Reviving my daughter's '71

I just got it running the other day, after sitting for a few years.
I haven't gotten too far into it, since I bought it for my daughter's 14th birthday. I know the brakes aren't working right, the transmission doesn't seem to want to propel the Jeep, and the floorboards need to be finished. If I recall correctly, the trans leaks fluid from the cooler lines and is probably low on fluid. Just picked up a new master cylinder and plan on just replacing the entire brake system, for good measure. Overall, it's in pretty good shape and should serve her well, as a daily driver.
I'll post progress reports as I go.

 

Bad brakes, transmission leak and holey floor boards, sounds like a typical Jeepster . Looks solid otherwise, wish mine looked that good from the get go .

 

I should have mentioned that a PO already replaced the floorboards with what appears to be 18 ga sheet. It just isn't welded. Lots of rivets.

 

Now it REALLY sounds like a typical Jeepster R).

 

Replaced a couple of vacuum lines and added two quarts of atf, now the transmission hits like an asteroid when you put it in gear. Takes a lot of effort to keep it from taking off like a rocket. Auto trannies aren't my specialty. Any ideas what's going on there? Lots of strain on the engine, when holding still in gear.

 

What kind of engine RPM's? The higher it revs the harder it's going to slam into gear. Couple of other things it could be but start with that.

 

Nice looking Jeepster

 

No tach, so don't know for sure, but not too high. Maybe slightly high for the Dauntless.

 

Nice looking Jeepster. Some parents would have a heart attack if you suggested putting their child in something like that (age, old safety technology, etc.), but I love it.

It should be a Turbo 400 tranny; if it's working right, those are considered the toughest car/light truck automatic transmission there is. They put them in Hum-V's and a presidential limo, so that should speak well for it.

Good luck with it!

 

Yup. It's the TH400. At some point, it will probably get replaced with a 700R4, but that's down the road. Right now, the goal is to make it a reliable daily driver. Brakes are first on the list.

 

That's a logical choice - I'd be curious to see what kind of gas mileage it gets with a 700R4. Keep us updated on the project!

 

Any progress on this project?

 

The slots look good on there...

I need to get my 71 on the road as well

 

When she brings home a boyfriend in it.. And he has no idea what it is... Immediately kick him in the junk and toss him out the door.. haha

 

Lol. We're safe there. She's married and her hubby knows what it is. He's in the Navy though and hasn't seen it yet.

 

Haha, well tell him Bubba said "fair winds and following seas shipmate.."

 

you can marry at 14 in colorado?

 

lol. She's 18 now. We haven't really done much to the old Jeep since we got it. Life has gotten in the way.