Build Update 4/27/08

Welp, while probably won't be a part of the book, it feels like a good place to keep track of my Scrambler Build. 

Thursday night Noah and I were driving the Scrambler in Royal Oak and it started refusing to shift into gear. The clutch has been noisy since day one, so I knew this day would come — I just was hoping it wouldn't come so soon. Anyhow, we limped it home, pulled it into the garage and started psyching ourselves up for dropping the transmission and transfer case and replacing the clutch. 

Today was the day. After church Noah and I pulled out the shop manual and began disassembly. It went good, but slow — and painful. The transmission and transfer case fell off the jack and onto my chest while I was under the Jeep. It was fun watching Noah step up in crisis mode. At first it was total panic. Then quickly he pulled himself together and helped me get unpinned. Good times! We'll probably put it all back together next weekend. The parts are extremely dirty and will need to be cleaned. It's hard to keep it in the garage on sunny days. 

Chapter 2C

I know… “Stop whining!”
Ok, yeah, I agree — enough complaining. It’s all fixable. The parts are relatively cheap and available. And most importantly, overcoming challenges and solving problems are always the most lasting and fulfilling memories from a build. So why include all of the drama in this book? Simple, the early stages of the restoration God has planned for our lives shares many of the same challenges. Top of the list — for most of us (alright, all of us) when you take a close enough look you’ll find that we’re all full of surprises. The big question is: how does God handle the surprises he finds in us? Will he walk away from the deal when he sees what’s really under the hood? Will he write a book complaining about all of the problems he was blindsided by that we didn’t disclose? Will he feel like he’s in so far over his head that he offers you up on ebay with one of those, “I bought this project with hopes of restoring it. Unfortunately I haven’t had the time or money to do it complete it” listings? Lets’ take a look at what the Shop Manual says:

Chapter 2B

Surprise, surprise, surprise!
Welp, after the normal drama and delays of cross-country car shipping, our Jeep finally arrived at the hauler’s yard 20 miles from my home. I convinced a friend from work to help me pick her up. I figured we could pretty easily retrieve it and get back to the office before our lunch hour was up. I mean, the previous owner, “Just drove it and it ran great.” Well, like I said earlier — there are ALWAYS surprises when you take delivery of a new project. And, it didn’t take long to tell that this one was no exception. Here’s the short list of previously unknown “Surprises” that came to the surface on the trek home:

• Dead Battery — When I exchanged the core for a new battery, the counter guy commented that there wasn’t even enough juice to power his tester. 
  
• Stalling — whenever I took my foot off the accelerator. A dead battery and a car that stalls whenever you come to a stop — not a great combination of features for a successful drive home
  
• Sloppy Steering — There’s nothing more stimulating to the senses than battling with a worn out steering gear box to keep a vehicle between the lines
  
• Squealing Clutch — Every time I put my foot into it, the clutch shrieked in displeasure. Sounds like a throw-out bearing to me. You?
  
• No Lights — Headlights, brake lights, turn signals — all out. Gotta love using hand signals on a sub-zero Michigan winter afternoon
  

Chapter 2A

CHAPTER TWO — WHAT YOU SEE IS WHAT YOU…
January 11th, In two weeks our Jeep project is slated to make the 2,000-mile truck-top trek from Phoenix to Michigan. It’s an exciting time — then again, buying a vehicle based on phone conversations and a half-dozen low-res images leaves a lot of opportunity for surprises. And, it wouldn’t be the first time I was surprised.

The last vehicle I built — a ’73 Land Rover Series III 88 arrived with a bent front fender and a variety of “bleeders” that left indelible reminders on my garage floor that I’m still trying to get out. Then again, it was a British truck. Talk to anybody who’s ever restored one and they’ll be happy to share the trademark jokes about British Engineering. Toping the list is the fact that “British Engineering” is an oxymoron. You know, two words that seem to be in conflict with each other — like “jumbo shrimp.” My favorite though is: If you have a British car that doesn’t leak, you have a British car that’s out of oil.” Regardless of its quirks, it certainly was a fun and memorable vehicle to build and drive.

So, what’s your used car horror story? Whatever it is, I’m sure you’d agree, vehicles always sound better in the classifieds. They all look better — shinier and straighter — in those grainy 2x3-inch black and white car rag snapshots than they ever do when you show up to kick the tires. I’m sure my new Scrambler will be an exception to the rule — right? Think again.

Chapter 1I

BENCH TEST #1 — CORROSION CHECK

Are you a Southern Car or a Northern Car?
There are a couple magic words I look for when I shop for a new project — “Southern Car” or “California Car” lead the list. Yeah, one reason’s fairly obvious — the bodies will be significantly cleaner and more solid than Northern “Rust Belt” buckets. But, the second reason is that they are significantly easier to wrench on because more often than not the bolts aren’t frozen. There’s nothing more fun than busting loose seized nuts and bolts (yeah, I’m being sarcastic). There’s no pretty way to do it — penetrating oil, heat, hammer and a big old breaker bar. Here’s the question… So which are you? Are you going to allow God to turn your bolts easily during your overhaul? Or is God going to have to bust your nuts? It’s your call, just know this — you’ve never seen a breaker bar like God has.

Chapter 1H

God’s Overhaul Project
Yep, I said “His Plan.” In the same way that we have elaborate plans for the vehicles we restore, tune, build… God’s got an overhaul plan for your life. Nope, I’m not making it up. Here’s how the Bible, our master shop manual, puts it…

SHOP MANUAL PRINCIPLE #1.
WE ARE GOD’S OVERHAUL PROJECT
AND HE HAS BIG PLANS

“We’re God’s workmanship,
Created in Christ Jesus” (Ephesians 2:10a)
Yep, just like YOUR car project is YOUR workmanship, YOUR life is the project GOD’s busy restoring — whether you know it or not.

“To do good works which He prepared in advance for you to do.” (Ephesians 2:10b)
Yep. I’m sure you can relate to this too. What’s your ultimate vision for the vehicle you’re building — 12-second quarter mile time? Conquering Moab? Best in Show? Welp, in the same way, God has a jaw-dropping Chip Foose drawing of you that he would very much like to build you into.

Chapter 1G

Call in the Master Mechanic
When it comes to wrenching on cars, I have a long list of mentors — my brother Mark, Phil “the Honda Doctor”, my father-in-law Dave, my buddy John, and my friends on the Scrambler forum. Without them, I wouldn’t know the difference between a motor oil and gear lube. Where’d you get your car know-how from? Your dad? Guys in the old neighborhood? Auto Shop? A book?

In the same way, If you’re going to overhaul your life, you’re going to need serious mentoring — from someone who really knows their stuff. I’m talkin’ help from the Master Mechanic — God. Yep, in this guide we’re going to go to the source and see what He’s got to say about the matter. To be totally honest with you, we’re going to muck it up with some hardcore spiritual stuff. But, if it’s cool with you, we’re not going to get all churchy about it. Hope that’s ok. I don’t know about you, but sometimes church feels like a 14mm socket rounding out a 9/16 nut to me— and I’m the nut. So, instead of speaking in church code, we’ll stick to vocabulary we can all relate to, like: horsepower, torque, compression, axles, differentials, pistons, calipers, fuel, spark, chassis, suspension, axle ratios…

I know… God, Faith, Cars? I admit it, if you’ve never had a greasy chunk of rust fall into your eyeball while rolling under a car, some of the principles and stories in this book may be a little tough to relate to. For folks who haven’t spent much time under the hood, this book will be a bit of a Cars 101 course. It’ll help you decode the mechanic-speak you get when you drop your car off for service.

On the other hand, if you’re a car guy you’re in for a unique read. Consider it a Chilton’s book on Life and God. I don’t know about you but, Chilton’s, along with a pile of other greasy shop manuals, have helped me understand that no problem’s unconquerable. All you need is the know-how, time, money, tools and the courage to spread some knuckle butter in the process. Same goes with God and the role we play in His plan.

Chapter 1F

Overhaulin’ Me.
As a car guy, I’m sure you’ve got a pretty good handle on how to squeeze more horsepower, handling, braking and general all-around capability out of a car. Here’s the question though… how are you at wrenching on your life? If you could perform in life as well as you do from behind the wheel of your rod, would you want to?

What if it was as easy as popping the hood of your life and applying your car knowledge to the challenges you face every day? And, what if the principles and tools weren’t that much different than what you use creeping around under your ride? Well guess what, both are true.

Did you know that the same principles utilized by a limited slip differential can get you out of the ruts in your life? What if I told you, the same ways you squeeze more horsepower and torque out of your engine can deliver identical results when you apply them to your life? And that’s just the beginning of the life lessons waiting under the hood of your car.

The question is. Are you willing to take on the project? Are you willing to put the same knuckle-busting commitment you invest into your car, into your own life?

Chapter 1E

How would you have responded?
I’m sure this won’t surprise you but the number one response I got was, “Symbolizes my personality.” Could it be true that we pick vehicles that are like us? Thinking back on my list, I certainly would like that to be true — especially the six CJs I’ve owned. On-road, off-road Jeeps have limitless capability. When the trail gets mucky, lock the axles, drop it in 4LO and pull through. They’re honest, fun, surprising, rugged, tough, torquey, reliable… Not bad qualities for a guy. And when I hop behind the wheel, I can experience all of these things through my Jeep. Truth told, I think that few of us choose vehicles that are really like us — rather, I think we choose vehicles that have the characteristics we want in ourselves — tire-smoking power, mud churning capability, head-turning good looks… Is it true for you? If it is true, the next logical question is… how do we close the gap and live as powerful and capably as the cars we admire?

Chapter 1D

What does your car say about you?
I posted a poll on a Jeep enthusiast website I frequent last week. I wanted to get a better feel for why other people selected the vehicles they rebuild. Here’s the question I posted:

“Like many of you, the list of vehicles I hope to own and restore is a long one. And, believe it or not, they're not all Scramblers. Here's my question... Think about the top five vehicles on your list... Of all of the vehicles you could have chosen, why did this small handful that made the cut, while others didn't?

A. Favorite vehicle from childhood (Always wanted one)
B. Symbolizes my personality
C. Exclusivity of ownership
D. Financial investment
E. Opportunity (Lucked into it)
F. Family tradition
G. Practical capability
H. Ability to turn heads
I. Other (please explain)”

Chapter 1C

So, what’s your list?
Of the hundreds of models of vehicles built throughout the years, which handful did you choose to invest your time, money… busted knuckles into? Are you a Ford guy? Bow Tie? Mopar? Tuner? Take a minute and list you’re your top 5. Heck, if you want, go ahead and add in one or two of the dream rides still on your wish list.

1.
2.
3.
4.
5.

Chapter 1B

The Nature of the Hunt
Like most, I haven’t always had the luxury of picking my own car. Growing up in Detroit, it was pretty clear that my passion for horsepower carried very little weight in variety of odd jalopies my parents selected for my driving enjoyment. Pretty challenging to cruise chicks in a XX Dodge Omni “woody” and the cream-colored ’76 Ford LTD.

Moving into college things got considerably better though — 2 Honda Interceptor cycles, an ’82 Jeep CJ-5, ’72 Cutlass Supreme, ’69 Mustang Fastback, ’55 Chevy 105… After college, I kept the fun rolling with a ’90 VW GTI — until I fully understood the limits of a Youth Minister’s salary. This, began a dark time of my driving life which I solemnly call “the Escort period.” Following that I enjoyed a short stint with a Big Block Suburban that I hole-shot kids home with after youth group meetings. Then came 14 years of vintage SUV rebuilds, including five Jeep CJ-8 Scrambler projects and a ’73 Land Rover Series III 88. And that’s just the beginning. I’ve earned quite a reputation around the neighborhood for buying and selling cars.

Chapter 1 A

Alright, I’ll admit it, ebay’s become a bit of an obsession with me. Not so much for buying and selling trinkets — though I’ve done my share of that too. Nope, my ebay vice takes me into dangerous places… places my wife would rather me never go… ebay motors — the world’s largest classic car auction.

Now, if you’re a car guy and haven’t already discovered it for yourself, beware. A couple of courageous key strokes and you may find yourself the proud owner of a ‘63 split window ‘Vette, a ’40 Ford Coupe street rod, a cherry ’69 Plymouth GTX, or even a vintage Willy’s Jeep. That’s the good news. The bad news… you may also find yourself sleeping in your new ride once your wife finds out what you spent on it. I’m guessing that at least a few of you can relate. Never the less, I’m shopping with an honorable purpose — this time. And, my wife Carrie’s fully bought in. I’m looking for a project for my 10 year-old son Noah and I to complete together.

It’s October 26, 2007 and I’m in the air somewhere between LA and Detroit. It’s a trip I make more and more for work these days. It’s a long flight — four hours — but it’s become an important time for me — to think mostly. Sometimes it’s about work, but in the last six months my most profound thoughts have been about Noah — and in a strange way, cars. If you’ve ever spent time away from your kids I’m sure you can tap into what I’m feeling fairly easily. I’m concerned that if I’m not careful, he’s going to grow up and I’m going to miss the opportunity to teach him about the important things of life — things like integrity, strength, honor, faith, girls… — and to do it in a way that sticks. That’s the reason behind building a car together. It’s amazing what you can learn while wrenching on a car. The big question right now is… which car?