Rebuilt 2005 GX470 Project - From CO to TX and Back (soon)

What's up with the M3?

 

It's rear wheel drive on summer tires.

The jeep battery had died the other week, and I drove the M3 into work. I had to leave two hours early because it snowed out of no where. That was hands down the sketchiest drives ever! The only other time I've driven it in winter was like years ago when I first got it.

I generally don't drive the M3 under 45 degrees. A warning message light comes on when it's 36 degrees or colder outside

 

Forgot, you could have answered because Colorado.

lol

 

Got the front passenger seat reinstalled for now. It's 90% finished. But it doesn't look like the new leathers kit came with replacements for the back seat magazine holder pockets. So I've just left all that off for now.

 

Think i'll eventually swap out that tan/grey/whatever dull color that dash trim is, with the black interior version. Along with the top door trim, and center console areas. Do a tan and black interior. The dash trim is already cracked in a few places and could use a refresh.

Should look pretty good, especially after doing a dark tint on the windows.

 

How was the maiden cruise?

 

Right!? Left us hanging!

 

It exploded. It’s the only explanation.

 

lol

 

Lol!

It rides better than the jeep that's for sure! I think the suspension/alignment still needs some tweaking. And the old, cheap tires definitely need replacing. But the heat is great! Also still waiting on the rear sway bar that's on backorder and it's currently without one installed.

A few things that it will be getting as soon as the body work and Rebuilt title bit is done, are remote start and a stereo upgrade.

 

Ok, Jeep heater core replacement time. Really shouldn't be driving an uninsured, unregistered salvage titled vehicle to work...

$140 part, would be $1300 shop charge because you have to take the dash apart...well, you don't HAVE to, but I went down a rabbit hole of trying to replace a blend door actuator when my particular model doesn't have an actuator...just a push/pull cable

 

Flashbacks to the Z3.

We're both crazy

Lol

 

Agreed, lol!

 

Jeep JK

Dash frame cut for access to heater core

 

Got the new heater core cut and mostly installed. Need to go get some 5/8" hose coupling to complete

 

And the jeep has HOT heat again!! Now I gotta spend a full day putting the dash back together....

 

The last time I did a dash I swore to never do one again. It was a lie, but i told myself that anyway.

 

I don't get it...everything on the jeep is super easy to work on BUT the dash! Stupid how many things have to come off just to get the plastic cover out of the way

 

That’s not a jeep thing.

dashboards are ridiculous in even the most basic of vehicles. I think the engineers really hate people and dashboard removal is their little way of showing it.

 

Stop being so dramatic! It only goes together one way. You know I'm right.

It just looks overwhelming from afar.

Baby steps, baby!

 

I think I know where they go back...

 

Your organizational skills are awesome!

 

The space shuttle only goes together one way as well. Now go build one without directions.

I can tell you I’ve had nothing but trouble with dashboards. Old German vehicles being the worst pain in my ass. The old plastic cracks and splits at the mounting points and there’s always leftover bits. No matter who does it there’s a fresh rattle. Remove the brittle plastic vents and a lot of times they crumble. From The wiring that gets pinched with the crusty old tape and sheathing, to the horrendous design of the air vents with that crappy stick on foam that turns to powder and blows out at you the second you turn on the a/c after the dash install. Nope, you can keep all that crap to yourself. All those wonderful sharp edges on every single bracket that the customer can’t touch so it doesn’t need a quality finish.

The engineering of everything between the dashboard and the firewall can kiss off as far as I’m concerned.

 

That’s called weight savings.

 

I just R&R'd the entire interior of my '97 BMW Z3, you are 100% right.

 

At another project halt with the GX. Had a few interviews for a Lead Engineer role in Dallas, and they went well. So there's a possibility I could be moving back down south soon...

But I've been looking at houses with workshops I could put a car lift in. That would be awesome! I need to adjust the front coilovers on the Jeep, and I really need a lift to do that.

 

As an owner of 2 types of lifts, I find I use this type more than I use me 2 post lift. I love being able to move it out side when the weather is nice, lift the truck and pressure wash the shit out of it. Can't do that with the inside 2 post lift.

 

...I have washed the truck inside, but it makes a mess.

 

That thing doesn’t look beefy enough to hold up a tundra.

 

It is.