O.T. Jeep CJ-10a conversion project

[Stouttrout]

Hey Craig, Any updates?

I am starting to scrounge parts for mine. I looking at building a Bed. I am thinking something like this:

When I actually start tyhe build I will post some pics.

 

[1x1_Speed_Craig]

A buddy and I just finished wire-wheeling the bed last night. I also cut the holes for the taillights, and just need to drill holes & weld in small nuts for the license plate mounting. I hope to paint it by the weekend.

The bed isn't overly pretty, but I keep telling myself that it's a "trail rig". My goal is to use this bed for a couple years, then make a copy of it using new steel.

Updated pics to come soon...

Craig

 

[bigwalton]

Yeah! Use Thornturds too!

I saw one of these with a CJ "bed", seems like it'd be easy to find part of a tub for this (pics suck because it's a bad cameraphone):

Just cap it on the front and you have a tailgate and locations for taillights all set!

 

[Stouttrout]

Yeah I have seen that one. I thought about that and I have the rear tub section from a CJ7. I think my tires are going to be alot further back and I would need to comp cut the rear. We have no tire overhang laws so my options are wide open. Thornturds aren't to bad in the gumbo clay we have here but not my first choice. I like my Trxus MT's and TSL's. I have scored a set of D44's with 4.10's, lockers and 34x10.50's on them. All newly rebuilt and tires are new. So that part of my build is ready to go. I have an NP219 but would like to find an NP208. I can wait and use the 219 for now. I will start a build thread when I get started on it. It will probably be next winter. the only thing I am building this year is a shop.

 

[1x1_Speed_Craig]

The bed is now painted & remounted, and I have lights all-around. I took it for a test-spin tonight, and it did OK. It was just a little squirrely, but I don't have any shocks on it yet. I may also consider wedges in front to reset my caster (due to the 1" front lift shackles).

I plan on getting the kickdown linkage adjusted later this week, and should have it licensed/insured by next week. This should give me plenty of time to get any bugs worked out before taking it to Windrock.

Craig

 

[trust]

very nice Craig! you doing andthing for rear fenders? I don't think I would but here in NM pretty much anything goes as long as the parts/mud/rocks falling off don't hit a cop or a kid.

 

[1x1_Speed_Craig]

very nice Craig! you doing andthing for rear fenders? I don't think I would but here in NM pretty much anything goes as long as the parts/mud/rocks falling off don't hit a cop or a kid.

Fenders aren't required in Michigan. I may add some basic trailer-style fenders once I get it on the road. Speaking of which, it's at the local shop to get the kickdown linkage adjusted properly. I should have it road-worthy within a few days.

BTW, someone from my local Jeep board had some photo-chopping fun. I think they did a really nice job with it.

Craig

 

[Stouttrout]

Looking awesome. I am getting pumped about my build up. The new grill really adds alot of character. i like it.

 

[bigwalton]

SWEET! It's MATER the 10a! Heck yeah!

 

[1x1_Speed_Craig]

Here's a few-minute video of my first time playing offroad in the '10a. Keep in mind a few things...

• The sway bar is still hooked up, and Bucky buck-tooth (trans filter) is still vulnerable attached in the front of the tug (or it least it was attached before the video ).
• Shocks are not yet installed.
• I'm a newbie wheeler.

This was at a short course that my buddy Josh (who will be coming down the the Nat'l Event with me) built in his back yard. Enjoy!

Craig

Video:



Photos:

 

[bigwalton]

NICE! Have you already ditched the swaybar? You're not high enough or heavy enough, just get rid of it and flex that thing!

So the tranny cooler was gently relocated then? Where's the after pic when they got you out of that hole?

 

[1x1_Speed_Craig]

NICE! Have you already ditched the swaybar? You're not high enough or heavy enough, just get rid of it and flex that thing!

So the tranny cooler was gently relocated then? Where's the after pic when they got you out of that hole?

I unbolted the swaybar right after that run. I won't ditch it completely (I'll run it on the road), but will remember to disconnect it next time before taking it offroad.

As requested...

 

[tom82cj8]

Great Video!!

I really like the sound of the diesel. I have wanted one of those 10a's many times, but none are close in TX. 3 small kids has really cut into my project time. You could pretty much say I don't have any project time.... I do have a Rubicon 4-door in the garage that doesn't need any work.

Craig- will you be putting one of the newly acquired scrambler tubs on the back of that 10a?

Later-

 

[1x1_Speed_Craig]

Great Video!!

I really like the sound of the diesel. I have wanted one of those 10a's many times, but none are close in TX. 3 small kids has really cut into my project time. You could pretty much say I don't have any project time.... I do have a Rubicon 4-door in the garage that doesn't need any work.

Craig- will you be putting one of the newly acquired scrambler tubs on the back of that 10a?

Later-

Thanks Tom. I definitely understand about the time factor.

Neither of those tubs I bought from Ted will be cut up. It would be a shame to hack off the back end of an otherwise usable Scrambler tub. This tug will keep the existing M-416 bed until I build a new one using this one as a template. My other tug will probably end up getting mounted on an '83 Wagoneer frame with a longer bed (old Willy's style, perhaps).

Craig

 

[jeeperrog]

Craig -

That is hands-down, one of the coolest Jeeps ever. I love that thing and can't wait to see it at Windrock. Like everyone else on here, I've always wanted one for the diesel, but I've never been serious enough.

Can't wait to see it in person!

Roger
www.4wdjeep.com

 

[bigwalton]

I unbolted the swaybar right after that run. I won't ditch it completely (I'll run it on the road), but will remember to disconnect it next time before taking it offroad.

Have you tried running without it on road? That thing isn't tall enough for me to think it would matter much. I run without one on mine and it's fine except in the hardest turns (and never feels dangerous).

Just a thought. I was ready to deal with the disco mess until I decided to try to run mine without the bar on-road once. I unbolted and sold the whole thing that night

 

[1x1_Speed_Craig]

Have you tried running without it on road? That thing isn't tall enough for me to think it would matter much. I run without one on mine and it's fine except in the hardest turns (and never feels dangerous).

Just a thought. I was ready to deal with the disco mess until I decided to try to run mine without the bar on-road once. I unbolted and sold the whole thing that night

I have, Eric. It does OK, but I wouldn't want to perform a defensive driving maneuver without it. They're actually very quick to disconnect, even without quick disconnects on mine.

Keep in mind, too, that my wheelbase is a full 8" shorter than yours, and I lost some caster by using front lift shackles. Therefore, it's "dartier" than your Scrambler.

Craig

 

[Jeepskate]

My other tug will probably end up getting mounted on an '83 Wagoneer frame with a longer bed (old Willy's style, perhaps).

Craig

Now *that's* the one I want to see. I like this one, but something just doesn't seem quite right with that itty-bitty bed...maybe the rear axle just needs to be scooted back a couple of inches and some fenders added for it to look right to me. But, as I've said before, can't see it from my house Very cool rig nonetheless. If I ever get to build another, it'll probably be a 10a with a full bed.

 

[basktecasejeep]

Craig- very nice build!

What did your final wheelbase come out to be? What kind of mileage are you getting with the diesel?

 

[1x1_Speed_Craig]

Now *that's* the one I want to see. I like this one, but something just doesn't seem quite right with that itty-bitty bed...maybe the rear axle just needs to be scooted back a couple of inches and some fenders added for it to look right to me. But, as I've said before, can't see it from my house Very cool rig nonetheless. If I ever get to build another, it'll probably be a 10a with a full bed.

Keep in mind that this was a "quick & dirty" build, in that I just wanted something simple & inexpensive to wheel for a while. I may add some M.O.R.E. brackets to move the rear axle back another inch or so (my long-travel driveshaft will handle this just fine). I may address that this Fall. The jury's still out on adding fenders...we'll see.

Craig- very nice build!

What did your final wheelbase come out to be? What kind of mileage are you getting with the diesel?

Thanks! Wheelbase is ~96" (2" longer than a CJ-7). I'll be driving the '10a to work starting tomorrow (Wednesday), so I'll have to track the mileage from there. I'm hoping for 25mpg or right around there.


Craig