1974 J10 Resto-Mod

[JCook5003]

Hey Guys-

New guy here in Virginia. It all started one day after selling my Toyota pickup. I had the itch for a new project. I found an ad for a 74 J10 pickup for sale about 2 hours from my house for $1000. The guy didn't know a lot about it but seemed nice enough. This photo was appended to the ad.



So I traded a rifle I owned for it and hooked up the dually and picked it up.

I got it home and looked at it closer. The entire floorboard has been replaced and the rockers are shot so ill probably be looking for a clean cab. The exhaust manifold is cracked and it needs a carb. The plan it strip it to the frame and bring it back to life and better than new.

The truck is an 258/T18/D20. 44's front and rear. The guy advertised it as 4.56 gear ratio but I think it should be 4.09's stock right? It has no power brakes and front and rear drums. It does have power steering though.

My plan is to keep the 258. Freshen it up while its out. Discs for the 44's. at least fronts, Maybe rear too. Gladiator grill. 4" lift. Lose the front flares and run 35's or 37's. I plan to build a flat bed modeled after an M715 bed.

Anyway stay tuned and Ill get some new pictures. I'd love to post the build beginning to end here.

Thanks guys.
Josh

[Green&Loud]

Hi! Welcome to FSJ Network!

Even with the issues it has, that seems like a pretty good trade to me. And you said the floors have been replaced.... that may not be such a bad thing unless it was poorly done or you want an original style restoration. And on the gear ratio, I believe the stock was 3:31 or somewhere in that range, not completely sure on that though. Also if you plan on wheeling it a lot, you may want to look into some HD axle shafts for those 37s. Cant hurt to beef them up a little

Overall good looking truck! Keep us posted on your progress, cant wait to see how it turns out!

[JCook5003]

The 37's are a pipe dream unless I get a smoking good deal. It will wind up on 35x12.50 BFG Mud Terrains.

[Green&Loud]

Nothing wrong with that! Id love some mud terrains, but at this point id just about take anything that will get my truck rolling. I check craigslist frequently, seems like theres always some used 37s or 38s or there for $400 or so. Too bad my truck cant handle tires that big without a lift or id be all over them! Pretty cool rig you got though

BTW, I love the 258s

[JCook5003]

More pics:

[Green&Loud]

Id slap some bed liner on those floor boards and call it a day! its all about personal preference though. Clean looking engine. When you get an intake manifold, I would suggest the 2v one instead of the 1v. You probably already know this, but the later model 2v is more efficient and makes a little more power. AND it doesn't cost any more, just lets you put a better carb on it. Any more details on your plans? This is exciting for me cause id love to do something similar with mine

[JCook5003]

And we have a donor body......1968 J2000 Pickup barn find. Rust free.

[Aeol]

Two super brow finds!

In the event you don't need the doors, I might be in the market. Especially if they roll up and down!

[fulsizjeep]

Welcome and congrats on the Jtrucks. The factory optional for gear ratio on 74 J10s is 3.54 and 4.10. There were probably some with the 3.07 gears too. 3.31 gears did not come on FSJs until 1980. Drum, non-power assist brakes were standard in 74. Any 76-91 FSJ front disk assemblies (I think that includes the spindle) should bolt up.

[jaber]

Welcome to the network...

Looks like a great start, congrats...

[Aeol]

Drum, non-power assist brakes were standard in 74. Any 76-91 FSJ front disk assemblies (I think that includes the spindle) should bolt up.

This right here was worth its weight in gold. Even on the wide tracks compared to say a 89 Grand Chero? I figure the GW would be about the same as the J's, but the Chero "looks" way more narrow.

[wvrefugee]

Welcome aboard. Bring that thing up north here and let it stretch out a bit on some trails when you're able!

[JCook5003]

Well the 68 was not what it was advertised to be, so I went on the hunt for another J10.

I found this 1978 a few hours from home and got it for a song.......it'll be the new basis for the build. 1978, 360, TH400, Quadratrac. Even came with a helper under the hood. Plans remain unchanged, ditch the bed, run 33's or 35's and make it a nice driver.

[jaber]

Looks to be in good shape from the pics, congrats...

[hyampomj10]

Sweet rig!

[Chuck1225]

Awesome trucks, man!

Plans remain unchanged, ditch the bed, run 33's or 35's and make it a nice driver.

I'd be interested in that bed if its not all rusted out.. Although, VA is quite a ways away, and I don't think you could fit it in a flat-rate shipping box from the postal service. . I wanna ditch the flatbed on mine, though.

http://i901.photobucket.com/albums/ac22 ... 87f15b.jpg

[jaber]

Sounds like the perfect "meet in the middle and swap beds" party....