The Frame Is Done, For Now...

The TJ bumper isn't pretty and not a 'perfect' fit, but OK for now until I can afford a real bumper.

Test Fitting a TJ bumper

I've hardly gotten any work done on the Mistress with being away for a couple of weeks and the weather getting better for work around the house, but I cut a couple of tabs in the TJ bumper today for a quick test fit. It was about 1/2" on top and about 2" on the bottom. Its fits ok, but I'll have to measure carefully and drill some holes for the bolts and use a few washers to get it to fit. Not pretty, but how many Mistresses are?

Front Bumper Off!

FINALLY! The front bumper is off and the frame ends are primed. I managed to get three of the eight rivets punched out with a 5/16" pin punch and a three pound sledge easily enough... then the remaining five either had to be drilled out and/or ground down flush with the frame and then they popped out pretty easily. Think that all my blacksmith hammer blows must have ironically mushroomed the heads slightly. But now its off and I'm going to grind and cut a TJ bumper slightly to fit!

Back To Work

Lots done today, great 70 degree day and lots of time to do stuff. I finished the frame... well, almost. I still have to finish grinding off the rivets and pop them out (which is harder than I thought it'd be...) and get the old front bumper off. I plan on retrofitting (read drill new holes and torque Grade 8 bolts) my old TJ bumper in place of it. Its been sitting around for a couple of years and hey, it's cheaper than buying a new one!




The seat frames. The green is actually a bit darker than the photo shows. Its like a light OD... just a Rustoleum rattlecan meant for outdoor furniture in a satin semi-gloss.




The TJ front bumper getting painted today...




I painted the frame with two coats Rustoleum bedliner over two coats of primer. I just love the look of the bedliner! It's a semi-gloss and just looks great. Hope that it'll last too!




































The first two small parts... gas and brake pedals.