Project "Blue", My 1987 J20 Build

[Randyzzz]

Randy, I'm actually thrilled to hear this. Now WE can start building Stump Jumpers twin again. I'm ready to spend some one else's money for a change. Cha-ching. You got any long guns you might want to pawn. lol

Dennis, if we were neighbors, we could get in so much trouble... I am not planning on selling any guns. For a while I was tempted to sell the Sig556- It's heavy and the aftermarket support is zilch, but I also bought it private party several years ago, so it's "undocumented". Probably a keeper. Yeah, the Cha-Ching is inevitable. But that's ok, 'cause the cost of cool ain't cheap! I don't think Ill hit near where Stump Jumper ended up- at least I hope not! When I built the 82 there were a bunch of things I bought spares of, that will help. Plus I already have a transmission, just needs an overhaul.

Gazzo- someday, you'll have to do it!

Eric- Yeah, putting the J20 build on hold was a hard decision. But now I'll be able to progress on the 81. It should be a relatively quick build- I'm planning on having it on the road by spring. I'm already so far ahead- the tub is just prep work away from being ready from paint! And, my wife will appreciate the more stock outward appearance. I just might be able to make a National someday!!!

 

[zr10054]

Randy, I've had some high maintenance girl friends in my life but I swear I heard Stump Jumper laughing at me the other day.

I agree with you on the Sig 556, I have one too and it's big and heavy and no way compares to my AR's but it's still a keeper.

 

[Randyzzz]

Minor update to keep this thread in order. I found a low mileage 6.0 at an estate sale- the block was junk but the heads are the rectangle port LS3 style. So- good heads, an intake and a wiring harness. Looks like my powertrain choice has been made. The trans that matches the harness is a 6L90E- that will be pricey but a great trans.

I also found a good shortbed with nice flares on Craigslist. I'll be cutting the flares out and using them to fix the butchered ones on my longbed. I'll also use the front panel to replace my bent front panel. Too bad I couldn't talk him out of the tailgate- it was cherry and he's using it for a bench...

 

[tower210]

Keep hitting those estate sales, you'll eventually you'll get the whole package!!

 

[Randyzzz]

Keep hitting those estate sales, you'll eventually you'll get the whole package!!

Wouldn't that be nice! It's ironic- when the J20 was in the garage all I could find was Scrambler parts. So- I put the J20 outside and moved the Scrambler in. Now I'm finding J20 parts. I guess the only logical solution is the build them both at the same time...

 

[CJ7Pilot]

I guess the only logical solution is the build them both at the same time...

... And build a bigger garage! Wait, you're already doing that, right?

 

[jeepdreamer]

And less hate for the Sig. I love mine.

Sent from my SM-N930V

 

[Randyzzz]

And less hate for the Sig. I love mine.

Sent from my SM-N930V

The Sig has it's purpose, and I can"t bring myself to sell it. But once I built the ultralight AR, it became my new favorite, and is the only one I really shoot anymore. Once you've handled a sub-6lb AR, you'll see what I mean. And that's with the optic and a piston system!

 

[Randyzzz]

... And build a bigger garage! Wait, you're already doing that, right?

Well, the county made it beyond difficult to build the big shop that I had planned, so I'm building a smaller garage sized shop for my son-in-law so that I can have the attached garage for myself. The biggest advantage for me is the heater/a/c unit is in the garage, so it stays toasty in winter and cool in summer! I'm OK with that! His garage is going to be 20X20, mine is 20X26. The biggest disappointment was for the girls- they thought they would finally get to park in the garage. Sorry!

 

[FLCJ8]

Well, the county made it beyond difficult to build the big shop that I had planned, so I'm building a smaller garage sized shop for my son-in-law so that I can have the attached garage for myself. The biggest advantage for me is the heater/a/c unit is in the garage, so it stays toasty in winter and cool in summer! I'm OK with that! His garage is going to be 20X20, mine is 20X26. The biggest disappointment was for the girls- they thought they would finally get to park in the garage. Sorry!

Kind of sounds like my county.
I can build 2-6 detached garages under ~1050sq. ft. each, not totaling over 2100 sq.ft. or only 1 not over 1050 sq. ft.

 

[jeepdreamer]

Hate to hear you guys getting flak for wanting to build a dream shop. That's one of my non-negotable points when we start our home/land search. Figure I'll build the shop off the 2 shipping containers I have. Maybe 80x60-68ish?

And here's my portly sig. CCO adds some but it's still manageable.

 

[zr10054]

Yea I much prefer my AR's over my Sig.

 

[Randyzzz]

What to do, What to do....

As is disturbingly obvious from the lack of posts in either of my build threads, I haven't made diddly for progress on either the Scrambler or the J20. Life seems to be keeping me more than busy, and somehow my wife's horses are also taking an unpredicted amount of my time. This is mostly due to the dumping of snow that we've been getting, so hopefully that will diminish soon. I have been selling off lots of the train stuff, but at the rate I'm going it will take another 6 months or so. And I have it spread out all over the garage. As if that wasn't enough...

My Mother lives in So Cal, alone for the last 13 years since my Dad passed away. She's 92 and still drives and is very active. However lately she knows that she's slowing down and has decided that she needs to be up here. We were planning on relocating possible to NC or TN in 5 years or so, but this changes things. Initially we thought selling our current home and building another here in OR with an attached mother-in-law suite would be best. But after much thought we decided that adding to our current house would be the best solution. Seeing as we're going to have to go through Permit hell anyways, we'll have a real shop and hay barn built at the same time. So, another busy summer and a lot of activity.

How does this effect my builds? I realize that it will be a long time before anything gets finished. I also realize that I want the Scrambler to be "perfect", and therefore it will take the most time, and the largest budget. The 81 Scrambler will be my "keeper", and the 82 will be getting sold at some point. The J20 has a rugged coolness as it sits, and I could get away for the time being with a complete interior and mechanical restoration, and save the paint and body work for later. This gives me a workable budget and the possibility of having something driveable this year. Sooo.... looks like I'll switch gears yet again and start work on the J20, as soon as I can get it out of the snow drifts and back into the garage. I'll throw the front clip back on the Scrambler, seal the bare metal areas, and cover it up until I'm ready to go.

Anyone still have a J Truck front bench that they want to part with?

 

[bigwalton]

I'm reading this as I'm going on minute 89 of phone call to my mom's prescription drug plan company to straighten out a screwup as her power of attorney. I feel for you big time on the changes that parents' situations can make in your life.

I've been a fan of the idea of getting the J truck drivable and just enjoying it close to as-is, even if you need do some things you'll undo sometime down the line when you go all-in. I know you said the wiring's a mess, but maybe pulling back on your requirements for a "complete" interior restoration and just making something work for now?

Just throwing out some thoughts. Excited for your shop, if nothing else!

 

[Randyzzz]

Thanks, Eric. This is all going to be good. It will be nice to have my Mom on-site, it takes too long for us to get to her now, and I hate hearing how all the trades take advantage of older people when they need repairs. Last visit was $1200 for a new garage door opener. They wanted $5000 for a new garage door, I called the neighbor and it got fixed with a buck's worth of lubricant. Plus, with her addition we are going to enlarge our upstairs bedroom so my wife has a nice big office/studio for her photography. Plus a balcony overlooking her horses.

As far as the shop, I'm excited too, although it may end up going to my son-in-law. It is going to be 24X28, a nice size but not huge. I've gotten spoiled in my oversize 2 car garage, the home heating unit is in there and it stays at about 68 degrees year round. I added a carport over summer, may just make it into a 3rd bay. That's more than enough. The building will be 24X48 overall, bit the back half is for hay storage.

I have an easy out on the J20 wiring- I've parted a few Waggys and saved the harnesses. I know I can make something work quite easily. The hardest part now is finding suitable seating and an engine. Seeing as the interior is stripped bare, I might as well install new stuff as opposed to the junk I took out. Besides, I already trashed the seats and the horrible factory HVAC unit. I did find a new headliner on EBay last week, I thought that was going to be difficult...

I'll keep this thread updated as I progress. Biggest immediate challenge- waiting for the huge snow berm to melt so I can pull the J20 out of the back yard. Note to self- never pile all the driveway snow in front of the gate.

 

[John N]

I saw a picture of Ford Explorer seats and console in a J-truck that looked like a good fit. Looked good too. You might check that out.

 

[Randyzzz]

I saw a picture of Ford Explorer seats and console in a J-truck that looked like a good fit. Looked good too. You might check that out.

I'll take a look. 3 days a week at Ford gives me a good chance to look at various Ford seats. My biggest issue is finding a seat that has a thin enough back for maximum legroom. The Waggy power seats were too thick.

 

[Randyzzz]

Think I got a line on an engine. Lot more $$ than I expected, but it only has 25K miles on it. 2010 5.3 LMF, out of a van. 310HP/334TQ stock. Just have to see how much shipping is going to set me back. I turned down a complete 6.0 for $1500, it had 206K miles. And also there was a 2000 Tahoe with 260K on the clock but a rebuilt trans. No proof of the trans rebuild and no title either, so I passed even at $1000 for the whole thing. Probably wish I'd picked it up for parts...

Now I'm going to have to figure out the new computer system. I like the LMF engine because it has no cylinder deactivation (AFM) and it came with a 4L80E stock. It does have variable valve timing, but that's not a bad thing. If it doesn't make enough power I'll swap it into the 81 when the time is right and build a nice 6.0 like I originally planned.

Wish me luck!

 

[FLCJ8]

Wishing you luck.
Sounds like it should work well.

 

[Randyzzz]

No Joy. Guy on the phone was a jerk, so I decided to get some online reviews. Couldn't find anything that wasn't negative. No thanks. I've got one more place to try tomorrow, but I'm about to just pull the trigger on a reman with a warranty.