what would you do different on ur build?

Just wanted to get anyone and everyones opinion on what you would change if you could go back to the start of your build/restoration. I'm not talking about things like "I would put a jet engine on it"R). More like mistakes you made that caused probs that could have been easily remedied had you known. Cheap gaskets, where money was wasted or should have been spent, bad build order etc,etc..
SO LETS HEAR IT..
thanks
JC

 

Re: what would you do differenton ur build?

I would have rebuilt the Jeep more or less stock and not gone done what I have. I would be driving Chia now otherwise.

 

Re: what would you do differenton ur build?

Buy new tires and wheels LAST. My Swampers are two years old and I only now got the Jeep on the road.

Install new timing chain while I still had easy access. The 70's era emissions gurus were a one-trick pony: retard retard retard. Should have advanced the cam a few degrees.

Actually, other than that I didn't have too many regrets. Now my LAST (and first) Jeep is a different story. I tore a Jeep apart, bought a lot of expensive parts, ran out of money to finish, sold it all in pieces for next to nothing. I drove it a total of five miles, towed it home another 90 miles, and it never saw pavement again while I owned it.

DO NOT start a project you are not financially prepared to finish.
DO NOT start a project in someone elses garage (parent's garage is no exception).
DO NOT buy a rack full of KC Daylighters for a Jeep that doesn't have a body yet.
DO NOT throw anything away until the project is complete.

 

Re: what would you do differenton ur build?

I would have gone for less lift. I should have probably skipped the spring over, and just gone with an aftermarket 3-4" lift. Especially since I only wanted to clear 33" tires. I've got a ton of time into DS angles, steering geometry, and welding brackets, but it still drives like a piece of my steering colums uses jello to connect the steering wheel to the steering box. I'm not comfortable driving it on the road for any distance.


On the upside, off road, this jeep just works. Never at a loss for traction or articulation.


Also, I'd probably skip the front auto locker and go with a truetrack or a selectable locker. Its just too much work to steer on tight trails.

 

Re: what would you do differenton ur build?

For my build I knew exactly what I wanted the finished product to be and everything I did was toward that goal. Have a plan and stay with it. I learned an awful lot along the way but did not waste too much $$ having to redoe things.

Spend a little more $$ to make it right the first time. Don't go cheap and then have to redo it later.

 

Re: what would you do differenton ur build?

I asked this same question two years ago. For a few months it was a sticky. I got some great answers.

Looking forward to seeing the responses........

 

Re: what would you do differenton ur build?

this is an awesome start! I love it!!!
KEEP EM COMIN!!
thank you sincerely to all for your contributions
JC

 

Re: what would you do differenton ur build?

When it comes to outsourcing work, like exhaust bending, drivetrain repairs, and engine internals, do your due dilligence and go with a reputable shop that specializes. Join a local off-road club, or attend some events where these shops are represented so you can get references or talk to the folks who will be doing the work beforehand.

I had to go through 3 shops and untold $$ before the 3rd one got my drivetrain vibration corrected (Adams Driveshaft in Henderson, NV).

 

Re: what would you do differenton ur build?

next time i buy an old jeep
if it needs rewiring it is going straight to a professional.
i can handle the rest but that is something i wont tackle again.
and i will install the aftermarket heater BEFORE putting a hardtop on!

 

Re: what would you do differenton ur build?

If I could start over, I would have just tinkered on the stuff that needed fixing and got the thing running and drivable, so I could be enjoying it now. But nooooo, I had to immediately start tearing it down for a total frame-up restoration!

I don't recommend that, unless you have the resources, money, time and shop space to do so. Oh, and another Jeep to play with!

 

Re: what would you do differenton ur build?

I would have found one less rusty than mine.

 

Re: what would you do differenton ur build?

I bought my first early 5 and had no garage, and tore the thing down to the frame, had a second kid and realized it would never suit the 4 of us and what we wanted to do, and it was way too much work so I sold it in pieces. The Jeepster was still a project, but one that didn't need everything, and still took 6 months to do. One regret I have is not replacing the passenger floor when I did the bodywork, it really needs to be done which means pulling out fuel lines etc. A little work then, a lot of work now. I can't say to build exactly what you want, money often dictates that. I used what I had for drivetrain and upgraded over the last 2 years.

I also recommend staying away from the credit card for a Jeep project. It's a toy not a necessity. Searching out used parts is fun, and can get very competitive on local boards, I enjoyed that. Nice to score upgrades that you've been looking for.

 

Re: what would you do differenton ur build?

i forgot the most important one.
have a heated place to work on it!

 

Re: what would you do differenton ur build?

i dont even have a roof.
if it wasnt raining i'd be out there right now....

 

Re: what would you do differenton ur build?

I believe that the single biggest factor in a project build is to have the wife onboard. She needs to know what it is that you are doing, roughly how much it will cost,and that it may not be finished for a very long time. I have bought many projects from people over the years that had the best intentions but were never thought through. Most people underestimate the fabrication that goes into actually building a vehicle. Without the proper tools you will be lost. It is very easy to click on and order all the parts, but rarely is anything actually a bolt-on item without some modification. As far as the actual work goes, it is always best to fix the rust right first. Never get the Jeep painted before you have all the fabrication done. As tempting as it may be to buy the tires, they are the last part you need to bolt on before driving. The tires, top, and winch will probably make up more then 50% of your total cost, so if you can buy a project with those in good shape up front you will be money ahead. Just my 2 cents.

 

Re: what would you do differenton ur build?

Hey Bill, got any plans to build a small shed/shop in the backyard of your new digs? A man's gotta have a Jeep House!

 

It is very important to have a end goal in mind, that way your not changing plans throughout the build and have to redo/spend more money to make the changes. Have your drivetrain planed out, what your going to do the parts. Make a budget on what you want to spend on new parts/repairing or fixing stock parts and then double it. The $50 and $100 trips to the parts store at the end of the project will kill it. Esp. when it comes time to plumb it/wire it/driveshafts, ujoints...all the little things. The engine/trans/and axles are normally the cheap parts of the build depending on what your plans are.