Eugene II-78 CJ5

[TLCJ5]

Bought this "78 in "98 & took 4 yrs to get it road/off road worthy...I patched & painted the swisscheese body in 2002...Now it's time to start again.
After removing the body I cleaned & painted the frame.I had to fab a few of the body mointing points,but the frame is still solid & needed no major repairs.
I picked up the new body at Willlys Overland in Toledo on 7/24(only 5 months after I placed my order:roll & had the bottom & interior sprayed with Line-X(Josh & the crew at Line-X in Montgomery,Il are great guys & did a fantastic job). I then painted the firewall before mounting the body so the engine wouldn't be in the way.The body went on & bolted up with very little fighting even at my fabbed body mounting points on the frame.Here's some pics of the progress so far.

 

[BONESVT]

Ok I have a question. I just picked up a 79 CJ7,I can't really see but do you have power steering? Mine does not and can't decide if I want to even bother off roading with out it.( I like my thumbs)

 

[TLCJ5]

I converted to PS shortly after I bought the Jeep...used a pump & steering gear from a junkyard Chevy Impala....worked great for about 6yrs then the gear got sloppy so I swapped in a HD CJ gear.
I wouldn't be afraid to off road with the manual steering,just not too fast & keep your thumbs outside the wheel. But the power steering sure makes the tight spots easier.

 

[Shewilly]

Congrats on your new (old) project!
Youve got all us CJ people jelous with that brand new linexed tub!
looking forward to more pics soon =)

 

[TLCJ5]

Time for an update(well really way past time)....
Took a while but finally got the body ready for paint...I never thought a new body would take so much prep. Filled & sanded all the weld spots & stamping wrinkles. Took more time & spot putty than I expected.
Anyway...the first 3 pics are of the Jeep drying after wet sanding & the 4th picture is of the Jeep ready to paint. I finished painting on Sat 10/30 & will post pictures as soon as I convert my "paint shop" back to a garage & remove the masking....

 

[TLCJ5]

Here are some pics of the Jeep after painting...now it's time to put it back together. I plan to wet sand &/or buff it out in the spring(Chip Foose has no worries).

 

[TLCJ5]

5 months later....Finally showing some progress. The rollbar & tie in took a while but it's finally in...seats & dash...finally got good enough weather to start the wet sanding. First with 000 steel wool...then 1500grit sand paper followd by 2500 grit sand paper.Rubbing compound,polishimg compound & wax....man is my arm sore.....1 side done...1 side,hood,tailgate & windshield frame to go.....more later,enjoy the pics.

 

[TLCJ5]

Finally finished with the sanding & buffing....still a long list of things to get back on & adjusted,but making progress....here's the latest pictures.

 

[TLCJ5]

I've been driving the Jeep around town for the past few weeks...to & from work a few times etc,but since I haven't had time for a long shake down cruise on the highway I'll be towing it to Butler,Pa. for the Heritage Fest....here's the latest pics: