pyro's '81 J10

[pyro]

New to FSJ's, not to jeeps. This one is my first.

I picked it up yesterday...it's an '81 with the 4.2/4spd manual. the body is solid, and the only cancer spots are the two floorboards near the rocker panels (easy replacement).
Some pics:






i started tearing down the interior already. pretty much everything inside the doors needs replaced unfortunately.



Here are the rust holes i was talking about...i found some replacement panels on bjsoffroad.com for a decent price though:



my plans are the following:
2" lift (came with the truck)
reupholster interior (seats/carpeting/doors/floorboard replacement, etc)
bedliner
some 31-33" bfg a/t's (haven't decided on wheels)
lose the toolbox and get a tonneau cover
swap out the transmission for a "true" 4, or possibly 5-speed (for extra mpg's)
maybe change the exterior color (haven't decided what color)

during this process i will be refurbing the trim/lighting/engine with newer parts along the way

[Stuka]

Looks pretty decent. In the 80's only J20's came with a T18a. J10's came with the T176 (close ratio). If you never plan on offloading or towing much, then a close ratio 4 speed would be better. A 5sp would be better. An AX-15 or an NV3550 from a 4.0 equipped TJ/XJ will bolt right up to the engine. You would need a 23 spline t-case though. An NV231, 241, or 242 would work (Provided they are later 23 spline versions).




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[lindel]

Nice looking Jeep! The truck's not bad either...j/k. The truck looks very good, with minor rust.

Good solid engine, and if you transplant a TJ 5 speed and t/c you'll be miles ahead of the game.

Nice score!

[pyro]

picked up some 31x10.50r15 BFG A/T's today and gave the factory wheels a good scrub with industrial degreaser. it appears that at one point they were chrome.

[Stuka]

Looks good. BTW: I am very jealous of your tail gate. You have no idea how rare it is to find one in good shape.

[pyro]

thanks! that's what I've heard

[Polarfire]

Nice J10! The wheels were originally chrome and can be nice and shinny again all you need is some "aircraft paint stripper" which you can get at most auto parts stores. It will take the old, cloudy clear coat off without damaging the chrome underneath and then just polish the chrome to a nice shine! The wheels are 15x8 and can handle up to a 33x12.50 tire with no problems. I think the OEM wagon wheels are the best looking on FSJs. Also, the rear bumper is a nice OEM bumper but is missing the plastic end caps which are very hard to find. If you get a different rear bumper make sure to post that one up for sale as I'm sure someone would grab it up quick. As for the interior, the black Laredo seats are also rare and would be worth taking to an upholstery shop to see if they can be repaired vs. replacing them. Just my .02, obviously it is your truck and you can modify it however you like.

[pyro]

little bit of an update...got all the emissions stuff out (vac lines, canister, pump, fittings, connectors) and replaced all the heater hoses, thermostat, and other various cooling parts. also picked up a blaster 2 distributor coil and a sunpro super tach II. i found a flowmaster 40 series at my friends house so i had mad hatter in tampa throw on a 2.5" header-back system with that muffler and a tip too.


also got a pic of it doing some actual work...

[pyro]

painted the headlight trims, removed the lame decals put on by the PO and put my freshly repainted mudflaps on. Ill have interior pics of my doors and new headliner within the week hopefully. been trying to polish the grille and front bumper but it is a verrry slow process. i also have a front bumperette in the garage.

[Stuka]

The mud flaps look pretty good!

[fulsizjeep]

BahZing on removal of PO tape.
That whole truck looks classy!

[jaber]

You are doing awesome things to that truck. Keep up the great work.

[pyro]

just picked these up for $30 shipped.

[jaber]

[pyro]

got the wheels done today...took four rounds but the aircraft stripper was a success...followed it up with a buffing and some never dull and repainted the center caps. also threw on some new lug nuts.
before:


after:

[jaber]

WOW, that came out nice...

[stacyw]

Those before and after pics are killer. I guess you had a smile when finished!

[Mars]

Nice work on those wheels man!

[66stepside]

That looks very classy, keep at it!

[ThaCrabapple]

In the first after picture, the wheels are so chrome all you see is the dark reflection in the background! I didn't think they turned out until I saw the second after photo, looks beautiful! Very nice, truck.