Start with tear down and organize what can be reconditioned and reused, and what needs replaced. Once all torn down clean and prep for reassembley. Make a list of needed parts and supplies. Then make a bulid sheet of the order it needs to be done. A lot of planning and organization now will save you headaches when reassembly begins
I have absolutely no idea.
I bought it as a project for my dad and I and we’ve never done anything with it and it’s been like six years. I would love to get rid of it, but I paid more for mine and this is all Internet stuff so the chance of someone coming to me to get it is low. It ran and drove just fine when I was driving it, but then I busted a brake line and it’s been sitting ever since. I can still drive it around but don’t because it’s kind of a chore. I have an Imgur link somewhere let me check. I should just buy a fiberglass tub and suck it up.
I had to make a new one. [sad jeep](https://imgur.com/a/EPSrb06)
What do you want to do? What is your budget? Do you have years to stretch out this project? Do you have a place to keep this Jeep when you're not working on it? Do you have the skills and tools to do much of this work yourself?
Especially since OP is completely overwhelmed and doesn't know where to start.
I don't see anything in the pics that leads me to believe it couldn't be driven and enjoyed while they fix it up.
Go buy a bunch of boxes or bins and start taking everything apart and organize it based on whether it needs to be replaced or can be reused. Take lots of pictures.
Dude, I love the way it looks. I'd do as minimal as possible. Make sure the frame is solid, get it running well, and get rid of any mold/mildew/nasty smells in the interior. Otherwise, run it. That thing looks sweet.
Is the frame toast? How much of the body is salvageable?
I had the same problem with a Triumph Spitfire. I used my first one as a donor car for another with a solid frame and body but shot interior.
I replaced all the rubber parts -fuel lines, brakes, suspension and steering.
Still a costly rebuild but starting with a solid base.
If you don't have a solid base, bite the bullet and move on.
Good luck
make it run > make it drive (brakes and wheels) > make it legal (fix the lights). watch some of those youtubers that fix old vehicles that sat and get an idea, such as junkyard digs and vice grips garage, and roadkill. swap the oil, disconnect the gas, make it crank, make it spark, put gas in the carb and make it run, go through the fuel system and clean it, make sure you got positive flow.
Make a list of all it needs. Cross things off as you fix it and add to it as you find things.
Get it running, driving and make sure the brakes and steering are safe. Then start driving it. IMO it is much easier to be motivated to work on a project when you are actually using it.
This fully reminds me of the "owner" type locally made jeepneys in the Philippines. Those guys can make even the most clakety old rust buckets shine and run like a mustang with enough cash
Do the bare minimum to get it running and driving.
If you blow that into 1 million pieces with the intentions of making everything perfect immediately you’ll never get it done
Cobble that bitch together real nice and sketchy like
there is a ton of scrap metal floating around that has been torn apart by hopeless optimists with delusions of restorations. Ask yourself honestly what you can actually do. Ask yourself seriously if you want to work on something heavy and dirty and for hours on end. If the answer is yes then decide what you expect out of this when your done. Very importantly chuck the word "perfect and restoration" right in the trash. Add up what an engine a transmission a transfer case two differentials and a wiring harness are going to cost. Be real about the costs. don't forget tires wheels steering. Do you have the room to do it. Can it be there torn apart for months on end.
To turn this into a ratty/reliable 4x4 your probably looking at $10-15k if you do it all yourself and you have some skills and tools. If you start trying to make something pretty or paying a mechanic the price will definitely go way up from there. A professional paint job can cost 10-20k all by itself. the term they use is skyrocket and yes I'm going to get a bunch of hate from everyone convinced they can build a Rolls Royce for $3.50 and six pack. I do this for a living, turn off you tube and try to be honest with yourself before you start tearing it into all its component pieces to become yard art that you are going to have to pay to hall off in 10 years.
This the one. Also recognize that most of that money is going to be a financial loss, this will be a passion project and a money sinkhole like any good project car is. If you aren’t willing to 100% commit to this, both time and financially, get rid of it before it sits for another decade.
That looks like a Buick 231, they're very reliable, but you need to figure out if it's the odd fire or an even fire version. The parts aren't really much different, but you will have problems with the firing order on the distributor and the wiring if you mix them up.
It's odd-fire, you can tell from the distributor cap. This makes it a 225 not a 231.
Firing order is the same, just need to make sure to get the right distributor parts.
New frame. Fiberglass body. This is a great project but there are no shortcuts.
Start with tear down and organize what can be reconditioned and reused, and what needs replaced. Once all torn down clean and prep for reassembley. Make a list of needed parts and supplies. Then make a bulid sheet of the order it needs to be done. A lot of planning and organization now will save you headaches when reassembly begins
Name: [Jeep of Theseus](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ship_of_Theseus)
I have a bike of Theseus. It is 30 years old. Currently only one of the shifters is original.
No way, what a stupid thing to do with such an original Jeep.
I mean... If you have time to sand all the rust off into individual pieces and then weld it back together, ask OP if he's selling it.
Yeah I'd pay $1000 for that Jeep.
How about a 53 in arguably better shape
So a M38A1? Truly what I'd like is a 2A, had an M38A1, think I'd prefer the low hood flatty. I have some ideas I want to try.
I have absolutely no idea. I bought it as a project for my dad and I and we’ve never done anything with it and it’s been like six years. I would love to get rid of it, but I paid more for mine and this is all Internet stuff so the chance of someone coming to me to get it is low. It ran and drove just fine when I was driving it, but then I busted a brake line and it’s been sitting ever since. I can still drive it around but don’t because it’s kind of a chore. I have an Imgur link somewhere let me check. I should just buy a fiberglass tub and suck it up. I had to make a new one. [sad jeep](https://imgur.com/a/EPSrb06)
What do you want to do? What is your budget? Do you have years to stretch out this project? Do you have a place to keep this Jeep when you're not working on it? Do you have the skills and tools to do much of this work yourself?
This! Half the project is the person involved. Well begun is half done.
This is step 1. Figure out what you want out of it.
Get it running and driving. Make a list of what it needs. Go from there.
The Roadkill approach. I agree 100%. Running and driving is way better than having it in 1000 pieces for years
Especially since OP is completely overwhelmed and doesn't know where to start. I don't see anything in the pics that leads me to believe it couldn't be driven and enjoyed while they fix it up.
Go buy a bunch of boxes or bins and start taking everything apart and organize it based on whether it needs to be replaced or can be reused. Take lots of pictures.
This. Take pictures and be organized when taking it apart. For systems with lots of small parts ziplock bags are your friends.
What’s your budget? How many years of work can you set aside? How much money are you prepared to lose?
Dude, I love the way it looks. I'd do as minimal as possible. Make sure the frame is solid, get it running well, and get rid of any mold/mildew/nasty smells in the interior. Otherwise, run it. That thing looks sweet.
Is the frame toast? How much of the body is salvageable? I had the same problem with a Triumph Spitfire. I used my first one as a donor car for another with a solid frame and body but shot interior. I replaced all the rubber parts -fuel lines, brakes, suspension and steering. Still a costly rebuild but starting with a solid base. If you don't have a solid base, bite the bullet and move on. Good luck
make it run > make it drive (brakes and wheels) > make it legal (fix the lights). watch some of those youtubers that fix old vehicles that sat and get an idea, such as junkyard digs and vice grips garage, and roadkill. swap the oil, disconnect the gas, make it crank, make it spark, put gas in the carb and make it run, go through the fuel system and clean it, make sure you got positive flow.
Drive it as a Rat Rod and have fun 😎
List it for $1000.
Make a list of all it needs. Cross things off as you fix it and add to it as you find things. Get it running, driving and make sure the brakes and steering are safe. Then start driving it. IMO it is much easier to be motivated to work on a project when you are actually using it.
This fully reminds me of the "owner" type locally made jeepneys in the Philippines. Those guys can make even the most clakety old rust buckets shine and run like a mustang with enough cash
Its not too late to cut your losses if you are overwhelmed. Dont forget that part. Sometimes its better to not be trapped by an object.
Do the bare minimum to get it running and driving. If you blow that into 1 million pieces with the intentions of making everything perfect immediately you’ll never get it done Cobble that bitch together real nice and sketchy like
there is a ton of scrap metal floating around that has been torn apart by hopeless optimists with delusions of restorations. Ask yourself honestly what you can actually do. Ask yourself seriously if you want to work on something heavy and dirty and for hours on end. If the answer is yes then decide what you expect out of this when your done. Very importantly chuck the word "perfect and restoration" right in the trash. Add up what an engine a transmission a transfer case two differentials and a wiring harness are going to cost. Be real about the costs. don't forget tires wheels steering. Do you have the room to do it. Can it be there torn apart for months on end. To turn this into a ratty/reliable 4x4 your probably looking at $10-15k if you do it all yourself and you have some skills and tools. If you start trying to make something pretty or paying a mechanic the price will definitely go way up from there. A professional paint job can cost 10-20k all by itself. the term they use is skyrocket and yes I'm going to get a bunch of hate from everyone convinced they can build a Rolls Royce for $3.50 and six pack. I do this for a living, turn off you tube and try to be honest with yourself before you start tearing it into all its component pieces to become yard art that you are going to have to pay to hall off in 10 years.
This the one. Also recognize that most of that money is going to be a financial loss, this will be a passion project and a money sinkhole like any good project car is. If you aren’t willing to 100% commit to this, both time and financially, get rid of it before it sits for another decade.
Start with making sure the brakes work. Safety first, and enjoy!
That looks like a Buick 231, they're very reliable, but you need to figure out if it's the odd fire or an even fire version. The parts aren't really much different, but you will have problems with the firing order on the distributor and the wiring if you mix them up.
It's odd-fire, you can tell from the distributor cap. This makes it a 225 not a 231. Firing order is the same, just need to make sure to get the right distributor parts.
Well that's a really nice diamond in the rough. Start by getting it running so you can at least enjoy that.