The Cheap Wrangler Build...

[eric m]

It is, I used one of the factory air box mounting holes. If it looks like it's going to give me fits I may weld a washer on for additional strength. Thanks for the complement on the bracket it's nothing fancy.

[eric m]

My latest project has been some boatside rockers. My reason for boatsides over standard rock sliders was two fold, firstly I had rust in the rockers that I was going to have to address, secondly it gives me much more clearance without a stupid high lift. It isn't for the faint of heart lol, but I'm happy with the finished result. The only thing I want to do is make some end caps bit for now they are installed and sealed.

[TerryMason]

Those turned out great. You're right about it not being for the feint of heart, I'm not use I'd have the gut to cut that much.

[eric m]

Thanks Terry. I'm pleased with them.

[eric m]

Well I've got a few more odds and ends I should post up. Did ball joints the last couple of evenings, that was a lot of fun. Used alloy USA ball joints, I wish I would have googled them before I installed them. Didn't realize they have a break in time approaching 500 miles before the wholly terrifying steering experience goes away, lol. However they are really a quality piece, very well built and feel like they will last. Also installed a steering box skid from poison spyder a month or so ago. Post doing the ball joints I swapped my worn tires for a set of Mickey Thompson mtz's in a 33x12.50 size. I picked up the set used with 80% or better tread for $550.

[superj]

the jeep looks great, so far. for being a single dad, it seems you are keeping the ol jeep well which means the kids are probably happy too. i know i loved riding around in my dad's cj when i was a kid, and wrangler when i was in high school

[eric m]

Thank you for the compliment. I do what I can, and I try to spend the money on it wisely. It also doesn't hurt that I have a girlfriend who likes the jeep as much as my son does, lol. The boatsides were a gift from her.

[eric m]

My latest project is my $0.75 sun rider top. My buddy had an extra top floating around his attic that his wife wanted gone. It's still in really nice shape and it's been doing the job but I wanted to make a sun rider version, all I had to do was cut off part of the bow sections. I made two simple brackets out of one piece of flat stock that I paid 75 cents for and I used some bestop disconnects my buddy gave me for fixing his top.

[TerryMason]

My latest project is my $0.75 sun rider top. My buddy had an extra top floating around his attic that his wife wanted gone. It's still in really nice shape and it's been doing the job but I wanted to make a sun rider version, all I had to do was cut off part of the bow sections. I made two simple brackets out of on piece of flat stock that I paid 75 cents for and I used some bestop disconnects my buddy fave me for fixing his top.

Any chance you could post some more photos of this? I've got an extra top, and it sounds neat.

I'd worry that it would puff out like a parachute when I go down the highway.

[eric m]

I will when the rain stops lol. I don't think it will be too much worse than a standard top

[eric m]

Any chance you could post some more photos of this? I've got an extra top, and it sounds neat.

I'd worry that it would puff out like a parachute when I go down the highway.

So far it doesn't balloon up any more than before I modified it. What I did was delete the center bar that runs up to the header. I cut that bar near the end of the door surround and drilled a hole on each surround and bolted my bracket to the surrounds. I may modify and reinstall part of that center bar in such a fashion that it is rigid mounted to the center hoop of the rollcage so it adds some more support but right now it seems to work pretty decently.

[eric m]

Any chance you could post some more photos of this? I've got an extra top, and it sounds neat. I'd worry that it would puff out like a parachute when I go down the highway.

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I attached a couple of pictures of the bracket and the quick disconnects, you can see where I deleted the mid bar for the time being as well as where I made my pivot point. I may change both of those features but for now it works very well and doesn't balloon up any more than before.

[eric m]

[eric m]

I've been working on an aluminum drop down tailgate for my wrangler. Normally I don't post till the project is done but I have a lot of pictures. I will be into this project about $40 total when done, it's a fraction of the cost of an after market tailgate.











This is just some of the forming, as you can see I don't have a brake press.



Just having my dad hold it in place on my step brothers junk yj (this comes in handy shortly)























I "borrowed" the latch and handle. I took a lot of measurements and some reference pictures and sunk the handle and attached the inner cover after some flattening was done to it. I'm just getting everything I can mocked up before I do the actuall install.







This is where I've gotten too at this point. Hinges on, handle in an attached, latch cover located. Basically ready to take the old gate off and grab the lock out of it and bolt the latch and cover down.

[TerryMason]

Looks pretty sharp. I miss the dropdown tailgate from my old CJ-7 - the only problem was that there wasn't a handle, only those internal toggles to open it - Looks like you solved that problem.

[eric m]

Thanks Terry. I'm pleased with how it's turning out. I don't think it would be too hard to adapt the tj/yj handle and latch to a cj tailgate tho. The main problem is people want a fortune for them. I seen one on a local craigslist for months at $30 I didn't buy it unfortunalty, when I started looking for one I couldn't find one for less than $100 and most were pretty rough.

[eric m]

I finished the install for now. I need to get a larger step drill and install the lock, but it's on and functional.

[eric m]

This update isn't for anything really neat but thought I'd post anyway.







I had one of those plastic scoops on my first wrangler and it really helped make the havc work much more effectively. Well the 97 is the only year for the 3 rows of vents and no one makes a cover anymore. I simply cut some aluminum diamond plate to fit, sealed it with silicone and rivited it in place.

[JPNinPA]

Eric in what way did it help the HVAC?

[eric m]

Theoretically more air flow. On my first wrangler for example even if I would warm the jeep before my drive I would still have frost on the inside of the soft top after a :30 minute drive. After installing one of those the heater was much more effective, as in nice and warm within :10 minutes. Not saying everyone will have the same results just that was my experience.