Meet Red, my 81 Restomod Build

[CJ7Pilot]

I think a column shifter would be really cool for this build!
Otherwise, the Gennie or the Lokar would maintain somewhat of a classic look, but you're right about the indicator problem. I don't think the B&M or the Winters look very "CJ" at all.

 

[Randyzzz]

I used the Lokar on my RFE545, it mounts on top on transmission, not sure if they have one for your application
https://www.lokar.com/indexm.html
View attachment 82971

I’ve had experience with the Lokar unit, they are great but the push button gate is not for me. That’s why I mentioned the Gennie- same basic idea but uses a sideways pull to pass the gates. Sorta like the Winters style but $$

 

[Randyzzz]

I think a column shifter would be really cool for this build!
Otherwise, the Gennie or the Lokar would maintain somewhat of a classic look, but you're right about the indicator problem. I don't think the B&M or the Winters look very "CJ" at all.

Aesthetically I think the column shifter would be best. My only concern is hitting the shift detents, especially if manually shifting.

 

[CJ7Pilot]

Aesthetically I think the column shifter would be best. My only concern is hitting the shift detents, especially if manually shifting.

Would an older GM (700R4) column work? That would get your brights and wiper controls on the column as well, without looking too out of place.

It depends on where you want to draw the line between "resto," and "mod."

 

[Randyzzz]

Would an older GM (700R4) column work? That would get your brights and wiper controls on the column as well, without looking too out of place.

It depends on where you want to draw the line between "resto," and "mod."

I was thinking of a 86-91 Waggy column. Swap in the 4 speed shift plate and indicator. But that still doesn’t address my wanting to perform good, manual 1-2 and 2-3 shifts. It would really clean up the floor though. Probably my biggest resistance to this is I just bought and rebuilt a Cherokee column to use.
If I’m honest with myself, with the 6.0 HP and the built 9” rear axle, I’m going for a bit of “hot rod” vibe. The Gennie shifter would be the most expensive but easiest, the Winters would be the most functional but I think I’d have to move the exhaust a bit to stay clear of the cable and shift arm. With the Winters I would probably also get the JP transfer case shifter. I’m sorta planning a lever style handbrake instead of the foot brake too. My muffler placement means I can’t use the stock cables, but so do the rear discs. And I need an easy way to apply brake to take full advantage of the TrueTrac. It’s funny how simple stuff snowballs. And like I’ve said before- if I can find a way to complicate something, I will. I’m mentally fabricating a console that would fulfill my needs...

 

[bigwalton]

Man, I goofed and missed the latest updates to get this to paint.

Just awesome, as always

Makes me feel utterly inferior as a Jeep owner, as always!

 

[Randyzzz]

Man, I goofed and missed the latest updates to get this to paint.

Just awesome, as always

Makes me feel utterly inferior as a Jeep owner, as always!

Eric, we all know you’re awesome!

 

[sdsupilot]

I've got the Lokar. For street driving/cruising its perfect once you get used to the button. For wheeling a sidewinder or something like that gives more positive feel for gear selection. You have to pay attention to what gear you are in offroad with the Lokar, but it does shift great with perfect detents.

 

[Randyzzz]

Well, I’m not one to give up. I really liked the OEM shifter that I had selected. So I started from scratch bright and early, changed some angles...and I GOT IT! Pretty happy with this win. I still have to make a respectable bracket, but I’m happy with the function. Still a bit stiff out of park but I’ll live with that.

 

[HighSierra CJ]

Well, I’m not one to give up. I really liked the OEM shifter that I had selected. So I started from scratch bright and early, changed some angles...and I GOT IT! Pretty happy with this win. I still have to make a respectable bracket, but I’m happy with the function. Still a bit stiff out of park but I’ll live with that. View attachment 83031

I was pulling for the use of the stock column shift type.

 

[Randyzzz]

I was pulling for the use of the stock column shift type.

We’re not done yet!

 

[Randyzzz]

So...the minor victory of the shifter invigorated me. So this happened.
Time to finish all the bottom side welding, then strip and paint the frame. Then back together for the last time!!!

 

[Randyzzz]

Then I fully committed to a hand-brake instead of the foot brake. I’ll have a full set of new stainless cables and a nice foot brake assembly up for sale soon.
Well, I think it’s beer-thirty! ?

 

[jammer1]

If it's a lever hand parking brake your going to love it. I was able to get great adjustment, and have a longer throw. Locks the brakes tighter than the stock pedal brake.

 

[Randyzzz]

If it's a lever hand parking brake your going to love it. I was able to get great adjustment, and have a longer throw. Locks the brakes tighter than the stock pedal brake.

I had a lever brake on Copper, but it had rear drums. I’m pretty excited to try these rear discs with the internal parking brakes.

 

[Randyzzz]

Back on the famous engine stand rotisserie. The underside of the frame was so bad with weld spatter-
So I got out the flap wheel and did some more cleaning. I also found one of the weld nuts for the sway bar mount was missing- so I installed a nursert. Those 3/8 nutserts are a bear to crush!Once that was installed, I got to installing frame sleeves for the shock tower bolts. Being an 81, this one had the shorty towers but the holes were there for the tall towers. With no internal frame support, the bolts would crush the frame. I cut some tube, opened up the holes on the back, tapped the tube in, welded and ground smooth. Last thing on the list was nutserts for the back mounts on the repositioned skid plate. Now on to cleaning the frame up, maybe sandblasting, and then a couple coats of paint.

 

[spankrjs]

I never even thought about using a nut insert to replace damaged missing inside the frame weld nuts

I usually "Redneck Ray" and either drop a bolt with a lock washer on the head down through the frame, or fish a flange nut into place

 

[Randyzzz]

I never even thought about using a nut insert to replace damaged missing inside the frame weld nuts

I usually "Redneck Ray" and either drop a bolt with a lock washer on the head down through the frame, or fish a flange nut into place

Time will tell if this is an adequate repair method. I don’t see why not, especially on the skid plate. The sway bar has a bit more stress on it- but the factory nutsert wasn’t a whole lot sturdier.

 

[Randyzzz]

Today was stripping/blasting/grinding day. Not my favorite, and it looks like tomorrow will be more of the same.
Spoke with my painter- he was just starting to work on mine. His last job took longer than anticipated. He decided to fully blast mine and start fresh. Make it show quality! He and his crew are excited to do a “cool Jeep” and he said he wants to take good care of me. I can’t wait to see it! Another couple of weeks I’m thinking.

 

[jpnmaine]

What type of hand brake will you use? I have been kicking the idea of a disk or drum brake setup off the transfer case as the emergency brake. Like the use of the nutsert. Very clean.