Jeep Honcho Sportside Build

[DustinLangston]

I guess it is time to start a build thread for my Honcho now that it is up and going. This was the day I brought it home. It was in super rough shape but come on. It's a sportside Honcho!

[DustinLangston]

One of the first things I undertook was finding new replacements for the rear fenders. Came across a gentleman that a few of you might have heard of named John Pittman. I had never heard of him but I guess he is a pretty big deal in the FSJ world.
Well long story short he has a set of forms for these fenders. And he had a set made for me. They cost almost as much as the truck, but it was totally worth it.


I literally flew to Portland, rented a minivan, picked up the fenders and drove them home to Southern Utah all within a 24 hour period. It was a long day. But again, totally worth it.

[DustinLangston]

Pulled the interior out of the Honcho and sent it off to the upholsterer. Should have it back soon. Can't wait to see it.

[DustinLangston]

This is the day I took it to the body shop. I dropped it off the same day I picked up the Cherokee. He said it would be done faster than the Cherokee. We will see.

[DustinLangston]

This is the day I got a good set of tires thrown on it. Made a big difference.

[DustinLangston]

Now the bad. I ordered a set of fiberglass front wide track fenders from Z&M Jeeps. These things are crap! They are going to cost more in body work to make them paintable than the fenders cost in the first place. They also have no mounting flange at the top of the fender. I currently have emails and voicemails in to Zack but so far he has not responded. I will let you guys know how it goes. So far, the only FSJ parts company I've come across that I have no complaints is BJ's. Everyone else has been a pain so far.

[AwesomeJ10]

nice looking Honcho!

boy I sure wish I had a bed like that....

[SJTD]

Now the bad. I ordered a set of fiberglass front wide track fenders from Z&M Jeeps. These things are crap! They are going to cost more in body work to make them paintable than the fenders cost in the first place. They also have no mounting flange at the top of the fender. I currently have emails and voicemails in to Zack but so far he has not responded. I will let you guys know how it goes. So far, the only FSJ parts company I've come across that I have no complaints is BJ's. Everyone else has been a pain so far.

Hard to tell what I'm seeing. Is that the back of the passenger side fender?

[DustinLangston]

That is the front lower section of the drivers side fender. It is the outside, I wouldn't care what the inside of the fender looked like.
But literally the entire fender is covered in these lines. The entire fender would have to be coated in bondo and sanded down.

[Stuka]

Thats really unfortunate :/

Are your original ones too rusted? They don't look bad in the photos, but hard to tell.

Is the truck actually a Honcho, or is it just a step side? With it being painted at some point its hard to tell. No reason you can't put all the honcho graphics on it though

[DustinLangston]

The front passenger side fender is still really good, but the drivers side is destroyed. No rust, but severely dented and smashed. Unfixable. But I am WAY too OCD to have just one fiberglass fender, so I decided to replace both. It is difficult to find good steel wide track fenders or I would have went steel. But now I am sending these back and will be looking for a good steel fender. So if you know anyone who has one I'm interested. I'm in southern Utah.
The truck is actually a real Honcho. It still has the original decals on it, but the previous owner painted over the decals. They were severely cracked and faded. I will be putting new decals back on it.

[will e]

Honcho sport side is one of my bucket list (or win the lottery and have a place with enough room to store a dozen or so vechicles list) trucks.
Looking forward to following this build.

[Nikkormat]

If you're looking for a fender still I've got two drivers side widetrack fenders in Colorado.

PM me if you're still looking for me.

[DustinLangston]

Where in Colorado are you? Yes I would be interested. Shoot me some pics and prices. Thanks.

[Nikkormat]

Ok I'll take some pictures and send them off.

I'm located in Evergreen, but it wouldn't be to hard to meet closer to you.

[DustinLangston]

Moab is the half way point.

[Greenmachine]

I want a set of those fenders but I am worried they won't make it to Tennessee in once piece. Looks like a great start good luck!

[Tatsadasayago]

Hey Dustin, I would be VERY interested to see how your upholsterer did your panels and seats. Please share pix when you get them back.

[DustinLangston]

Greenmachine, the fenders are crazy heavy duty! Way thicker and stronger than the originals. But it would be pretty shady trusting them to a freight forwarder. That's why I opted to fly up and drive them home.
Tatsadasayago I will post pics on the interior. I'm changing it up a little so I'm also curious to see what they look like.

[Nikkormat]

Greenmachine, the fenders are crazy heavy duty! Way thicker and stronger than the originals. But it would be pretty shady trusting them to a freight forwarder. That's why I opted to fly up and drive them home.

Are they any larger than stock? Or are they identical to stock just more heavy duty?