New to forums, kinda new to Jeeps and needing advice

Modified FSJ Tech Area
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Topic author
Aeol
Posts: 56
Joined: Mon Feb 18, 2013 10:52 am

New to forums, kinda new to Jeeps and needing advice

Post by Aeol »

I inherited a 73 Jeep J4000 when my grand dad passed away recently. Lots of good hunting memories with him in this truck. Now before I get all quivery and sobby I'm going to try to get this out. 8ft bed, wide track, v8 360.

I want to 'restore' the truck, not to original, it is already all original. Even the cardboard glove box is in good shape. But there are some spots that are mangled. It still runs but it has some issues. I'm hoping someone has ran into these before and can offer some advice. I plan on painting the whole thing inside and out with Grizzly Grip. Heard a lot of good stuff about it and using it for this.

-Replacement dash board top? Some companies stop around 76. Kinda frustrating!
-Changing from bench to bucket seats? Seats are going to need to be reupholstered at least, figured I'd look at something with seat belts.
-Aux gas tank? This model had it, all told about 50 gallon capacity, but I know it isn't working. Valve is under driver seat.
-Rust. Has very little and been cared for quite well. The rear bumper was a casualty however. Are their original replacements or should I use a Dozer?
-Various bits and bobs need to be replaced like window lifters/seals. Are these a headache?
-Front Bumper. I want a grill/brush/headlight guard, but I can't find a company that makes one for the 73. Most stop at 74 :(

Any advise would be awesome.

*edit*
Also, what would be the max tire/wheel size I could fit without using a lift kit? I've heard 35x9.5, truth?
Last edited by Aeol on Wed Feb 27, 2013 6:57 am, edited 1 time in total.
I know nothing about Jeeps other than I love'em.
Jeep information level
[||--------]
J3A452WN - 1973 V8-360 J-4500 Townside Automatic
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Stuka
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Re: New to forums, kinda new to Jeeps and needing advice

Post by Stuka »

First off, welcome!

For the dash pads, this is tough. While the main dash was the same from 63-85, there was some differences in the style of the dash pads. But one from a '76 may work fine for yours. Just know you have to pull the wind shield to replace it.

You need the seat mounts from an FSJ that came with bucket seats. So a Cherokee or Wagoneer most likely. They will bolt in to your truck. I have them in mine. The seat belts are the same and are not different for the seat type.

Is this a factory of after market tank? You will need to do some digging as to what brand it was. The factory ones are rare from what I know, every one I have seen is after market or dealer installed.

There are not any factory replacement bumpers unless you get it off another truck from a junk yard. With that said, I love my Dozer.

The door windows are not too bad. The window wipes are easy, seals are easy-ish. The lifter can be a pain, but not sure if they are available new.

You will find after market bumpers are almost all 79+, as in '79 they added frame howns which makes aftermakret bumpers very easy to mount. For '78 and older you need to fab on bumper mounts. I welded on "horns" that mimic'ed the 79+ setup onto my '75.
2017 JKU Rubicon
Pevious Jeeps: 1981 J10, 1975 Cherokee, 2008 JK, 2005 KJ, 1989 XJ
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lindel
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Re: New to forums, kinda new to Jeeps and needing advice

Post by lindel »

I know that Janie transplanted a GW dash pad that I gave her into one of her 79 J-10s, so it will work. I just don't know how much extra work it would be for you in a 73. It is doable tho.
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lil jeep mec
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Re: New to forums, kinda new to Jeeps and needing advice

Post by lil jeep mec »

i have a stock 78 j10 and i can shove 35-14-15 under it.
78 j10 4bbl 360 on 35's
360, t18, d20, d44, 4.09's
plan on...
-SOA
-40's-77's
-Axletech 4000's 4 wheel steer
-not cutting the flares
-twin stick
-4 link front and rear

Topic author
Aeol
Posts: 56
Joined: Mon Feb 18, 2013 10:52 am

Re: New to forums, kinda new to Jeeps and needing advice

Post by Aeol »

Great information! I appreciate it. Kinda hate to hear that about the dash pad. Mine collapsed where the speaker well is. The rest is OK for now.

Thanks for the info on the tires. That lets me know exactly what I need to find.

No idea on who installed the gas tank. I know it wasn't installed by my grand dad. Access point through a stand pipe in the bed. He used it during gas rationing in the 70's to make it around.
I know nothing about Jeeps other than I love'em.
Jeep information level
[||--------]
J3A452WN - 1973 V8-360 J-4500 Townside Automatic

Topic author
Aeol
Posts: 56
Joined: Mon Feb 18, 2013 10:52 am

Re: New to forums, kinda new to Jeeps and needing advice

Post by Aeol »

lil jeep mec wrote:i have a stock 78 j10 and i can shove 35-14-15 under it.
Speaking of that, what about the speedo/odo?
I know nothing about Jeeps other than I love'em.
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J3A452WN - 1973 V8-360 J-4500 Townside Automatic
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Stuka
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Re: New to forums, kinda new to Jeeps and needing advice

Post by Stuka »

Aeol wrote:
lil jeep mec wrote:i have a stock 78 j10 and i can shove 35-14-15 under it.
Speaking of that, what about the speedo/odo?
The speedo will be off, and power will be way down due to incorrect gearing for that tire size.

As for a size that will fit, I would not go over 33x12.50 on an 8" wide wheel with anything less than 4" of lift. I have 6" of lift with 34's and the rear fender grab the tires offroad. Makes for some nice slices in the tread lugs :(
2017 JKU Rubicon
Pevious Jeeps: 1981 J10, 1975 Cherokee, 2008 JK, 2005 KJ, 1989 XJ

lil jeep mec
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Re: New to forums, kinda new to Jeeps and needing advice

Post by lil jeep mec »

i didn't have an issue, i guess i should have clarified, i ran them for about 200 mi only on road, the front can flex out all the way, or they did in the shop with the jack stands. they turn all the way with no issues. i didn't check the rears
78 j10 4bbl 360 on 35's
360, t18, d20, d44, 4.09's
plan on...
-SOA
-40's-77's
-Axletech 4000's 4 wheel steer
-not cutting the flares
-twin stick
-4 link front and rear

Topic author
Aeol
Posts: 56
Joined: Mon Feb 18, 2013 10:52 am

Re: New to forums, kinda new to Jeeps and needing advice

Post by Aeol »

Well the 235 75 15's look almost like the thing is skated, so I want something larger. Can the speedometer gear be swapped out? And what can I 'safely' go to tire size wise without having to worry about the gear ratios too much?
I know nothing about Jeeps other than I love'em.
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J3A452WN - 1973 V8-360 J-4500 Townside Automatic
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Stuka
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Re: New to forums, kinda new to Jeeps and needing advice

Post by Stuka »

Yeah 235's look horrible on a J-Truck. 31's came from the factory on a lot of J-Truck trims. And they look fine even with a bit of lift. 33's fill the wheel wells more, but if they are larger 33's they will rub in back. But most 33's are 32.5" tall and fit fine. As for gearing, depends what you have now. If you have 3.54's, 33's are the largest you want to go, but 31's work best. If you have the optional 4.10's, then 33's are perfect.


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2017 JKU Rubicon
Pevious Jeeps: 1981 J10, 1975 Cherokee, 2008 JK, 2005 KJ, 1989 XJ

Topic author
Aeol
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Joined: Mon Feb 18, 2013 10:52 am

Re: New to forums, kinda new to Jeeps and needing advice

Post by Aeol »

Not sure what is more impressive: The quantity and level of factual information OR the fact you did it from an iPhone O_O
I know nothing about Jeeps other than I love'em.
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J3A452WN - 1973 V8-360 J-4500 Townside Automatic
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jaber
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Re: New to forums, kinda new to Jeeps and needing advice

Post by jaber »

Hey Aeol, glad you found us... Image

So, wheres the pics of this beauty?
Jeff

'46 cj3a
'51 Willys p/u
'51 Willys Parkway Conversion
'74 CJ5
'75 J-20 Wrecker
'75 J-20 Cummins service truck
'77 J-10 p/u
'79 Cherokee
'88 Grand Wagoneer
http://s252.photobucket.com/albums/hh14/jeffaber/

Topic author
Aeol
Posts: 56
Joined: Mon Feb 18, 2013 10:52 am

Re: New to forums, kinda new to Jeeps and needing advice

Post by Aeol »

This'll work for now. http://webpages.charter.net/aeol_wind/

Rust along the bottom of Tailgate is worrying me. Hard to get item. Rocker panels seem Ok. Bed has some surface rust.

Current plan is:

Motor is/was tip top, so hopefully only a hydrobooster upgrade. Has a 4 barrel carb installed already.
Grizzly Grip 'paint' job. Over and under on body panels & interior. Hopefully same for frame. Same color scheme.
Replace any body bushings & fix any frame issues while it is torn down.
Figure out how to fix the dash.
Changing from bench to bucket seats and adding a center console.
Replace rubber gaskets/seals. Driver window is shot so fixing/replacing the lifters.
Replace the running/parking lights all around.
Aux gas tank line and aux gas tank are messed up.
Motor is/was tip top, so hopefully only a hydrobooster upgrade.
Change the tires back to 31's.

My grandad mentioned that he had the 'passing gear' on the transmission 'unhooked'. Any clue what he might have been referring too?
I know nothing about Jeeps other than I love'em.
Jeep information level
[||--------]
J3A452WN - 1973 V8-360 J-4500 Townside Automatic
User avatar

jaber
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Re: New to forums, kinda new to Jeeps and needing advice

Post by jaber »

Beautiful truck, your Gpa took good care of it.

I wonder if he's referring to the kickdown.

I'm pulling most of my dash pads and filling holes. AZ is not kind to those things... :banghead:
Jeff

'46 cj3a
'51 Willys p/u
'51 Willys Parkway Conversion
'74 CJ5
'75 J-20 Wrecker
'75 J-20 Cummins service truck
'77 J-10 p/u
'79 Cherokee
'88 Grand Wagoneer
http://s252.photobucket.com/albums/hh14/jeffaber/
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