Couple of Sierra Blue FSJs

[sierrablue]

Got the '63 Panel home, and 3/4 of the wheels turning, as well as the tcase and everything back in the '71.

Yesterday I got a few pics of them next to each other in the driveway.

Note: the Panel has been sitting in one spot since ~1985, and was last registered in like 1979.

[devildog80]

Nice set of trucks there

[Stuka]

Panels are rare enough as is, finding one in the same color as the waggy is kind of crazy.

[devildog80]

Get your build thread going.

[Yeller]

Love them both, but what is potentially the 1st production panel is just crazy at another level.

[sierrablue]

Thanks, guys!

I can't believe that I found that Panel ~10 miles from my house, and the guy was like "yeah the wife wants it out of here and we've been talking about scrapping it; if you want it, it's yours." Additionally, for it being a Panel, it's pretty highly optioned--it has backup lights, 4wd, and trim rings. Considering it was a contractor's wagon, seems like a lot of options.

Thanks again guys.

[tgreese]

Mmm barn doors.

[devildog80]

I have a neighbor that does custom body/engine work of some kind (only chatted over the fence a couple times so not sure exactly what he does), and wants to convert my '84 GW tailgate to barn doors.
Not sure but.... they are so much easier to access the cargo area......when the tailgate only comes down to my waist as it is now.
Thinking more of getting a ladder that will bolt to inside that I can swing out to climb into it as needed.

[sierrablue]

I will say after fighting my rear window assembly some the barn doors are appealing. Also can get right up to the back, making it easier to reach all the way in w/o actually crawling in.

Really I'm half tempted to someday design a rear window that just flips up but looks fairly stock...there's a reason most companies don't and never have really relied on windows in tailgates to go up and down. Ik the FS Broncos have the same problem our FSJs do with them.

Definitely an interesting rig. It was used as a plow truck at some point--it has a weird bracket welded to the bottom of the front cross member as well as overload springs up front. That'd also explain some of the weird wiring, switches, and lights under the dash.

[devildog80]

Yep....sounds like it was a worker for many years.
Now time to come back to life and enjoy a relaxing drive now and then.

[sierrablue]

Meh. Bring it back to life and use it like a nice truck--work it when you need a work truck, and maybe show it some.

I'd rather see it get to work, like it was designed to, than sit around in a museum or something.

[Harry Dawg]

Nice find.

Panel wagons of any make or model are cool, but an FSJ is just awesome!

Looking forward to seeing more of this truck.

Sent from my Pixel 4a (5G) using Tapatalk

[tom823]

WOW what a find you got there. Id have those at every show and event just to let people know they actually made that panel. Ive never seen one , but in Ky you dont see much anyway LOL!

[sierrablue]

Sorry only just saw these responses.

Out here in CO I've been bringing the '71 to shows but all my friends are telling me I need to dolly the Panel out here and park them next to each other at the shows.

Maybe I should--then there would be TWO full sized Jeeps amongst all of the German cars built in the last five years...

The Panel is going to be headed to a guy in New York in November, but I plan to keep updates going and such, as they're so rare and I know you guys will appreciate being able to see them.

[sierrablue]

Just did some work on the Panel, trying to get things freed up and get an idea what I'm working with.

Turns out my putting ATF in the cylinders did the trick, and my dad leaned on the crank today, and the engine is officially freed up now!

Not sure if it'll get by without a rebuild but it should be easier to get it moving this way.

[tgreese]

Woohoo! Detergent FTW.