1. Registration trouble? Please use the "Contact Us" link at the bottom right corner of the page and your issue will be resolved.
    Dismiss Notice

Mighty Mouse

Discussion in 'Builds and Fabricators Forum' started by ITLKSEZ, Sep 16, 2015.

  1. Sep 28, 2015
    ITLKSEZ

    ITLKSEZ Hope for the best, prepare for the worst

    Liberty Lake, WA
    Joined:
    Aug 13, 2015
    Messages:
    6,656
    I tackled the soft top repairs this weekend. I received some fabric swatches in the mail from Bestop last week, and my parents sent me my old tire cover that was in storage to cut up and use for the big hole. At the right front corner, mice had a feast on this top.

    [​IMG]

    I made a trip to the fabric store and bought some urethane fabric glue, some needles, UV resistant outdoor thread and seam sealer. I spent most of Friday and some of Saturday cutting, glueing, ironing and stitching the patches onto this top. There were around 12 holes that the 3x5 (or smaller) swatches would cover, plus the massive one that required an 8x10 section of my tire cover.

    [​IMG]

    This top has been in storage for at least 19 years, maybe 20. Aside from the mice, I can't believe how well it has held up. It took a good couple of hours to get it stretched over the framework, but all of the stitching is holding together, all the windows are pliable, and the fabric feels as good as it did when I put it away.

    [​IMG]

    The last thing on my immediate list was the spare tire carrier. This carrier came on one of the jeeps I bought years ago and is the simplest, yet is an ingenious design. I had to fab the missing bottom mount, but the original wouldn't had fit this mess anyway. The bottom mount is a simple bracket that bolts into two of the drawbar mount holes, and the top is held in place with the tailgate chains. Release the chains and it swings down enabling you to use the tailgate. One of the pivot holes is slotted, so it can be removed just as easily. I'll take detailed pics if anyone is interested.

    [​IMG]

    I'll be on my way in a few minutes to the DMV to do a title and plate transfer from my now-retired car. Mighty Mouse will officially be my daily driver starting today!
     
  2. Sep 28, 2015
    colojeepguy

    colojeepguy Colorado Springs

    At the foot of...
    Joined:
    Apr 4, 2010
    Messages:
    7,110
    My tire carrier (homemade) is similar to what you describe. Works very well and is lightweight, and doesn't put stress on the body. The only drawback is the tire is in the way when you swing it down to access the tailgate.
    I have a rear seat in mine so the tailgate gets used little.
     
  3. Sep 28, 2015
    47v6

    47v6 junk wrecker! 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    USA
    Joined:
    Oct 25, 2006
    Messages:
    5,798
    looks great. nice job on the patches. i welded my tailgate shut. Non fold and tumble rear seat and noise from tailgate than never gets used driving me nuts... well more nuts anyway.
     
  4. Sep 28, 2015
    ITLKSEZ

    ITLKSEZ Hope for the best, prepare for the worst

    Liberty Lake, WA
    Joined:
    Aug 13, 2015
    Messages:
    6,656
    I just got back; its legal! Gotta love Idaho. Title transfer and application, VIN inspection and plate transfer for $25.

    I ran to my car to get a ratchet strap to hold tension on my tailgate before I even got my daughter out of her car seat. That noise is maddening! That kid will fall asleep anywhere and sleep through anything.
    ...to be four years old again.

    [​IMG]
     
    Twin2 likes this.
  5. Sep 29, 2015
    SKT

    SKT I Like CJ's...

    Location
    Joined:
    Nov 13, 2006
    Messages:
    641
    .
    .

    Great to see you created a refurb thread for Mighty Mouse!

    Enjoy your postings and look forward to following this thread.

    CJ is looking great!

    .
    .
     
  6. Oct 8, 2015
    ITLKSEZ

    ITLKSEZ Hope for the best, prepare for the worst

    Liberty Lake, WA
    Joined:
    Aug 13, 2015
    Messages:
    6,656
    I got the trailer lights hooked up today. MM is officially my light duty work truck.

    [​IMG]

    I'm considering mounting the spare tire back on the side now that the corner could actually support it again. I just don't like the rear carrier, and I'd use the tailgate daily if the tire wasn't there. Thoughts? Opinions?
     
  7. Oct 8, 2015
    homersdog

    homersdog Tulsa, Ok 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    Tulsa, OK
    Joined:
    Jan 8, 2012
    Messages:
    2,352
    First of all Congrats on getting it back into service. It looks great.

    Since you asked for opinions: I can't remember the number of times I hit trees or fence posts with the side mount tire back in the70s and 80s till I finally wised up and put it in back. I'll never put mine on the side again.
     
  8. Oct 8, 2015
    Fly Navy

    Fly Navy Member

    Emerson, IA
    Joined:
    Jun 6, 2014
    Messages:
    361
    Perhaps it is foolish of me, but I don't intent to carry a spare around on my jeep when I get it back on the road for the very reason you mention. Because I will use it as a farm/ranch tool most of the time. I'm just going to carry a patch kit with me and have a little on-board air. I figure for long, more hard core excursions, I will build a trailer and mount a couple of spares to it.
     
  9. Oct 8, 2015
    throwback

    throwback Member

    Joined:
    Sep 9, 2015
    Messages:
    68
    What about just removing the rear seat and putting it on the floor back there? It would make a good tool/stuff holder if you put it in there face down. :)

    I'm also running bias ply Super Swampers that are probably 15 years old and I wonder if I should be carrying a spare too. I have an old Kayline rear tire carrier, but currently my spare is in my buddy's barn, probably rusted wheel and dry rotted rubber.
     
  10. Oct 9, 2015
    ITLKSEZ

    ITLKSEZ Hope for the best, prepare for the worst

    Liberty Lake, WA
    Joined:
    Aug 13, 2015
    Messages:
    6,656
    That's exactly what I remember about my '70 when I had it back there on the corner. But that was back east where I couldn't go anywhere without there being trees and narrow trails. Things are a lot more wide open out here, and I think I'll be ok in that respect.

    Perhaps it is foolish of me too, but I do that with my dump truck. I have a 6-lug front end and an 8-lug rear. When using it for what I use it for, I don't have room for one spare, let alone two. The jeep though, I'm hauling my kids around a lot in it, and a spare is sorta necessary.

    I don't have a rear seat jet, but one is in the works. I've been strapping my daughter's car seat to some footman loops on the floor, so inside is sorta out of the equation too.


    Thanks for the opinions guys. I'm still on the fence about this. The rear mount, even with a ratchet strap holding it tightly in place, still has a very annoying squeak when it vibrates over bumps. My other sets of tires that will fit this jeep (that I plan on using at some point) are all 33x12.50s, and they would rub against the spare unless it was spaced out away from the body. That would look ridiculous.

    Did any cars/trucks have the 5 on 5 1/2" bolt pattern with a little temp donut spare? I could build the rear seat to fit one of them underneath. (Idea put in my head by Garageguy65... gotta give credit where credit is due.)
     
  11. Oct 14, 2015
    ITLKSEZ

    ITLKSEZ Hope for the best, prepare for the worst

    Liberty Lake, WA
    Joined:
    Aug 13, 2015
    Messages:
    6,656
    So I went ahead and mounted the spare on the side. It's taking some major adjustment to get used to it; both the looks and the clearance issues. But it sure is nice to be able to access the tailgate again.

    [​IMG]

    Its initial run was out to the local you-pull-it yard, and I kept smelling something funny when I'd go around right turns. The spare tire was a little too close to the rolling tire and was rubbing under flex.

    [​IMG]

    I spaced it out a little bit and haven't noticed any fresh rub marks.

    I also got the tux badges mounted on my hood and the V6 badges on.

    [​IMG]

    I've now got it to the point where I wanted it. Usable. This thread will now fade off into the sunset... Unless I do something drastic, which is totally possible. Thanks for following along!
     
  12. Aug 5, 2016
    ITLKSEZ

    ITLKSEZ Hope for the best, prepare for the worst

    Liberty Lake, WA
    Joined:
    Aug 13, 2015
    Messages:
    6,656
    Mighty Mouse is now rolling on 33s!

    I had to steal the 32" Swampers off of it for another build, so I threw these old BFGs on it. They were free from a friend who was gonna toss them.

    [​IMG]

    The plate came off the old girl over the winter. It's been sitting, waiting patiently in line for a proper rebuild. I'll get to it... Eventually. (y)
     
    Garageguy65 and homersdog like this.
  13. Aug 5, 2016
    montanacj

    montanacj Member

    Joined:
    Jul 11, 2012
    Messages:
    794
    Where would one find the thread of your cross country epic adventure? Good work on this is old girl I likey.
     
  14. Aug 5, 2016
    ITLKSEZ

    ITLKSEZ Hope for the best, prepare for the worst

    Liberty Lake, WA
    Joined:
    Aug 13, 2015
    Messages:
    6,656
  15. Jun 14, 2017
    ITLKSEZ

    ITLKSEZ Hope for the best, prepare for the worst

    Liberty Lake, WA
    Joined:
    Aug 13, 2015
    Messages:
    6,656
    I got the ole girl back on the road again last week. Taking the kids for rides has become their new favorite evening activity.

    [​IMG]
     
New Posts