My mom got it from my uncle before he passed away.
From 1981-2005 it mostly sat in my uncle's garage in MN.
In 2004 or 2005 me and dad towed it up to the lakehouse.
Sadly it just deteriorated and was mostly neglected.
On our annual MN vacation, just decided I could no longer stand watching it slowly disintegrate.
Dead battery, top is toast, floorboards in BAD shape, NO exhaust left.
Wouldn't start, carb had some serious nasty in the float bowl & accel. pump leaking gas badly.
No parts for it to be found, so had my sister bring some up from MPLS area.
Got it running after replacing the battery, cleaning the carb up, etc.
Took the kids for drives up & down some dirt roads. They all loved it, but had to wear ear protection LOL.
The thing was insanely LOUD.
Had it towed 200+ miles from the lakehouse down to city to work on it.
Have to love AAA, cost me $30 for the overage in tow miles!
Here is it parked next to dad's '79 WT, sure miss my dad
Ordered a set of Summit Racing fenderwell headers, and picked up a pair of Thrush 2.5" glasspacks from AutoZone of all places.
Cost just under $200.
Put them on, after pulling the remnants of headers off, here is what the pass. side header looked like.
The driver's side headers was just as bad, just hadn't broken off yet.
They are not the ideal fit, but worked to get it legal(noise) and quieter. Open headers is kind of frowned on by local PD.
Spent an entire afternoon getting the lights working.
The only lights that worked were the brake lights, no headlights/marker lights/turn signals/etc.
My uncle must have really liked scotchlock connectors, I removed an insane amount of them, and lets just say that wiring was not a skill for him.
The entire harness needs to be replaced, it's just been butchered to no end, and it not worth saving.
It's LEGAL and the lights all work now yay!
Took it for several trips around the block now, and man it this thing a little rocket.
It needs motor mounts really badly, new floorpan for the driver's side.
Sounds REALLY good with the new headers and glasspacks.
My other uncle came over to check it out (he babysat it for 19 years) while my other uncle lived in St. Thomas.
Keeping it running, and ready for the occasional visit by my uncle.
My uncle bought this new in 1972, and it was his baby.
Here is the original Jeep dealer invoice...
Here is a shot of the mileage, and yes that's original miles!
I'm so glad that I can save this thing, only issue will be getting it to CA on the cheap.
Figured I'd share for the other jeep nuts out there.
