Kittamaru Posted June 23, 2013 Share Posted June 23, 2013 Welp, looks like I have been given a deadline to get the ol Pathy back into road-worthy shape... my current Daily Driver, a 1994 Jeep Grand Cherokee Laredo went in for inspection yesterday... and the garage is saying it needs the following to pass: Trailing Arm Bushings, both sides, front and rear Two ball joints Traililng Arms themselves (because they are heavily worn) Wheel Alignment The total for parts and labor they are quoting is just over $1,100... For that kind of money, I'd rather try and get my beloved Pathfinder running... so, here goes, any and all advice appreciated! The Situation:It has sat for about 3 years in a garage... it isn't climate controlled, but it isn't exposed to the elements either. It has substantial body rust that needs repaired to pass inspection, namely a large hole under the right rear passenger seat. I figure, remove the seat and pop-rivet in some metal to cover, the prime and paint the inside, undercoat on the outside. I figure after three years, I need to pull the wheels and get the rust off the brake rotors, which I have a wire-wheel that should do the trick for that. I'm hoping the calipers aren't seized. I assume I need to drain the little fuel that was in the tank, the oil, and other fluids and replace them? Also need to check the tires for dry-rot as well as the hoses and other rubber lines. Battery is currently charging... it was disconnected and removed so I'm HOPING it will still hold a good charge. Anything I'm missing from this list? Oh, an by the way - I have until the end of the month (when the Jeep's inspection is up) to get this done... LOL! *headdesk* Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kittamaru Posted June 25, 2013 Author Share Posted June 25, 2013 Alrighty, so, day 1 update: Battery appears to be dead... gonna have to replace that sooner rather than later. I've also not been able to find, well, any tools... between my Uncle taking all of my Grandfathers tools when he passed away, and my Mother selling all of my Fathers tools when they got divorced, it seems everything that I had requested be held aside and shown interest in keeping has been pretty much sold off long ago. *headdesk* Hopefully I can get all the tools I need in a rental kit from the local auto parts store. It's also supposed to be mid 90's and thunderstorms all week... should be fun XD Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Precise1 Posted June 25, 2013 Share Posted June 25, 2013 I suspect you have waited too long to for this to work out well... It sounds like you have the very basics covered, but engine oil and brake fluid should be on the list very soon as well. I can't recall why it was parked in the first place 3 years ago, have you taken care of that issue? B Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jj big shoe Posted June 25, 2013 Share Posted June 25, 2013 I did what you're thinking for the rust under my rear seat. I cut the whole floor out and used rivets spaced about 1 1/2 to 2 inches apart (about 150 total) with RTV between the old and new metal. There was no way I'd be able to mold metal around some of the contoured areas that I cut next to the wheel wells so I used a few layers of fiberglass for those bits. Don't forget to take measurements for the center seat mount if you're cutting that part out so the seats sit correctly. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kittamaru Posted June 25, 2013 Author Share Posted June 25, 2013 (edited) I suspect you have waited too long to for this to work out well... It sounds like you have the very basics covered, but engine oil and brake fluid should be on the list very soon as well. I can't recall why it was parked in the first place 3 years ago, have you taken care of that issue? B Simply put, it was body rust and a hole leading into the cabin that I didn't have time or money to repair... I ended up getting the Jeep for free courtesy of my parents divorce, so I've been using that... now it's looking to cost me a down payment on a reasonable DD to get that thing to pass inspection And yeah, all fluids are on there too. Edited June 25, 2013 by Kittamaru Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kittamaru Posted June 26, 2013 Author Share Posted June 26, 2013 Okay, so, Day 2 update: Talked with the local auto parts store -they should have free loaner tools for everything I need to do. Also priced out oil/fuel/air filters, fluids, spark plugs, etc. Stopped and opened the truck itself... and what a horror Steering wheel and a lot of the other upholstery looks like it's moldy... fun. Auto parts store had a recommendation - a huge U Pull It that isn't far from me... gonna give em a call tomorrow and see if they have any Pathy's in. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bluewulf73 Posted June 26, 2013 Share Posted June 26, 2013 Hey Kittamaru, I'm sorry you are having these issues with your vehicle(s). By the sound of it, you are looking at spending more on yer Path than the $1100 you were told it would cost to get the Cherubee back on the road. Unless you are going to do all the work yourself and you have the time, I fear this is not going to end well for either you, the Cherubee or the Path. I mean, you are even looking at purchasing another DD just to get your Path back on the road... Perhaps think about purchasing another Path? One that is more...um...complete and would actually pass inspection? I hate to 'dispose of "loved ones" but sometimes you just gotta let go...no offence and I wish you luck if you decide to fix up yer Pathy. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kittamaru Posted June 26, 2013 Author Share Posted June 26, 2013 The main reason I refuse to get rid of ole Sheila is... well, she was my late Grandfathers truck. He purchased it when I turned 3 years old so he had something with a back seat to put me in (previously he had a two-seat pickup). That truck is what I ultimately learned to drive in... it was my first vehicle... and has more memories of my Grandfather and I than I can recount. I WILL somehow or other get it in shape to hand down to my kids one day, I don't care what it costs. And yeah, at the moment I'm looking at doing the work myself. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bluewulf73 Posted June 27, 2013 Share Posted June 27, 2013 The main reason I refuse to get rid of ole Sheila is... well, she was my late Grandfathers truck. He purchased it when I turned 3 years old so he had something with a back seat to put me in (previously he had a two-seat pickup). That truck is what I ultimately learned to drive in... it was my first vehicle... and has more memories of my Grandfather and I than I can recount. I WILL somehow or other get it in shape to hand down to my kids one day, I don't care what it costs. And yeah, at the moment I'm looking at doing the work myself. I see. Then power to you for gettin' her fixed up. Good luck! I hope it is not too difficult. If you're gonna had it down, take a welding course and fix that hole right! Unless you are hoping one of your kids does and then it would be a nice family project... I wish I lived closer...I wouldn't mind getting my hands dirty, helpin' out an 'ol girl like Sheila. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nefarious Posted June 27, 2013 Share Posted June 27, 2013 Awesome history. Definitely keep er and fix er up right! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kittamaru Posted June 29, 2013 Author Share Posted June 29, 2013 That's just it... I've taken welding courses before. I know how to Oxyacetylene, MIG, and TIG weld, and even practiced with Stick welding a bit... but the only torch I have is a small MAPP gas brazing torch... I wish I had a good welder, but I can't afford one Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
adamzan Posted June 29, 2013 Share Posted June 29, 2013 (edited) Less talk more action. Get a battery and stop making excuses. You can get used ones from the junkyard for cheap or on craigslist. Grab oil n filters from the store. Don't worry about the tires and tranny fluid yet. Get it running and speed screw some metal over those holes to pass inspection. No offense but every time you post its some sob story. The brakes will clear themselves of rust after driving. You can use lysol to clean the interior and rent or borrow a carpet cleaner for the seats. I'm not trying to be mean but all I see is "I need to do this, but..." you say its raining but its in a garage? I don't get it Edited June 29, 2013 by adamzan 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nefarious Posted June 29, 2013 Share Posted June 29, 2013 You definitely want to MIG weld that frame... don't try and braze it with mapp gas please Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kittamaru Posted July 23, 2014 Author Share Posted July 23, 2014 I have a friend with welding gear who's ready and willing to help. My family is chipping in a bit of money to cover the costs - if we can get her fixed up, she will go to my lil bro as his first car. We started her today- started right up after 4 years sitting. HOWEVER, she will not move - put her in F or R, and she acts like she wants to move but like her wheels are frozen.I'm hesitant to push too hard on her to try and break em free - could they just be rust-locked? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
k9sar Posted July 23, 2014 Share Posted July 23, 2014 put it up on stands and try rotating the wheels by hand. If they don't move, pull the wheels and see if for some reason the brakes are holding them. Yes, the rotors will clean themselves but they have to be rotating to do so. If it were parked with the parking brake on and the cable rusted, that could also be holding you in place. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kittamaru Posted July 23, 2014 Author Share Posted July 23, 2014 I'll give it a shot after work - ebrake wasn't left on to my knowledge, but she felt stuck, like the wheels couldn't spin at all Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Precise1 Posted July 23, 2014 Share Posted July 23, 2014 Try banging on the lug nuts with a metal BFH. "Ringing" it will often make things break free. That is after you quickly jack up the wheels to see. I've seen this happen to several vehicles, so it is nothing unusual, especially in rust states I would imagine... B Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
k9sar Posted July 23, 2014 Share Posted July 23, 2014 For my hole under the rear seat, I simply dumped almost a full tube of silicone adhesive around it and stuck on a sheet of aluminum flashing that was cut to size. Per PA inspection, there can't be a hole... they never say anything about being pretty. As long as the parts that support the hinges and latch are strong, the rest of the area is just sheet metal. If the slide pins on your calipers are siezed (mine were), it's a fairly easy replacement. Advance auto for something like $55 each and they come with the bracket and bolts. There's a 30 or 35 core but you will get that back. Make sure you either file down the area where the brake lines attach so it's smooth or use your old copper washers cause the new ones they send are a little too big and it's tough to keep them from leaking without cranking the crap out of the bolt. IF you have frame rot, get a nice ling piece of 1/8 plate steel from a welding supply company and have it cut to 3 1/2 inch wide. That's a good start for the mojority of the frame components. Also grab a length of 1 inch angle welding steel from home depot or similar to work on those areas where extra reinforcement is needed. After any welding, clean it up well with a wire brush and hit it with a coat of rubberized undercoating (few dollars from advanceauto). Keep us updated. I have some spare engine parts and I think a couple of rotors laying around and I'm only a couple hours away. I think I'm heading to Hershey within the next couple weeks as well. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kittamaru Posted July 23, 2014 Author Share Posted July 23, 2014 Really? I'd love to meet up with ya k9sar! I'll keep you informed - space is a premium in there (I'm fat, and it's a small stand-alone garage) but I'll see what I can do We did try putting it in neutral and giving a push, no change. I'm hoping I still have the tools I need... ever since my parents divorced, a lot of the tools my father had laying around have been sold or otherwise disappeared Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kittamaru Posted July 23, 2014 Author Share Posted July 23, 2014 Good news Bad News time:Good News: She runs pretty good despite having 4 yr old gas in her (where she is position in the little shed thing, we can't get a gas can in to fill her with new fuel - we'll have to get a siphon setup to get new fuel into her) The Transmission seems to shift into/out of gear pretty well (including 4WD) Three of the four wheels spin, albeit with some resistance, but not much Bad News: The drivers side rear wheel will not spin at all. Like... it's acting like the truck is in Park... I'm HOPING that it's just the brakes stuck on - we're going to see about getting a dolly to get her out of the "garage" she's in so we can pull the wheel and take a look. Wanted to do it today using the jack (it has wheels) but we have severe thunderstorms cropping up all around so... yeah, no. k9sar, if you have any interest in coming to look while you are visiting the Hershey area, let me know - we're only like, 20 minutes from Hershey Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nunya Posted July 24, 2014 Share Posted July 24, 2014 Why can't the other PA people be near me... Forever alone Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kittamaru Posted July 24, 2014 Author Share Posted July 24, 2014 Nunya, you're only about 3.5 hours away from us - if you wanted to come up this way, I'm sure we could put you up for a night or two - our little townhouse ain't much to look at, but it's comfy (and we have a really nice couch that we got for free no less, lucky score!) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
adamzan Posted July 24, 2014 Share Posted July 24, 2014 Just put it in 4 low and give it some gas. That'll break it free. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kittamaru Posted July 24, 2014 Author Share Posted July 24, 2014 (edited) Just put it in 4 low and give it some gas. That'll break it free. I was contemplating this... I'm just worried that if it ISN'T simply the brakes being frozen on... that something else might break instead XD I mean... we gave it enough gas that at one point, the passenger side rear wheel started to spin in place... so it's pretty dang stuck Edited July 24, 2014 by Kittamaru Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kingman Posted July 24, 2014 Share Posted July 24, 2014 Pop the wheel off and bang on the caliper or drum to break everything loose. If the passenger tire spins the drive train is fine. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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