My Memorial Weekend Project

[asphaltgambler]

I thought to share this here. While not on the level of Tim's Monaco project, a big project none-the-less.

This is my wife's DD; 2007 Jeep GC / SRT8 that we've owned since @2011. Bought with less than 29K on the clock just under market price of @$30K at the time. Over the years I have kept the maintenance / repairs up ahead of schedule but now with @175K on the clock, it has various components in states of disrepair. That thing runs 6 sometimes 7 days a week so really shouldn't complain.

We both love it, could not imagine selling it except for replacing it with a newer version. But the newer GC's are downright...…... fugly and good late model used ones are in the $40-50K range. With the uncertainty of the current economy I cannot see spending that kind of dough.........so that's out.

The current market value is @$7K. and it's been paid off for a while now, taxes are relatively low. So we tallied up the cost of parts and decided to keep it spreading the repairs out over a few months. This is "Stage II". The A/C evap and heater core had both started to leak, the NAV screen was out and the back-up camera was inop. All the leather interior was faded, steering wheel leather was delaminating and the carpet was threadbare in places.

In this step - I R&R the complete interior, dash, Steering column, HVAC unit, carpet, etc.

[asphaltgambler]

Here I disassembled the HVAC unit, replaced the leaking evap and heater core with new OE stuff, clean and re-install. After vacuuming the inside floor I added some additional jute padding in the critical areas for sound deadening.

[asphaltgambler]

While I'm doing this my wife is feverishly reconditioning all the leather using Leatherique products - of which I highly recommend - I cannot say enough good things about their stuff, no comparison really to anything else on the market.

[asphaltgambler]

After tightening some found loose fasteners causing rattles, I start the re-assembly including an replacement OE NAV unit, new molded carpet, and after 2-1/2 days of working the seat leather - going back together.

[asphaltgambler]

The last part was restoring the leather on the steering wheel - I used Leatherique's kit for that - it was very time consuming with adding filler, multiple steps of sanding and finally 4 coats of dye / filler and then top coat finish. The first pic is before, it really looked worse in person than what shows here, then after.

The top coat / last step leaves it a little bit shiny but that dulls after a few days back to what it should look like.

Now the A/C is charged and working, no leaks anywhere, all the rattles (inside) fixed, new NAV unit and all the leather restored!

[BReif61]

Wow. Impressive. I'm not normally shy about fixing cars, but going that deep into a DD is intimidating.

[Scott Douglas]

I'm speechless.
I once took the dash out of my '85 Mustang GT convert to replace the heater core.
You are a much braver man than me.
That is incredible.
You must really love that car.

[Bob Kontak]

Originally Posted by asphaltgambler

Westfailia.

That's such a great deal of work. Very impressed. Great thread.

[GH85Carrera]

Wow.

Hey I replaced the fan relay for the AC system in my EL Camino. It is right there on top in the engine compartment and took me almost two minutes. Phew.

[fastfredracing]

Nice work ! I just did a heater core on a GC a few weeks back . I used eat up under dash work. At 50 years old, I could take it or leave it . I bet having the seats out, and not having to worry about getting the old carpet dirty made a big difference in the comfort of doing that job .
You a wild man ! The seats look very nice .

Now if you will just tell us how many screws were left over

[porsche tech]

Very nice job...and even more impressive is you did it outdoors!

[onewhippedpuppy]

Very nicely done. I agree that Leatherique is amazing, my SL63 is in the garage soaking in Rejuvenator Oil now. I probably buy 4 big bottles per year of the cleaner, my wife uses it all the time including inside the house.

[vash]

okay. i feel pretty stupid for complaining about a single fastener i could not reach.

wow!!! major kudos for taking the time to snap a few photos!!

[asphaltgambler]

Thanks all! - We do love it and does everything we want and then some. When you pull into a shopping center full of SUV's not too many are sporting 475 HP and Brembo brakes!

To answer the question of working on it outside is because my other projects; Rat Rod, Porsche and JD mower deck refab - is taking the space currently.

I'll tell you I was not excited about doing this but it makes the most sense all way 'round. My wife and I hit that thing hard for 6-7 hrs each day, no breaks. I had everything organized and pop-up card tables to set stuff on.

And to answer Fred's question "0" stuff left over. I disassemble in groups along with the fasteners in order, placed separately for large projects like this. Once it's time to go back together just follow the last group pulled - work yo way backwards

[asphaltgambler]

Next step (phase III) is replacing the wheels ( 2 are tweaked) with OE copies, new tires, lug nuts, TPMS sensors, front and rear diff service.

Phase 1 was two weeks ago, fluid / filter services, drive belt, idler and tensioner pulley assy's

Out of pocket so far with all OEM parts is @$1300 with shipping total.

[asphaltgambler]

Oh, and while it looks very difficult - it really is just common sense, a soft touch and some patience and a s**t load of tools!

Which BTW - many years ago I was complaining to a much older experienced tech and said "I don't know how I'm going to do that, looks too complicated...….. beyond my ability" He replied "Hey some dumb*ss union labor guy put that in while it was moving down the assembly line...…………….you think you're not better than him with it sittin still?"

……………...'nuff said. I've never looked back.

[Bob Kontak]

Originally Posted by asphaltgambler

The current market value is @$7K.

You know better than that what it's worth.

You won't lose a dime with these fixes.

[wdfifteen]

I'm impressed. You've got to love a car to go through all that. Nice work.

[LakeCleElum]

I admire your ambition..........AND, don't take this wrong, but:

I would have sold for $7K and spent 10K on an 08-09 Lexus RX350 and did nothing for the next 8 years...........

[DanielDudley]

Those seats look great. Brilliant project.