84 Australian Overlander frame off restomod

[The Buzzcutter]

Checking and adjusting panels. By this stage I was really hoping to have had the rolling chassis with new diffs, springs and engine mounts fitted but chassis work has taken much longer than expected and also means that the power train won’t be fitted until after all the body work is done, exactly what I was trying to avoid.

 

[The Buzzcutter]

The plan will be to run 32/33’s but you never know what the future holds ? so the rear tyre carrier that runs with the barn door has been made adjustable.

 

[The Buzzcutter]

Base and colour being applied

 

[The Buzzcutter]

The lighting isn’t great to show off the colour well and it’s coming out very yellow in some of the pictures. I think I mentioned earlier but I opted for Almond beige.

 

[The Buzzcutter]

To break up the colour some of the brackets and roll bar etc will be painted black.

 

[ag4ever]

Looking great. Giving me inspiration to get my project back into gear.

What are your plans for window seals?

 

[Jeep Addict]

Man that paint looks slick

 

[DeLuke]

Beautiful paint! Putting it back together is the fun part although I know you still have a way to go with the driveline and suspension.

 

[The Buzzcutter]

Looking great. Giving me inspiration to get my project back into gear.

What are your plans for window seals?

Thanks. Most of the seals for windows were able to be sourced from generic off the shelf rubber. Door seals were modified from C7 ones

 

[The Buzzcutter]

Beautiful paint! Putting it back together is the fun part although I know you still have a way to go with the driveline and suspension.

Drive line has been the painful part of the process. Originally I had coordinated the work and at this stage I was hoping to be assembling body onto completed chassis but there has been constant delays in making up the required adapters so it hasn’t happened that way.

 

[The Buzzcutter]

Wow. Always so jealous when seeing someone doing a Scrambler up "right." Mine needs all of this and more

Interesting on the top removal setup plan. I took mine on and off twice a year when we were down in North Carolina where I could drive it all winter with the top on. I just disassembled the pieces and hung them from the garage ceiling. I made a chain/2x4 setup that stored the top against the ceiling and the two side panels laying flat directly beneath the roof. Everything was up above the garage door when it opened and out of the way.

Loving watching this!

This was the extra bracing that was added on the underside of the roof running front to rear each side. At each end a threaded insert was added. This allows the screw in eyeblots to be used when removing the roof. Although I don’t think it will be a problem I will make up a spreader bar to bolt across at the bottom of the cab when removing.

 

[The Buzzcutter]

Went for the Phoenix Graphics and I think this style works really great with the body colour. I had considered not using the Scrambler on the hood but in the end it went on.

 

[The Buzzcutter]

And so the post has caught up with the actual build. The photos below show how she looks today. It’s been well over a year of work to get to here and several hundred hours. I took these this morning as I prepare lists of things I still need. It’s a bit of a mix of emotions right now, on one hand I am really pleased with how things have gone so far. As I look it over I am reminded of all the little details like making new stickers that all take time to do, (can anyone spot the ‘anomaly’ on one of them?) and the huge transformation that has taken place. Then the reality of the amount of work still left to do before this is even drivable. I think I understand why there are so many half finished projects for sale!
Anyway enjoy the pics, the thread will slow now and hopefully I can rely on the expertise here with the many questions I will have.

 

[John N]

Nice, an emissions sticker for a 360 that looks like OEM.

 

[Belizeit]

Wow ! Great combination of colors

 

[The Buzzcutter]

Nice, an emissions sticker for a 360 that looks like OEM.

Spotted! There is not a whole lot of information ‘on file’ for these older Jeeps with the state registration offices, therefore I am hoping to guide gaps in their knowledge with little hints. The emissions issue isn’t a concern as the replacement engine is much newer than the Jeep, (you can’t replace with an older engine) but there is a limit of 20% power increase when changing over. Therefore by hinting this came with a 360 V8 should mean the Ford in-line 6 will be waved through. In any case the full size 44 and AMC 20 would probably allow a greater power increase, just trying to avoid that level of inspections.

 

[The Buzzcutter]

Wow ! Great combination of colors

Thanks, I am really pleased how they have turned out. Although I am struggling with wheel colour, can’t decide between black, white or chrome?

 

[Jeep Addict]

I vote for white 8” Jeep rims with the black pin stripe. Give it that classic Jeep look.

 

[bigwalton]

Man it looks good. With the Jeep not being pure white, I would lean toward chrome wheels. Black doesn’t seem like it would do this justice IMO.

Actually, some of the slotted aluminum mags would look killer. Only pic I have on my phone (ignore how dirty they are):

 

[Jeep Addict]

That would look real similar to the 84 Spanks just sold. I’m sure he can provide a picture.