1974 304 J10

[Rockwell B1]

Just copy/pasted my posts over from IFSJA since its looking like this may be the new home.

Figured it was time for introductions since I got things squared away and will finally have a FSJ next week. Long time lurker since I've been looking for a J-Truck for a long time but could never find one in decent enough shape in my area or in my price range. I ended up discovering the MJs so I've had three of those and I have been regretting getting rid of my last one ever since I did. So I figured it was time to look for a full size truck this time and I almost ended up buying a near mint '85 K-10 Silverado until I found this '74 J10. I don't know too much about it but I figured the 300 mile drive home in it will be plenty of time to get acquainted with it.

So here is the info from the listing and the pics that were there as well. Once I get it home I'll get some more pics, better info, and figure out what I will be doing to it. All I know right now is that I'm curious as to what the original engine was or if it is maybe just listed wrong, I'll check the stamping/vin when I get it home.

304 V8
NEW CARB
NEW MALLORY HEI DISTRIBUTOR
MSD PLUG WIRES
NEW RADIATOR
NEW WINDSHIELD
REBUILT 3 SPEED TRANSMISSION - MANUAL W/ NEW RAM CLUTCH
4" SUPERLIFT LIFT KIT
NEW 33" BFG ALL TERRAIN TIRES
NEW 15 x 8 STEEL WHEELS
DOLPHIN STREET ROD GUAGES IN DASH
OTHER MISC. NEW PARTS

[Rockwell B1]

Picked this thing up yesterday, had a fun 6hr 300mi trip or so back. No problems other than a small hiccup when we were about an hour or so from home. Seemed like it sucked something up in the fuel that it didn't like and wasn't getting enough fuel. Just had to pull over and let it settle and it was good for the rest of the way. Not sure how long it had been sitting so ran premium 93 in it all the way home to try and clean it up some. It started out with some hesitating when accelerating but things must have cleaned up because it started to accelerate and drive much better after a couple gallons of fresh fuel got through it. The fuel gauge though didn't seem to work very well so we were just sort of guessing and filling up after so many miles each time. Only put 12gals in when I got it, an then two or three more fill-ups of 7gals each time (we were basically stopping every 100 or so miles).

The suspension is pretty stiff and made for some fun bounces, almost like riding in a speedboat on waves with the way some of the roads were paved.

It needs a bit of TLC for rust, but it really isn't that bad and most of it is surface or only just starting to go through. The underside looks clean and the frame is in great shape with most of it still being black. No leaks to speak of, other than when I got it home found out the reservoir tank for the coolant doesn't have the correct top and the hose isn't in very well so that drips a bit. But mechanically the thing seems solid. I need to get out and test the 4wd but it'll be a few till I get to that.

It came with a bunch of spare parts like new door and window seals, bunch of new belts and gaskets, new front turn signals, new rockers and floorpans from BJs, and a bunch of other stuff. It also came with the headliner board, visors, and still has the original radio (that works) and clock in the dash.

And I found out it originally had a 360 in it, so not sure why a 304 was swapped in but it ran great. Seemed to run as good as an old K-10 I had that had Holley, Edelbrock, and everything else done to it so it would scream. No complaints at all with it, and it seemed to do decent on gas.

[Rockwell B1]

So I've not done much to it since getting it, honestly it doesn't really need much, but I do have one coat of paint on it finally so it's starting to freshen up a bit. I figured up the cost of what all was done to it, plus all the new spare parts that came with it, and I only paid a little bit more then what all the new spare parts that came with it cost. So I found one heck of a deal!

While going through all the boxes of parts I found a little AMC logo badge, and after doing some searching I'm guessing it is the one that goes on my tailgate. Does anyone know where at on the tailgate it goes?

Aside from the fresh paint I'm planning on adding a radio to my glovebox and some speakers behind my seat, all while leaving the stock radio hooked up. I'm also planning on installing a Viper alarm since people have been messing with it at night, I really wish my tailgate had a lock like the newer trucks. I'm also planning on getting me some por-15 and coating the floor of the cab with it since my windshield and rear window leaks a bit. I might then dynamat and rhino line it. I'm also thinking about some hood pins or something so I can lock the hood.

Before I start on any of that though I need to figure out why my gas gauge doesn't work right, fix my bouncy speedo, and figure out why my rpm gauge climbs on its own for a little bit before reading correctly. If these gauges didn't look so cool I would just swap the factory ones back in to sort it all out.

I'll get some pics of it with the freshened up paint this week. I'm still trying to decide if I want to put the white pinstripes on the sides back on it or not.

[Rockwell B1]

I was out taking pics of my alt and engine for another thread where I'm trying to figure out how to go about a CS-144 swap maybe and figured I'd get some decent pics of the whole thing.

Here it was mid-painting. The cab has not been touched yet and is how it looked when I got it. The bed has a fresh coat on it. All the black has a fresh coat already. I also replaced the clear turn lenses with the amber ones.


These are after the whole thing has had a coat, except the white. I plan on finding the trim that runs down the side or making my own.






Interior. Going to be getting a black vinyl floor kit and covering the seat, unless someone wants to trade a seat that folds for a recovered green seat that doesn't fold down.




Engine bay. Yea, I have no clue what all its missing or what year the engine is yet (been putting off pulling the valve covers), just that it seems to be missing a lot and there is no trace of a washer fluid system other than the sprayer on the cowl and the dash switch. It could also probably stand to be rewired, but wiring is not my thing. So that will get done down the road when a Cummins gets swapped in. For now there is a very strong running engine in there and that's all that matters.

[Rockwell B1]

Some recent pics of how it sits now. Notice I got some more badges on it, including correct 304 v8 ones (still need to remove the amc grille one). I also have the side trim for the cab I could put on, but I need the pieces that run down the side of the bed still so I think I'll wait. I also have historical plates on it now and the tailgate chains from the older trucks. I plan on adding loops to my gate, as soon as I figure out how, so I can lock it up as we have a scrap stealing problem around here. Idiots consider old tailgates perfect for some reason.

I have not been driving it much since it doesn't seem to like the humidity, either that or something else is wrong with it. It will start chugging and acting like it isn't getting any fuel. I almost want to bet it doesn't like the ethanol one bit, but there aren't any stations even remotely close to me that sell pure gas that I could test out.

[Stuka]

Nice looking truck. I am very jealous of your tail gate. One of the nicest ones I have seen. Bummer you have the T15 instead of the T18. But over all a great looking truck!

[Kaiserman]

And it has a very nice looking gauge cluster as well! Nice work.

[lindel]

Sharp truck!

[carnuck]

Anyone near you sell Amsoil products? A bottle of PI will probably clean it up if fuel related. What voltage is getting to the MSD HEI coil? Is it coil in cap? If so, the ground strap may be missing.

[Captjeep]

Truck looks awesome! Love the tricolor paint scheme.

[Rockwell B1]

Thanks all. Yes the tail gate gets many complements, not a dent on it. Most of the truck is that way in fact, no bondo and very little rust. Any rust that is present is either just pinholes, just starting to bubble, or has been repaired (passenger side floor and back right flare). I'll replace the flares someday since these have been trimmed a minor bit and I want to get some fully intact, these would be great for an off road rig or someone with much more aggressive/larger tires.

I'll have to check on the HEI next time I get the chance. I currently have the thing parked at my dads place because I was working on fixing the front bumper and I can't work on it where I live or the neighbors/HOA tend to get snobby. Other then running the premium through it I never tried any other system cleaner or PI stuff either, I've always been told they are mostly just gimmicks. Probably worth a shot though as I don't see them harming the beast.

And yup, I really like the tricolor theme as well. I might change the red to orange down the road though, give it that true 70s color.

[jaber]

Beautiful truck. I really like the guage cluster.
that you
In the second post, you talked about the first ride home-
"No problems other than a small hiccup when we were about an hour or so from home. Seemed like it sucked something up in the fuel that it didn't like and wasn't getting enough fuel. Just had to pull over and let it settle and it was good for the rest of the way. "
This makes me wonder if the screen in the tank might need cleaning.

[Rockwell B1]

I do need to check the sock out sometime, see what kind of shape it is in, but I don't think that was the problem encountered now that I've had the truck and have driven it much more. What it was doing on the ride home is exactly the same thing it still does from time to time.

I suppose what it is doing could be described as a hesitation, but odd thing is I've only noticed it when it is humid out. Seems to only happen when the truck is warmed up, and normally it starts acting up while cruising and then it impedes the ability to accelerate. I have to give it more gas to keep it going a steady pace until it stops. If I were to slow down and stop to let it idle it would probably die (though I've never tested this for sure). I need to get out and do some driving tests and record what happens but just have not had the time, especially since it is a hit or miss issue that only seems to show at the most inconvenient times and not when you want it to.

Stuff I have checked/replaced because of this:
fuel filter in engine bay, air filter, plugs and wires, and carb
higher octane fuel doesn't seem to matter either

[mrtazwrench]

Looking good! I see some things on it I would have done, I'm going for a mostly stock look though.

[AustinAubinoe]

cool, not a whole lot of factory 304 trucks. Id keep it just for the cool factor!

[ttoolbelt]

Nice looking truck. I am very jealous of your tail gate. One of the nicest ones I have seen. Bummer you have the T15 instead of the T18. But over all a great looking truck!

Beautiful Truck.

So what is the difference between a T15 and T18? Im new to jeeps and not sure what these terms mean.
Tim

[Stuka]

Nice looking truck. I am very jealous of your tail gate. One of the nicest ones I have seen. Bummer you have the T15 instead of the T18. But over all a great looking truck!

Beautiful Truck.

So what is the difference between a T15 and T18? Im new to jeeps and not sure what these terms mean.
Tim

T15 = 3sp

T18 = 4sp and typically with a 6.32:1 first gear (CJ's got a close ratio with a 4.x:1 first gear).

[tgreese]

cool, not a whole lot of factory 304 trucks. Id keep it just for the cool factor!

You guys understand that the 304 has been swapped in to this truck? Look at the VIN - an "N" in the VIN is for a 360 2V. A factory 304 would have a "H" in the VIN.

Pretty sure that the only years for factory 304s in FSJs were 1971 and 1972. A J-truck with a 304 is a nice truck though - nothing bad about them, other than Jeep did not sell enough of them to keep offering them. The T-15 is a lot easier to drive than the T-18 ... this truck should be quite a pleasant ride.

The only thing I would worry about is that it has the right flywheel. The 304 and 360 have the same crank, so I'd think the balance would be close, but the 304 and 360 flywheels are balanced differently.

[carnuck]

You get a slight vibe with 360 vs 304 flywheel balance on the wrong motor. As long as the harmonic balancer is correct they won't fly apart. I took a dremel to the 360 flexplate for my '73 J4000 but the teeth were too chewed for it to start all the time.