I like the sideboards. As far as strengthening them up, you could layer 2 boards up, glue them together, and it would dramatically strengthen them up. Basically forming a composite board of double thickness. Works very well with making structural amendments when woodworking...jscherb said:Here's the engineering problem... since I used the Timber Tech composite for the bed floor, I really need to use the same stuff for the side boards so it matches. If they didn't match it would look strange. Remember how I had to add extra crossmembers in the bed floor because the TimberTech isn't as stiff as actual wood? In order to span the distance between the stake pockets (a little over 6') I need to do something to stiffen the TimberTech. There's probably a solution using steel angle to back up the boards, but I haven't focused on that yet.
What does everyone think? Would side boards look right or should I leave it as is?
Jeff
OT: Retro Wrangler/Willys Pickup (long)
- Thread starter jscherb
- Start date
trust
PITA
- City
- White Rock
- State
- NM
I kind of like the look of them Jeff, can you paste in the double set too so we can see how it looks? maybe a view as is, with a single and with a double? The good news is that if you get them on and decide you don't like them afterall (or more likely WE decide that for you! lol) they should make for a readily convertable set up
- City
- Redmond
- State
- OR
I like the look of the boards. I'm leaning towards the single board, although the look of the double board sure is retro!
To stiffen them up- the first thought that came to mind was to gun-drill them lengthwise and insert a piece of tubing. Probably impractical, not to mention difficult if even possible. Second idea was to slot the bottom of the board so a piece of T shaped metal could be inserted. You could even recess the bottom with a router so the metal wouldn't really show. Countersink screws up from the bottom.
Lousy paint drawing....
To stiffen them up- the first thought that came to mind was to gun-drill them lengthwise and insert a piece of tubing. Probably impractical, not to mention difficult if even possible. Second idea was to slot the bottom of the board so a piece of T shaped metal could be inserted. You could even recess the bottom with a router so the metal wouldn't really show. Countersink screws up from the bottom.
Lousy paint drawing....
jscherb
CJ-8 Member
- City
- Elmira
- State
- NY
Just a quick test with a pine board. Board is the wrong color and these aren't very good photos, but you can get a rough idea of what side boards might look like. It think I like it better without them. Might look better if they were the same medium-dark color of the bed floor, that goes really nicely with the red.
I'll have to get the old Willys ladder rack out and try that next...
I'll have to get the old Willys ladder rack out and try that next...
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- City
- Dexter
- State
- MI
I'd pictured them spaced higher from the top of the bed rail like Scrambler sideboards and I think the double one would be sweet 
I'd just double them up except where the stakes go so that they don't sit too far out from the stakes. Probably wouldn't even notice that they're doubled up from the side/back
I'd just double them up except where the stakes go so that they don't sit too far out from the stakes. Probably wouldn't even notice that they're doubled up from the side/back
x2 Except I kind of like the way the Willy's top board stops half way back. I know there is not a way to connect to the bed at that point, but you could bolt it to the lower board...bigwalton said:I'd pictured them spaced higher from the top of the bed rail like Scrambler sideboards and I think the double one would be sweet
I'd just double them up except where the stakes go so that they don't sit too far out from the stakes. Probably wouldn't even notice that they're doubled up from the side/back
- City
- Lexington
- State
- SC
wood is good
I think some wood on it would look good. I can't decide between the 2 rails per side or 1 larger one.
My dad makes the CJ8 sideboards that I sell on the site here. I had him make me some a while back that fit on the F250 and I put some logos on them etc. I know you were going for the matching set to the bed, but will make the offer. I'm sure I could get him made up to your length that have same scrambler edge and routed inner on them.
I think they will look even a lot better with a hardtop on there. Think the softop is throwing the eyes off a bit.
matt
I think some wood on it would look good. I can't decide between the 2 rails per side or 1 larger one.
My dad makes the CJ8 sideboards that I sell on the site here. I had him make me some a while back that fit on the F250 and I put some logos on them etc. I know you were going for the matching set to the bed, but will make the offer. I'm sure I could get him made up to your length that have same scrambler edge and routed inner on them.
I think they will look even a lot better with a hardtop on there. Think the softop is throwing the eyes off a bit.
matt
jscherb
CJ-8 Member
- City
- Elmira
- State
- NY
Matt,
I agree, I think the boards look a little strange with the soft top. Have to get the hardtop done soon
Here are some photos of double boards, again just with some scrap 1x4's I had laying around. The rear 3/4 view looks a little strange because you can see there are only boards on one side.
The lower right photo is the Willys ladder rack. On closer inspection, I saw today that this one was designed to have boards bolted between the vertical posts, just above the bed rim, sort of just like the boards we've been mocking up.
I can't put the ladder rack in the stake pockets as is, I've got to get something like a bicycle inner tube to cover the cruddy metal so I don't scratch the nice red paint. Will do that soon so I can try these out.
Jeff
I agree, I think the boards look a little strange with the soft top. Have to get the hardtop done soon
Here are some photos of double boards, again just with some scrap 1x4's I had laying around. The rear 3/4 view looks a little strange because you can see there are only boards on one side.
The lower right photo is the Willys ladder rack. On closer inspection, I saw today that this one was designed to have boards bolted between the vertical posts, just above the bed rim, sort of just like the boards we've been mocking up.
I can't put the ladder rack in the stake pockets as is, I've got to get something like a bicycle inner tube to cover the cruddy metal so I don't scratch the nice red paint. Will do that soon so I can try these out.
Jeff
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jscherb
CJ-8 Member
- City
- Elmira
- State
- NY
I'm going to put the side board idea over to the side for a while (pun intended ), I'll think about them when I've got a hardtop on this thing.
But I do want to try the ladder rack soon, I've got a big extension ladder I need to move from the old house to the new house...
), I'll think about them when I've got a hardtop on this thing.But I do want to try the ladder rack soon, I've got a big extension ladder I need to move from the old house to the new house...
I really like the 1.5 board look....a lot!!!jscherb said:Matt,
I agree, I think the boards look a little strange with the soft top. Have to get the hardtop done soon :-)
Here are some photos of double boards, again just with some scrap 1x4's I had laying around. The rear 3/4 view looks a little strange because you can see there are only boards on one side.
The lower right photo is the Willys ladder rack. On closer inspection, I saw today that this one was designed to have boards bolted between the vertical posts, just above the bed rim, sort of just like the boards we've been mocking up.
I can't put the ladder rack in the stake pockets as is, I've got to get something like a bicycle inner tube to cover the cruddy metal so I don't scratch the nice red paint. Will do that soon so I can try these out.
Jeff
jscherb
CJ-8 Member
- City
- Elmira
- State
- NY
Today my wife and I went biking on a local rail-trail. We took the bikes in the back of the pickup to the trailhead, parked, and rode the bikes from there.
When we got back to the truck after the ride, there was a State Trooper taking pictures of the truck! Oh my god, what did I do wrong? I'm parked legally, my paperwork is in order, what did I do?
Turns out he likes Jeeps and thought this was a new model from the factory. He said he saw it earlier, went back to the barracks to look it up, and decided it must be a custom when he couldn't find it. So then he came back to take some pictures. He's familiar with the Gladiator concept but said he likes the look of mine way better. He said: "You're really lucky to have this as your daily driver."
Also, earlier in the day, I took the truck for some very light off-roading to get some action photos. Nothing too difficult, of course, because it's set up for the street - stock sway bars, etc. Anyway, because of it's street orientation it would lift one of the four wheels off the ground on high angle hill climbing - so it was a good test for the stiffness of the lengthened frame (and my welding skills?). The frame did great, no appreciable flex, and of course no problem with the welds. And now I've got to wash the mud off it.
All in all a fun day with the Retro Wrangler.
Jeff
When we got back to the truck after the ride, there was a State Trooper taking pictures of the truck! Oh my god, what did I do wrong? I'm parked legally, my paperwork is in order, what did I do?
Turns out he likes Jeeps and thought this was a new model from the factory. He said he saw it earlier, went back to the barracks to look it up, and decided it must be a custom when he couldn't find it. So then he came back to take some pictures. He's familiar with the Gladiator concept but said he likes the look of mine way better. He said: "You're really lucky to have this as your daily driver." Also, earlier in the day, I took the truck for some very light off-roading to get some action photos. Nothing too difficult, of course, because it's set up for the street - stock sway bars, etc. Anyway, because of it's street orientation it would lift one of the four wheels off the ground on high angle hill climbing - so it was a good test for the stiffness of the lengthened frame (and my welding skills?). The frame did great, no appreciable flex, and of course no problem with the welds.
And now I've got to wash the mud off it.All in all a fun day with the Retro Wrangler.
Jeff
jscherb
CJ-8 Member
- City
- Elmira
- State
- NY
I spent the last few days down in Hershey, PA, at the antique car show there. It was really nice to take the pickup on a road trip, will have to find some more trips to take. Maybe I will consider Jeep Safari...
Of course I didn't show the Retro Wrangler at Hershey but it was really a hit in the parking lot - I guess the antique types really appreciated the blending of the antique bed and modern Wrangler
Here's a few photos I took of a 50's Chev with nice bed boards, since we've been discussing it here I thought I'd post them. I thought these looked pretty nice.
But the hardtop is the next order of business, will think about bed boards after that's done.
Of course I didn't show the Retro Wrangler at Hershey but it was really a hit in the parking lot - I guess the antique types really appreciated the blending of the antique bed and modern Wrangler
Here's a few photos I took of a 50's Chev with nice bed boards, since we've been discussing it here I thought I'd post them. I thought these looked pretty nice.
But the hardtop is the next order of business, will think about bed boards after that's done.
jscherb
CJ-8 Member
- City
- Elmira
- State
- NY
jscherb said:DMV Story...
Today I went to the DMV to get all the paperwork sorted out. It took all of 10 minutes, including the five minutes I waited for the two people in line ahead of me.
Here's all I had to do:
- On the way to the DMV, I stopped at the local scrap dealer (because they have a scale) to get a Certified Weight Slip showing the truck's current weight. In case you're interested, the Unlimited was 3579 pounds, and the pickup weighed in at 4140 pounds with a full tank of gas. Subtracting for the gas, I figure the conversion added about 440 pounds to the vehicle weight.
- At the DMV, all I had to do was fill out the form to amend the title to show the new body style (pickup instead of suburban) and the new weight. They charged me $4.50 for the change and printed a new registration with the new info for me. They'll send me the updated title in the mail.
Done.
The change didn't even invalidate the current inspection sticker. I'm due for that in November, but inspection will also be a 10 minute process where I live - they plug the truck into the inspection computer via the OBDII port, and they do a quick visual check the on lights and a few other emissions things, that's all.
Couldn't have been more painless, I guess that's a benefit from my high NY taxes. It's official, according to NY State the Retro Wrangler is now a pickup.
Jeff
Just to finish the paperwork story... the same day I made quoted post I took documentation to my insurance agent showing the cost of the major parts of the conversion. I also showed them that replacement body/bed parts in the event of a collision would be roughly the same cost as replacement parts for the stock Wrangler. They sent all this info over to their underwriting department to see of the rates would need to change.
Today I checked back with them and they said the pickup conversion would not affect my insurance rates. I'm not sure if it is because of the "same cost" documentation I gave them or because their computer system doesn't know how to rate a Wrangler Pickup, but either way I'm happy with the outcome
Jeff
jscherb
CJ-8 Member
- City
- Elmira
- State
- NY
When I made the decision to fabricate the latches for the tailgate to replace the chains, I had a compromise to make - the 1/2" on each side that the tailtage support links would take up would make the bed too narrow at that point to carry a 4x8 sheet of plywood. I decided that since I would use the tailgate almost every day, but would only rarely carry 4x8 stuff, the compromise would be worthwhile.
I had in mind that I could make a stake pocket rack to carry 4x8's... so I did that this morning. The stakes are made from the same type of composite material the bed floor is made of (except they are gray), so they are slippery and soft enough that they won't scratch paint in the stake pockets. The bar is a piece of 3/4" galvanized pipe, and it's held in place by some large hairpin clips.
The large cardboard box sitting in the bed is about 3x7, I didn't have a 4x8 handy for the photo.
One benefit of this rack that I can carry 4x8 sheets without removing my bed box.
Still haven't gotten around to trying out the full ladder rack; I did pick up some old bicycle tire tubes to slide over the steel stakes on that rack so they won't sractch but just haven't gotten around to trying it yet.
I had in mind that I could make a stake pocket rack to carry 4x8's... so I did that this morning. The stakes are made from the same type of composite material the bed floor is made of (except they are gray), so they are slippery and soft enough that they won't scratch paint in the stake pockets. The bar is a piece of 3/4" galvanized pipe, and it's held in place by some large hairpin clips.
The large cardboard box sitting in the bed is about 3x7, I didn't have a 4x8 handy for the photo.
One benefit of this rack that I can carry 4x8 sheets without removing my bed box.
Still haven't gotten around to trying out the full ladder rack; I did pick up some old bicycle tire tubes to slide over the steel stakes on that rack so they won't sractch but just haven't gotten around to trying it yet.
- City
- Dexter
- State
- MI
Well look who dropped in!
Just after noon, this thing showed up in my garage...
Jeff was kind enough to make a little side trip for lunch on his way over to Chicago today.
Pics just don't do this thing justice guys... it's just simply awesome. We spent a while talking about it while I was looking it over/under/around/inside and it's just cool beyond words. The bodywork, paint, modifications all look so well done, it really does look factory. The "wood" in the bed looks SO much better than the composite stuff I'd ever seen, it's really beautiful and looks very realistic. The top looks awesome and the interior looks like it was always like this.
We checked out the postal for a couple minutes and then there had to be a photo session. Jeff was so kind as to let me drive the Retro-Wrangler, and apparently I'm the first person other than Jeff to drive it
I love this photo:
Then had to put the two together for a couple shots (these are my new desktop backgrounds):
After that, Jeff let me drive it into town to go to lunch. It drives so nicely down the road, it's way better than I remember my old Ranger driving. It felt different than my Unlimited, but not by a significant amount and certainly not in any bad way. It was a little bizarre driving it with 3.73 gears where my LJ has 4.10s. I am so used to my roads into town that I couldn't get used to the gear I was in vs. where I thought I should be.
Looking forward as you drive it's obviously no different than the LJ, but the MOST bizarre thing was looking in the sideview mirrors and seeing a spare tire and truck bed--ON BOTH SIDES! Very weird!
I drove us back to my place after lunch and Jeff got ready to take off, but I made him pose with it because I don't think we have a picture of him with it in here yet.
It was awesome to meet Jeff after all the posts/conversations on the board here and fantastic to see such a unique and well-executed project vehicle. What a great way to start out the week!
Just after noon, this thing showed up in my garage...
Jeff was kind enough to make a little side trip for lunch on his way over to Chicago today.
Pics just don't do this thing justice guys... it's just simply awesome. We spent a while talking about it while I was looking it over/under/around/inside and it's just cool beyond words. The bodywork, paint, modifications all look so well done, it really does look factory. The "wood" in the bed looks SO much better than the composite stuff I'd ever seen, it's really beautiful and looks very realistic. The top looks awesome and the interior looks like it was always like this.
We checked out the postal for a couple minutes and then there had to be a photo session. Jeff was so kind as to let me drive the Retro-Wrangler, and apparently I'm the first person other than Jeff to drive it
I love this photo:
Then had to put the two together for a couple shots (these are my new desktop backgrounds
):After that, Jeff let me drive it into town to go to lunch. It drives so nicely down the road, it's way better than I remember my old Ranger driving. It felt different than my Unlimited, but not by a significant amount and certainly not in any bad way. It was a little bizarre driving it with 3.73 gears where my LJ has 4.10s. I am so used to my roads into town that I couldn't get used to the gear I was in vs. where I thought I should be.
Looking forward as you drive it's obviously no different than the LJ, but the MOST bizarre thing was looking in the sideview mirrors and seeing a spare tire and truck bed--ON BOTH SIDES! Very weird!
I drove us back to my place after lunch and Jeff got ready to take off, but I made him pose with it because I don't think we have a picture of him with it in here yet.
It was awesome to meet Jeff after all the posts/conversations on the board here and fantastic to see such a unique and well-executed project vehicle. What a great way to start out the week!
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