She was the last ugly kitten in a box that a Girl Scout had out front of the grocery store, and I had bring it home.
Actually, she winked at me from a parking lot when I was returning to town.
I was a hard-core flat-fender guy, my last Jeep was '43 Ford GPW and I could not even imagine buying a YJ
Looked it over, came home, thought about it for 10 minutes, went back up and got the phone number.
Came back home, 10 minutes later called and arranged a test drive.
$4500 later she was parked in the yard and I was removing all the "Fluff" (carpet, AC, padding back-seat, etc).
My buddy, who was visiting from Norway was with me during the process picked on the Fluff, named her, and it stuck.
I don't have any pics of her in the original condition, but it was pretty Ratty.
Aside from gutting the interior, the spring lift and tires were first also has a 1" body lift, but that came much later.
Seats and restraints were next.
Then came the tool box and trunk deck.
The little compartment on the right is my trash can, still have to install the door between the box and fender well.
This about the time my Gremlin showed up (stressed and breaking power wire to the coil).
And also the first real trip when I bent my D35 and the lunchbox locker quit unlocking (though wouldn't discover that for a couple more years).
She'll wear the steering wheel of shame until we've established some trust.
The Tuffy center console for my radios and accessory switches.
The console also houses the speakers for both radios as well as my interior lighting.
Wiring and relay panel for the console.
Dual battery conversion, had to rearrange some sheet metal to get the relay box back in.
Door panels to cover the butchery done to install speakers, they used tin snips, I could have done better with a battle axe!
Also visible are my LED sidelights, so during nocturnal wheeling no one steps out onto to Snattlerake.
Flush taillights, I have a buggaboo about scraping off taillights and I can't seem to NOT whack them.
Also visible are my re-pop military handles I had bought years ago for the GPW.
They're a great place to set your beer when you're BSing with your buddies at the back of the Jeep.
Bumpers were next. Wasn't sure I wanted a stinger, but I couldn't get the matching Smittybilt in a Shorty.
It does give her attitude...
Also visible are the LED headlights, LED utility lights (which are probably going to be relocated) and clear signal lenses.
I just hated the ambers.
Aluminum radiator and 16" electric fan.
And now for the piece de resistance, your first "Up-skirt" of the D489.
She's sportin' a 35 Spline OX and axles and 4.88s.
If I break this, it will probably be spectacular!
Up-coming...
D30 build on the housing I bought from @machoheadgames on his Zonie visit.
30 Spline OX and axles, 4.88s, U-bolt yoke and all new steering stuff.
Front cage.
Finally got her home, and after 6 months in New River now I have clean up the wiring damage done by Packrattus Bastardicus.
Grrr...
Actually, she winked at me from a parking lot when I was returning to town.
I was a hard-core flat-fender guy, my last Jeep was '43 Ford GPW and I could not even imagine buying a YJ
Looked it over, came home, thought about it for 10 minutes, went back up and got the phone number.
Came back home, 10 minutes later called and arranged a test drive.
$4500 later she was parked in the yard and I was removing all the "Fluff" (carpet, AC, padding back-seat, etc).
My buddy, who was visiting from Norway was with me during the process picked on the Fluff, named her, and it stuck.
I don't have any pics of her in the original condition, but it was pretty Ratty.
Aside from gutting the interior, the spring lift and tires were first also has a 1" body lift, but that came much later.
Seats and restraints were next.
Then came the tool box and trunk deck.
The little compartment on the right is my trash can, still have to install the door between the box and fender well.
This about the time my Gremlin showed up (stressed and breaking power wire to the coil).
And also the first real trip when I bent my D35 and the lunchbox locker quit unlocking (though wouldn't discover that for a couple more years).
She'll wear the steering wheel of shame until we've established some trust.
The Tuffy center console for my radios and accessory switches.
The console also houses the speakers for both radios as well as my interior lighting.
Wiring and relay panel for the console.
Dual battery conversion, had to rearrange some sheet metal to get the relay box back in.
Door panels to cover the butchery done to install speakers, they used tin snips, I could have done better with a battle axe!
Also visible are my LED sidelights, so during nocturnal wheeling no one steps out onto to Snattlerake.
Flush taillights, I have a buggaboo about scraping off taillights and I can't seem to NOT whack them.
Also visible are my re-pop military handles I had bought years ago for the GPW.
They're a great place to set your beer when you're BSing with your buddies at the back of the Jeep.
Bumpers were next. Wasn't sure I wanted a stinger, but I couldn't get the matching Smittybilt in a Shorty.
It does give her attitude...
Also visible are the LED headlights, LED utility lights (which are probably going to be relocated) and clear signal lenses.
I just hated the ambers.
Aluminum radiator and 16" electric fan.
And now for the piece de resistance, your first "Up-skirt" of the D489.
She's sportin' a 35 Spline OX and axles and 4.88s.
If I break this, it will probably be spectacular!
Up-coming...
D30 build on the housing I bought from @machoheadgames on his Zonie visit.
30 Spline OX and axles, 4.88s, U-bolt yoke and all new steering stuff.
Front cage.
Finally got her home, and after 6 months in New River now I have clean up the wiring damage done by Packrattus Bastardicus.
Grrr...
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