88 YJ-CJ Gas Tank, etc
Motobilt Skid Plates:
Motobilt was running an awesome Black Friday sale, so I purchased both a flat skid plate and a beefy gas tank skid plate. They got a rattle can epoxy primer, and black top coat:
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| Flat Skid Plate |
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| Gas Tank Skid Plate |
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| Gas Tank Skid Plate |
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| Epoxy Primer |
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| Primed |
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| Primed |
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| Black Paint started |
Gas Tank Assembly:
As a reminder...the YJ is a 1988 model, but I'm putting in a later 1991-95 gas tank assembly since the 1991-95 tank is already setup for fuel injection.
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| Assembly started |
15 Gallon Tank to 20 Gallon Tank for Free:
In 1991 to 1995 YJs, there were two different gas tanks offered by the factory - 15 gallon standard and an optional 20 gallon that cost money. But they were EXACTLY the same tank. The 15 gallon tank had a vent tube extension that prevented the tank from being filled completely.
My gas thirsty Chevy 350 will need all the fuel it can get, so, of course, I removed the vent tube! (this is a common trick that YJ owners do)
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| Chrysler's Vent Tube Extension |
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| Vent Tube Extension |
Fuel Pump Mods:
This should have been a 5 minute assembly job...and it was about 5 hours instead...The new fuel pump assembly that I bought measured almost 11" deep. The tank only measured 10" deep, so I had to shorten the fuel pump supply and return lines. Evidently this is a common issue with aftermarket YJ pumps.
Several Hours later:
All new parts were installed...new rollover valves and gaskets, new fuel pump gasket, new fuel pump, new straps, all new hoses, etc.
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| Completed! |
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| New Filler and Vent Hoses will be installed when the tank is installed |
Painted Parts:
This YJ was actually in very good shape with very little rust. But there was still surface rust on some pieces and some paint just didn't look good. So everything that has been removed has been cleaned up and repainted. Not to full restoration standards, but just to make them look better and to prevent any future corrosion.
This is actually pretty slow work - for rust removal, I'm using a combination of mechanical scratch wheels and Evaporust.
For primers, Rustoleum Rust Reformer (requires a 24 cure), Rustoleum Self-etching Primer and also Black Steel-It.
For top coat, mostly Rustoleum Gloss Black. I used Semi-Gloss on my 95 YJ, but it would age to be flat. I'm hoping the Gloss Black will age to be Semi-Gloss.
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As an example, here are the CJ7 Fender Supports before:
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| The nuts and bolts also get the full treatment |
CJ7 Rear Flares:
TJ flares were installed when I bought the YJ. To complete the CJ7 look, I picked up a set of proper rounded CJ7 flares. They are just clamped on for mockup at the moment.
Since there is a gap, I'll have to fill in some sheet metal and recreate the flange - it'll be the same technique that I used to repair the Jeepster front fender way back in May 2020: https://jeepster512.blogspot.com/2021/04/more-driver-front-fender-may-25-2020.html
Tub Cleaning
I saw a post where a guy was removing bedliner using "CitriStrip", so I bought some and tried it. I left it overnight covered in saran wrap, and it worked pretty well.
It removes everything - the factory primer and red top coat. That's not ideal, but it's my best option so far.
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| More work is needed! |