Big Ron's 74

just leave it if you want all that Ive got a 74 with 40's and dana 60's wanta trade

 

Eh, I would be sleeping on the couch. I sold my 1 ton rig on 40s to build this fun little trail rig that the wife will like. She will only be happy with a little rig
I want to keep it on 33s, but I know the wheeling I'll do will require power steering and I have a waggie box that is rebuilt and tapped. The brakes stop fine, but a booster would be nice to slow down the speed. I am very surprised with this 304. It has tons more power than my old one, and I had hydroboost slowing that one

I'm leaning towards narrowing a waggie 44 to wide track width and keeping it SUA on 33s, locked both ends. That would at least keep the stock look my wife likes.

 

Nastalgia...

 

love the safety sandals.....

 

Your jeep reminds me of my dads Jeep when I was growing up. He always liked a white top and white seats. You don't see many jeeps with white tops anymore. He bought his new in 74. I think this pic is in 1982. Looks like you got a good start on a fun Jeep to play with.

 

I would love some of those rims.......

 

So the ball is rolling and all of the brackets I need are on the way for the axle swap. I'll be hitting the junkyard tomorrow to figure out what I'll be doing about brakes....but if time allows, hopefully I can get the axles swapped, steering installed and brakes working this weekend!

 

Been reading this thread with great interest! These forums are almost a support group for those of us with the Jeep affliction and substantial Jeep project.

Just pulled a white soft top off my build in favor of a white hard top. I really like that blue/white combo... mines red/white, but still pretty clean looking.

 

SCORE! yet again, I keep finding the deals. I finally got a plasma cutter to make this build quicker and easier. I have spent way to much on sawzall blades and cut off wheels and far too many sore arms from the air hammer.

Picked up all the springs and brackets for the suspension today, so hopefully some good updates in the next few days. I hope to cut off all the original suspension, mock up the new suspension and get it all welded in a day...then spend the next day getting the steering and brakes done.

 

Lets see some pics of the progress!

I really like the idea of having a stout drive train, but maintaing the factory look/stance as much as possible!

Looking forward to seeing some trail/wheeling pics of this Heep...

 

OK, so I finally got time yesterday to get the axles out and today to get the brackets plasma'd off and get the axles and suspension mocked up.


The outboard brackets I am using are a combo of Ruff Stuff and my own fab stuff. It's been over a year since I have gotten anytime in the garage...glad my welding technique stuck with me R)

I decided on a front stretch of 5" and 2" in the back....so it shuld put me right at 90" and still appear stock. I'll mount the shackle of the front bumper I need to build when the steel order comes in. They are ruff stuff way back shackle hangers


Here's my estimation of the rear width with about 2" of lift and 33s. I'm kinda liking the junk in the truck idea that is low and wide.

The front will be a bit narrower, I just didn;t feel like putting the wheels on the hubs...so they are just sitting close. Here you can see the front 5" stretch that will let me use the stock steering location for now.

 

I also decided to swap a NP 435 and put 3:15 gears in the 20...so it'll take my crawl from about 20:1 to about 90:1....so pretty much like wheeling an automatic! That'll be after I get it driving and enjoy it....and hopefully I can swap the trans in 1 day after the shifter and pilot bushing get here.
The T15 just doesn;t cut it with 3 something first gear.

I got a 78 corvette MC, CJ booster, Waggie steering box and powersteering from a 360 waggy, so that will make things much more enjoyable driving

 

Looking good. You might consider asking a moderator to move this thread to the Builds forum.

 

good idea, and done!
Mods, feel free to move this thread.

 

The NP435 will be a big improvement. Hold on to the T-15 - somebody will want if for the itself or the gears.

Good work - I'll be interested to see how this turns out.

 

The T15 is that hot of a commodity? really?

 

So I finally got my front bumper/crossmember made today and got the springs hung.

I have a set of Rancho 44044 waggy springs coming to balance out my rear lift since the front sat about 2" too low.

Looks like I need to make a new steering box mount. There is very little room, so I'll likely go with a scout box outside the frame to clear up some uptravel space for the draglink.

Hope to get it driving in the next week!