1970 Restomod Build

[707Jeeper]

Going back to basics with a 1970 restomod build.
This is my fourth attempt at building an early Jeep. First one was a flatfender that was too beat.
Second one was a 1971 that need to be left alone as it was very original. Sold it to a gentleman in Oregon that wanted a unmolested Jeep.


Third one was not able to be registered. It was a ranch Jeep most of its life


That brings me to Jeep 4. Very nice orginal Jeep V6, T14. 4:88's, it is acutally a very late 69 that was registered as a 70. Pictures are from sale ad as the previous owner found it.

Has a few mods done to it. A Warn/Jeep 8274 and a 4" skyjacker lift.

 

[707Jeeper]

Made a trip to Oregon and this is what I hauled home. The previous owner drove it from the estate sale directly into his shop and disassembled the Jeep. After a couple of years he decided restoring a Jeep wasn't in his time frame and passed it to me

The previous owner had purchased quite a few restoration parts for the Jeep.
New Supertop
New 3 core orginal style radiator
Complete wiring harness
Body mounts
A trove of fasteners and hardware

Goal for the Jeep is to have a solid driver that can do the Rubicon and local trails. This is my first frame off build. I usually like to build up a project as a rolling restoration, install one set of componets, test, and start the next. That helps keeps the problems manageable. We will see how big a challenge this one will be to sort out.

I bought this Jeep in mid September so the first part of this thread is catch up until we are current.
Please bear with me as this is the first time I have ever posted anything.

 

[707Jeeper]

Have purchased a few used Jeep parts to use in this build.

Bought a wide track Dana 30 with Alloy Axles and a truetrac style limited slip. Isn't my first choice but it came with the axle. We will see how it does. Axle is at a shop getting 4:88 gears installed. Setting up gears isn't in my wheelhouse.


Was able to find a flanged Dana 44 rear end. It was in a land rover that the guy was putting in Sammy axles and doing an EV conversion. It is at a second shop getting 4:88 gears, Grizzly Locker and all new bearings.


Going to do a Ford T18 swap. Also picked a old twin stick transfer case to convert to twin shifters. Bought the Novak adapters to adapt the t18 to the Dana 18 along with their Dana 18 rebuild kit. Also doing to delete the emergency brake off the T case so i have their tailshaft housing as well. The T18 had recent bearings but needed a new first gear and cluster gear. A buddy is going to help me assemble all of this.

 

[homersdog]

Looks like you are making good progress. The 4th time's a charm, or something like that.

 

[givemethewillys]

Looks like an excellent starting place, and your new jeep has all the right pieces to make it an awesome rig! I'm looking forward to following along on this one

 

[707Jeeper]

Begining the work on the project. The previous owner did a good job of keeping the parts organized.
Started with stripping the Jeep down to basics. cleaned the rust off of the body using a gray 3M pad. No real rust on the Jeep

Cleaned up the old winch mount.


The inside of the tub was painted with a rust-oleum product. The prep work wasn't up to par. Some places with good ahesion and some of it came up in strips.
Ended up stripping it all down. At this point I filled all of the non factory holes that it had aquired over the years.




At his point the body came off to paint the underneath


On one of the build I read the owner had built a cart for moving he body around. I had the plywood and wheels so I put one together. Jeep was back on wheels.

 

[homersdog]

Hat channels look original, that's a good sign!

 

[707Jeeper]

Factory firewall marking.


Underneath is painted. Left the center in primer and cleared all of it.



Going to go with swing pedals and a different heater. Added a plate to brace the master cyliner and pedal assembly

 

[707Jeeper]

Left the exterior of the Jeep alone for now. Undecided if I am going to leave it patina or repaint.



All of the body part on the cart for storage. Time to move on to the chassis and some fabrication


Also painted up a set of rear corners and the rock rails from Kyle.

 

[T.M.]

Wow, that's an amazingly clean Jeep to start with. Not a lick of rust on it.

 

[colojeepguy]

Goal for the Jeep is to have a solid driver that can do the Rubicon and local trails.

Undecided if I am going to leave it patina or repaint.

Given the intended use, I'd leave it looking as is.

 

[3b a runnin]

Given the intended use, I'd leave it looking as is.

X2

 

[Jw60]

The rear locker might be bit too aggressive for a "driver". It's literally a learning curve.
A rear posi, torsen, or selectable is a lot less stressful at speed.

 

[707Jeeper]

Started at the rear of the jeep to add a rear gas tank and new bumper.


Used these weld in inserts to bolt the bumper to the orginal rear crossmember.


Added a hitch and mocking up the fuel tank


Mocked up the Cherokee bumpstops adn added bracing around the springs. Nothing fancy.


Added the taper to the bumper and added the Ruff Stuff tow points


Back from powder coat. Had a tough time finding the right backup light.

 

[707Jeeper]

Time for more cleanup.

Degreasing the frame and engine


Much better


Removed transmisson. Brake System. Exhaust.


Removed engine. Time for more grinding.


Painted frame with chassis black

 

[707Jeeper]

Its the engines turn


Lots of scubbing a a few coats of paint later.

Ended up sending the engine and transmission out to a local mechanic. It"s been years since i have rebuilt a transmission or a transfer case. He is local, reasonable and speaks Jeep.


Usually use the bread trick when removing a pilot bushing. There was none in the house so i tried grease. That wasn't working. Found the next best thing. Tortilla for the win.

Transmission and Transer case installed.


Finally get to starting using parts that i have been collecting. DUI distributor. Novak headers, Brennan's garage power steering mount. 100 amp alternator, New modern starter, water pump and the hydraulic clutch is plumbed.


That brings the project up to current.
Yesterday was plumbing the rear brake line and rear tank fuel lines forward. Intalled the transfer case mount. Our son will be home next week so with his help the body can go back on. Looking forward for the project to look like a Jeep again.

More or less a quick view overview of what has been done so far. The people of the forum and the knowledge that has been amased here has helped so much on this project.

 

[T.M.]

Coming along nicely.

Looks like you have Novak's tailshaft on the D18? Any feedback on that? I believe it just came out recently.

 

[timsresort]

Ah man, I liked the pace you were going at. Read the whole thing over lunch! Nice work. Is that a stock CJ5/7 15 gallon tank?

 

[Buildflycrash]

More or less a quick view overview of what has been done so far. The people of the forum and the knowledge that has been amased here has helped so much on this project.

Great progress. Seems like you’ve done some auto restoration projects previously.

Lets see’em.

 

[givemethewillys]

You sure do work fast! Great progress, your jeep looks really great! You have added quite a few nice upgrades on there!