800CharityCars.org

So with the purchase of my new to me Jeep I had to get rid of the Dodge Dakota before the City of Cape Coral Code Enforcement ticketed me.  I have a history with code enforcement.  We had a little dispute with my Rubbermaid storage shed on the side of my house being not code compliant.  Here is what I did with that.

This did not go over well.  After two months they sent me a letter asking me to "please" remove it.  Anyways that truck is shot.  I could have called a scrap removal guy but they are known for being kinda shady.  So I decided to go with the donation route.  At least that way I can get a tax deduction and I can use that money better than the government. 

Going to 800CharityCars.org was a very simple 3 step process.  In the morning I filled out the web form and submitted it.  Later that day I received a phone call from a representative.  I was informed that they could not use my vehicle as a program vehicle and it would goto auction.  That was fine.  She scheduled pickup for the next day.  The next day I received a phone call from a towing company and they came and picked her up.  I was given a form stating I had donated the truck.  After it sells at auction in 2-4 weeks I will get a form stating how much it sold for.  That will be the amount of a tax deduction I will receive.  Both the charity and I come out winners in this one.  They get money for the work they do and I get to pay less taxes.  It was really nice to deal with these people and I highly recommend.

1990 Jeep YJ Wrangler

So I found this little Jeep on a car lot in North Fort Myers.  It had a repaint and was pretty much unmolested.  Looked at it a couple times and took her for a drive.  I promptly bought the Jeep.  It has the 2.5L 4 cylinder with a 5 speed manual transmission.  4wd works, suspension bushing all worn out and it drives like a old Jeep.  Power steering pump was dry.  No top but the bikini top.  Has daytime running lights and an aftermarket horn that is kinda like a air raid siren.  None of the bad are deal breakers just a little bit of work.

Here it is at home in the driveway. 

So here is the list of the bad:

1. Power steering works when fluid is put in but the seal on the steering boxes pitman arm is shot.  $30 on Amazon got me a rebuild kit.
2. It starts hard.  Will go "click", "click", then slowly crank the motor.  Battery is good and I suspect the wiring is bad.  Starter relay and cables are in hand and ready to be replaced.
3. Suspension bushing are shot.  Will all need to be replaced.  Poly bushings, shocks, steering damper all in hand.
4. Some frame rot around rear spring shackle mounts.
5. Horn, it has to go.  Have aftermarket in hand.
6. Daytime running lights.  Have to find the module and unplug it, no big deal.
7. 4wd motor on Dana 30 has been replaced with aftermarket mechanical unit.  That is ok but old vacuum hose have screws to block off old hoses.  Have to trace lines back and cap.

 List of the good:

1. Body and frame is pretty much free of rust.
2. Drives and puts a smile on my face.
3. Everything is fixable, just going to take a little bit of time

This will be my new ride as my 1999 Dodge Dakota has bit the big one.  Bought it 5 years ago for $1500.  It had a rough shifting auto transmission since the day I bought it.  Now it will not start and I am not putting any more cash into it.  Needed something to drive so I bought the Wrangler.  In no way am I giving up on the CJ.  It just takes me a while to do things with as little free time my job lets me have.