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JP18 Build Thread, Jacksonville FL

Posted: October 21st, 2018, 2:09 pm
by Dwight
So this will be my first official build thread post. Ever since finding this group of people who share the same enthusiasm for Jurassic Park, I've been so excited to find and build my own Jurassic Park Jeep. I recently traveled out of state and purchased my 1st ever Jeep. She is a 1994 Jeep Wrangler Sahara with 130K miles. It has a manual transmission, and for the most part everything is in great shape (not much rust at all). Right now i'm in the information gathering process as far as what I need to buy, where I need to buy it from, and what order I should do things in. I like having all my ducks in a row when it comes to the order in which I do things.

I will say, having a Sahara really does alleviate some of the stress in having to find a lot of the little screen accurate parts.

My first order of business, i'm having a local 4x4 shop take a day to look over the jeep with a fine tooth comb to tell me any mechanical issues that would need to be fixed prior to undergoing cosmetic transformations. Below are some of the things I know i'm going to need in terms of converting it to JP18.

Half Doors w/door panels and map pouches (COMPLETE)
Screen Accurate Rims (COMPLETE)
All-Terrain BF Goodrich Tires (COMPLETE)
Light bar (COMPLETE)
Winch Plate (COMPLETE)
Ramsey RE6000 Winch
Custom Tow Hooks
Rear Fog lights (COMPLETE)
Soft Top Hardware
Decals/license plates (COMPLETE)
Whip Antenna (COMPLETE)
Paint Job (COMPLETE)

could be missing a few things, but I think the hardest part will be tracking down someone I trust in doing the paint job. I wouldn't mind learning how to do the paint job myself, but i'm not 100% sure the auto shop on my base has a paint booth.

If anyone has any suggestions, words of wisdom, lessons learned, parts found, or anything else you'd like to pass along, please do! I'm pretty much a beginner in this world, but super excited to one day be driving around in a Jurassic Park Jeep.

Jeep 1.jpeg
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Jeep 6.jpeg

Re: JP15 Build Thread, Jacksonville FL

Posted: October 21st, 2018, 2:51 pm
by ih8pepl
Damn that's a nice YJ. Its amazing there are still such clean Jeeps out there.

JP15 Build Thread, Jacksonville FL

Posted: October 23rd, 2018, 8:39 am
by ratrace427
oooh AC. +1

Sent from my SM-G950U using Tapatalk

Re: JP15 Build Thread, Jacksonville FL

Posted: October 23rd, 2018, 11:22 am
by Dwight
Thanks for the replies! I had a tough decision between two Saharas when I bought this one, but definitely feel I made the wiser of the 2 choices. The AC is pretty awesome in this one since the condenser and compressor have been recently replaced!

Right now I'm on the lookout for some those 5 spoke screen accurate rims. Not having any luck on craigslist, and I want to check out some local junkyards before diverting to Ebay.

One question I do have is about the License Plates. I believe in the movies they used the JP License Plates on the front and the back. How do you all mount yours? Do you use just the front or just the back? I've seen all different ways people go about license plate placement. I've seen some mount their actual license plate in the center rear while using the rear left and front right for the JP plates. I've also seen some use only the rear left for the JP plates and the front for their actual license plates. Also, rear license plate and front JP plate. I'm guessing it all comes down to personal preference.

I think my current plate is to buy some of the cheaper things while I'm searching for doors and rims. So things like the JP plates, rear view tag, decal set, and things along those lines.

Re: JP15 Build Thread, Jacksonville FL

Posted: October 23rd, 2018, 1:46 pm
by Dodgeman23
Welcome! First off, very nice wrangler! Second join the Jurassic Park Motorpool on Facebook, They have a group specifically for people in process of building their Jeeps. Lots of good info on there as well and they are all pretty decent guys. http://www.jpmotorpool.com/

I just put the JP plates on the spots where they belong and then just mounted a rear plate below the spare tire on the metal bumper, just had to drill holes.

Re: JP15 Build Thread, Jacksonville FL

Posted: October 23rd, 2018, 2:53 pm
by Dwight
Dodgeman23,

I haven't really used social media much prior to buying my Jeep. I have a Facebook account but haven't really used it. Searching the JPMotorPool Facebook page I don't necessarily see a "join" option. I just liked the page. I did however submit my application for the build group on the JPMotorPool website.

I was thinking of doing the same thing as you with mounting my actual plates below the spare tire.

Re: JP15 Build Thread, Jacksonville FL

Posted: October 23rd, 2018, 3:26 pm
by Dodgeman23
They actually have two "Secret" groups. One for the "Workshop" for members currently building their Jeeps, then they have the "Main" group for members with finished JP vehicles. But they are a great way to get more detailed info and find some parts that you may need. For decals I would use http://jp.401graphics.com/ he does real quality work and they are 100% correct. I used them on my Jeep, he is a member here as well as a member of the JPMP.

Re: JP15 Build Thread, Jacksonville FL

Posted: October 23rd, 2018, 4:53 pm
by Dwight
I applied for the workshop group so hopefully when that application is approved I can find out what you mean as far as getting the more detailed info and possible help finding certain parts that I need.

Re: JP15 Build Thread, Jacksonville FL

Posted: November 1st, 2018, 2:24 pm
by Dwight
Just traveled a few hours south and picked up 5 screen accurate rims for the Jeep. Still need to buy the BFGoodrich All-Terrains KO2 and get the rims sandblasted/painted before they would be ready to put on.

How did you all do your rims? Did you remove and paint the center caps separately, or do it with the caps on? I've seen so many different ways. From spray can, powder coating, or using the same paint for the red stripes. Just look for best practices. I don't think i'll paint the rims until i'm closer to getting the jeep painted. Still need to acquire the light bar and half doors before i'll be ready for painting.

On a side note, i'll end up selling the rims that are on my jeep at the moment, full doors and most likely my hard top, so if you're in the market for any of those, let me know. I'll probably end up posting it all in the for sale board at some point.

I also was having some clutch issues when i first bought the Jeep. Nothing major, it was just a little tight when pushing the clutch in and would make a very annoying creaking sound. Ended up being the master/slave cylinder. Seems to be smooth now which is so much nicer!

I think the next item i'll be buying will be the light bar from Jamieson's Fabrications while also doing some brake work. Really can't wait to get the light bar and half doors so that I can start laying some paint down and getting this thing looking more like JP18!
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Re: JP15 Build Thread, Jacksonville FL

Posted: November 1st, 2018, 7:58 pm
by ih8pepl
Dwight wrote:How did you all do your rims? Did you remove and paint the center caps separately, or do it with the caps on? I've seen so many different ways. From spray can, powder coating, or using the same paint for the red stripes. Just look for best practices. I don't think i'll paint the rims until i'm closer to getting the jeep painted. Still need to acquire the light bar and half doors before i'll be ready for painting.
IMG_5798.JPG
Really nice find on the rims!

I personally media blasted the rims and center caps. Primed, sanded and painted the same red as what goes on the body. Painted the center caps separately. I added 2 extra coats of red on the rims and caps since they are going to be prone to scratches and grime. Tires went on fine with no marring ~ Just ask the tire place to baby them.