1991 2.5 build "Fluffy"

jeepjoe43

YJ Enthusiast
Lifetime Supporting Member
Joined
Dec 4, 2020
Messages
926
Location
Black Canyon City, AZ 85324
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.
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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.
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Then came the tool box and trunk deck.
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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.
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The Tuffy center console for my radios and accessory switches.
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The console also houses the speakers for both radios as well as my interior lighting.
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Wiring and relay panel for the console.
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Dual battery conversion, had to rearrange some sheet metal to get the relay box back in.
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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.
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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.
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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.

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Aluminum radiator and 16" electric fan.
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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!

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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.
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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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Nice rig....
Thank you!
We're getting there and I'm seeing light at the end of the tunnel.
The cherry on top will be the SM420 4 speed conversion, which I somehow forgot to mention in the "Up-coming" stuff.
You'll have to forgive the dirt, she's been parked for a while during the Gremlin hunt. She really needs a bath.
 
Nice rig....
Thank you!
We're getting there and I'm seeing light at the end of the tunnel.
The cherry on top will be the SM420 4 speed conversion, which I somehow forgot to mention in the "Up-coming" stuff.
You'll have to forgive the dirt, she's been parked for a while during the Gremlin hunt. She really needs a bath.
What happened to your 43 Ford GPW? It would be awesome to find one of those.
She was awesome, but it was a ranch rescue and after 40 years of being cowboyed together, it was a MESS.
It finally died from catastrophic frame failure, typical flat-fender break behind the front shock mount.
I tried to resurrect it but after 50 years of metal fatigue, 40 years of cowboys and 10 years of rock crawling it'd had enough.
Ultimately it died on vine when I bought a house.
When you only have $20 left over at the end of the month you're not building a Jeep anymore.
RIP
 
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Nice rig....
Thank you!
We're getting there and I'm seeing light at the end of the tunnel.
The cherry on top will be the SM420 4 speed conversion, which I somehow forgot to mention in the "Up-coming" stuff.
You'll have to forgive the dirt, she's been parked for a while during the Gremlin hunt. She really needs a bath.
What happened to your 43 Ford GPW? It would be awesome to find one of those.
She was awesome, but it was a ranch rescue and after 40 years of being cowboyed together, it was a MESS.
It finally died from catastrophic frame failure, typical flat-fender break behind the front shock mount.
I tried to resurrect it but after 50 years of metal fatigue, 40 years of cowboys and 10 years of rock crawling it'd had enough.
Ultimately it died on vine when I bought a house.
When you only have $20 left over at the end of the month you're not building a Jeep anymore.
RIP
Very nice YJ.
Thank you! She's been a journey, they always are...
 
Thank you!
30 years of wheeling have taught me what you need (and don't) in a Jeep.
The most important aspect of Jeep isn't where it'll go, it's will it get you home.
And chrome don't get you home.
Yeah, it's little shiny on the inside, just creature comforts.
I've had this style seat in 3 different Jeeps now, best Jeep seats I've ever had, they're like a socket for your butt.
They are still available.
 
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Very nice. I realy like the storage you have in the back. I'd like to do something like that if I didn't need the space for the dog. Great Pyrenees take up a lot of room. I'm still running the d30/d35 that came with my rig. Trying not to break them.
 
Thanks,
The storage turned out great and I'm very pleased with it, but I don't have a huge pooch.
I completely understand taking your buddy along though :)
A secondary reason was to eliminate the back seat so that on club runs, someones 3rd kid doesn't get planted there.
D489 & Built D30 were NOT part of the original plan, apparently my idea of "Easy" wheeling and what it really is, are quite a bit different.
Down the Rabbit hole...
 
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