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70 Waggy WT Conversion

Posted: Fri Nov 08, 2019 4:04 pm
by Mreuther12
Well, I guess now is a good as time as ever to post this, my 70 Waggy is schedule to go into the body shop for a WT conversion at the end of the month. All I have to do is tie up some loose ends before it goes under the knife. I will be using the fiberglass front and rear flares from BJ's for the conversion.

I am currently rebuilding a pair of '76 J10 axles and doing a rear disc brake conversion to go under it once the WT conversion is completed.

Wish me luck... I will document everything I will give updates as the work is being done.

Re: 70 Waggy WT Conversion

Posted: Fri Nov 08, 2019 6:35 pm
by jpswapmohn
Good Luck! I look forward to seeing another WT Waggy out there.
Are you cutting the rear flares and mounting the front halves on the back doors, or cutting the rear doors to clear the flares? I have seen both done. Personally, I prefer the look of uncut flares, but that be the more challenging method. I have seen some really well built rigs with the flares cut. The Wagoneer Roadtrip concept rig that was at Easter Jeep has the flares cut, and that is one sharp highly custom rig..

The photos in my sig might be of use.

Re: 70 Waggy WT Conversion

Posted: Fri Nov 08, 2019 6:57 pm
by will e
Awesome! I can't wait to see pictures.

Re: 70 Waggy WT Conversion

Posted: Sat Nov 09, 2019 10:32 am
by Mreuther12
jpswapmohn wrote:Good Luck! I look forward to seeing another WT Waggy out there.
Are you cutting the rear flares and mounting the front halves on the back doors, or cutting the rear doors to clear the flares? I have seen both done. Personally, I prefer the look of uncut flares, but that be the more challenging method. I have seen some really well built rigs with the flares cut. The Wagoneer Roadtrip concept rig that was at Easter Jeep has the flares cut, and that is one sharp highly custom rig..

The photos in my sig might be of use.
I actually got my inspiration to do it from your rig! As for the rear flares I am on the fence, but leaning toward uncut. Once it get into the body shop I will probably decide which way I’m going.

Ps - I’m also stealing your idea for your dash


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Re: 70 Waggy WT Conversion

Posted: Sat Nov 09, 2019 7:17 pm
by jpswapmohn
Cool, maybe yours will be on the road before mine. I am not co-located with my toys much these days, so the GW sits in the garage and waits..
Good luck!
b

Re: 70 Waggy WT Conversion

Posted: Thu Nov 14, 2019 3:16 pm
by Mreuther12
Looking back I guess I never provided insight and direction for my build, other than I love the WT look and needed 4 doors to haul the kids. Sorry for the long post in advance.

Back in June I picked up my 1970 waggy in AZ, it was kinda of a mission left San Diego at midnight drove 8 hrs into AZ, loaded it up on the trailer and was back home by 6pm. When I got to AZ I got in it started right up and ran, albeit a little smokey from the old gas, but when I got it home nothing, wouldn't even crank. I started looking around that the wiring was a mess, it had so many splices and wire nuts it was not worth the time to try and troubleshoot. I hadn't even owned it a day and I found myself ripping out all the old wiring and purchasing a new harness from BJs.

Fast forward to the beginning off this week, I got to drive it for the first time. Around the block sitting on the transmission tunnel, instrument wires hanging out of the dash, no brake lights, turn signals, tailgate wide open (haven't transferred the hardware to the new tailgate). Either way I had a huge smile on my face.

Just to catch up here is what I have done to date:

- Aluminium Radiator (PO install a radiator that was taller than stock, and took a hammer to hood to make room for it)
- Removed engine mounted fan and replaced with an 3000 CFM electric fan, temperature controlled
- Removed the rats nest of wiring and replaced with a new wiring Harness (almost complete)
- Installed new steering column & wheel, all of the bearings where hanging out the bottom of the original
- LED headlights and parking lights, wired to a relay box (Box has extra spots open for more accessory)
- Front and Rear Benches were toast, removed all the old upholstery and sent the down to Tijuana to get rebuilt & reupholstered with 10oz duck canvas, witch I later waterproofed with Otterwax
- 150AMP one wire alternator
- New Starter
- Ripped out what was left of the headliner and grinded away all of the rust and installed sound deadening material on the roof
- Wheels and tires (30" KO2)
- Tailgate from a 87 GW

Here what I have purchased but have yet to install:

- Hood to replace the dented one
- T/A Performance intake and 4bbl carb for the Dauntless 350
- Upgrading to 3 point belts
- SS tailgate window lifter channel
- Various Kaiser FSJ parts (tailgate window cranks, rear view mirror, taillight & reverse light housings)

I'm sure there is some stuff that I have forgot, but here are some pictures for your viewing pleasure

Pickup day
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Wiring mess
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Seats
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Stripped down interior
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As it sits today
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Re: 70 Waggy WT Conversion

Posted: Mon Nov 25, 2019 10:03 pm
by Mreuther12
Got home today to a very large package on my doorstep, shout out to JDooney76 for working with me and getting them shipped out.

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And I couldn’t resist hanging them where they should be

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Re: 70 Waggy WT Conversion

Posted: Wed May 20, 2020 9:35 pm
by Mreuther12
Alright, so it’s been awhile since my last post but just a quick update here. I got the front fenders swapped on and started cutting apart the rear fenders this week, taking my time, measuring multiple times.

I am going with the fiberglass fenders from BJ’s for the rears, and will be splitting them between the body and rear door. To mount them I am leaving about 1” extra of body just below where the top of the fender should hang, where I will install rivnuts into the body. I will then epoxy a some angle iron to the fenders, that way I will be able to bolt the fenders on and be able to easily remove and replace them if they are to ever be damaged.

I am going to pick up some sheet metal tomorrow and hopefully start to patching up the holes this weekend.

Also, while I was in there I will be replacing the lower quarters as they were rusted out (no surprise there)

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Re: 70 Waggy WT Conversion

Posted: Thu May 21, 2020 6:15 am
by rocklaurence
Looking good. Did you consider not cutting the door and sectioning the fender to mount to the door? I've wondered if that is far easier to do but Im not sure how it would look when finished.

Re: 70 Waggy WT Conversion

Posted: Thu May 21, 2020 10:05 am
by Mreuther12
rocklaurence wrote: Thu May 21, 2020 6:15 am Looking good. Did you consider not cutting the door and sectioning the fender to mount to the door? I've wondered if that is far easier to do but Im not sure how it would look when finished.
I will still be sectioning the fender onto the door, but I looked at it a bunch and it just didn't look right without the door being trimmed.

Re: 70 Waggy WT Conversion

Posted: Thu Oct 29, 2020 11:11 pm
by Mreuther12
So after fighting with the fiberglass rear fenders for too long, I gave up on them. With the plan to wheel this a little, I began looking into some tube style fenders. I got some crazy expensive quotes from local (SoCal) fabricators to build them and it was way out of my price range ($1400+). So I purchased an Affordable Bender ($350) and some 1-1/ 4” DOM tube and went for it. Here are the results so far. The rear came out a little wider than I wanted, but I am not too worried since I have to make a cut in it for the door opening. I also think with the flat fend and the size of the opening, I should be able to fit a larger tire with minimal lift.

FYI rockers are going to be replaced with 2x6 tube.


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Re: 70 Waggy WT Conversion

Posted: Sat Nov 14, 2020 5:24 pm
by Mreuther12
Got to spend some more time on the tube fenders today. About ready to start tacking them together. Just have to make a small plate on lower rear of the front fender to conform to the body curve.

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Re: 70 Waggy WT Conversion

Posted: Sat Nov 14, 2020 9:27 pm
by jpswapmohn
That is going to look really cool!

Re: 70 Waggy WT Conversion

Posted: Sun Dec 06, 2020 9:44 pm
by Mreuther12
Quick little update from this weekends work. I cut the front fender opening to match my mounting plate and then used it to template and start the driver side.

The real question is with this large of an opening I think I will be able to fit a larger tire that a chief or j10 could fit. After some discussions with other people (Stuka included) on Instagram, the general consensus is 33s on stock springs and 35s with a 4” lift. My original plan was to go with a 4” lift but the stock height and 33s is tempting.

For reference the current tire size is 30”

Fender cut to match flare outline
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Jig to bend the plate steel around the new flare
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Wide shot of both fenders cut to size
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Start of the driver side
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Re: 70 Waggy WT Conversion

Posted: Thu Dec 10, 2020 5:27 pm
by xjranger2003
Thanks for sharing. I'm thinking along the same lines but with 32's.

Re: 70 Waggy WT Conversion

Posted: Mon Dec 14, 2020 6:21 pm
by Totalperfwaggy
Looking great! Those are going to be beefy as hell.

Quick question-What Aluminum radiator did you use? Was it a direct fit unit? I seem to be able to find them from years all around ours but just not ours.

Thx! Aaron

Re: 70 Waggy WT Conversion

Posted: Mon Dec 14, 2020 6:28 pm
by Mreuther12
Totalperfwaggy wrote:Looking great! Those are going to be beefy as hell.

Quick question-What Aluminum radiator did you use? Was it a direct fit unit? I seem to be able to find them from years all around ours but just not ours.

Thx! Aaron
I measured the opening and found a universal one from Summit that fit, then had tabs welded to use the factory mounting location. Here is a link to the one I used.

https://www.summitracing.com/parts/sum-381328

The previous owner had a newer FSJ radiator installed and had taken a hammer to the underside of the hood to make room for it.

You will learn quickly that the pre-1974 FSJ you have to get creative with parts.


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Re: 70 Waggy WT Conversion

Posted: Mon Dec 14, 2020 7:47 pm
by Totalperfwaggy
👍, thank you!

I’m realizing you are totally correct about our years of Wagoneers. Oddballs...

Keeps it interesting though.

-Aaron

Re: 70 Waggy WT Conversion

Posted: Mon Jan 25, 2021 12:33 pm
by 66stepside
Any updates on this crazy cool modified waggie?

Re: 70 Waggy WT Conversion

Posted: Mon Jan 25, 2021 7:08 pm
by Mreuther12
66stepside wrote:Any updates on this crazy cool modified waggie?
Yes! I have been meaning to do a post. Figured I would wait until I got my axles back from the shop and swapped under to do a detailed post. But I can do a quick update.

Axles were sent to the gear shop to get regeared to 4.27, sealed, have the OX lockers installed(front & rear) and the disc brake conversion installed while the rear axle shafts were out.

Ended up going with a spring lift from Skyjacker. After seeing a post on the mothership about lifting an early waggy using early suburban lift springs 8” fronts and 4” rears. Link below

http://www.ifsja.org/forums/vb/showthread.php?t=187385

Because of the 4” lift I “had” to go with 35” tires. I got a great deal on a set of 5 KO2s and went with a set of 17” Raceline wheels. Sitting on stock springs my cut opening just clears 35” the 4” lift will only help.

I ended up holding off on finishing the fenders, because I wanted to see how far the new wheels and tires poked out. I didn’t want the fenders sticking out too much.

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I received a bunch of parts today to complete the swap. I am hoping to have the axles back by the end of the week. That’s all I have for now.


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