to the point of the Jeep would wallow all over the road. Loved the ride and the off road flex but cornering is more important.
A little extra weight here and there adds up.
Completed the seat notch for the drivers side. 3 inches taken out. This side was in an accident. I matched what was there so it isn't straight. I got sidetracked and didn't get back to level the seam sealer.
Makes such a difference. Was able to use the original holes in the seat bracket to get the seat all the way back.
Purchased a 1/4" rubber mat and made up these floor mats. Made one for the cargo area as well.
Put some road miles on the Jeep and it is driving well. Last big item on the list is the emergency brake.
A little extra weight here and there adds up.
Completed the seat notch for the drivers side. 3 inches taken out. This side was in an accident. I matched what was there so it isn't straight. I got sidetracked and didn't get back to level the seam sealer.
Makes such a difference. Was able to use the original holes in the seat bracket to get the seat all the way back.
Purchased a 1/4" rubber mat and made up these floor mats. Made one for the cargo area as well.
Put some road miles on the Jeep and it is driving well. Last big item on the list is the emergency brake.
Attachments
BadGoat
How High Can You Climb?
- Joined
- Apr 27, 2017
I made a set of these alignment bars out of 2" angle aluminum 8 or 10 years ago and use them the same way as you with the tires off. I laugh when I see some of the shops now sell fancy ones for $80 or more.
Jeep looks great. Just enough work to be reliable and capable without killing the old school vibe.
Mike
- Joined
- Sep 6, 2014
A swaybar is pretty much mandatory when using the OME springs.
Are your new BDS 2" springs military wrap?
BadGoat
How High Can You Climb?
- Joined
- Apr 27, 2017
Are those Rough Country shocks? You might be able to tame the sway with a different set of shocks. I used a set of F250 shock mounts welded to my frame and Rancho 9000 series shocks and have no problems with sway on the road. Now, I do have my front springs outboarded for the J10 front axle and I'm using the heavier duty OME springs in the front and it has a shackle reversal.
Mike
- Joined
- Jul 21, 2024
Thanks for the input. Shocks are base BDS shocks for a YJ. I was running out of time to prep this Jeep for the Rubicon trip so the BDS springs were a quick fix. It definitely rides much better on the OME springs. This winter I will regroup and make the OME springs work.
Emergency brake is done. Used a Chevy delivery van brake lever and made a mount to get it as high as I could. The seat is moved all the way back. When it is forward there is about an inch of clearance. This is mock up. It has been fully welded and painted.
Ended up with a lot going on in a tight area. The cable set up is exactly the same as Norcal's 69 Jeep.
Last build item is having the valve stems changed from long to short.
Still need to get more shake down miles and fix whatever comes up. This Jeep drives and feels so good. Its like it knows its headed back to the trail and wants to go.
Emergency brake is done. Used a Chevy delivery van brake lever and made a mount to get it as high as I could. The seat is moved all the way back. When it is forward there is about an inch of clearance. This is mock up. It has been fully welded and painted.
Ended up with a lot going on in a tight area. The cable set up is exactly the same as Norcal's 69 Jeep.
Last build item is having the valve stems changed from long to short.
Still need to get more shake down miles and fix whatever comes up. This Jeep drives and feels so good. Its like it knows its headed back to the trail and wants to go.
- Joined
- Feb 21, 2009
I have been running flush valve stems and love em having sheared a valve stem off in the past. https://www.amazon.com/Circuit-Perf...=flush+mount+valve+stem&qid=1779672769&sr=8-4 these solve that problem
- Joined
- Aug 16, 2019
What did you use for paint? I have a few spots that will need attention. Yours looks good.
- Joined
- Jul 21, 2024
I have been using the 534 Avocado Green from Paint Scratch in the spray cans in base coat clear coat. I have painted the engine compartment. inner fenders and touched up various spots on the body. I used Dupicolor hot rod black and Dupicolor green metal etch as a primer. The green metal etch works well as it takes less Avocado paint to cover it. I use the black is spots that I might want to sand back through to match the patina. On this Jeep I used the 1K paint scratch clear coat and scuffed it with a grey scuff pad to knock off some of the gloss. Plan is to clear coat the outside of the Jeep once I am done spotting in the paint. I still need to touch up around the tail lights. Most spots on the Jeep the blend match was near perfect. Under the Jeep emblem on the passenger side is a little off.
Your Jeep has a nice patina to it. Don't go for a perfect match just get it close. The look blends together when you step back.
- Joined
- Aug 16, 2019
I was thinking I may have to do spray-out / let-down cards with different % of matte additive in the clear to match the rest. I’ll experiment with what you have as it looks good. Thank you.
- Joined
- Mar 23, 2008
My flat fender with it's soft ( read well worn) springs tried to kill me at least 3 times due to roll steer.
Once I reversed the shackles it completely changed it. 70 on the highway no problem.
As long as you don't have a lot of arch or lift they work fine.
Once I reversed the shackles it completely changed it. 70 on the highway no problem.
As long as you don't have a lot of arch or lift they work fine.
- Joined
- Jul 21, 2024
My son was home for the week. Not much done to the Jeep this week. Focus was on his Chevy OBS project. We installed sound deadening and late model seats. He wired in the Holley dash and we finished up with fitting the roll pan along with a bunch of trim pieces. Plan is for him to return sometime late fall for another round of finishing.
We did put on about 60 miles so he could get to know the Jeep. The seat notch made all the difference for him. Put the Jeep to work and headed to the dump. Lowered the hitch when we came home. Only had this Jeep 9 months. It feels like its been in the fleet for 20 years. Can't wait for the Rubicon trip to arrive.
We did put on about 60 miles so he could get to know the Jeep. The seat notch made all the difference for him. Put the Jeep to work and headed to the dump. Lowered the hitch when we came home. Only had this Jeep 9 months. It feels like its been in the fleet for 20 years. Can't wait for the Rubicon trip to arrive.