Twister Jeep Build

Show off your FSJ photos and videos!

Topic author
nstevic01
Posts: 38
Joined: Fri Feb 09, 2018 9:03 am

Re: Twister Jeep Build

Post by nstevic01 »

I REALLY need to work on providing more regular updates. A lot has happened since the last one. So picking up right where we left off:

Got the transmission and transfer case pulled off. Found out what that awful noise was when pushing in the clutch. Looks like the input shaft sleeve was rubbing on something creating a lip, one that prevented the throw out bearing from coming off. I ended up having to grind it down to change it out.
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Video here -> https://photos.app.goo.gl/hRegMnNrA8vBnL2z9

Clutch and pressure plate out. The heat markings are mesmerizing.
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Pilot bushing is completely effed.
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New parts in. Went with the cheapest set at Autozone, about $100, and bought a new flywheel from Amazon. All in, about $250 in parts. I cheaped out since I will be converting this to an automatic, I only needed it to last about 4 months.
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After that, she ran great.
THEN, she starts running a little hot…at least according to the gauge. Before this the gauge didn’t work, but I narrowed it down to a wiring issue and got it up and running. The needle tended to live right in this area, occasionally creeping into the red. Either the sender is bad, the ground is bad, or the gauge is bad.
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I testing the resistance at the sending unit and everything seemed to be ok. It did hesitate a bit when the gauge read hot, but everything was within spec. I had read somewhere if the timing was off, it could cause the same symptoms. So I got out the trusty timing light and got to work….until that is, Jo gets hungry and decides to eat my timing light…
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So reluctantly I bought another one and was a little more cautious with the routing of the wires. Timing was off by a couple of degrees. Once that was done, I got my newly acquired muscle grill installed! Took me the better part of a year and parts from 3 grills to get the mustache, chrome muscle combo I needed.
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Next up was tackling the install of the correct mirrors. I had bought these about a year ago and have been waiting for the right time to install them. One of my friends had picked up a rivnut tool awhile back and I was fascinated by it. So I ordered one of my own off of Amazon thinking it would be perfect to install the mirrors with. $60 later and it was at my door.
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Took off the old mirrors, masked off my holes, drilled them out, and installed the nuts with some silicone. Came out pretty good.
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Things were good for a while, then about 2 weeks ago, disaster struck. I was driving home from work and it just dies while driving. I had to push it into a gas station. I was getting no spark at all. So I had to call my tow service through Hagerty and about an hour later, I was on my way home.
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I dug into it the next day after work. Not knowing exactly where I was going to start, I figured the ignition module would be the best place to begin. Organized rats nest was the best description of this setup. While acceptable, the previous owner had installed the MSD 6A piggybacked off the stock ignition module’s tach output. It works, but if the stock unit fails, the whole thing fails.
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Ewe…
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So I took a look at the distributor while I was in there. Something tells me this reluctor is not supposed to be digging in to the pickup…
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Got all of the ignition parts replaced, new reluctor, cap, rotor, pickup, and plugs. I was finally able to get it to fire up, but the starting was very laborious. Eventually my solenoid started glowing red hot and started sparking. I think its time to replace all of the battery, starter, and solenoid wires.
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Fired right up….then it died. Ugh… the brand new reluctor split in half. Most likely due to a poor casting.
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Once I got that squared away I started work on the roll bar. There needed to be a tab welded on for the cb antenna. I just happened to have something that would work perfectly in my scrap box.
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Added a few coats of paint.
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Got the bar mounted up and installed the 6x9 and 4x6 lights.
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So that’s it for now!

bigun
Posts: 1250
Joined: Sat Jun 11, 2011 8:20 pm
Location: Mountainair, NM

Re: Twister Jeep Build

Post by bigun »

Wow!

KJ Ryu
Posts: 993
Joined: Sun Jun 10, 2012 8:03 am
Location: Casper

Re: Twister Jeep Build

Post by KJ Ryu »

Just found this thread. Awesome build. I'm gonna check my dad's stash of old cb's for you. Also, that is exactly where my temp gauge sits on all of my FSJs when warmed up. The 401 has hit the bottom of the red on hot days, now and then, but didn't stay there for long.
Ron

2005 KJ, Hit-n-Run, 2am 6-17-2012, Totaled. :mad:
1977 SJ J10, 4v360, T18, D20, 37x14s, SOA & SF on tons, still ugly.
1978 SJ Wagoneer, 4v360, QT, 33x12.5s, lift by Sawzall :-bd NOT Running :(
1977 SJ J10, SniperEFI 401, QT, D44s, 31X10.5s :fsj:
2006 KJ
Mars wrote:One man's trans leak is another's penetrating oil :D

Topic author
nstevic01
Posts: 38
Joined: Fri Feb 09, 2018 9:03 am

Re: Twister Jeep Build

Post by nstevic01 »

KJ Ryu wrote:Just found this thread. Awesome build. I'm gonna check my dad's stash of old cb's for you. Also, that is exactly where my temp gauge sits on all of my FSJs when warmed up. The 401 has hit the bottom of the red on hot days, now and then, but didn't stay there for long.

I ended up find both CB models, so Im good there. I appreciate you wanting to look.

As for the temp gauge, I ended up throwing a 160 thermostat in it since the Florida Summer is getting ready to start. Now the needle lives in the lower part of the green and goes midway when its really hot out.

littleblackjeep
Posts: 98
Joined: Sun Apr 16, 2017 6:51 pm

Re: Twister Jeep Build

Post by littleblackjeep »

Awesome build! I’m just finishing a frame off 401/T18 build. I’d love to help on some of your parts but I’m not sure I have anything you need - but if something comes up reach out.

I was wondering though about the roll bar/light bar/sport bar (no need to start an argument about which it is). I’ve been unsuccessfully looking for one, but have the ability to make one. Could you take some measurements for me?
Upper bar tube diameter, width at roofline, x/y dimensions of support hoops
Lower bar width at upper, lower bar width at bed

I’m not in a rush, so just if you get a chance. Thanks!

My rig: Image


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
'95 YJ D-60s/350SBC/SM420/NP231SYE/Coilovers :shock:
'12 JK Rubicon 3" and 35s (wife's daily driver) ;)
'47 CJ2A L-Head (wedding present) :mrgreen:
'78 J10 my daily driver :)
'77 J10 "soon to be" rock crawler :banghead:
'53 M38A1 stock Marine :-bd
'45 MB new to the fleet :evil:

Topic author
nstevic01
Posts: 38
Joined: Fri Feb 09, 2018 9:03 am

Re: Twister Jeep Build

Post by nstevic01 »

Mega-Post time. 10 months worth of updates!!

March 2019
So…A LOT has happened since I last posted. Life got in the way a few times, but for the most part the truck is making some significant progress.
Starting just after getting the lightbar repainted, she went to her first car show. My son’s school hosts an annual car show to help raise money for the school. I ended up not placing in any of the categories, despite being one of the coolest vehicles there. I’m not biased or anything…
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Right after that, I finally got the alert I was waiting for on eBay. The Panasonic e330 with the correct faceplate, in working condition no less, popped up for sale. I immediately purchased it, and a few days later I now have the last of the screen accurate interior electronics.
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Some time passed and I eventually got tired of running the carburetor. It was giving me nothing but issues during the colder mornings and no matter what I did, always seems to suffer from vapor lock. I tried spacers, clothes pins, wrapping the lines, etc… nothing seemed to work. So I pulled the trigger on the Sniper EFI. Had it installed in the better part of the afternoon. Since it was put in, it has run like a dream. The only issue I had after the install was with the in line fuel pump. That is something I will not be keeping.
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April 2019
Fast forward a bit, work begins on the body. My buddy came over and started on the tailgate, which at the time seemed like the biggest issue. More to come on that statement later in the post.
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A couple of months go by, and a fuel pump later, something seemed off with Jo. I was playing with the timing one day to dial her in for the summer heat and out of nowhere it just died. I set the timing back, wouldn’t fire. I set the timing 180 degrees off, fires right up but dies with throttle. I disconnect the vacuum advance, plug the hole, fire it up again. It now runs and revs. Very odd. I reconnect the vac advance, give it throttle and it dies immediately. I basically come to the conclusion that the timing chain jumped a few teeth. I leave the vac advance disconnected and just decide to send it until it dies.

In the mean-time, I started looking at options for drivetrain replacement. I figured I would need to rebuild at some point anyway, so why not just do it all while Im in there. I toyed with an LS swap, a Cummins swap, a 401 swap, full electric, etc… Eventually I settled on just rebuilding the existing 360. Sure it will cost more, but in the long run I loved how the 360 sounded, and I wanted to keep her mostly original. The came the choice I needed to make on the transmission. My inner elitist said accuracy was key and I needed to swap to an automatic transmission to be screen accurate. I like the manual, but it gets in the way of all the dash mounted components and would not work out in the long run. Anyway, after MANY posts on the FSJ Facebook page, a generous member ended up bringing me a complete 360/727 auto drivetrain. It came with EVERYTHING. Wiring harness, cruise control, all of the trans linkages, a new radiator, it was amazing.
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I figured this was a fantastic score. I had everything I needed to begin the process of rebuilding the drivetrain while still being able to drive the truck. I almost immediately began tearing everything down.
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I made some calls to machine shops within a 50 mile radius trying to get quotes on getting work done to the block and crank. The block was in ok condition, but there was oil sludge in the pan and valve covers. It needed to be rebuilt. By the time I got the machine work done, and did a full rebuild, the motor alone was going to run me over $6k. I started looking at remanufactured motors just to price it out. BJs Offroad offers remanufactured short blocks through S&J at a slight discount. With a more aggressive cam, the oiling mod done, and paint, it came out to be around $2980 to my doorstep after the core was refunded. The price for the short block work was comparable, but the key was that it came with a warranty. The internal struggle was real, the motor sat in my cart at BJ’s for a good while before I finally pulled the trigger. And pull the trigger I did…I spent a good portion of my budget getting a bunch of other goodies from them as well. More on that later.
Up until this point I had to commute for work. Around March of last year, I finally got to start working from home full time. This meant that I could start to get some serious work done without having to worry about being able to drive to work the next day. If I didn’t finish something over the weekend, it could just sit.

In my down time, I figured I would work on a way of reproducing the A/C vents. Since there is really not a supplier that sells these, you basically have to wait until you find used ones in decent shape. I had one perfect one, and 3 broken ones. Between the 4, I had everything I needed to flex my modeling skills to get these made up and printed.
This is what one looks like in good shape.
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I started by modeling the linkage that connects all the blades together, simple enough, and a straightforward design. I think I only had one version of this, since the first one printed so well.
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Next up were the vent blades themselves. These were a little bit of a pain to model, since I really did not have any experience doing this before. I went through a few versions before finally ending up with this.
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The inner vent body wasn’t as bad. Ended up doing at least 4 different models before I got it right.
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Lastly, there was the outer body of the vent. I hated this one with a passion… but persistence paid off after only 3 redesigns.
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This is the final product of about a week of modeling and printing.
https://photos.app.goo.gl/wRiRFwCaxLcQLx7j9

Ill have to figure out how to print in ABS since the PLA will most likely not hold up to Florida summers.

May 2019
Another fuel pump bites the dust. These inline pumps that come with the Sniper master kits are huge piles of junk.
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The first one developed this obnoxiously loud whining noise when running, so loud that you could hear it over the sound of the engine running, and even while driving.

Take a listen here -> https://photos.app.goo.gl/U1ank2JewoawstVz7

I was able to get that one replaced under warranty fairly quick, but soon after the replacement was installed, same thing. It still works, but Ill need to replace it soon. I had kept hearing good things about surge tanks, specifically the RobMC ones that the Jeep guys seem to like so much. So after some research, I ended up placing the order. Couple weeks later, this guy arrives.

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Basically the way it works is that you can keep the existing mechanical fuel pump mounted on the block to feed the surge tank. I’ll also re-install the old low pressure in-line electrical pump as a backup. Once the tank is full, the high pressure fuel pump inside of it will feed the fuel injection at the correct pressure. All you have to do is find a place in the engine bay to mount it. Ill have to install this at a later date.

July 2019
Since my A/C didn’t work, and the heater is fairly useless in Florida, I deciding to rip out all of the factory stuff to make room under the hood. Didn’t really take any pictures of this process.

Topic author
nstevic01
Posts: 38
Joined: Fri Feb 09, 2018 9:03 am

Re: Twister Jeep Build

Post by nstevic01 »

November 2019
I FINALLY FOUND A PAINT/BODY GUY!! For the better part of a year I have been trying to find someone that will work with me on doing body work and painting Jo. In the very beginning I had looked at a local MAACO shop that was highly reviewed. I know what you are thinking, cheap paint jobs. BUT, after reading all the reviews and talking with the guy, he does not do cheap. After looking everything over, he quote me $6k if I brought him the bare body ready to be worked on. At the time that was over half my budget and I kept searching. During that car show I had taken Jo to, one of the classic car paint guys had come over and given me his card. I had filed it away and didn’t think twice about it. One day, when I had some time, I ran down there. Guy has a shop in his back yard and all he does is classic vehicles. After he looked it over, he gave me a quote of $10k, if I did all the prep work… At this point I was seriously entertaining just doing the whole damn thing myself. Fast forward to now, I had made acquaintances with a guy that owns a Jurassic Park Jeep replica locally and we got to talking about his paint. He found a local guy that also paints stuff in his back yard as a side business. Catch is, he only does movie cars and vehicles he finds interesting. This is the JP Jeep in question.
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I went out to see it in person and the paint is flawless. He said the process was hassle free and he just paid as he went. At that point, I made an appointment to go meet the painter. Turns out, he has a J2000 in the backyard, pretty much the same truck. We went over everything and he agreed to do the entire truck, bodywork and all for $5k. It was a hell of a deal.

Not too much longer after that, Jo’s electrical system had had enough. Wires were constantly melting, fuses blowing, battery not charging, lights not working…. It was time. I pulled her in the driveway and shut her off for the last time.
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I began the tear down that weekend. I managed to get all of the bolt ons and the bulk of the interior out in practically no time at all.
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A couple of weekends later, my buddy Lee came over and we got the front clip and bed off. I managed to capture a time lapse video on this one.
Front clip and bed removal -> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zCZGFdLdPug&t=1s

By the end of Saturday, we were left with this. Just looking at it…I think it would be kinda cool to drive it around like this.
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The next day he came back over and we got the drivetrain out.
Drivetrain removal -> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9NRGiAEF6NE

Garage is getting really full.
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Topic author
nstevic01
Posts: 38
Joined: Fri Feb 09, 2018 9:03 am

Re: Twister Jeep Build

Post by nstevic01 »

About a week later, the paint guy came and picked up the bed to work on. Since this needed the most work of the entire truck, he wanted to get a head start on it.
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It didn’t take long for him to message me. Upon arriving at his place he found that two of the wheels on the cart I made had busted. Other than that though, the bed arrived safe and sound.
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A couple of days later, the pictures of the bed started rolling in.
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He slowly unfolds the years of damage, BEEPY fixes, and layers of paint and bondo.
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Topic author
nstevic01
Posts: 38
Joined: Fri Feb 09, 2018 9:03 am

Re: Twister Jeep Build

Post by nstevic01 »

He determined that he will need to take off all the paint just to see what’s hiding after seeing the above. On to the stripper!
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So that is where the bed is at right now.

Topic author
nstevic01
Posts: 38
Joined: Fri Feb 09, 2018 9:03 am

Re: Twister Jeep Build

Post by nstevic01 »

December 2019
Now that the bed is out of the way, on to the remanufactured motor. After pulling the trigger on the motor from BJs, it arrived right at the beginning of December.
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I got it uncrated and up on the stand to start inspecting it closer. Turns out the paint job was crap, lots of areas were missed and there was overspray on parts of it.
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I ended up going back to them and showing them the pictures. They agreed that it was less than ideal and ended up sending me a full can of paint to take care of the problem areas.

Next I had to move on to the core return block. I ended up using the one that came out of Jo since it was already assembled. Once I got the timing cover off, I soon had my explanation for the timing being off so much. The chain was incredibly lose…
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Boxed up and ready to head back.
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January 2020

Time to kick it in to gear on the cab. I need to have it ready for the paint guy by the end of January. So the first weekend was spent pulling out all of the glass. It went surprisingly well and I did not end up breaking anything.
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This past weekend was spent starting panel repairs. First up are the floor pans. Whoever did this repair… it turned out to be a tin sheet riveted to the floor and covered in resin. There was tar sandwiched between the body and the plate. I suppose it worked since the rot didn’t spread. But it needs to go.
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This week I’m working on getting the floor cut out, then welding in the new panels. Then moving on to the firewall to get all of those holes welding up.

So there we are, almost a year’s worth of updates in a single day.
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Stuka
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Re: Twister Jeep Build

Post by Stuka »

Yeah, your old chain was pretty loose. When I replaced the chain in my J10 I was almost able to take it off without pulling the gears O_O

Not sure I have seen freeze plugs like that. Are those designed to pop out in stead of the whole plug?
2017 JKU Rubicon
Pevious Jeeps: 1981 J10, 1975 Cherokee, 2008 JK, 2005 KJ, 1989 XJ

Topic author
nstevic01
Posts: 38
Joined: Fri Feb 09, 2018 9:03 am

Re: Twister Jeep Build

Post by nstevic01 »

Stuka wrote:Yeah, your old chain was pretty loose. When I replaced the chain in my J10 I was almost able to take it off without pulling the gears O_O

Not sure I have seen freeze plugs like that. Are those designed to pop out in stead of the whole plug?
Those are actually washers stamped with the rebuilders name and jb welded in. I would have preferred they didn't do that, but it is what it is.

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hutcho
Posts: 585
Joined: Wed Apr 25, 2012 11:48 pm
Location: Neosho, MO

Re: Twister Jeep Build

Post by hutcho »

Wow! Just found this thread! What a story! Looking forward to watching the rest of this build now, thank for sharing.

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pyro
Posts: 811
Joined: Sat Sep 15, 2012 8:01 pm
Location: Tampa, FL

Re: Twister Jeep Build

Post by pyro »

Did you get rid of the muscle grille that was on it? I need one.
'81 J10 Laredo 258/T176
'82 Cherokee 258/TF904
'84 CJ-8 258/T176

Florida FSJ's Click Here!!!

Topic author
nstevic01
Posts: 38
Joined: Fri Feb 09, 2018 9:03 am

Re: Twister Jeep Build

Post by nstevic01 »

pyro wrote:Did you get rid of the muscle grille that was on it? I need one.
I did not. It will be going back on the truck after paint is done.

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killerinstinct
Posts: 37
Joined: Tue Apr 02, 2019 2:48 pm

Re: Twister Jeep Build

Post by killerinstinct »

Hi There, great work wanted to ask if there was any update on your vents? Also would painting them to match my AC/Heater vents be an issue? What color would they come in?

Thanks
Cesar

Topic author
nstevic01
Posts: 38
Joined: Fri Feb 09, 2018 9:03 am

Re: Twister Jeep Build

Post by nstevic01 »

killerinstinct wrote: Wed Apr 08, 2020 6:32 pm Hi There, great work wanted to ask if there was any update on your vents? Also would painting them to match my AC/Heater vents be an issue? What color would they come in?

Thanks
Cesar
The vents are done with modeling. My printer however is not set up to print ABS as of yet. I did look into having them printed at one of the online places, but the price came out to be around $60 a vent. Considering there is a black version of the Peterbilt ones for around $15 each, its not feesible yet. So I need to wait until I modify my printer to do ABS, or play with the model to get it to print cheaper.

Rusho2nd
Posts: 6
Joined: Wed Jun 10, 2020 4:37 pm

Re: Twister Jeep Build

Post by Rusho2nd »

Twister has got to be one of my favorite movies. Can't believe I never realized that truck was a Jeep before. Very cool project!

bigun
Posts: 1250
Joined: Sat Jun 11, 2011 8:20 pm
Location: Mountainair, NM

Re: Twister Jeep Build

Post by bigun »

Rusho2nd wrote: Wed Jun 10, 2020 4:45 pm Twister has got to be one of my favorite movies. Can't believe I never realized that truck was a Jeep before. Very cool project!
Really? :shock: :D

SOLSAKS
Posts: 65
Joined: Wed Mar 22, 2017 6:44 am

Re: Twister Jeep Build

Post by SOLSAKS »

PROJECT LOOKING GREAT
a lot of attention to details, I like it.
great movie, great truck,
bill Paxton was awesome in the movie
can't believe he is gone,...

good luck on the rest of the build.

dave in NC:)
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