I bought this Jeep from the original owner
in 2001 with plans on modding it like I
did the CJ7 I bought brand new in 1985 (my
first new vehicle). Well, one year after
buying the Jeep, I moved to Germany where
I stayed for six years. The Jeep was
parked in my father-in-law's garage the
entire time. Unfortunatley, it was never
started and run the entire time. This
sounds bad, but I had only a few issues.
He charged the battery a few days before I
arrived. When I finally got to see my
baby again, I first removed all the cob
webs (tons) and hooked the battery up. It
cranked for about five to ten seconds and
fired up. I heard a loud screeching sound
and discovered the alternator had frozen.
No biggie, went to a salvage yard for
another. After installation, I backed it
out of the garage and the brakes were
awful. I continued to drive forwards and
backwards a while to remove the rust from
the rotors and drums which worked pretty
well. I could smell raw fuel sometimes so
I peeked under the Jeep to discover the
small, curved rubber fuel line joining the
metal lines had a small split in it. Once
again, no biggie. I promptly ran
(literally) to the hardware store around
the corner and was elated that they had
the fuel line I needed. Back to the Jeep.
After installing the fuel line, I did a
good walk-around and decided it was time
to take her for a spin; all went well. I
was especially astonished that she ran so
well considering the fuel was six years
old. I ran her to empty and filled her up
with premium fuel and two weeks later
drove her all the way to Texas without a
problem. Here the bad part...I gave the
Jeep to my son as I had bought my daughter
a car and therfore only seemed fair that I
give him the vehicle. I thought he would
take care of it since it was his very
first car; I was wrong. Very wrong! He
hasn't destroyed it but, as an example, it
has been washed only four times in two
years. He isn't interested in it at all
except as a means of transportation.
Needless, to say, I always tell him that I
going to take it back from him one day and
that he cannot, ever, sell it or trade it.
I actually hope I get it back
soon...before it gets ruined and so I can
begin to have some fun. Update: I got
the Jeep back so, now, my fun
begins. Update: I, first, have to
install hardwood floors in the house
before the fun begins. No biggie, I can
still drive it and do many routine
maintenance things to enjoy the Jeep.