Jeep Enthusiast Forums banner

Gaucho part II

48K views 170 replies 79 participants last post by  JoonHoss 
#1 · (Edited)
Many of you know Gaucho very well. For those who don't, it is a CJ based pick-up created by Jeff Scherb over a ten month build in 2009 that he documented here, http://www.jeepforum.com/forum/f8/gaucho-cj-stepside-pickup-build-709132/ . He based this on an original vehicle created by Brian Chuchua at his dealership in Southern California in 1976. After Jeff built the body and frame, he felt he accomplished his mission and decided to sell it. That is where I step in, as I was lucky enough to buy this beautiful piece of art. It is now my duty to complete this.

Like Jeff, I would like to build the truck to look like it actually was built by Jeep. I have a few ideas, but I'm not committed to anything. One thing I know for sure, is that it won't be yellow like the original. Sorry, I know I'll get hate mail, but I just don't like it. Unlike Jeff, I'm a wheeler. Gaucho will see some trails in its life. It will NOT be a hard core trail machine, I have a YJ and am building a YJ based CJ6 for that.

I do want to hear from you with ideas. I sat at the computer and read every post from the original build for many many hours. I took notes of what parts and ideas Jeff used and ideas that many of you mentioned. I am listening.

Just so all of you that followed Jeff and his build know, I am not good with a computer or work as fast as he. So all those design drawings you are used to, well I just don't even know where to start with that. The daily updates, nope not here. I don't have the opportunity to enjoy retired life yet, I need to go to work.:(

Jeff, thank you for this opportunity, I'll try not to disappoint. Joe
 

Attachments

See less See more
1
#31 ·
ok the above link doesn't exactly work. click on it, then click enthusiast, then go down to middle of page to list of magazines and click on four wheeler, then click on jeep category, then jeep wagoneer, you will then see it in a small list of articles.
 
#43 ·
figured i would pull up a chair and say congrats on the new gaucho. cant wait to see what you choose to do.
 
#44 ·
Go to the JY and pull a lq9 (iron block 6.0) from a newer work truck. A 6 liter swap can be had here in ohio for under $1000. I would try to find a 4l80 or maybe a 4speed w/ a gearvendors blackbox (overdrive).... the options are endless.... I appreciate the direction that you and the PO were heading with the build, but I think I would go the other route and build a slick one off custom. I'm thinking Rescue Green, 4.5" lift, waggys F/R, 16" Mopar Moab drilled for beadlocks, 35" pitbull rocker radials...:drool:
 
#53 ·
#54 ·
In addition to the stretch of the YJ frame you mention, some additional fabrication would be required to mount the Gaucho bed to the wider YJ frame. And a little bit of fab is typically required to get a CJ grille shell to mount properly on the YJ frame.
 
#58 ·
So options abound, here's what I consider the reasonably priced options to consider:

1) 258/T18 (or T176, or NV3550 if u want OD) and a Dana20/300.
Pros: Bolts right in, pretty easy to come by most parts
Cons: mostly older technology on the engine
Upgrade of choice: Fuel Injection, Ignition upgrades

2) 4.0L/NV3550 (or AW4)/Dana300
Pros: Large availability of parts, reliable, mostly a bolt in
Cons: Cant really think of any
Upgrade of choice: I dont know much about the 4.0L's so I'll leave this to someone else

3) 360(or 401)/T18/Dana20(300)
Pros: Great power, pretty easily sourced parts
Cons: Gas guzzling
Upgrade of choice: Fuel Injection, Ignition

4) SBC/SM465(or 700R4/TH350)/Dana300 (or NP20x)
Pros: Tons of Power, Tons of aftermarket, endless options
Cons: Guzzling fuel, potential MAW's problem...
Upgrade of choice: Ignition

5) 5.3L/4L60E/Dana300 (My personal choice but I might be biased)
Pros: Great Power, good fuel economy (I get 20+mpg highway), reliability, lots of aftermarket already, pretty easily sourced (I got my 2001 5.3/4L60E combo for 1050$ with computer) Surprisingly easy to set up with a little help from the people who have done it already.
Cons: slightly higher initial cost for adapters and auxiliaries
Upgrade of choice: None I can think of...maybe a turbo kit?? :drool:

6) Other combos... (4bt, stroked I6, SBF's, etc)

As for axles. unless you plan to wheel the crap out of this thing or run huge tires. I'd rebuild the CJ axles with some one piece shafts and call it a day. At the most run Wagoneer D44's but I wouldnt go any wider than that. For a street queen/light work truck, those axles will be great behind any of those engine combos.

This is just my :2c: on the possible ways to do this. I'd personally like to see it stay as close to CJ as possible with the 258 setup but if you go SBC the Gen IV's cant be beat!
 
#59 ·
decisions decisions decisions. options 1 through 5 are all possible. I just don't know. If I stick with the stock axles with one piece shafts and gear change, are they strong enough for moderate wheeling and a v8. I don't think tires larger than 33's (maybe 35's) will fit in the rear wheel wells without cutting the fenders that Jeff made. I am not cutting them (don't worry Jeff), and besides, I think 33's are enough for the Gaucho.
 
#60 ·
I would think stock axles could easily handle 33's. Mine have held up OK behind my 5.3L on 33's now for over a year with no problems. Its all in how you drive it. I'm hoping you dont plan on beating this thing like it stole something from you!
 
#62 ·
Ok, then maybe I'll stick with these axles. And no, I won't be beating on this truck. Playing in the mud and trails once in a while, yes. Going full throttle over the rock creek at rausch creek, no.
 
#63 ·
AMC 360, T18 with granny low , dana 300, 4.10's on 33's with lockers is what I thought I would put in it if I owned it...and Monte, you are right in saying that you don't hack up all the good work Jeff put into it...
 
#66 ·
yeah, I always assume people are going to upgrade to 1pc shafts when they rebuild an AMC20... I should have mentioned that...
 
This is an older thread, you may not receive a response, and could be reviving an old thread. Please consider creating a new thread.
Top