What did you do to your TJ today?

[blamc70]

Started the fiberglass repairs on Tessie's hardtop. trying to minimize the repair area so as not to mess up too much of the texture, but still get a solid repair. Doesn't look like much but this is 5-6 layers of glass mat and cloth...

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This is what was missing before I started...

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One final layer of glass was applied to both sides at the larger chip to match the top thickness beyond. Working with fiberglass is fun!

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Next step will be some filler and glazing putty for final form, then I'll attempt to recreate the texture. Going to give this stuff a shot for that...

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Let me know how well that texture matches the original if you don't mind... I need to do the same thing.

 

[TheBoogieman]

The baffles will make a huge difference in the sound. It will be even more if the front speakers are on an external amp.

Installed them and everything is on an external amp. Maybe a 2% improvement IMO. I wasted $12 that I can't get back. I like to review stuff people rave about to see if it's shit or not. For $12 and if you think a stock stereo sounds fine, it might be good for you. I worked at Crutchfield for years and got to test and install everything.

 

[chili_pepper]

Let me know how well that texture matches the original if you don't mind... I need to do the same thing.

Will do. Assuming everything works out I'll post up the other products I used for the repair as well. These tops are SMC fiberglass and require some different materials as a result.

The texture will likely be as much about the product as it will about application. I need to spray some test panels to see how the stuff works. I could end up splattering it on from 24" away if that's what gets the desired effect.

 

[lBasket]

I installed these about a month ago and they were extremely tight fitting. I keep hearing that they get better over time, but every time I latch the hood closed, t makes the two little tabs on the upper part of the latch buckle under the pressure. Have you had this same experience?

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The one I put on isn't nearly that tight, and it even is on a bent fender that snapped an OEM one. That's crazy tight

 

[mjonesjr84]

Installed the last switches to get ready for when the axles get here.

 

[RC Willy]

I painted the floors. It wasn’t too bad. No rust, just spots with bare metal near the front mat area. Cleaning behind dash was a pain. Tons of dog fur, sand and mud.

I just found out the air force base near me has an auto hobby shop. W lifts. So you just pay a small fee to use the shop. So thought it would be a good idea to get under there and add heat shield material. Still not sure what to put down under the floor on the inside. The rear has carpet.

The front I’m making out of rubber mats and using buttons to snap together to create a rubber floor.

Think I should put something under it. Insulation so the AC can efficiently run better. And something for sound for the speaker quality/ quiet cabin noise would be nice, but not that important to me.

I like to keep things simple sometimes

What kind of paint and how much paint did you use?

 

[mjonesjr84]

Installed them and everything is on an external amp. Maybe a 2% improvement IMO. I wasted $12 that I can't get back. I like to review stuff people rave about to see if it's shit or not. For $12 and if you think a stock stereo sounds fine, it might be good for you. I worked at Crutchfield for years and got to test and install everything.

That's surprising. Mine made a world of difference, especially with the top and doors off.

I'm sure you've wasted more and been less happy on other things.

 

[All 4 Wheelin']

Installed the last switches to get ready for when the axles get here.

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You're getting really close to airplane cockpit worthy with all those switches.

 

[mjonesjr84]

You're getting really close to airplane cockpit worthy with all those switches.

My wife said the same thing

 

[DuckNut]

I've had boats for 20+ years and also had dirt bike trailer. Its super fun to go from a 25' trailer to a 6'... confusing as all hell!. If you have a back up camera ignore it, mirrors are your best friend. Hand on top of the wheel and never more that about a 1/3 wheel turn. Slow and steady

I have a 36 foot boat towed by an F350...it has taken me a while to learn which gas stations I can even pull into. They usually include pumps for semi's and early mornings.

 

[DuckNut]

I installed these about a month ago and they were extremely tight fitting. I keep hearing that they get better over time, but every time I latch the hood closed, t makes the two little tabs on the upper part of the latch buckle under the pressure. Have you had this same experience?

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Try screwing in the rubber bumpers under the hood. Probably got screwed out as the old ones stretched.

 

[Unique Username]

Installed the last switches to get ready for when the axles get here.

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Save some switches for the rest of us . You have all the switches. Looks nice. Always wondered what that looked like in a Jeep with all the switches used.

 

[mjonesjr84]

Save some switches for the rest of us . You have all the switches. Looks nice. Always wondered what that looked like in a Jeep with all the switches used.

I really like it. To me the Auxbeam switch pod style is too modern. I like the simple OEM style. These are all OEM switches with the rockers changed. The aftermarket look a likes don't have the dash lights in them.

 

[MountaineerTom]

I really like it. To me the Auxbeam switch pod style is too modern. I like the simple OEM style. These are all OEM switches with the rockers changed. The aftermarket look a likes don't have the dash lights in them.

You can have the dash lights by swapping the rocker of the ones you have over to an older TJ or XJ switch body. I only had 3 to change over, but you have quite a bit more. I’ve seen on this page where someone added an LED in the aftermarket ones to light them up but can’t remember who did it.

https://wranglertjforum.com/threads...p-wrangler-unlimited.14995/page-2#post-679608

 

[mjonesjr84]

You can have the dash lights by swapping the rocker of the ones you have over to an older TJ or XJ switch body. I only had 3 to change over, but you have quite a bit more. I’ve seen on this page where someone added an LED in the aftermarket ones to light them up but can’t remember who did it.

https://wranglertjforum.com/threads...p-wrangler-unlimited.14995/page-2#post-679608

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That's what I did. The switches are the OEM fog switch for my 2000.

 

[MountaineerTom]

That's what I did. The switches are the OEM fog switch for my 2000.

Geez, my reading comprehension isn’t up to par today. I totally misread that.

 

[mjonesjr84]

Geez, my reading comprehension isn’t up to par today. I totally misread that.

No worries.

 

[inkedrose]

I have a 36 foot boat towed by an F350...it has taken me a while to learn which gas stations I can even pull into. They usually include pumps for semi's and early mornings.

I'm in Colorado, small lakes! Wakeboard boats are much more nimble than anything 36ft lol

 

[SPECWAR]

TJ is no doubt the easiest vehicle I have owned to pull and maneuver my boat with.
Having downsized to a 14 ft Lund that combined boat, motor, and trailer weight is under 900#.
Down side is that I had to down size from a 17-1/2’ boat cause I’m getting too damned old to handle a big boat

 

[DuckNut]

TJ is no doubt the easiest vehicle I have owned to pull and maneuver my boat with.
Having downsized to a 14 ft Lund that combined boat, motor, and trailer weight is under 900#.
Down side is that I had to down size from a 17-1/2’ boat cause I’m getting too damned old to handle a big boat

I usually call my cc company on the way to alert them that a big charge is coming. Boat holds 550 gallons of fuel. All the gas pumps around here automatically shut off at 100 gallons.

I would love to have the maneuverability of a jeep but I think it would be pulled in half.