The good part is...It will run again...just keep plugging away at it. The bad part is...they are never done...You will always find "just one more thing" to do to it...

If you look back at the jeeper demographics thread you will see that lots of us have the same issue's of not much jeep time...

That first top off ride of the spring (or summer if you are late) really does make it all worth it.

 

Hang in there... Only 5-10% left, that is great... Think how satisfying it is going to feel when your wife and kids get to enjoy riding with the top down on a warm summers afternoon. When you look at your Jeep in the garage. Instead of picturing the jeep finished, picture the smiles on your family's face enjoying it... You know it will be worth it!

Good Luck

 

Well I’m only about 5% started. I think I’m gonna name my Jeep Barney Rubble because one of these days my feet are going to go through the floor if I don't get it fixed. And I keep breaking one part after I fix another that was broken. It's never ending and I don't see the light at the end of the tunnel either. So I just accept the fact my jeep is always going to be a work in progress. Oh well at least I have one.

Maybe you and a buddy need to spend some quality time jeepn with no kids, dogs or wives for a weekend to kindle that old flame. Once you get home you'll look at it with a different view and maybe some more ambition.

For me - summer is just around the corner. I'll keep the jeep drivable, but it's time to get the boat out of storage.

 

When you get into that mood, think about the 90% that's already finished.

I seem to have an aversion to finishing major projects. It might be because as long as they're still in progress I can keep a picture of perfection in front of me. Once it's finished, it's finished, flaws and all.

 

I know how you feel as my last 10% has taken me months and I don't seem to be getting anywhere. So close but yet so far. I've found that often seems to drag out when working alone. What you need is to plan a day with a buddy and do nothing but work on the jeep. You'll be surprised how much you can accomplish with an extra brain and set of hands. Just set a reasonable goal of what you want to accomplish, and reward yourself and your buddy with a steak and a golden beverage. Keep your chin up.

 

Don't feel bad, that is just the way of things. Let's see what I have unfinished: 1 '47 flatfender stripped to the frame, currently sitting in a shed waiting for me to rescue it again

. Another '47 that only needs a starter and a gas tank to run

. A CJ5 that needs an axle narrowed, and a new engine

. A CJ7 that actually runs, but desparately needs power steering and power brakes. A house that has more projects than I can name. I figure my Jeeps are life projects, I just need one to run at any given time. My wife doesn't know it, but there are a lot more strange four wheel drive things that will find their way to our house. I am really pining for an old Power Wagon, 50's vintage, not an M-37, but the civvy model. By the way, if anyone has one they want to get rid of, PM me, I can pick up. So don't feel bad, just enjoy your time. Work on the jeep when you can, it will all come together, maybe just not in the time frame you originally intended.

Any project like a Jeep takes at least 10 times longer than you originally intended, especially if you have a wife and kids.

 

In reply to:

Between wife, kids, house, work, and all the other stuff, finishing the Jeep doesn't happen.

[/ QUOTE ]

I hear ya man, I'm in the same boat. Got the Jeep almost 2 years ago and I still don't even have a rolling chassis back together yet .... I know sad isn't it?
I just think about the future and keep getting better ideas on how to build it as time goes by, so I know it will be worth it when all is said and done.

 

Thanks for words of encouragement. Decided to put on the Warn rocker guards this weekend as an easy start. Murphy was there again....now I need to trim the fender flares a bit for a clean fit. At least I just laughed about this one.

 

I wasn't sure when I would get around to posting pics of my frame up rebuild but after reading this post I took a long lunch and got them on my site...I've been doing the same thing as you...a little here...a little there...it's been 2 years since I started my rebuild and I got to drive her for the first time about a week ago! She needs some paint and a dash but I did get to drive her...Can't tell you how good that felt!

If at all posible get the motor running...Once I got to hear the sound of all 304 ci I got fired up myself!!!

Here are the pics to show that there is a light...just hang in there...

Current pics:
http://www.pulledover.org/jeep/76cj7/03-21-04/03-21-04.htm
Pics from the whole project:
http://www.pulledover.org/jeep/76cj7/76cj7.htm

Tucker

One just to get you interested:

 

Trucker - you are making me think that I am way too much of a perfectionist and feel alot better. Based on you pick I am a bit farther along than you. (mine is painted) I need to learn how to post a pick so you will know what I mean. Just past the two year mark myself but because of no inspection sticker, it is not worth the ticket to take it for a ride.
Got to get this thing on the road, getting the bug again.

 

sgdane,
Where in Jersey are you? I am in much the same boat. Got a '77 CJ-7 I tore apart almost 3 years ago and it hasn't moved under it's own power since

. With so little time, skill, and $$ it's taking me forever and day to get it back together. I'd say I'm about 80 to 90% done, just can't seem to get it finished up. And the cold winter has not been too motivating. I live near Atlantic City, maybe if you're close enough we could help each other out. I seem to work better with a partner. If nothing else, misery love company. ric9469@hotmail.com
Regards,
rich f.
Atlantic City, NJ
"Semper Paratus"

 

Don't fell bad ,,, you at least still have it ,,,,

My Jeepster (73 Comando) has been sitting in the same place for 6 years ,,,Buy a new JEEPSTER Tarp every year,,,, I have the tranny & transfer done but when I start on the motor (AMC 360) something comes up ,,, lose of job or winter (no garage),,, I steal have to change the rears ,,, Make a hood for the 48 WILLYS front clip Im putting on it & cut in the rear Fenders off a 47 WILLYs truck for fender flares ,,, But I do have a NOS 47 grille I look at from time to time ,,,,(wife will not let me hang it in the living room

) ,,, But its paid for & not eating anything ,,, One of these days ,,,

 

Jerry, did you read this thread ? It's you one of these days.

 

I feel your pain...

full time cop (50 + hours a week)
full time student (12 hrs a week + homework)
married
one dog
one cat

i bought the current project a few years ago and was just happy to have a cj again, then the carb when south, started putting together everything for TBI conversion, then i found a 360. sold the tbi stuff and started tearing apart the 360 (that was last June). the engine is finally in the jeep and has exhaust and is running. of course i need to fix some wiring issues and put new brakes on the front before i can drive it around (which has taken the last three weeks with nothing accomplished - maybe tomorrow). and i still haven't even started getting to the hard stuff.

the wife says "when your jeep is done," i have to remind her that it will probably never be "done"

half the fun of owning a jeep is realizing that it is truly your own blood, sweat and beers or is that tears that hold it together and make it run (when it does run

)

it didn't always have that nice layer of shop dust covering it, it used to be shiny

-web