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O.T. Jeep CJ-10a conversion project

Front axle install complete (minus tie rod/drag link). This shot shows the stance with the narrow-track FSJ front axle. The 34" Swampers fit nicely. Time will tell if they'll rub at all (it looks like they'll stuff just fine).

Work this weekend was delayed somewhat due to some REALLY lousy weather, and me having to spend about 4 1/2 hrs. getting the driveway cleaned out. I did get the rear axle and springs pulled to get them ready for paint. The rear axle is 90% wire-wheeled down. I removed some of the unneeded bracketry on the frame, and ground them down flush. I also got my front brake lines reconnected, and got new brake lines for the rear; these will be installed once the rear axle is painted (within the next week).

The bed mounting will be very easy, and will end up using 6 body mount pucks. Two sets will be ~1/2" thick, and one will be ~4" thick. I plan on picking up a stick of body mount rubber (the kind that is used for fiberglass body installs) and cutting pucks to the proper thickness.

Craig
 
I just finished cleaning up & painting the rear of the frame (semi-flat black). I also drilled four (4) extra holes in the tops of the frame rails for body mount positions. I'm picking up the rear axle from the sandblaster tomorrow, and will have it painted early this week. By next weekend, I should have the freshly-painted rear axle reinstalled, at which point I can install brake lines and bleed them.

Craig
 
Getting better..:thumbsup: ...There are standards to be maintained!:rotfl:
 
John N said:
Getting better..:thumbsup: ...There are standards to be maintained!:rotfl:
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:D I'm tryin'. It's going to be a trail rig, but just can't build it without making it look decent. It's not a frame-off, but I'm still making it look nice. The paint is just Krylon Semi-Flat, so it'll be easy to touch up.

Craig
 
Well, I got up at 3:30am this morning and got my freshly-painted rear leaf springs & Isuzu D44 rear axle installed under the '10a before I came to work (I'm anxious to get this thing done). :woot: Pics to come once I have the rear brake lines installed and wheels mounted back up.

Craig
 
1x1_Speed_Craig said:
Well, I got up at 3:30am this morning and got my freshly-painted rear leaf springs & Isuzu D44 rear axle installed under the '10a before I came to work
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that is hardcore

I will do my best to stop in and see it soon. just got back from vacation yesturday.
 
revho said:
that is hardcore

I will do my best to stop in and see it soon. just got back from vacation yesturday.
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Excellent, Kevin. I'm anxious to hear about your vacation, as well. Give me ring whenever it's convenient.

Craig
 
Here are more pics of my progress. I still need to pick up one fitting for the brake lines. I should have them done this week. I also got the t-case filled with fluid today, and will be measuring for driveshafts this week. I have to take a little bit of a break and return some scrap steel, as I heard prices around here are between $170-200/ton (double what they were a couple months ago). I have a decent amount of steel to scrap (including the 1200-lb. weight from the back of the tug), so that'll help fund my driveshafts.

Craig
 
A buddy helped me out again last night (thanks Kelsey), and we measured for driveshafts. He also started cleaning up the M-416 bed, and we got the bed/fuel cell mounted on the back of the Jeep. I'll measure & drill mounting holes in the bed in the next few days. I got the tie rod/drag link disassembled, and they'll be ready for paint by the end of the week.

I also ordered driveshafts (from D&R Driveline in Jenison) today over my lunch hour. They'll be ready tomorrow afternoon.

It's looking like a test-drive this weekend! :cool:


Craig
 
Craig, that is great, I'm really looking forward to your finished product, how it drives, etc. I'm so impressed with the entire project. Well done!

And thanks for sharing with us hacks!
 
Thanks trust. It's not a top-notch "resto", but it'll be a nice-looking trail rig.

BTW, I now have working brakes, and will pick up my driveshafts tonight. I only need to paint/install my tie rod & drag link, and secure down the bed temporarily before taking it for a test spin.

Craig
 
1x1_Speed_Craig said:
Yeah, the shop does a beautiful job with their welds. For a bed, I'm leaning toward a Bantam/M-416 trailer-style bed, or a stepside bed like the one in the attached photo (only shorter). The photo is a guy (scumby) on ifsja.org who I have been exchanging build ideas with. He said it's a Chevy stepside bed that has been modified to work.

Craig
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What model/year stepside bed is scumby using, that looks great!
 
Well, I took it for a test-drive today. I have to address a torque converter and/or governor issue, but other than that, it drove as-expected. BTW, I need to turn out the steering stops a fuzz, but the tires stuff in the front very nicely! More details soon...

Craig
 
Congrats on the test run, nothing quite as nice as that first movement eh?

BTW, this reminds me, whatever happened with Cooter's Gaucho? you ever hear anything more on that? You're is setting up to be darn close
 
trust said:
Congrats on the test run, nothing quite as nice as that first movement eh?

BTW, this reminds me, whatever happened with Cooter's Gaucho? you ever hear anything more on that? You're is setting up to be darn close
Click to expand...

Thanks trust. Yes, it felt good. I can't wait to get the little stuff wrapped up. I'll be working on the bed this weekend.

Cooter is still collecting parts for his Gaucho. He's still looking for a good CJ-6 or M-170 frame to use (to keep it accurate to the roots of the vehicle). Mine may look a little similar to a Gaucho, but mine's considerably shorter, won't be a step-side per se, has a different front clip, diesel, etc.

Craig
 
I got the body mounts made for the bed, and reinforced the rear under the fuel cell. I also got the fuel cell mounted. I still have to make a panel to close in the rear of the bed, and then I'll wire-wheel it down and paint it black.

Here are a few gratuitous flex shots. It seems to do OK overall...nothing earth-shaking, though. I wasn't going for an uberflex rig, though. I just wanted to keep it fairly simple.

Craig
 
My weekend project was making a rear panel for my M-416 trailer bed. Some 1" tube and a sheet of 18-gauge (or somewhere around there) did the trick. I think it turned out pretty decent. I still have to drill holes for the flush-mount taillights, and a couple for a license plate. Then it's just a matter of finishing wire-wheeling the bed, and painting it semi-flat black.

I'm a little behind schedule, but I'm getting there.

Craig

bed_complete_1.jpg


forum
 
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Looking forward to seeing it in person at the National!
 
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