1971 J2000 build on Jeep JKU Frame

[Copper204]

Also today was dash and door tear down. Have to get more parts to te powder coater. Will need to get fenders and grill assembly and inner fenders back off. Then remove cab for continued body work .























Sorry picture overload today…

[sierrablue]

Looks good! That cab is the same color mine was originally; if both our rigs were original they'd match--both '71s even

[Copper204]

Well got the correct passenger side bracket today. Lines up perfectly with factory holes in tub.

[Copper204]

So just for information. With lots of care and measurements. The stock heater system will work perfectly. Yes, I will be using stock heater and a AC under dash unit from a 1975 Wagoneer. This vehicle is going against all norms. And I will live the life of ODIE- IDWIW…..

[Gwilson78j10]

Thank you for all the detailed insight and can't wait to see the finished product. I was looking for a decent frame swap option for my J10 and with your thread here I believe the JKU is perfect.

[Gwilson78j10]

Also do you have a link for Bills build? I noticed you had a few photos on page 2 that looked to be his build thread.

[Copper204]

No, Bill did not keep a link active.

But you can find it deep down in his Facebook.

https://www.facebook.com/justjeepstuff?mibextid=LQQJ4d


Just for info. I have probably downloaded every picture Bill ever posted….

[Copper204]

Bill’s.

[Gwilson78j10]

Thank you Sir, i actually follow him on FB. ill have to visit his page when I start my build. Right now in the search for a JKU frame. I noticed your frame was from a burnt JK how bad did it burn and did you have any worries with the integrity of the frame?

[Copper204]

Not concerned on frame. I spoke with Tommy who I got it from. Was a fuel tank burn. Plastic tank

[Copper204]

So my crack dealer (powder coater) called. Said to bring up more parts for my powder fix. So stripped a few parts down to take to him. I think he needs me to pay his monthly rent and to pay his electrical bills. I swear I am putting him on my taxes this year and submitting 1099..












This is primary pile going to powder. I also ordered a dash from a 1978. I will be using the 1978 Dash and AC unit. This will give me the chance to use a brand new custom made dash pad. That has been made available. It will also allow me to use a modern style hot rod steering column or one of my many hoarded Jeep YJ columns. Not shown is or maybe is shown. Is the 6 door hinges going to powder coater. Everything black will come back to me gloss black. Everything else will be in powder coat primer.





I may be going overboard… but since my wife is actually a Jones. I am keeping up with the Jones’s… This is the pool she is building at our place.








GO BIG OR GO HOME…

Wife is as crazy as myself..

[Copper204]

Also I did get the 1978 Brake booster bracket and brake pedal mount installed. The brake pedal mount has been sand blasted. Prime red and coated with steel-it. The steel-it will allow my body guy to directly coat it with the bed liner material without any hassle. Also it was sealed between tub on both sides. We use a very aggressive RTV at our shop. We buy it by the case from Kimbal-Midwest. It resists everything including acetone, gasoline, diesel and gear lube. And will never fail you. But if you use it. Be prepared to have a carbide scraper. As it giggles at razor blades. And we use it for differential covers. I swear all the bolts could fall out and the diff cover will stay on not leaking. It is some bad assert in a yellow cheese wiz canister- Kimbal- Midwest Extreme RTV Black. And it lives up to it’s name.



Also as a funny side note. I found out today. After stretching my JKU Frame for this. The wheel base of the Gladiator and my 1989 Jeep MJ Comanche are the same… go figure.

[Copper204]

Forgot to mention. My paint shop sent me pictures of the hood. They are starting with hood. And this weekend I have to take cab back off frame. Then give them the cab and fenders and front valance back. Looks like it is my turn in the cue.






Final truck color will be 2017 Jeep Rubicon Extreme Purple.

[Copper204]

When it is final assembly month. BJ’s is gonna get an epic order of like everything they have in stock for this truck….lol

[Copper204]

So I have to get the cab back off. Sending it back to the body shop so they can continue. Decided good time to figure out ac condenser setup and radiator along with with serpentine belt and power steering pump pulley.





Pulled the radiator out. Also decided to finally install the power steering pump pulley. The radiator and serpentine and AC font part will get doped out while cab getting body work and paint. Also try to get this rig over to muffler shop for Cory and his guys to build out an exhaust system for me. Do need to decide if keeping Rubicon transfer case or running stock one. This will dictate exhaust…erggghh so many times things on and of and on and off. Oh well I am loving it.

[Yeller]

With the 4L60 I’d do the stock case. I find the 4:1 case too low. Build is looking great!

[Stuka]

With the 4L60 I’d do the stock case. I find the 4:1 case too low. Build is looking great!

I disagree. My JKU has a 3.59 first gear, and I greatly prefer the 4:1. A 4L60e has a 3.06 1st gear. You can always shift into second or third if you need to go faster. I guess if the user spends more time at 20-25mph over crawling, the 2.72 t-case is the better option.

[Copper204]

So today decided to play with AC stuff some more.







Almost satisfied with it. Will see how I decide to mount the drier tomorrow.

[Copper204]

Also decided today was good time figuring out the 2 coolant hoses and such.

[Yeller]

I disagree. My JKU has a 3.59 first gear, and I greatly prefer the 4:1. A 4L60e has a 3.06 1st gear. You can always shift into second or third if you need to go faster. I guess if the user spends more time at 20-25mph over crawling, the 2.72 t-case is the better option.

I don’t want to derail a perfectly flowing thread, just food for thought and hope it helps others with decisions, and am not picking on you Stuka, having a healthy discussion, if there is interest we can dig deeper into this in its own thread.

Big difference in torque curve with a 6.0 vs 3.8 or 3.6. More HP/torque equals less need for gear. For extreme crawling I personally like 42-50:1 in 1st gear with a V8. I find after 50:1 the benefits diminish rapidly. With a JKU things are happier at 65+:1, the V6’s tend to be higher strung and need more gearing advantage. Nothing wrong with either camp. I just find the stock tcase ratios when combined with V8 torque are better rounded and excel in all facets of 4wheeling, vs being focused on just 1.