FitchVA - The Fugly

[FitchVA]

i just picked up this "gem" a week or so ago. i only have a 1.6 mile drive to work, so i really wanted to get a beater to put the hard miles on instead of my nice(er) white 98 xj. the plan is to drive it back and forth to work, parts hauler, and trash runner. it'll be getting a few upgrades, but all for looks - and as cheaply as possible.

stock specs:

1989 MJ
short bed
231 TC
Auto
d30/d35 (stock 3.55 gearing)




plans:
* fix some dents
* fix the paint
* fix the suspension
* freshen up the motor

[FitchVA]

the wheels that were on it SUCKED. mostly bald and looked like they belonged on a go-cart. and because i'm a pack rat, i still had my old eccos from the white jeep. the tires don't have much tread on them, but they are better than what was on it. plus, they will work for temporary.

before:



after:




edit: also in this picture in the foreground to the right is the d30 that's fresh and ready to be put in the green xj.

[FitchVA]

well i fingally got around to pulling the ugly ducklying into the shop.

first thing addressed: the boo-boo'ed fender:





it's nekkid!



now it's just the worng color and has the wrong emblem



i will be hackign the front fenders off just below the headlight buckets/bezels to accomodate a wraparound bumper.

[xjtrailrider]

If you need end caps I have a full set of 97+ textured caps and valence, no bumper though. I picked up a set of "new" smooth finish for big red for $135 last week.

[FitchVA]

i apprecite it, but i'm not gonna use a stock bumper. i'll be making the wrap around bumper.

[FitchVA]

yesterday i got the pinstriping off of the replacement fender, removed the badges, and fixed some dents. almost ready for paint

[rubican!]

man i love those trucks. Cant wait to see it put together.

[xjmudman96]

nice chrome mirrors steve!

[FitchVA]

they won't be chrome for long

[FitchVA]

not much progress. the plan was to paint the MJ "John Deere Blitz Black" - it's a flat/satin black that looks really nice when done right. a coworker's father works for a paint supplier and was going to get me some for a good price. but my coworker has been dragging his feet so i haven't been really rushed to get stuff done. but i need to go ahead and get some paint down before it gets too cold. so i've decided to hold off on the Blitz Black until next spring so I can have plenty of time to do it right. in the mean time, i'm just gonna spray bomb it. i picked up the paint tonight.

the plan was to have it sanded, taped, and prepped for paint in the morning. but me being me, took forever to strip down the important bits. so i didn't even get a chance to sand. but here are a few shots. not much different, but a little.



and here's a closeup of my roof repair. it's still not perfect, but miles away from what it was.

before:



meow: