One week later and the body is in primer at Gary's Auto Body They addressed some issues with a few voids in the gel coat and some waviness on top of the cowl. Also some rough edges along the lower body where we had trimmed to mount the rocker mouldings and below the tailgate. They took notice that you could see light at the seam between the bottom of the firewall and the floor. So that will be filled with seam sealer and also around the inside of the door openings before paint. Next on the schedule is to Line-X the firewall and under the floor. Not much else to report at this time other than the fine job so far. Will keep updating as things progress.

September 20 2019, a day to remember, tear down is complete and the body is delivered to Gary's Auto Body for paint and Line-X. It's been 15 years in the making with a lot of sweat and fabrication in between. Gained knowledge of different skills and just a great time working together.
 Prep for paint required the removal of the mold release that was left on by Shell Valley which was labor intensive, using lacquer thinner and scotchbrite in a well ventilated area.  It was decided to supply Gary's with the body first, that way when they finished the body could be installed back on the frame, then give them the fenders, hood doors windshield frame and grille

next. Otherwise we would have had to store those items until the body was done resulting in the chance of damage. The underside of the body and firewall will be black Line-X, while outside and interior will be painted black, eventually striped with a 1981 version of the Laredo.
 The body was originally picked up in our 2000 Siverado, which is long gone but the 1979 J10 soldiers on. Unfortunately the box width on the J10 is narrower than the Silverado, enough that the CJ7 body will not fit into. A good friend of Jeffrey's came through with the loan of a 6 x 10 trailer, which with it's low walk in floor worked out well. Delivery went well with a discussion with Gary's on what we wanted and expected

completion date and budget.
 Later time was spent cleaning up the frame, removing years of dust and occasional road dirt from all the test drives. The fuel sending unit was removed and calibrated to the fuel gauge. Headers will be removed and Jet Hot coated. A leak was remedied at the transmission dip stick tube along with cutting off the excess axle u-bolts. Some other minor details will be taken care of with the body removed.