Hello:
I have been lurking around here for a couple of months. When it started becoming obvious that IFSJA may not be around forever, I started coming here. It has been nice to see that the same relaxed helpful attitude prevails here.
Anyway, I started into FSJs about 6 years ago. I have traditionally been a Toyota man.
My club was asked by the Jeep Jamboree Group to lead trails at their new Wyoming event. Needless to say, if I wanted to participate I needed a Jeep. I didn’t really want a CJ, YJ, TJ, or JK, and FSJs in Montana are plentyfull and cheap.
First I found a 79 Cherokee for $200.00. It ran but it was about as worn out as a vehicle can be and still move under its own power. I decided to part it out and move on. Next I found a 77 J20 for $250.00. It had not run in 15 years. Again I parted it out. Now I was committed, I had a very large pile of spare FSJ parts and nowhere to use them. Luckily a friend of a friend decided to sell his 74 J20. It was his garbage hauling rig, but clean straight and running.
It was a 74 J20 with a refreshed 401. How could I not buy it?
I used it as my Home Depot hauler and Jeep Jamboree vehicle for 4 years. It was fun guiding smaller and more modern jeeps through the mountains in a bone stock full size pickup.
For those 4 years I could not find a clear vision of how I wanted to build the truck. At one point I even bought a Dodge Cummins doner to do a diesel conversion.
Coming off the mountain a year and a half ago the Quadratrac leaked itself dry and wasn’t happy. Luckily I made it back to base camp and trailered it home.
Then it sat for a year. I had to borrow a YJ for last year’s jamboree. Time constraints meant that the diesel conversion would be a 3+ year project. So, I decided to go a little less complex.
Here is where I am at right now with the project:
Keep the 401 (Still deciding on fuel injection)
Spring of over and shackle reversal front suspension
Cross over Steering
63” Chevy rear springs
t-18A Transmission
Hydraulic Clutch
Hydro boost Brakes
Dana 20 Transfer Case
Dodge Dana 60 Centered diff rear end
35” tires
Custom bumpers
Floor Board metal repair
Custom Seats
Blast, strengthen, and paint the frame
Here are the photos of where I am now
I only get about 8 to 12 hours a month to work on it. Those tend to be late at night and into the early morning.
I need to have it back together by mid July. That may seem like a long way off but time flies when you are having fun.
I will start updating as I make progress. Thanks for giving me a place to come for support and ideas.
Tory