willysmjeeps.com

Hello all,

I'm so glad that I found this place. After reading through a few of the forum threads I feel like I have found 'my peeps.'

I'm new to the restoration game, and even vehicles in general, but have been considering myself a sponge: learning from anyone and everyone I can. To that end, I've been documenting my learning experience on my personal blog with pictures about my journey (both metaphorical and, hopefully, literal): https://jmichelmetz.wordpress.com/?s=porkchop

I've found that there are those who like to follow along and even relive their 'newbie' days vicariously, but while I do try to write in an entertaining manner I'm hoping that those more experienced than I can share some wisdom with me.

One thing I have learned through my Jeep rebuilding endeavor: Theory and Practice are radically different things!

Any advice is MOST welcome and appreciated!

Best,
J

Welcome aboard and enjoy the site!

Welcome to the site J! What toy(s) do you have to play with?

Welcome to the site.

Don't forget to post some photos of your project.

We love jeep project photos!

wilfreeman wrote:Welcome to the site J! What toy(s) do you have to play with?

I have one M38A-1 and one civilian - a 1952 CJ-3A.

At the moment, both are keeping me off the streets...

Ryan_Miller wrote:Welcome to the site.

Don't forget to post some photos of your project.

We love jeep project photos!

Thanks, and that's good to know. I have a LOT of photos.

then get to posting the pics so we can look!

drjmetz wrote: One thing I have learned through my Jeep rebuilding endeavor: Theory and Practice are radically different things!

"In theory there is no difference between theory and practice. In practice there is."
-Yogi Berra

I took a look at your blog, looked like a great start to a project. Any new updates?

Hey J,

I'm glad Bretto mentioned your blog, or I would've missed it! I like the layout - a lot cleaner than mine. Looks like a real clean Jeep to start with.

One suggestion - put the link at the bottom of your signature line and everybody will see it - I am still surprised at how many people are directed to my wordpress blog from this site! I just passed 20,000 hits last month (I started my Jeep build blog in Nov 2011)!

wilfreeman wrote:Hey J,

I'm glad Bretto mentioned your blog, or I would've missed it! I like the layout - a lot cleaner than mine. Looks like a real clean Jeep to start with.

Thanks, it's a great starter, and I can't wait to get it back on the road.

wilfreeman wrote:One suggestion - put the link at the bottom of your signature line and everybody will see it - I am still surprised at how many people are directed to my wordpress blog from this site! I just passed 20,000 hits last month (I started my Jeep build blog in Nov 2011)!

Thanks, great suggestion. I just updated the profile!

Bretto wrote:I took a look at your blog, looked like a great start to a project. Any new updates?

Yes, actually. I've been working on the brakes and brake lines, and have been making some progress (though not as fast as I would like). I'm hoping to have a blog update this weekend.

Hey J, did you figure out that the screws had to come out of the drums to get them off? Also, if you haven't figured it out, the drums aren't cracked, that slot is there for the feeler gauge to fit through to check the shoe to drum clearance when adjusting them (something I need to do myself!). Good job on the master cylinder conversion - should give you great piece of mind! And if you do the 11" drum conversion, you will have self adjusting brakes too!

I really appreciate this advice.

No, I had no idea what the slits were for, and that helps me a great deal as I've done one of the brake drums (driver's side front) already, but can tell that they're not adjusted properly (there is a slight scrape as I rotate the wheel) and wasn't sure how to do it without taking everything apart and trying all over again.

Funny you should mention those #@$%@ screws. The passenger's side front drum screws are a nightmare (I'll have pics in the upcoming blog post about it). They won't budge, no matter what. After doing everything I can think of I finally had to suck it up and start attempting to drill through them to get the drums off.

Quite frustrating, really.

Looking back, I think I should have done the 11" drum conversion but had already bought the complete overhaul kit. I think I'm going to do the conversion for the CJ, though...

Ooops. Forgot to actually attach the sig file to the messages...