Restoration underway

[ranchhopper]

The front clip for the jeep is at the media blaster they have it done and they said it was in real nice shape after the paint was removed they are bringing it back today. I started welding all the holes shut that have been drilled into the tub over the years got most welded shut and ground flat will start filing the rough grinding marke smooth tomorrow. The larger holes for antennas and other toys have been patched and filled with metal plugs I welded in today the media blaster is coming to get it day after tomorrow to remove the paint. I think Im going to go with rhino liner on the inside floor and tub walls to seal it real good against the weather and media blasted metal should give the rhino liner a good surface to adhere to.

[ranchhopper]

Another after a bit of filling and grinding.

[garage gnome]

Very nice!

[ranchhopper]

My little 110 volt wire welder has paid for itself many times over.

[athawk11]

Ranchhopper,

Please reconsider the Rhino Liner for your tub.  Although it sounds like you will be doing the proper prep, I have read nightmare stories about this.  Namely, it will hide the possible development of rust, or it starts to peel off and is difficult to fix.

It was scary enough for me, that while I was looking for a Willys, and found it had been Rhino lined, I couldn't get away from it fast enough.  It will hide a multitude of sins, thus you might scare off a potential buyer if and when you're ever ready to sell it.  

Your inside surfaces look pretty good.  Why hide them?

Just my humble opinion.

Tim

[ranchhopper]

Im still on the fence with it I use a lot of the roll on bed liner from auto parts stores in the military trucks I have they all leak like a sieve and that seems to have been the best option as water just puddles up on it as of yet I have not had any problems with it. I usually go with three good coats and bare netal should keep it from peeling but as you said I have thought about moisture getting under it.

[garage gnome]

I don't like bedliner either on jeep tubs. Paint is a whole lot easier and just as, if not more effective. At least with paint, you can touch it up and know exactly where the rust is if you get any. I strongly urge you to go with paint.

[ranchhopper]

Im leaning towards paint you guys know than I do Im just starting here and I have two gallons of paint so there is plenty to do the job.

[Ryan_M]

x3 on the "anti Rhino liner" vote. if nothing else it will hurt any re-sale potential.  it's magical for certain applications but not in an old willys. i wouldn't touch a jeep that was covered with the stuff.

however, if you do decide to proceed with it, please post lots of pics  

[bretto]

Another vote against in hoping to persuade you.

[ranchhopper]

Its decision time now I am taking the rolling chassis to work to steam clean/pressure wash it so I can get it primed and painted do I install a new clutch or not it wont be any easier to do it than now without the tub on it. Also it looks as my input shaft seal on the trans might be leaking I have already taken off the differential covers cleaned out all the black nasty ooze that was oil at one time replaced the pinion seals and sealed them back up with new oil and gaskets.

[ranchhopper]

New paint today for the chassis warm enough today to get outside and seal it up top coat maybe next week.

[athawk11]

Looking good RH!  I know it's been a couple days since you asked about the clutch.  Unless you're certain it's pretty new, I would replace the clutch and throw out bearing while the tub is off.  As you mentioned, there will never be a better time.

[ranchhopper]

Clutch looked good it needed an adjustment lots left to go I can see the trans was seperated from the engine not that long ago the nuts and bolts were still clean.

[garage gnome]

Looks great!