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A 30 minute drive, some horse trading, and I have another Scrambler!

Randyzzz

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Allow me to introduce "Red". This is the Scrambler that Frickinghost was going to restore for his father, Tds81cj8. When he posted that he had purchased another Scrambler and that this one was not going to be restored, I took notice. But never really had any real hopes... When Tom brought his white 81 into my shop to perform a bunch of work, eventually the conversation turned to the red one. I expressed an interest, and Tom said he'd be open to some trading. A few weeks later, we were able to work out a deal and now Red is mine.

It's an 81 SR with no body damage and virtually no rust, save for a bit on the surface of the bed and the surface of the drivers footwell. It came with a rebuilt 258 still in the shrink wrap, new front fenders, radiator, flares, and a lot of cool OEM stuff that usually is missing. It also has been fully disassembled, so it's ready to start building. Tom got it from the original owner, who parked it out in the Eastern Oregon heat and wind after losing a head gasket. The paint is faded and weathered to the extent that in some spots it's just primer, and the stripes are gone. A blank canvas to build...

I promise I'll start a proper build thread once I reach that point. My wife is saying something about getting her VW Bus on the road first, and then there's the housing situation. Looks like we are out of our rental in November, so we're being proactive and attempting to purchase a place. We have an offer in now, we find out Thursday. But, it needs a shop built. So it looks like this will be a winter project...

My plans? I built Copper for a purpose that I'll never take advantage of, so this one is going to be more of a resto-mod. Repaint and restripe like original, probably a 1-2" lift, and 31" tires. Change the black interior and hardtop to an appropriate nutmeg. Jury's out on a powertrain, I want the convenience of fuel injection for sure, I just don't know if I want to keep it a 6 or step up with a LS. A sleeper if you use street rod terms. But, no crazy cage or huge bumpers, no big lift. Something that the wife and I would be comfortable driving cross country. Maybe then I'll make it to one of the Nationals, because right now she hates even going to the grocery store in Copper.

Enough rambling, here's some pictures!

From Frickinghost's thread-
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Just a little surface rust!
 
And from today-

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Yep, even weathered side boards.

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T176

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Looks like the original spare from 1981!

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Pristine frame!

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There's full hard doors and a new radiator hiding in this picture.

So, probably enough pictures for now. I'm happy as a kid in a candy store. Can't wait to start building!
 
Nice project. And you don't need PB Blaster or a torch to take it apart. You got it just in time to make all the decisions of how you want it to be. Perfect timing. Good to see projects going on in the North West. Good things come to those who help!
 
Yup that's the original spare ! Great find. I had taken "notice" too and woulda bet it was gonna wind up in your capable hands :thumbsup:
 
Wow nice .. congratulations. .. so many nice parts.. endcaps!!!

Sent from my SPH-L900
 
So very very cool that this fine rig ended up with you and even better that you'll be able to build exactly what you want. :bacon:
 
So, went over to Tom's today and started reassembly so I could get her moved. A couple hours, a cold beer, and some good help, and she's ready for her maiden tow.
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Tom also gave me the Totally Stainless bolt kit for the Scrambler! That's a lot of hardware!

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2, proofread and cleared by the NSA.
 
Well, she's in my storage unit for hopefully a short while.
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I was happily surprised to see an almost perfect bed after moving some stuff!
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This one was born 6/1981, and it looks like the frame was ready for the 82 shock towers. The other early frame I have does not have the tower holes prepunched. Score!
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2, proofread and cleared by the NSA.
 
Great find. What is the build plan?


 
Great find. What is the build plan?

Not 100% finalized yet, but I have some definite ideas. I built my Copper Scrambler for an extreme purpose that I'll never use it for. It looks like it's a hardcore wheeler, yet I'd be heartbroken if I ever put a scratch on it. This one will be a lot more stock in appearance.

I'll be keeping the stock paint color, and stock decals, 31" tires and no more than 1"-2" lift. A stock looking interior too, but with upgraded seats, and a dash that looks stock but incorporates goodies like Speedhut gauges, extra switches with stock looking labels, maybe underdash air. The powertrain is where I'll go crazy. Some flavor of LS engine with a 4spd automatic, 4.10 gears, 241C transfer case, Ford 9" floater rear with a selectable locker, limited slip front in either a D30 or D44, 4 wheel discs, hydroboost brakes. And a quiet exhaust system. (The specifics may change but you get the idea.)

I want a Scrambler that respects the classic look, has the modern conveniences, and wields more than enough power. OK, maybe excessive power. Going to be really attentive to the appearance in fit and finish. I realize that this is not everyone's cup of tea, but the build thread should be interesting. I've realized a lot in the 2 years since I built Copper, and I think this one will hit my nail on the head. I also think there might be a market for this type of build in the Mecum/Barret Jackson circles, which would be amazing for my business. Think an "Icon" type vehicle. So Red will be my rolling "business card". (All of my business to date has revolved around fuel injection conversions/modern engine installs and related wiring.) I probably will only be able to keep one, so I'm planning on making Red "The One". Heck, I'll probably have to sell Copper just to afford to build Red...

The only bad part is I have to get moved, get a shop built, and get my wife's VW bus drivable before I can seriously start on Red. The waiting will be a killer...
 
Sounds like a plan. I agree. Jannie ask if next fall AFTER Moab and Sand Blast we might lower our"Big Red" and make it more "senior" friendly. She said she loved it, if only she could get in it. :shrug: :wave:
 
Sounds like a plan. I agree. Jannie ask if next fall AFTER Moab and Sand Blast we might lower our"Big Red" and make it more "senior" friendly. She said she loved it, if only she could get in it. :shrug: :wave:

Yep, same here 100%. My wife has stated at times that although Copper looks awesome, she hates the noise and it kills her back and knee to get up in it. Many times she has said how she misses how it was when it was lower. As such, she pretty much refuses to take it on any long trips/vacations. That's going to change with Red. If I'm ever going to make it to a National, or Jeep Beach, I have to have a Scrambler that she will ride in...
 
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