88 YJ-CJ Spare Tire Carrier Part 2

Tire Carrier Part 2

All the brackets got cleaned and stripped using Citrus Strip and Evaporust.  

The smaller hardware got the same treatment and also a coat of black paint:

To get the old hinge holes closed up, I made a quick punch fixture based on this YouTube Video.  Many of his videos are interesting:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z70JUwvjMd4

Seven 1/2" plugs were needed.  Smaller holes, I just filled with weld using a copper backer tool.  

Two of the plugs held in place with magnets:

At this point, I started to realize that the tub was deformed.  I got it pretty close back to factory position.  It isn't perfect - that corner of tub is surprisingly difficult to move with a hammer/dolly.  I think I need to set up a fixture to pull it out perfect, but that was more work than I wanted to do.

I also plugged up the old CB radio antenna holes:

Welded:

Welded and smoothed out:

It doesn't look like it will rain here anytime soon, but I went ahead and put a light coat of primer on the bare sheet metal:

3 holes on the inner wheel well were also filled:

Then new holes were drilled for the CJ7 tire carrier.  

Old hinge bolts for now:

I still need to reinforce the backside of the hinges and latch.  And make the hinge improvements.