[jscherb]

I got the rest of the pieces of the bumper bar cut out today so I could mock it up on the Gaucho. Before I weld it together I think I'll lower the vertical height about 2 1/2" - seems like it's too close to the height of the turn signals, could be a problem with inspection or the law - anyone ever have a problem with bumpers/winches/etc. obscuring the turn signals?

[JoonHoss]

not unusual at all...another option would be to narrow it a bit with wider mounting plates, and flip your hooks side to side. (though I'm guessing that's out since you'd like to fit a winch behind it???)

Hoss

[CopperCJ7]

Yes, there is a law about turn signals but its not always enforced in every state. In any case, I installed another pair of (small) amber turn signal lights into my front bumper just in case. I could have gotten away with installing those tiny amber LEDs units in the bumper or the front of the fenders.

[jscherb]

Originally Posted by CopperCJ7

Yes, there is a law about turn signals but its not always enforced in every state. In any case, I installed another pair of (small) amber turn signal lights into my front bumper just in case. I could have gotten away with installing those tiny amber LEDs units in the bumper or the front of the fenders.

I did some more measuring this morning, I think if I drop the bar about 1" I'll be comfortable the signal lights are visible enough, so that's what I plan to do.

[jscherb]

Just for fun, this morning I went to look at a YJ that's for sale. This YJ has a perfect frame, which got me thinking - the quickest path to finishing the Gaucho into a driver is to buy a complete YJ in nice condition, lengthen the frame, and throw the Gaucho sheet metal on that frame. The complete YJ running gear could be used, the engine wouldn't even have to be removed from the frame to make the conversion.

The Gaucho tub is a YJ tub, still with the original body mount locations. When I built the CJ-based frame for the Gaucho, I modified the mounts on the frame to accept the YJ tub locations, so the tub is still stock YJ when it comes to mounting - it is a direct bolt-on to the YJ frame. All I'd have to do is lengthen the YJ frame 20" (easy), move the body mounting holes in the rear frame crossmember about 3/4" inboard (trivial), attach the front bed mounts to the YJ frame (also easy), and make whatever small mods would be necessary to the front frame crossmember to accept the CJ grille. Other than that, just drop the tub on over the existing YJ running gear and swap over everything that's inside the tub to the Gaucho tub - wiring, steering column, interior, dash, etc.

Finishing the Gaucho on a lengthened YJ frame is by far the quickest path to driving it.

Now I still haven't decided if I'm going to sell it or finish it myself, in fact I'm in discussions with a few people who are interested in buying it. It's hard to tell at this point in the discussions if a sale will result, but there's some seriousness on the part of the people I'm talking to.

But if I end up keeping it to finish myself, I'm convinced that putting it on a lengthened YJ frame is the best answer for me. My interests are in designing a custom vehicle, fabricating the custom body work, finishing the body work, and doing the paint work. I have less than zero interest in the mechanical work, which is why the YJ frame stretch is the perfect solution for me.

And think about it, if I bought a nice YJ do to that, what would I have left? I'd have the 113.5" WB CJ-based frame that the Gaucho is sitting on now, and a good, complete YJ tub from the YJ donor. Sounds like the start of yet another project, doesn't it?

[Meeke]

I have been following this thread closely. I came across it when I saw a photo of the retro and I couldn't believe the blood, sweat, and tears that made that dream a reality. I absolutely love this gaucho build and I feel that you would be making a huge mistake if you sold it before completion. I know that I would always have that nagging feeling inside me wondering the little things about it if I sold it. I still wonder what people have done with the cars that I have sold in the past and they were nothing special, just a couple of high-mileage clunkers, but I loved them like they were my only child. I vote for you to finish it and then make the decision, but I am aware that it is not my vote to make. Best of luck to you for whichever path you take, but you are almost to the end of the one less traveled. It would be a shame to let someone else walk the final steps.

[jscherb]

I lowered the bumper bar about 1 1/4", and at this height I think it won't attract any attention during inspection. It is lower than the original Gaucho bar, I guess they got away with it back then. Probably it would be ok now too, but I like to be on the safe side.

Anyway it is still high enough and wide enough not to interfere with the mounting of a winch, winch plate or fairlead.

The bottom photo shows the complete bumper bar "kit". I'm not going to cut the bar to final length yet or weld it together at this point because if I decide to finish the Gaucho on a YJ frame, the bar will need to be longer to fit the wider spacing of the YJ frame rails. So for now I'll just leave it in kit form.

Here's a couple of little tricks I built into the mounting:

1. I made nut plates from 1/4" steel and welded 1/2" nuts to it. This will make it easier to install the bar/hooks, you won't need a wrench inside the bumper, and because of the nut plates the assembly will be stronger.

2. For the bolts that go through the front of the bumper, I made "handle nuts", by welding 3/8" nuts to a piece of steel strip. There isn't too much clearance between the back of the bumper and the front frame crossmember, so the handle nuts make it easier to get the nuts started on the bolts, and no wrench is required behind the bumper to tighten the nuts, just hold the handle. Handle nuts are used in a couple of places on the TJ frame and I always thought they were a clever idea for hard-to-reach nuts.

[jeepwhore]

Originally Posted by jscherb

Just for fun, this morning I went to look at a YJ that's for sale. This YJ has a perfect frame, which got me thinking - the quickest path to finishing the Gaucho into a driver is to buy a complete YJ in nice condition, lengthen the frame, and throw the Gaucho sheet metal on that frame. The complete YJ running gear could be used, the engine wouldn't even have to be removed from the frame to make the conversion.

The Gaucho tub is a YJ tub, still with the original body mount locations. When I built the CJ-based frame for the Gaucho, I modified the mounts on the frame to accept the YJ tub locations, so the tub is still stock YJ when it comes to mounting - it is a direct bolt-on to the YJ frame. All I'd have to do is lengthen the YJ frame 20" (easy), move the body mounting holes in the rear frame crossmember about 3/4" inboard (trivial), attach the front bed mounts to the YJ frame (also easy), and make whatever small mods would be necessary to the front frame crossmember to accept the CJ grille. Other than that, just drop the tub on over the existing YJ running gear and swap over everything that's inside the tub to the Gaucho tub - wiring, steering column, interior, dash, etc.

Finishing the Gaucho on a lengthened YJ frame is by far the quickest path to driving it.

Now I still haven't decided if I'm going to sell it or finish it myself, in fact I'm in discussions with a few people who are interested in buying it. It's hard to tell at this point in the discussions if a sale will result, but there's some seriousness on the part of the people I'm talking to.

But if I end up keeping it to finish myself, I'm convinced that putting it on a lengthened YJ frame is the best answer for me. My interests are in designing a custom vehicle, fabricating the custom body work, finishing the body work, and doing the paint work. I have less than zero interest in the mechanical work, which is why the YJ frame stretch is the perfect solution for me.

And think about it, if I bought a nice YJ do to that, what would I have left? I'd have the 113.5" WB CJ-based frame that the Gaucho is sitting on now, and a good, complete YJ tub from the YJ donor. Sounds like the start of yet another project, doesn't it?

Ughhh, no disrespect Jeff but doing that would be a mistake IMO. I think alot of the appeal to the gaucho is that it is a CJ platform and has been built to mimic the original very closely. Putting the sheet metal on a YJ chassis/running gear, to me, is like putting a CJ clip on a YJ....it's just not the same. Also, if someone were wanting to use the gaucho as a weekend warrior (for trail riding to a cabin or something) and wanted to stregthen up the rear end for reliability, it would cost alot more to polish the D35 turd into something stronger (or swap for an 8.8) vs. 1 pc axles and a couple stitch welds for the M20. And as said, locking hubs and a gear driven t-case say JEEP alot louder to me than unit bearings and a chain driven t-case.

But those are all moot points if you are keeping it as obviously you are fine with that set up or you wouldn't consider it. If thats the case, build it how you like and enjoy it....no argument that you deserve it!

[jscherb]

Originally Posted by jeepwhore

Ughhh, no disrespect Jeff but doing that would be a mistake IMO.

Well the Gaucho is still for sale and I haven't decided to keep it at this point, so everyone hold your horses on the YJ-bashing . I'm having discussions with several potential buyers who sound pretty serious. I can't predict if any of these discussion will result in a sale, nor can I predict at this point if I'll change my mind and decide to keep it, so stay tuned.

On another front, I've accepted an offer from someone for my Scrambler, so pretty soon I'll have one less Jeep in the fleet. I think I'll probably begin a search for a 2005-2006 Wrangler Unlimited to replace the Scrambler, and since I'm keeping the World Cab top that's currently on the Scrambler, I'll add another potential project to my list: adapting the World Cab to an Unlimited...

PS:

Originally Posted by jeepwhore

Putting the sheet metal on a YJ chassis/running gear, to me, is like putting a CJ clip on a YJ....it's just not the same.

I guess you'd really hate it if I also put the YJ's dash in the Gaucho

[Mark4883]

Originally Posted by jscherb

I guess you'd really hate it if I also put the YJ's dash in the Gaucho

You sir, are a man of the highest pedigree. Your sophistication is rivaled only by your craftsmanship.



CJs, TJs, JKs: Bow down. Wayyyy down.

[jscherb]

I haven't done a thing to the Gaucho in the last week; since I've got a sale pending on my Scrambler, I had to remove the World Cab and install a soft top because I'm selling the Scrambler without the World Cab... here's what a one-man operation removing the World Cab looks like. In case you've ever wondered, they come apart into some fairly manageable pieces - they were designed to shipped in knocked down form for export markets, that's why they're called World Cabs.

I'm now shopping for a 2005-2006 Wrangler Unlimited to replace the Scrambler.

[justjeeps]

Originally Posted by jeepwhore

I think alot of the appeal to the gaucho is that it is a CJ platform and has been built to mimic the original very closely.

I have to say I agree with this statement. I would try and build it as close to the original as possible. How about saving the YJ for a "Gaucho" version with a stake body dump bed and a snow plow. I could really use that right now.

[sgtbookie]

John, I have to say the idea to make the nut plates for mounting the tow hooks is genius. I hate with a passion trying to get a wrench up in the bumper to install or remove tow hooks. Great idea!

[mcurcio1989]

every time i see that world cab i'm just pissed i cant have one. That's quite a find. Did they make those for cj7's? I love the look of it. It just seems to fit the cj so nicely. Reminds me of the upper portion of a g wagon.

[jscherb]

Originally Posted by mcurcio1989

every time i see that world cab i'm just pissed i cant have one. That's quite a find. Did they make those for cj7's? I love the look of it. It just seems to fit the cj so nicely. Reminds me of the upper portion of a g wagon.

Yes, Jeep made a CJ-7 version of the World Cab, but they are extremely rare everywhere but Venezuela. I had one, here's a few photos of it when I was test-fitting it on a TJ I had at the time. This one is no more, I cut it up to make the half-cab hardtop for my Retro Wrangler pickup. I've only heard of one other CJ-7 World Cab existing in the US. I found mine on eBay in Wales, when I lived in London, and I brought it back with me when I moved back to the US. It may have been the only one in the UK, I never saw or heard of another one when I lived there.