Saving Luther a 78 J10 Golden Eagle

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Laredo Matt
Posts: 331
Joined: Fri Jan 08, 2021 3:32 pm
Location: Washington

Re: Saving Luther a 78 J10 Golden Eagle

Post by Laredo Matt »

I'm enjoying watching your project, looks great so far!

I love the J10 and have been keeping my eyes open for one. Have to finish my Cherokee first before I can consider it but a J10 next to it would be fun.

Smart getting the door VIN tags done. Wish I would have done them on mine. Don't think I have any clear enough pictures but I'm going to dig through and see. Where did you get them done?
Matt
83 Cherokee Laredo WT
L8T 6.6L, 6L90
GEN III LS Swap (LM7 block)
4L60E

Topic author
rangrbob
Posts: 34
Joined: Fri May 06, 2022 6:03 pm
Location: Colorado

Re: Saving Luther a 78 J10 Golden Eagle

Post by rangrbob »

Yeller wrote: Thu Jan 05, 2023 8:48 am Thank you for saving this one. I was watching it and had committed that if it was still there when I could get the 800 miles away to look at it, it was probably coming home, and was gone by the time I could get that accomplished. Its great seeing it not only saved but brought back with a high level of detail that will be better than it was when new.
Thanks Yeller.

I was watching it for a while too before heading down to take a look at it. It has been an adventure. I have been doing a lot of searching for and restoring parts along the way. Hopefully, the body will be in paint over the next few weeks, and then the real fun of putting it all together will begin.

BTW, I really like the look of your truck. Love the green.

Topic author
rangrbob
Posts: 34
Joined: Fri May 06, 2022 6:03 pm
Location: Colorado

Re: Saving Luther a 78 J10 Golden Eagle

Post by rangrbob »

Laredo Matt wrote: Fri Jan 06, 2023 5:26 pm I'm enjoying watching your project, looks great so far!

I love the J10 and have been keeping my eyes open for one. Have to finish my Cherokee first before I can consider it but a J10 next to it would be fun.

Smart getting the door VIN tags done. Wish I would have done them on mine. Don't think I have any clear enough pictures but I'm going to dig through and see. Where did you get them done?
Thanks Matt,

I created the door tag myself and will have a local sign graphics shop or Kinkos print it out on adhesive backed foil or vinyl. Once applied, I was thinking of covering it with clear vinyl or tape like the originals were.

When you are ready and are still in search of a J10, I may still have a lovely 77 available. :) I'm going to ditch the front porch that's attached to the front and install a stock chrome 3-piece bumper in its place.
Donor2.jpg
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Yeller
Posts: 1521
Joined: Thu Apr 01, 2021 7:54 am
Location: Rogers County Oklahoma

Re: Saving Luther a 78 J10 Golden Eagle

Post by Yeller »

Love the patina on that truck
The bus I ride is so short it is a yellow Smart Car full of squirrels, monkeys and clowns.

1970 J2500 Resto Mod
https://www.fsjnetwork.com/forum/viewt ... 12&t=21395

1974 Bronco “Broncno”
https://classicbroncos.com/forums/threa ... st-3411909

sierrablue
Posts: 1208
Joined: Wed Nov 30, 2022 8:02 pm
Location: MN/CO

Re: Saving Luther a 78 J10 Golden Eagle

Post by sierrablue »

3-piece bumper, paint the details back onto the grille, and then just keep it waxed :D
'71 Wagoneer (DD)
-B350 (HEI, iron 4-barrel, Edelbrock 1406), TH400, D20
-'74 D44 front (nonpower discs)
-custom headliner
-Front shoulder belts (rears eventually)

viewtopic.php?t=23070

There are 2 major differences between new Wranglers and FSJs. FSJs are meant to be both utilitarian and capable, not just capable. FSJs are also rarely initially recognized as Jeeps by the average American.
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Yeller
Posts: 1521
Joined: Thu Apr 01, 2021 7:54 am
Location: Rogers County Oklahoma

Re: Saving Luther a 78 J10 Golden Eagle

Post by Yeller »

Ditch the chrome whatever that thing is… drop a winch in it the bumper and drive it
The bus I ride is so short it is a yellow Smart Car full of squirrels, monkeys and clowns.

1970 J2500 Resto Mod
https://www.fsjnetwork.com/forum/viewt ... 12&t=21395

1974 Bronco “Broncno”
https://classicbroncos.com/forums/threa ... st-3411909

Topic author
rangrbob
Posts: 34
Joined: Fri May 06, 2022 6:03 pm
Location: Colorado

Re: Saving Luther a 78 J10 Golden Eagle

Post by rangrbob »

Yeller wrote: Fri Jan 06, 2023 8:31 pm Ditch the chrome whatever that thing is… drop a winch in it the bumper and drive it
That's a good idea too. :)

Topic author
rangrbob
Posts: 34
Joined: Fri May 06, 2022 6:03 pm
Location: Colorado

Saving Luther a 78 J10 Golden Eagle

Post by rangrbob »

I'm not sure if my truck actually came with chrome wheels, but they were on it when I bought it, and seeing how they were an option, I decided to go with them. Since there were only three originals on it, and the chrome was flaking off, I sourced a set of original 15 x 8s. I stripped the clear off and polished them, as well as cleaned and painted some center caps.
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Laredo Matt
Posts: 331
Joined: Fri Jan 08, 2021 3:32 pm
Location: Washington

Re: Saving Luther a 78 J10 Golden Eagle

Post by Laredo Matt »

I just might take you up on that offer for the 77 !

I love the patina, would probably just do a flat clear and focus on any the drive-train and interior.

Would love to see some more pictures if you don't mind sharing. Can message me and I can send my email.

cheers, matt
rangrbob wrote: Fri Jan 06, 2023 7:35 pm
Laredo Matt wrote: Fri Jan 06, 2023 5:26 pm I'm enjoying watching your project, looks great so far!

I love the J10 and have been keeping my eyes open for one. Have to finish my Cherokee first before I can consider it but a J10 next to it would be fun.

Smart getting the door VIN tags done. Wish I would have done them on mine. Don't think I have any clear enough pictures but I'm going to dig through and see. Where did you get them done?
Thanks Matt,

I created the door tag myself and will have a local sign graphics shop or Kinkos print it out on adhesive backed foil or vinyl. Once applied, I was thinking of covering it with clear vinyl or tape like the originals were.

When you are ready and are still in search of a J10, I may still have a lovely 77 available. :) I'm going to ditch the front porch that's attached to the front and install a stock chrome 3-piece bumper in its place.

Matt
83 Cherokee Laredo WT
L8T 6.6L, 6L90
GEN III LS Swap (LM7 block)
4L60E
User avatar

TurboJ4000
Posts: 113
Joined: Thu Apr 26, 2018 8:47 am

Re: Saving Luther a 78 J10 Golden Eagle

Post by TurboJ4000 »

rangrbob wrote: Wed Jan 04, 2023 9:39 pm The truck was also a Levi's edition, but the only remaining part was a ratty door panel. The seats were replaced with a bench by a previous owner. I tracked down a pair of buckets, along with an armrest that were out of a Cherokee Chief up in Casper WY, and recently had them reupholstered to pay homage to the way they would have looked. The door panels will resemble the original design.

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Those seats are awesome. Did you use denim for the inserts?
1970 J4000 / Chevy Frankenstein in progress
Soon to be Lq4 6.0 and 4l80e on 35s

akguy09
Posts: 301
Joined: Mon Aug 30, 2021 6:11 am
Location: Ellicott, Colorado

Re: Saving Luther a 78 J10 Golden Eagle

Post by akguy09 »

@rangrbob the wheels came out great, I love those stock chrome wheels, they always look great on an FSJ
1979 Jeep J-10 304/T-18
2017 Jeep JK 2DR
2021 PowerWagon

Topic author
rangrbob
Posts: 34
Joined: Fri May 06, 2022 6:03 pm
Location: Colorado

Re: Saving Luther a 78 J10 Golden Eagle

Post by rangrbob »

TurboJ4000,

The seat inserts are a Denier Coated CORDURA® Nylon Fabric that looks very similar to denim, at least from a distance :) . The buttons simulate shell casings, but are the same size and have a very similar look to the original Levi's buttons. Since I only had 2 originals, and couldn't really justify spending close to $300 for used originals or reproductions for the other 14, I used them.
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Last edited by rangrbob on Tue Jan 10, 2023 2:14 pm, edited 1 time in total.

Topic author
rangrbob
Posts: 34
Joined: Fri May 06, 2022 6:03 pm
Location: Colorado

Saving Luther a 78 J10 Golden Eagle

Post by rangrbob »

Today I picked up the rear bumper from the powder coater. It's not perfect, but I think it turned out pretty good. I should have spent more time on the metal work, but with the tools I had and my skill level, I happy with the results. I'm hoping to be able to use the collector series plates I had laying around when it's time to get it registered.
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rangrbob
Posts: 34
Joined: Fri May 06, 2022 6:03 pm
Location: Colorado

Saving Luther a 78 J10 Golden Eagle

Post by rangrbob »

One of the other many related projects, was restoring the dash pad. It actually was in fairly good condition. It only had one crack, but the speaker grill was rotted out and falling apart. I repaired the crack and cut out the remains of the speaker grill, then fabricated a little tray to insert in the hole and recovered the whole thing in the same vinyl that the seats are upholstered with. I may end up re-doing the vinyl as there is one air bubble that I couldn't get out, and the driver's side corner didn't turn out as nice as I'd like to have.
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akguy09
Posts: 301
Joined: Mon Aug 30, 2021 6:11 am
Location: Ellicott, Colorado

Re: Saving Luther a 78 J10 Golden Eagle

Post by akguy09 »

I am totally stealing the tray idea to fix my speaker grate
1979 Jeep J-10 304/T-18
2017 Jeep JK 2DR
2021 PowerWagon

Topic author
rangrbob
Posts: 34
Joined: Fri May 06, 2022 6:03 pm
Location: Colorado

Re: Saving Luther a 78 J10 Golden Eagle

Post by rangrbob »

akguy09 wrote: Tue Jan 10, 2023 6:30 pm I am totally stealing the tray idea to fix my speaker grate
:) Feel free. Post pictures when you do.
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TurboJ4000
Posts: 113
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Re: Saving Luther a 78 J10 Golden Eagle

Post by TurboJ4000 »

Those seat buttons are pretty awesome. I wouldn't have been able to justify the money for the actual Levi's buttons either.

On the collector plates CO may be a little more forgiving but in MI you can only drive classic plates to and from car shows/repair shops and during the month of August. I don't think any cop would really care to challenge that but registering an old truck with a normal plate is penny's on the dollar compared to a modern vehicle so I went that route.
1970 J4000 / Chevy Frankenstein in progress
Soon to be Lq4 6.0 and 4l80e on 35s
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Yeller
Posts: 1521
Joined: Thu Apr 01, 2021 7:54 am
Location: Rogers County Oklahoma

Re: Saving Luther a 78 J10 Golden Eagle

Post by Yeller »

In OK we can run any plate that is over 25 years old that does not match the current numbering system, $20 per year. I have a year correct 1970 plate on mine.
The bus I ride is so short it is a yellow Smart Car full of squirrels, monkeys and clowns.

1970 J2500 Resto Mod
https://www.fsjnetwork.com/forum/viewt ... 12&t=21395

1974 Bronco “Broncno”
https://classicbroncos.com/forums/threa ... st-3411909

akguy09
Posts: 301
Joined: Mon Aug 30, 2021 6:11 am
Location: Ellicott, Colorado

Re: Saving Luther a 78 J10 Golden Eagle

Post by akguy09 »

In CO collectors plates just limits the number of miles per year you can drive it, and they offer a longer Registration time

I have collectors plates on my J-10
1979 Jeep J-10 304/T-18
2017 Jeep JK 2DR
2021 PowerWagon
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TurboJ4000
Posts: 113
Joined: Thu Apr 26, 2018 8:47 am

Re: Saving Luther a 78 J10 Golden Eagle

Post by TurboJ4000 »

I'm jealous of you guys. I have a front and rear matching set in NOS condition for mine but I want to be able to drive it where ever and not have to make up a story about what car shop. I do think that law in Michigan is a bit of a joke but I also think insurance would use it as a way to get out of paying for anything if I was to file a claim.
1970 J4000 / Chevy Frankenstein in progress
Soon to be Lq4 6.0 and 4l80e on 35s
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