Muck Duck Build (just goto page two?)

[Dusty]

Maybe I should just start a new build thread?

Almost everything I did before is being tossed out the window?
Besides ........................... I don't think I can call it the Muck Duck anymore? I mean it is going to be a pretty blue Waggy. What do you think?

Can we just delete this thread mods???

[jsinajeep]

Just start a new thread and call it the Blue Goose or whatever.

[jaber]

I like being able to go back and see what everyones FSJ has gone through. Plus, it gives newbees a record of what we tried and are moving away from.

That engine looks awesome...

[Stuka]

just keep it here. the just goto page 2 bit works fine.

[rstep]

Dusty you are doing some killer work.great job.

[fulsizjeep]

Coolio!

Looks like the older pictures didn't have the right duct tape on them.

[Southern Gorilla]

I think I'd leave the old thread in place for historic purposes and start a new one myself. That's probably what I'll do if I ever get started on the actual build instead of just fixing things. I doubt my project will go the same direction I originally planned.

I'm jealous of how you managed to tear it all the way down. As soon as I get space and know I can start the build I want to tear mine down to the bones like that.

And, yeah, that engine is a work of art. Bravo.

[TUDrewser]

I came straight to page 2. Now I'm waiting for pictures or something.

[Dusty]

Well I have been through one engine since I started this love/Hate affair with my Wagoneer. I have given up new clothes, shoes, and even a new kitchen to keep my addiction going over the years.

I love this stupid metal brick!

So why am I at where I am right now?
Well a couple months ago my engine called it quits as many of you might remember? The plan at that point (and I should have stuck to that plan) was to just put another engine in the old girl.
OK Easy peasy I reckon?

So we overhauled a 360 block I had over here. Bored it 30 over, new Clevite 77 bearings, added an Edelbrock Performer cam & lifters, new Edelbrock double roller timing chain set, new MSD cam gear/distributor gears, polished/chamfered 10/10 crank, 3 angle valve job, added my performer intake back on as well as my Holley670 Truck Avenger, Taylor 8mm wires, MSD TFI coil, powdercoated the air cleaner base, and chomed the top, and I am sure I am leaving some other stuff out right now?

OK So it is almost ready to go in at this point, so I figure (me being kinda anal about cleanliness) Might as well really clean the engine bay out right?

So I start to power wash the grime off, and of course the paint starts coming off too! REALLY?

Did I say anything about me being anal?

Well this will NOT WORK! NO NO NO!
Besides my new engine is a work of AMC art.

I forgot to mention that last summer I bought a Vintage Air Gen IV system, and have not installed it yet either. Nor did I install my new NVU gauges that I bought back in October of last year, not only that, but a lot of other stuff that has been sitting in my garage for the last year (Lokar accelerator cable system, auto dimming rear view mirror and on and on).
Plus I have wanted to media blast the interior for some time, and take care of the surface rust before it became a real problem, and I have a Flintstone mobile.

Then there is the fact that I have not been in love with my girls tan paint since day one. She really needed a new dress.

So first the front clip came off, then the interior, and now all the trim and windows are being removed. I bought a gallon and a half of Nason single stage JET SET BLUE METALLIC paint (now were talking a color I love plus it is still an AMC color!).

OH!
I also bought a bunch of primer, and all the other stuff to do the work on her.

SO as of now here is what will be done by the end of August:

All the inner fenders fire wall, fenders, front facade will be media blasted primed, and painted Jet Set Blue.
The radiator support will be (is being right now) powder coated satin black.

Frame to be blasted, and painted.

Engine installed, New dual diaphragm late model Waggy master cylinder (thanks ghinmi for the advice), New DOT Stainless brake lines all around (I'll show you why new lines in a few more pictures later).

New Borgsen steering shaft installed, Tilt steering column (thanks Jerry) and maybe a sway bar if I can find one?

Interior will be media blasted, any metal fixed, firewall unused holes welded up, painted, Vintage Air installed, new gauges installed in my soon to be custom dash, new auto dimming compass mirror with map lights, lizard skin applied, then fat mat, carpet, headliner, new speakers, 110V inverter, new front window, and new side glass seals.

Body will get new quarter panels, tailgate repair panel, and hopefully be painted by the end of Aug?

Plus I have a ton of stuff being powder coated right now, and I am also chroming a few things as well. I know I know!

Chrome don't getcha home!

But hey! I don't paint my nails, nor do I wear stupid tall shoes, but a girl has to have a little bling some where right???

[Dusty]

So all of you newbs, and those that have never seen my Jeep. Here is the way it was delivered to me after I bought it on Fleabay.



Then after a while it looked like this;
Rusty's lift (that did not last a year), new motor (at that time)




And this is kinda what I am shooting for:

[TUDrewser]

Holy smokes, Dusty, you're in deep! I better see that thing at thanksgiving in the desert...

[Dusty]

So today I met with the guy who will be welding up my firewall, and fixing the Waggy stress cracks around the rear seat.
He also will be doing the customization on my dash, as he also has all the tools for punching aluminum (Machine shop!).

So Saturday the jeep gets towed over to his place, and we start on fixing the tub. The rear quarters will be cut out too. Now it will be a waiting game on the rear sheet metal to show up.

But he can work on the dash, and the firewall for now.

So tomorrow I just need to do a mock up for him on foam core of my dash design for the instrument panel. Then hopefully OTRATTW's will get back to me so I can purchase my switches for the Jeep. I will be using the Contura V switches with RED lettering, and a BLUE dependent indicator on the switch.

I also disconnected the drive shafts today, and did some more stripping of parts off of the old girl.

So here is the final design of the dash and console face.

[Atla]

Pretty slick!

BigJ200 with his Wilderness Build used JK air vents on his dash I believe. They rotate all pretty like.

http://fsjnetwork.com/forum/viewtopic.p ... 0&start=60

[Gumby]

Dusty, once again you are doing an awesome freaking job on the duck. I guess it will become a mallard instead of a muck.
Can't wait to see it.... Don't know how to eat turkey while drooling.

[Dusty]

Kinda slow going since the last post.

Last weekend we had a bunch of rain, so towing the tub over to be welded on, wasn't going to happen. Fresh welds and water don't mix to well, so it looks like it will be this weekend instead?

Not to mention I am still waiting on rear quarter panels to arrive from one of our illustrious FSJ vendors.
I have lost faith pretty much in ALL of them by now!

I have been down in Hollyweird working all last week, so I really could not do anything on the jeep this week anyway.

But today when I got home I did however shoot some primer, and paint on some of the media blasted parts so they would not rust.

Hood hinges primed, and the cowl was primed, but the bottom I painted my Jet Set Blue.

Roof bows primed and painted CHECK!



And here are some of the parts back from powder coating.




Air cleaner base, console mounts, seat mounts (one set for the yellow jeep too), brake pedal mount (x2 again), head liner front and back trim, rear window trim, radiator support,
and the little struts that hold the lower fenders to the radiator support.

OH!
I also had the heater box PC for the yellow jeep too.

[TitaniaDieKrieger]

I used these guys. Not sure on how prices compare but quality was good when I did my floors.

http://www.c2cfabrication.com/wp-conten ... syear=1976

[Dusty]

Thank you TDK! Unfortunately I have already bought them, I am just WAITING ON THEM!

So here is a couple pictures of the interior all stripped down;





Really not to bad at all.

My baby got towed off today to have the firewall welded up, and to do repair work around the rear seat area.
Why do all Waggys have stress cracks around the rear wheel wells/ rear seat?????




So tomorrow afternoon I will have it back, then I can drill holes in my newly closed up firewall for the Vintage Air system. Kinda a shame if you ask me?
Then I just have to media blast, primmer it.
Then back to have the rear quarter panels put on once they arrive.

[rstep]

Looks great Dusty. Keep posting up the updates .

[Dusty]

It's not exactly the way I wanted it, but with my husbands layoff I just need to do my best to get this thing on the road QUICKLY!

The bottom of the dash where the big hole is where the console will fit up to. It will be at the same angle as the slant on the dash. I am using the base of the factory console as a starting point for the rear.
Also that allows me to still use the arm rest on it.

Should be done with sanding tomorrow on the dash, then paint the next morning before I head down the mountain to Hollyweird.

[Dusty]