Jeeping With Sarge (1990 YJ Restoration
The question is why?
To be honest I don’t know why, I just did. Maybe it was because I wanted to join a new community where people all seemed to get along. Or perhaps I just needed some more adventures in my life. Regardless of the reason, I jumped in, and when I say I jumped in, seriously, in way over my head. I bought a 1990 Jeep Wrangler.
A carburetor turned into an entire rebuild
Let me start off with, I drove about 5 hours to pick up this rust bucket but, for some reason, I knew I had to have her. The ride home was going smooth until about 30 minutes from the house, she began to stall and this began the process of learning and replacing. It started off with some minor engine work such as, replacing the carburetor. Well, that was great for about 2 weeks. As I began to dig into the engine and I began just replacing everything in the circuit. One thing led to another and I didn’t know what I was doing so of course that military in me was released and I just began replacing old dirty parts, on this Jeep it was just about everything from the cooling system to electrical. On top of replacing just about the entire engine compartment minus the block, I was chasing rust and repairing most of the tub.
Must look good too
On top of replacing everything, looks are pretty important also. Began to prep for paint as well as repair the entire frame and paint all the undercarriage and engine compartment. I choose to go with Raptor Liner because I needed that rugged look. Mixed with a blend of Monstaliner Nebula she was sprayed with 3 coats. The inside tub was sprayed with Baltic Gray. The valve cover and some other engine parts were also powder coated with midnight blue by prismatic.
Finally on the road, or not?
Finally had this beast on the road and ready to show off, yea you’re right, this lasted about 2 weeks. Leaks began to pour from her belly like a gutted pig while the engine sputtered and stuttered like an elephant trying to climb a mountain. Back into the garage again. Leak chasing began. This led to replacing the oil pan, trans pan, rear main seal, axle seals, and whatever other seals were under there. Did I mention the steering was a little scary also. After all the leaks, so I thought were fixed I went back under the engine replacing the old Carter Carb and swapping with a monster Weber 38/38. Turns out I was getting vapor lock as well which led to me replacing all the fuel lines and re-routing them away from the heat, as well as installing a smaller Holley Mighty Mite pump towards the rear. Did I mention, the transmission needed to be rebuilt also ha-ha.
The 18-hour road trip
Upon all this work again, I felt the need to do the ultimate test. Road trip for a car show I was hosting to raise awareness towards post-traumatic stress disorder in Virginia. This would normally be about a 10-hour drive from Florida but, in Jeep time about 15-18 hours, no interstate. It was in early September, not to bad for weather, if you had a top, doors, and maybe a heater, of course, I did not. I left my house at about 2am with my friend following me the whole way. Slightly shivering in the dark cold morning, I headed north through downtown Jacksonville at a roaring 50mph. From there, Savannah, then Charleston. Continued the journey up through Myrtle Beach then Wilmington than on towards the Hampton Roads of Virginia, Virginia Beach. The ride was amazing, no leaks, no issues, just a guy and his Jeep, until morning. Really not to my surprise but, the following morning guess what I woke up to, yes, leaks. With no time to play, I went to the show and continued the day with an early departure the next morning. I knew I’d make it home despite some leakage, so that’s when I got a little froggy lol.
The ride home
I decided to take the interstate back. I figured I’d do an easy 55-60mph stopping every hour or so, until I began to get passed by semi-trucks. To my surprise I began passing people, she actually was able to get up to 70mph. I was doing great for about 5 hours then, boom, rattle, rattle, clink, and off to the side of the interstate we went. Yup you guessed it, blown engine. Luckily my sister who has an offroad shop, was just about 2 hours away. “Hey big sister, I need some help. Send the trailer to mile marker 180”.
Overhaul version 2, or is it version 3
After pulling the engine, I decided to replace it with the same AMC258, mainly because of the ease and money. I really want a V8, someday. Along with the engine I decided why not use this time to replace the scary steering as well as some suspension parts. Also, I installed a GM HEI which allowed me to remove the computer and about 5lbs of useless wires along with it.
To be continued……
We all know, projects like these never seem to end. Although the Jeep is up and running, I’m sure more will come up in the future. Still need to replace the exhaust system along with the shocks and perhaps maybe a V8 swap in the future. Follow the build and adventures on Instagram @Jeeping_With_Sarge
