- City
- stafford
- State
- va
Very cool !!
TrebleHook's 1983 Scrambler Laredo
- Thread starter TrebleHook
- Start date
- City
- Redmond
- State
- OR
Looks awesome! Glad you're happy with the final result. The polishing was the hardest part of the whole build. Building the crate was second. Thanks for posting up some pics of the crate... I forgot to take pictures before shipping it and I was really happy with how it came out.
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- City
- Wilbur by the Sea
- State
- FL
Very nice additions to the Scrambler. Looks like you're getting ready for Moab?
- City
- Fairfax
- State
- VA
So I owe y'all the whole story on how this thing came together. It's a bit of a tale...
I originally planned to have a local fab shop (15 miles away) do the full cage. I emailed back and forth with the owner and we shared plans, etc. I finally visited his shop but left without that warm-fuzzy you like to have when you know someone's going to be doing a major project. They built a lot of buggy cages but there wasn't much going on in the shop. A lot of dusty "projects" and I was pretty concerned that I would end up with a cage that had all the tell-take "monkey bars" that you see on buggies. Not that they're not strong, but I wanted something that was both protective AND kept some of the classic Scrambler lines. Even so, I made an appointment to drop-off the Scrambler...
Then, I happened across the Facebook page for Chaos Fabrications in Winchester, Virginia. It's about 2.5 hours away, but I figured I'd shoot them and email and see what they had to say. Boy, was THAT a great decision. The owner, AK Whatley, is a life-long wheeler who has built and plays with off-road toys that are FAR beyond anything I would desire. After 10 minutes on the phone with him, I was sold. First, he is a genuinely nice guy. More over, he had a real enthusiasm for the idea of working on my Scrambler and COMPLETE dedication to do whatever it took to meet my expectations. AK agreed that in the end, we wanted a strong cage that didn't molest the body too much or take away from the classic Scrambler concept. We exchanged some pictures of my ideas and his work and that was that...
I cancelled my local appointment (a little awkward, but necessary) and loaded up the Scrambler for a trip to Chaos. When I arrive, the entire Chaos team was gathered and just dove into their ideas, listened to and made notes of my ill-articulated ideas, and promised to pour themselves into the project. I have never been a fan of leaving my toys with other folks...but I knew it was in goods hands.
**Two week BREAK for the birth of a perfect baby boy! PERFECT TIME TO BE WITHOUT A JEEP DISTRACTION!**
I got regular text message pictures of the progress and it was clear that they were executing my intent perfectly. So here's what they did:
I asked them to fab the third-row seat so that it was removable. I also wanted it "stadium" style so that it was a bit higher than the second-row seat. The result was a DOM tube bracket that bolts through the original roll bar mounts in the rear and through two new holes into the body in the front/middle of the bed. The second row seat is located in the stock holes - but for the center latch for the flip-n-fold.
I also asked them to make it possible to mount my Pelican case where the third row seat was located for use when that seat was removed. Their solution was a bracket that matches the mounting of the seat-bracket and they mounted the Pelican case to that bracket. Even better, that bracket bolts down perfectly on the back of the trailer when required. Pure genius...on their part!
They used gussets at all the necessary point to increase strength but didn't go overboard. They used grade-8 allen-head bolts through the mounting points. The front hoop is sandwiched to the body and tied into the frame with a custom bushing set-up.
I drop-shipped them Corbeau three-point harnesses for the rear seats and they incorporated them into the mounting systems. The rear seat is as far back as possible - the headrests just BARELY touch the rear soft-top window - PERFECT. That left significant foot room between the 2nd/3rd row seats although I doubt many adults will be sitting back there.
They media-blasted the entire cage and painted it gloss black. It retained a light texture from the blasting that I LOVE. The uniform look wouldn't have been possible if they'd have just painted it because they had to remove factory paint from the roll bar and it would have shown differently when painted. This was all on them...I didn't have to ask. That's just the level of detail they demand from themselves. They also rolled the e-brake handle vertical so I can actuate it around the cage. The e-brake pedal is still pretty easily accessible so I didn't have them bend it inboard. The leather wrapped stock grab bar (in FANTASTIC condition - for SALE!) was removed and I don't plan to remount it - the cross bar at the dash panel is a much better place to hold onto and I like the new leg/knee room.
I (well...Jeeprdd!) moved the glove-box over 2" inches and I (well...Jepprdd probably will!!) will fab up a fill-piece out of an old glove-box to fill the gap. [For the record, Jeeprdd has expended more wrenching calories on this Scrambler than I have...he's been the SKILLs behind the bills on this one! - Much thanks, Dustin!]
The night I drove up to pick it up was amazing. It was EXACTLY what I had been thinking and more. When I loaded it on the trailer, and despite the fact that it was 1130pm, AK took one look at the way I had it strapped down and he insisted on welding custom-fit bracket and D-rings to the trailer and then he custom-fit the straps. That's just how they are - if it's not PERFECT, it doesn't leave the shop.
I'll let the pictures tell the rest of the saga...More to follow.....
I originally planned to have a local fab shop (15 miles away) do the full cage. I emailed back and forth with the owner and we shared plans, etc. I finally visited his shop but left without that warm-fuzzy you like to have when you know someone's going to be doing a major project. They built a lot of buggy cages but there wasn't much going on in the shop. A lot of dusty "projects" and I was pretty concerned that I would end up with a cage that had all the tell-take "monkey bars" that you see on buggies. Not that they're not strong, but I wanted something that was both protective AND kept some of the classic Scrambler lines. Even so, I made an appointment to drop-off the Scrambler...
Then, I happened across the Facebook page for Chaos Fabrications in Winchester, Virginia. It's about 2.5 hours away, but I figured I'd shoot them and email and see what they had to say. Boy, was THAT a great decision. The owner, AK Whatley, is a life-long wheeler who has built and plays with off-road toys that are FAR beyond anything I would desire. After 10 minutes on the phone with him, I was sold. First, he is a genuinely nice guy. More over, he had a real enthusiasm for the idea of working on my Scrambler and COMPLETE dedication to do whatever it took to meet my expectations. AK agreed that in the end, we wanted a strong cage that didn't molest the body too much or take away from the classic Scrambler concept. We exchanged some pictures of my ideas and his work and that was that...
I cancelled my local appointment (a little awkward, but necessary) and loaded up the Scrambler for a trip to Chaos. When I arrive, the entire Chaos team was gathered and just dove into their ideas, listened to and made notes of my ill-articulated ideas, and promised to pour themselves into the project. I have never been a fan of leaving my toys with other folks...but I knew it was in goods hands.
**Two week BREAK for the birth of a perfect baby boy! PERFECT TIME TO BE WITHOUT A JEEP DISTRACTION!**
I got regular text message pictures of the progress and it was clear that they were executing my intent perfectly. So here's what they did:
I asked them to fab the third-row seat so that it was removable. I also wanted it "stadium" style so that it was a bit higher than the second-row seat. The result was a DOM tube bracket that bolts through the original roll bar mounts in the rear and through two new holes into the body in the front/middle of the bed. The second row seat is located in the stock holes - but for the center latch for the flip-n-fold.
I also asked them to make it possible to mount my Pelican case where the third row seat was located for use when that seat was removed. Their solution was a bracket that matches the mounting of the seat-bracket and they mounted the Pelican case to that bracket. Even better, that bracket bolts down perfectly on the back of the trailer when required. Pure genius...on their part!
They used gussets at all the necessary point to increase strength but didn't go overboard. They used grade-8 allen-head bolts through the mounting points. The front hoop is sandwiched to the body and tied into the frame with a custom bushing set-up.
I drop-shipped them Corbeau three-point harnesses for the rear seats and they incorporated them into the mounting systems. The rear seat is as far back as possible - the headrests just BARELY touch the rear soft-top window - PERFECT. That left significant foot room between the 2nd/3rd row seats although I doubt many adults will be sitting back there.
They media-blasted the entire cage and painted it gloss black. It retained a light texture from the blasting that I LOVE. The uniform look wouldn't have been possible if they'd have just painted it because they had to remove factory paint from the roll bar and it would have shown differently when painted. This was all on them...I didn't have to ask. That's just the level of detail they demand from themselves. They also rolled the e-brake handle vertical so I can actuate it around the cage. The e-brake pedal is still pretty easily accessible so I didn't have them bend it inboard. The leather wrapped stock grab bar (in FANTASTIC condition - for SALE!) was removed and I don't plan to remount it - the cross bar at the dash panel is a much better place to hold onto and I like the new leg/knee room.
I (well...Jeeprdd!) moved the glove-box over 2" inches and I (well...Jepprdd probably will!!) will fab up a fill-piece out of an old glove-box to fill the gap. [For the record, Jeeprdd has expended more wrenching calories on this Scrambler than I have...he's been the SKILLs behind the bills on this one! - Much thanks, Dustin!]
The night I drove up to pick it up was amazing. It was EXACTLY what I had been thinking and more. When I loaded it on the trailer, and despite the fact that it was 1130pm, AK took one look at the way I had it strapped down and he insisted on welding custom-fit bracket and D-rings to the trailer and then he custom-fit the straps. That's just how they are - if it's not PERFECT, it doesn't leave the shop.
I'll let the pictures tell the rest of the saga...More to follow.....
Attachments
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- City
- Fairfax
- State
- VA
More build pics....
Attachments
Last edited:
- City
- Fairfax
- State
- VA
- City
- West Friendship
- State
- MD
Looks great!! Thanks for the update. I have a few shops close to me as well, but I'm not sure they have Jeep experience either. So, I'm going to use these guys as well. Unfortunately, they are a couple hours away from me as well. I'm currently thinking of having them do a cage inside the half cab. This might push me over to a full top, though.
One question. You kept the original roll bar. Did your discussions consider removing it and going with a completely new cage?
Thanks,
Chris V.
One question. You kept the original roll bar. Did your discussions consider removing it and going with a completely new cage?
Thanks,
Chris V.
- City
- Fairfax
- State
- VA
Sorry for the delayed response. They did fit the cage inside the SuperTop (and a hard top if needed) but it's not really slanted in the rear - it's level. In the best of all worlds I would have the rear angle up for effect....but I think it turned out perfect for my needs.
Cheers,
Dylan
- City
- Fairfax
- State
- VA
We did decide to keep the original roll bar. Two reasons: 1) doing so retained more of the classic look and 2) that roll bar is VERY strong despite the legends that tend to haunt the interwebs. It's just not designed for multiple roll-overs (i.e., roll it, flip it over, drive away, repeat) due to its diameter. I figured that if I did roll over the Scrambler - I'd have bigger problems than replacing the roll cage...so I kept it. Very happy I did so.
Cheers,
Dylan
- City
- Fairfax
- State
- VA
Looks greaat. Does all the top bows clear?
The top fits great...but I haven't checked whether the bows will clear the rear when folding down/back....I'll let you know when the weather gets nice enough to yank the top!
Cheers,
Dylan
LetchcoreCJ7
Legacy Registered User
- City
- Nashville
- State
- TN
Can you post a picture of it painted and back in your scrambler?
- City
- Fairfax
- State
- VA
There's some final shots a couple of pages back...but I know this is all out of order so I happy to oblige!!
- City
- Gordonsville
- State
- VA
"SKILLs behind the BILLS"
Thats pretty good!No problem, I've enjoyed rolling under a jeep and not having east coast rust fall in my eyes every time I touch something. Its equally as nice when bolts come out and not ring off.
- City
- Redmond
- State
- OR
Thanks for the positive words. I'm doing another black on black one for Tom's Scrambler right now. I need to find more to build...my local supply of reasonably priced winches has dried up...
The design and execution on the cage is awesome. Top shelf build!
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