The General

Area to show off your Custom Build threads.
User avatar

Topic author
ktrosper
Posts: 50
Joined: Tue Nov 26, 2013 2:11 pm
Location: Ft. Collins, CO

The General

Post by ktrosper »

I'm a bit intimidated by y'all's incredible builds and deep knowledge of the FSJ's.. I know mine isn't anything to write home about - but I love it!

Name: The General - Inspired by the paint job it had when I bought it. Sadly I had to paint over it for fear of being lynched by the neighbors!!
Acquired: Fall of 2013 - Yep! Poor things been waiting patiently for a little TLC..
Build plan: Total restoration will have to wait.. For now, my 15 year old and I will be rebuilding the engine together to get it usable..
Use: Hunting truck, FWD & Camping truck, 2 day per week to/from work driver..

I'm pretty handy but I'd appreciate your input and advice as this project moves along.
Thanks,
Kelly
Image
"The General"
'79 Jeep J-20 | 360 | TH400 | BW 1339 | D44 (3.73) | D60-3 (3.73) | Stock Suspension | 33" Tires
Build Thread:http://www.fsjnetwork.com/forum/viewtop ... 12&t=11420
User avatar

Tatsadasayago
Posts: 3684
Joined: Thu Aug 28, 2014 2:22 pm
Location: Sacramento, CA

Re: The General

Post by Tatsadasayago »

Nice looking J-Truck!
Welcome to the network/madness :)
1977 Cherokee Chief - The Blair Jeep Project III
A collection of parts flying in close formation
User avatar

Topic author
ktrosper
Posts: 50
Joined: Tue Nov 26, 2013 2:11 pm
Location: Ft. Collins, CO

Re: The General

Post by ktrosper »

No turning back now, eh?
Image
Image
Image
That's 37 years of dirt and grime..
Disassembly and inspection begins tonight :)
"The General"
'79 Jeep J-20 | 360 | TH400 | BW 1339 | D44 (3.73) | D60-3 (3.73) | Stock Suspension | 33" Tires
Build Thread:http://www.fsjnetwork.com/forum/viewtop ... 12&t=11420
User avatar

REDONE
Posts: 2678
Joined: Tue Sep 13, 2011 5:48 pm
Location: Lakewood and Bailey, CO

Re: The General

Post by REDONE »

Woohoo! Looks like fun and you're in a great place to be rebuilding an FSJ. Blake is just in Longmont (his J-10 is famous, he did the Petersons Ultimate Adventure a few years ago), and down here in Denver there's a bunch more of us that get together from time to time for grilling, wrenching, and lying about things we've seen or done. Hope to see you and the General soon! :-bd
79 J-10 (Honcho Mucho) KE0LSU
304/Performance Fuel Injection TBI/MTA1/SP2P/Magnum rockers
T18/D20/D44s&4.10s/33" Mud Claws
Grizzly Locker Rear
4" front spring drop, 5" rear shackle flip
Chevy style HEI (ECM controlled)
Dolphin "Shark" gauges in a fancy homemade oak bezel
3/4 resto, rotting faster than I've been fixing it.

Nikkormat
Posts: 3623
Joined: Sun Jun 29, 2014 11:45 pm
Location: Salt Lake City

Re: The General

Post by Nikkormat »

Yeah! Get that thing done for Moab in the spring! :fsj:
Gabe, "reformed" Jeep hoarder.

twisted frame
Posts: 637
Joined: Wed Mar 27, 2013 9:41 am
Location: Massachusetts

Re: The General

Post by twisted frame »

Very good looking truck! I can't tell from the photo but are those the older Selectro front hubs?
73 J4000. 360, MC 2100, T18A, D20, stock closed knuckle Dana 44 front, 60-2 rear. Warn Lock-O-Matics, Warn/Belleview electric winch, true duals with glasspacks, old-school front diff skid plate, used 265 Toyos on 16" AR wheels.
User avatar

REDONE
Posts: 2678
Joined: Tue Sep 13, 2011 5:48 pm
Location: Lakewood and Bailey, CO

Re: The General

Post by REDONE »

twisted frame wrote:Very good looking truck! I can't tell from the photo but are those the older Selectro front hubs?
I'm pretty sure they're just the regular slugs since it's a Quadratrac rig.
79 J-10 (Honcho Mucho) KE0LSU
304/Performance Fuel Injection TBI/MTA1/SP2P/Magnum rockers
T18/D20/D44s&4.10s/33" Mud Claws
Grizzly Locker Rear
4" front spring drop, 5" rear shackle flip
Chevy style HEI (ECM controlled)
Dolphin "Shark" gauges in a fancy homemade oak bezel
3/4 resto, rotting faster than I've been fixing it.
User avatar

Skerrvydog
Posts: 157
Joined: Wed Nov 18, 2015 6:48 am

Re: The General

Post by Skerrvydog »

ktrosper wrote:I'm a bit intimidated by y'all's incredible builds and deep knowledge of the FSJ's.. I know mine isn't anything to write home about - but I love it!

Name: The General - Inspired by the paint job it had when I bought it. Sadly I had to paint over it for fear of being lynched by the neighbors!!
Acquired: Fall of 2013 - Yep! Poor things been waiting patiently for a little TLC..
Build plan: Total restoration will have to wait.. For now, my 15 year old and I will be rebuilding the engine together to get it usable..
Use: Hunting truck, FWD & Camping truck, 2 day per week to/from work driver..

I'm pretty handy but I'd appreciate your input and advice as this project moves along.
Thanks,
Kelly
Image
I recently met a guy around the corner from me with a 70 something Cherk, with real General Lee air horns in the bay. Always gives me a toot when he drives by!
79 Wagoneer - "Sally" - Work in progress
((SOLD))87 Grand Wagoneer - "Benjamin Brown, Plow Dog": The brown helps disguise the rust.
99 XJ Cherokee - "Jack" - DD
User avatar

az chip
Posts: 1433
Joined: Tue Jul 14, 2015 8:59 pm
Location: Mesa, AZ

Re: The General

Post by az chip »

Nice truck! You are on your way.
'81 Cherokee Chief 81 WT Chief/MSD 6/Holley Sniper/ Rusty 4" Spring lift/ Bulltear oil adapter/K&P Engineering Oil Filter/ NP 208/ Serehill Light Harness/KC LED Headlights/ Evil Twin Fab Roof Rack and sliders/ Ross mirror mounts.

BRUTUS
Posts: 219
Joined: Wed Jun 18, 2014 8:36 pm
Location: Fort Collins CO

Re: The General

Post by BRUTUS »

I would love to stop by sometime and check out the progress.

I love the old paintjob!
'74 J30 with some upgrades
User avatar

Topic author
ktrosper
Posts: 50
Joined: Tue Nov 26, 2013 2:11 pm
Location: Ft. Collins, CO

Re: The General

Post by ktrosper »

Thanks guys :) Glad to know some of you are in the area. Looking forward to meeting you and picking your brains for sure.

We made some nice progress this week, albeit slow. Making sure the boy is involved in every step and homework trumps truck work ;)

We've stripped most of the accessories off at this point.
Removed the boat anchor that is the cast intake - HOLY S#!% that was heavy!
Removed the heads..
Image
Image
"The General"
'79 Jeep J-20 | 360 | TH400 | BW 1339 | D44 (3.73) | D60-3 (3.73) | Stock Suspension | 33" Tires
Build Thread:http://www.fsjnetwork.com/forum/viewtop ... 12&t=11420
User avatar

Topic author
ktrosper
Posts: 50
Joined: Tue Nov 26, 2013 2:11 pm
Location: Ft. Collins, CO

Re: The General

Post by ktrosper »

Got some time to finish disassembly of the engine today..
Image
Image
Image
At first glance everything seems pretty healthy.. Looking forward to getting the major components to the machine shop for cleaning and evaluation :)

Looking forward to working with the machine shop to find out what's necessary.. Once I have that I'll talk to y'all about the build options for this low-rpm torquer :-bd
"The General"
'79 Jeep J-20 | 360 | TH400 | BW 1339 | D44 (3.73) | D60-3 (3.73) | Stock Suspension | 33" Tires
Build Thread:http://www.fsjnetwork.com/forum/viewtop ... 12&t=11420
User avatar

Topic author
ktrosper
Posts: 50
Joined: Tue Nov 26, 2013 2:11 pm
Location: Ft. Collins, CO

Re: The General

Post by ktrosper »

Heading to the machine shop Monday with the heavy stuff :) So they'll need the block, crankshaft, pistons/connecting rods, heads and valves (cam, lifter, rockers, springs and push rods will be replaced).. Right? With that we can determine what machining must take place and what needs replaced?
If I have the heads decked/shaved to up the compression a bit, will that change the geometry of the intake to the extent that it'll need machined also? Should I bring the intake in as well?

Regarding the engine build.
My plan is basically "stock plus".. I want low RPM torque and I'll consider big "bang for the buck" upgrades that make sense and are easy to maintain. I'm a big fan of K.I.S.S. I'll eventually lift it and spin 35's or 36's- so some axle ratio work is probably in my future. Right now I'll keep the 33's and 3.73's.

I've settled on an Engle 5052H cam:
Image
Should do fine for what I'm after..

I'll be swapping out the 2bbl (MC2100 or 2150??) to a 4bbl Quadrajet.. Why? It fits my "bag for the buck" principle I guess because I found the 4bbl spread bore intake in the bed of the truck and my reading suggests that upgrading from 2bbl to 4bbl give you a nice power boost on this 360... Can't afford a TBI and would prefer not to drop several hundred dollars on a performer intake/holley..
Image

I'll put the iron manifolds back on. Sounds like they flow nicely and will be fine for this build.
Image
Image
See that part at the base of the passenger side manifold? The bolts at the pipe flange were frozen hard core when the boy and I yanked the engine so we unbolted it at the heads and just left it.. I finally got around to working the thing free today and notice a strange part on the end of it between the manifold and the pipe...
Closer examination revealed a spring actuated butterfly valve.
Image
HAH! Is this some kind of trick used to pass emissions? Would it essentially cut emissions in half when it's closed?
Image
Too funny.. It won't be going back on but I got a laugh outta that.
:D
"The General"
'79 Jeep J-20 | 360 | TH400 | BW 1339 | D44 (3.73) | D60-3 (3.73) | Stock Suspension | 33" Tires
Build Thread:http://www.fsjnetwork.com/forum/viewtop ... 12&t=11420

Nikkormat
Posts: 3623
Joined: Sun Jun 29, 2014 11:45 pm
Location: Salt Lake City

Re: The General

Post by Nikkormat »

Bad news friend, that manifold won't accept a quadrajet. It's a different spread bore. A MC4350.

I've got the carb you need. PM me.
Gabe, "reformed" Jeep hoarder.
User avatar

Topic author
ktrosper
Posts: 50
Joined: Tue Nov 26, 2013 2:11 pm
Location: Ft. Collins, CO

Re: The General

Post by ktrosper »

Oh crap. Ok well cool.. That's exactly why I'm tossing this out to you guys. You know you're stuff ;)
Thanks for the deal on the carb, Nik.

"While the engine is out..." Five evil words that I'm sure y'all have uttered a time or two :evil:
Image
Heh. Lot of work needs to be done up front (and in the rear I'm sure) and I figure I may as well get to it while the engine out. My wife came home and saw the front of the truck missing and just shook her head :o

Looks like the driver side springs are toast, held together with make shift brackets and a bit twisted/bent. Can I replace just that side and keep the others or is it a good idea to replace both? http://www.bjsoffroad.com/Stock-Height- ... _1332.html

The axle is a gunked up mess. This truck was being driven daily when I bought it. Can I assume the axle is healthy and simply needs seals?
Image
"The General"
'79 Jeep J-20 | 360 | TH400 | BW 1339 | D44 (3.73) | D60-3 (3.73) | Stock Suspension | 33" Tires
Build Thread:http://www.fsjnetwork.com/forum/viewtop ... 12&t=11420
User avatar

Topic author
ktrosper
Posts: 50
Joined: Tue Nov 26, 2013 2:11 pm
Location: Ft. Collins, CO

Re: The General

Post by ktrosper »

Regarding this D44 front axle.. Is there a seal kit that'll let me seal it up if I assume the bearings are good? Or do I want to throw new bearings in there while I'm replacing seals? What would you guys do?
"The General"
'79 Jeep J-20 | 360 | TH400 | BW 1339 | D44 (3.73) | D60-3 (3.73) | Stock Suspension | 33" Tires
Build Thread:http://www.fsjnetwork.com/forum/viewtop ... 12&t=11420
User avatar

REDONE
Posts: 2678
Joined: Tue Sep 13, 2011 5:48 pm
Location: Lakewood and Bailey, CO

Re: The General

Post by REDONE »

ktrosper wrote:Regarding this D44 front axle.. Is there a seal kit that'll let me seal it up if I assume the bearings are good? Or do I want to throw new bearings in there while I'm replacing seals? What would you guys do?
I reuse carrier bearings all the time. If they're good and tight when you pop the carrier out to replace the seals I'd reuse them. It's been my experience that the seals usually go bad when installing the axle shafts, either ripping the lip of the seal or the shaft is nicked or picks up crud in the tube wrecking the seal in short order.

If you're replacing the pinion seal, I recommend removing the pinion nut first thing. It's so much easier when you can jam pry bars in the knuckle ujoints and reef on it. If you reuse the bearings and shims on the carrier and pinion you don't have to worry about setting up the gears: saves a ton of hassle.
79 J-10 (Honcho Mucho) KE0LSU
304/Performance Fuel Injection TBI/MTA1/SP2P/Magnum rockers
T18/D20/D44s&4.10s/33" Mud Claws
Grizzly Locker Rear
4" front spring drop, 5" rear shackle flip
Chevy style HEI (ECM controlled)
Dolphin "Shark" gauges in a fancy homemade oak bezel
3/4 resto, rotting faster than I've been fixing it.
User avatar

Topic author
ktrosper
Posts: 50
Joined: Tue Nov 26, 2013 2:11 pm
Location: Ft. Collins, CO

Re: The General

Post by ktrosper »

Thank you very much Redone :)
"The General"
'79 Jeep J-20 | 360 | TH400 | BW 1339 | D44 (3.73) | D60-3 (3.73) | Stock Suspension | 33" Tires
Build Thread:http://www.fsjnetwork.com/forum/viewtop ... 12&t=11420
User avatar

Topic author
ktrosper
Posts: 50
Joined: Tue Nov 26, 2013 2:11 pm
Location: Ft. Collins, CO

Re: The General

Post by ktrosper »

Disassembled engine is at the machine shop and axle seals, including thrust washers, are on the way.. I ordered a seal kit for the tranny and transfer case - file that under the "while I'm at it" heading. Getting my pressure washer back from the B.I.L. later this week and I'm looking forward cleaning this sludge off of these things. Seems I'm doing a whole lot of tearing down but these project always seem to get worse before they get better, eh?
Image
"The General"
'79 Jeep J-20 | 360 | TH400 | BW 1339 | D44 (3.73) | D60-3 (3.73) | Stock Suspension | 33" Tires
Build Thread:http://www.fsjnetwork.com/forum/viewtop ... 12&t=11420
User avatar

Topic author
ktrosper
Posts: 50
Joined: Tue Nov 26, 2013 2:11 pm
Location: Ft. Collins, CO

Re: The General

Post by ktrosper »

BW 1339 QuadraTrac teardown and inspection

Yay! Powerwasher!
Image
Cleaned up and tore down the BW 1339 QuadraTrac.. I knew I had some seals leaking and I think I could have changed them without a total teardown but I wanted to make sure everything in there was healthy. I don't want to assume anything at this point..

Thought I drained it pretty good but there was still enough oil in there to make a helluva mess :)
Image

Here's the "Oh Crap!" stuff I found floating around in the case..
Image

Cleaned everything up so I could get a better look at the damage..
Image

Most of the metal chunks were remnants of the gear that used to live at the end of the differential end cap. I think it was the Edrive gear?
Image

Those chunks were sequestered to the Edrive lever housing area between the 2 output shaft bearings (one is the needle roller bearing the other is the annular output shaft bearing). I think that probably saved the entire thing from grenading. Had those chunks of gear metal not been stuck between those bearings, they'd have been free to tear up any number of things in the main case area..

Here's a look at some of the damage in that Edrive housing area.
Image
Needle rollers all fell away as soon as the shaft was removed... The annular output bearing is gored up a bit and wasn't spinning smoothly.. The case was a marred a bit but nothing too deep that would concern me.

So.. I've already replaced the sprocket bearing (needle roller bearing). I can NOT find the annular bearing anywhere. I don't think I can find a new one at this point so I'm pretty sure I'll need to find a donor or hope to buy one off of one of you guys..

I'm also not sure what to do about the endcap.
a. grind it smooth and say F-It and roll without Edrive capability? (how often do y'all use it?)
b. buy a used one off ebay or find a donor and get it functional...

parts drawing:
Image

So here she sits, partially assembled on the shelf til I figure out what to do..
Image
"The General"
'79 Jeep J-20 | 360 | TH400 | BW 1339 | D44 (3.73) | D60-3 (3.73) | Stock Suspension | 33" Tires
Build Thread:http://www.fsjnetwork.com/forum/viewtop ... 12&t=11420
Post Reply