When we finally got a spare tire for the Jeep we had it mounted on the back of the Jeep. That’s where people are used to seeing them. But it makes it difficult to see what’s going on behind when driving so I decided to find another place for it.
The first task was removing the tire from the mounting bar. It’s a heavy mother and I didn’t want to pull something trying to lift it so I rigged up what you see below.
Then I wrestled it into the tub of the Jeep. Fits perfectly and the space is too small to haul much in any event.
Next I covered the tire with a piece of particle board (which now has a coat of Army green paint).
I must say I’m pleased with the result. A cleaner look and my sight lines are much improved. Especially when the canvas top goes back on this winter.
Category Archives: My Jeep
Do the Job with a “Jeep”
People did some amazing things with the early civilian versions of the Jeep. (More photos)
Improvement to Jeep carport
I’ve been covering the driver’s seat when it looks like rain but trying something different. Plan is to roll up the tarp when the forecast is clear.
Tractor with two seats
I’ve never been one for off-roading. Feels like dressing up as a cowboy. So the Land Rover and the Jeep don’t get much four-wheel drive time. Today I loaded up the new rock sled with some big ones and used the Jeep (4WD/Low Range) to drag them up a hill and over to the trail head. Paul calls the Jeep a tractor with two seats.
And a little 4WD/low-range exercise for the pickup.
The Jeep makes me smile
No-slip Jeep pedals
No idea what the original brake and clutch pedals looked like on my Jeep but by the time I got behind the wheel, they were pretty slippery. Today Machinist Wizard Andy Cain welded on some some non-slip tread.(bottom photo)
Spare engine block for Jeep
I took the Jeep to Cruise Night where hundreds of (mostly) old car and truck enthusiasts gather to see and be seen. My friend Paul introduced me to Bob who finds/buys/sells old Jeeps and Jeep parts. Bob and his wife were on their way home (Colorado) from a Jeep gathering in Ohio where Bob purchased an old engine block.
As fate would have it, just the engine block I’d need if the tiny crack in my block (see image below) made the Jeep un-drivable.
So I bought it for $100 and will keep it in the Annex as Cosmic Insurance against my current engine blowing up.
Spare tire of the Jeep
Paul is very particular about the tires he puts on vehicles. They must be the right tire and they must look great. Including the spare which he had to track down out in Colorado.
While I could have lived with this tire as a spare, Paul insisted it get a fresh coat of paint and gave me the privilege of getting all the old paint off.
This involved a few hours with sandpaper and some time in the sandblasting box. A very wax on, wax off experience. This simple chore gave me an appreciation for the time and effort that goes into restoring an old vehicle even though that was never the plan for the Jeep.
When I went to pick up the tire after mounting and balancing, the young man asked for the key so he could drive the Jeep into one of the service bays.
“Might be best if I do that since the transmission is a little… wonky,” I said. “Oh, I think I can figure it out,” he replied.
When he finally did get the Jeep in gear (first instead of reverse) he almost drove into the front of his building. I drove the Jeep into the service bay. (On the topic of shifting gears, I’ve discovered the Jeep is happiest when I double-clutch between gears.)
Fast food run in the Jeep
I’d love to know what the designers of the Jeep had in mind with the fold-down windscreen. Perhaps easier to carry more equipment or people?
Barb got her first ride in the Jeep today.
I’m still getting used to just how small the Jeep is.
And here’s the boy with his new toy, decked out in his anti-tick treated wood clearing outfit.
Fleet complete
I’ve never considered myself a collector but don’t know how else to describe my love for old vehicles. And for almost the first time they’re all together.
