[WalleyeMagic]

Picked up this Jeep about 2 years ago locally from a craigslist ad for 1500 bucks. Frame was very bad at down sweeps above rear leafs, but I knew that when I bought it. It has a swapped 304 hooked to a 4 speed Tremac and Dana 300. It's been alot of work but hoping to have it ready by June. First day home and a good power washing. Also put the custom bumpers on that came with it.

 

[WalleyeMagic]

Fired it up the next day and blew a ton of dog food and debris out the cherry bombs! Lol, wouldn't run off tank and had to put temporary tank in back with electric fuel pump and ran some better. Finally went and got a new power valve for carb and drove it maybe 15 miles. As I said frame was pretty bad but wanted to see how motor and everything worked before tearing apart. It leaked everywhere it could from rear main,oil pan, transfer case,transmission, and both diffs. Even leaked from master cylinder,radiator,and heater core and 1 line blew as I was driving it around property. Put new headers,roll bar pad,and Bimini top that came with it new in box's.

 

[ERIVO_10]

Fired it up the next day and blew a ton of dog food and debris out the cherry bombs! Lol, wouldn't run off tank and had to put temporary tank in back with electric fuel pump and ran some better. Finally went and got a new power valve for carb and drove it maybe 15 miles. As I said frame was pretty bad but wanted to see how motor and everything worked before tearing apart. It leaked everywhere it could from rear main,oil pan, transfer case,transmission, and both diffs. Even leaked from master cylinder,radiator,and heater core and 1 line blew as I was driving it around property. Put new headers,roll bar pad,and Bimini top that came with it new in box's. View attachment 4172815

Wow …. You did a great job

Here comes a new born baby lol

 

[WalleyeMagic]

Finally in Dec of 21 I pulled the tub off and got to work. Frame and components were caked with mud,grease,oil, and any other thing that could stick to it! Lots of Degreaser and power washing to get it ready for disassembly. Shady patch that was on Driver side when I got it. Passenger side was untouched and rusted through also.

 

[WalleyeMagic]

Next I pulled the motor and tore it down enough to replace all gaskets,seals,freeze plugs,rear main seals and any other things that needed addressing. Put a water pump and prepped for paint. Motor looked very good when was apart so didn't do anything major to it. Would like to build a 360 for it someday so didn't want to throw a ton of money at it.

 

[WalleyeMagic]

I then did the same to the dana 300 and 4 speed.

 

[GETVRTCL]

You’ve done a lot of nice cleanup. Congratulations

 

[WalleyeMagic]

Next I stripped Frame down and began grinding and cutting bad components off to see how bad the damage was. We ended up taking shackles off and plating frame bottom and sides with 3/8 steel custom cut and fully welded. Turned out pretty good and is definitely stronger than it ever was. Replaced all body mounts with throttle down mounts and replaced rear crossmember. Left the rear bumper-body mounts alone which isn't factory but is plenty strong.

 

[WalleyeMagic]

After a ton more grinding ,sanding, and Degreaser I applied 3 coats of satin frame paint.

 

[WalleyeMagic]

Next I tore down front and rear diffs. On the front did all new seals and gaskets, u joints,ball joints, rotors and pads. Cleaned up stock calipers and seem smooth as butter so left them alone other than paint and new bleeders. Also did new sway bar bushings,steering stabilizer, and tie rod ends that came with jeep just never were installed. Rear diff just inspected gears and replaced gasket then painted both with same frame paint. Brakes seemed good but have decided now I will be replacing all internals of rear drums for a piece of mind. Jeep came on super lift leafs "unsure of size 3"lift?" so I just cleaned them up repainted and re installed with new shackle U bolts.

 

[WalleyeMagic]

Then I put the grinder back to work on rims that were painted an aluminum color and they were chrome but extremely pitted so scuffed them up good and applied gun metal grey wheel paint and they turned out pretty good. After some weeks of waiting for paint to harden I finally got it somewhat back together. My garage was becoming a nightmare to work in from scattered parts from one end to the next. While all that was going on also was painting alot of small pieces from here and there. Then at the last minute decided to paint new tank with the same wheel paint even though you really can't see it once installed. Also bought new skid plate as mine was in rough shape.

 

[WalleyeMagic]

Then went to hardware and got big bag of grade 8 and started to bolt it back together. Ok maybe 3-4 trips to the hardware! Lol, also bought a complete stainless brake line kit .

 

[WalleyeMagic]

The next night I installed the engine,trans, and t-case. I'm pretty happy with how it's turning out and have learned a ton about Jeeps along the way. Figured out alot lurking on here as well as other sites before I became a member here. It has come along way but Still have a long way to go and I'm not building a Sema truck just want to restore something and bring it back from the dead!

 

[WalleyeMagic]

While all that was going on turned the tub up on its side and started stripping bottom and fixing what 40 years did to it. Didn't get crazy but at some point the driveshaft let go and tore a good hole through tunnel. Also the driver side toe board was rotted so removed that and weld new one in as well as beat out what dents I could and welded any tears that were in it. Did a little work on some of the other body mounts as well then painted it in satin for now. Still have 2 large holes where I believe the lap belts hooked but will address that when i notch wheel wells for seat clearance. May end up raptor lining bottom after I do my wheel well notches to make a little more room for my 6'1" frame! Lol. I am waiting for new seats at the moment before I can do this mod. Hopefully in the next few weeks that will be underway. Also bought and installed a 13" wheel with less dish to gain another inch or so. Want to get a tilt column eventually but not in the budget at this time.

 

[CaptainBuilt]

That's good way to paint the underbody. Gonna have to use that trick.

Looking good!

 

[WalleyeMagic]

I put some heavy duty wheels on the bottom so I could easily push it around garage and outside for powerwashing and grinding when it was nice out.

 

[Jeep152]

👍 Great work!!

 

[Johnkenedy]

Crazy build! Great work

 

[WalleyeMagic]

Finally got my seats so now I can begin to cut wheel wells and customize roll cage to get the most leg room I can get. Also installed heater blower from 73 chevy and new heater core the other night. Drilled bigger hole for motor and did a test fit but have to do a little sanding and paint hole so doesn't rust. When all done probably gonna raptor line fire wall when I do the inside of tub.

 

[WalleyeMagic]

Got my wheel well notches cut out and seats test fitted the other night, between the seats slid back another 3" and a smaller steering wheel with less dish offset I fit alot better! Still got many hours patching wheel wells back in and totally changing roll cage so it clears the seats. But getting a little closer by the day.