my J20 rebuild/resto...

Custom Search

[Crown Automotive - Jeff]

Well, picked up a 1982 J20 early March of 2009 and have slowly been tinkering with it. As I type this, it is enroute to NH to Broken Road to get some solid work done on it since I'm too slow and don't try hard enough...but in the meantime, I guess I'll put this thread here just to show what I've been doing and where I'm at.

Anyways, here are the specs:
AMC 360
T18 w/ granny low 1st (was wondering why I needed to shift at 5mph!)
NP208
"HD"-D44/D60
Was the 8400# GVW but I swapped out the stock suspension for a Rusty's 4" full leaf pack kit.
BJ's Offroad poly body mounts + their 1" puck BL

Ultimately, I just want it running reliably before I decide what I'll actually do with it. I am unsure if I should attempt to wheel it as it's so darn long (8' bed) and wide...+ after doing all the work to it, not sure if I'll want to 'beat' on it by wheeling it. There aren't too many of these left around here as they all rot out so once it's squared away reliability wise, I'll go from there.

Anyways, here are a few pictures of it...looks a lot better (I think) in person, but it's gone through some changes with the flat bed to the real factory bed Broken Road hooked me up with, tried a few different grille combinations but decided to stick with the Muscle grille that belongs on it.  Otherwise, I had the interior floors welded up, I POR-15'd them and the frame, and buttoned up the interior. Lots of other small stuff like TFI upgrade, COMPLETE new brakes front and rear + lines, and then just collecting usable stock parts.

[BiGdAdDeE]

that is one sexy beast you got there Jeff.
How about just taking a plank or two off each side of the bed to narrow it a bit for wheeling.  Looks too wide to wheel as it.....you'll destroy it for sure.

We'll have to nick name you the "Tree Catcher"

[XJFever]

I like it...looks real nice.

[Crown Automotive - Jeff]

that is one sexy beast you got there Jeff.
How about just taking a plank or two off each side of the bed to narrow it a bit for wheeling.  Looks too wide to wheel as it.....you'll destroy it for sure.

We'll have to nick name you the "Tree Catcher"

That wood bed is what was on it originally, it's LONG gone...I put a factory bed on it and it will be painted/fixed up at some point soon.

[Technohead]

I don't think width is your problem. Its length. Bob a foot or two from the bed/frame, add some armor, and drive it!!!

Guess I won't see it sitting outside the next time I'm at the shop. . .

[Posimoto]

Looks great Jeff, I agree with you on not wheel it hard. Some class Vl roads or a sand pit would be all it needs to exercise  and lube the 4x4 parts. I wish I had time to work with you on this but I'm sure those guys will do a good job.

   

[jps4jeep]

so this really exhists... I always thought you were just F-in with me..

Can't wait to see it in it's current glory

[Crown Automotive - Jeff]

I give up on this. I've typed a big thing up 3 times and it always gives me errors!?#_(*&) So, enjoy updated pics of the bed.

[BiGdAdDeE]

oooooooooooooooh shiny!    looks good Jeff!

[Posimoto]

I like that color Jeff, what is it?

[Crown Automotive - Jeff]

Not original!

The original color for mine was Deep Midnight Blue pearlcoat...and under the hood and inside the cab are still that color, but it was repainted (crappily) before I bought it. They just cut a section out of my old rusty door and had it matched...unknown name/application.

[cj7fan]

Jeff,

The bed looks great and I am jealous to say the least.  That is one part of my resto/build that it going to take some time.

Thanks for the update and let's see some pics of her all back together!

K

[Crown Automotive - Jeff]

Thanks Kent...can't wait to drive it! I'm jealous of you for that! If I were to do it again...I'd seek out a better original or buy a M100 trailer and modify it to fit. The aftermarket replacement sides aren't nearly as thick as factory...but, they look nice.

Also got that XJ carb'd fuel tank mounted up. Depending on how often I do end up driving it, I might grab another as an auxiliary tank. There were factory truck aux tanks but they're tough to find these days, and I have access to enough that they're bound to work.

[Freefree]

Slow and Steady- but great work...as promised. 

[Crown Automotive - Jeff]

Thank you Freefree (Matt) for the ride up and moral support!

I was nervous, and it was a little scary drive back...but 10 months later, she's back with me.

It's not close to 100%, (are any of them?!) but it'll do for now.   Was a LOUD drive back with no headliner and being an old truck...I haven't quite mastered driving the 3 speed yet. For whatever reason when I come to a stop in neutral, it stalls out.

The motor will eventually need to be gone through or replaced, as of now, it's back!