1979 J20: Tan Can

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Topic author
ReggieWilliams_jr
Posts: 11
Joined: Mon Apr 06, 2020 1:18 am

1979 J20: Tan Can

Post by ReggieWilliams_jr »

Long time build tread follower, first time poster. I’ve rescued a old really crusty truck from the bone yard one time before this, so this time I decided to buy something decently good but decently crusty. I’ve owned a few Jeep tjs and hang out with a lot of old school jeepers. My plans for this is just to make it good but keep the crust where it doesn’t really matter, to me it needs to be (somewhat) mechanically sound but everything else is second to be worked on. Here’s some pics....

When I first bought it...
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It runs,drives,steers,stops,lights and gauges works. Clean title with what it says and the guage cluster 72k miles... the old, not very visible, lettering on the cowl. Seems to be in a fleet of some sort? And proly more like 172k miles but what ever! It’s got over 40lbs of oil pressure and unmolested!


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Topic author
ReggieWilliams_jr
Posts: 11
Joined: Mon Apr 06, 2020 1:18 am

Re: 1979 J20: Tan Can

Post by ReggieWilliams_jr »

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Replaced the old crusty tank with new filler neck and bjs tank, fuel sender, and straps worked beautifully !


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Topic author
ReggieWilliams_jr
Posts: 11
Joined: Mon Apr 06, 2020 1:18 am

Re: 1979 J20: Tan Can

Post by ReggieWilliams_jr »

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After that I would drive it randomly every month for almost a year. It sat for a really long time before I bought it so I knew it needed a lot for it to be a driver, and that’s what I wanted out of it.


So I got a parts list and decided on the rustys off-road 3.5-4in lift and a lot of parts later....

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Also had a older random winch bumper that was period correct, no Idea what it was meant for. So I cut it up the best I could and made brackets to fit my truck... looks decent...now I need a winch...

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Icethrasher
Posts: 31
Joined: Sat Mar 28, 2020 4:39 pm

Re: 1979 J20: Tan Can

Post by Icethrasher »

Awesome truck and nice job on the lift and bumpers. Thanks for sharing!
1976 J10 - 401, TH400, BW1339
1974 Ford F250 - 360, Manual, 4x4
1949 GMC FC150, 270 I6, Manual
2004 Nissan Xterra, Lifted, Manual
2002 Kawasaki KLR250

rocklaurence
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Re: 1979 J20: Tan Can

Post by rocklaurence »

Looks good!! Ive been driving FSJ trucks since 1980..

will e
Posts: 5097
Joined: Sat Aug 18, 2012 8:21 am

Re: 1979 J20: Tan Can

Post by will e »

That's a good looking truck! Looking great with the lift and tires. Thanks for joining and for sharing!
81 Waggy 'WILL E' Retired
82 Cherokee WT - SOA/SF/high steer/Alcan springs/agr box/Borgeson steering shaft/AMC 401/performer/holley TA/HEI/BeCool/727/ALTAS (2.0/2.72/5.44)/D60 Snofighter(Yukon Zip,hubs,stubs,4.56)/14 Bolt (FF,BF shave, Discs, ARB,Artec Truss)/MTR 37X12.5/Corbeau XRS Baja & 5 point retractable harness/Hella Aux lights/tuffy console/killer32 sliders/Evil Twin bumpers, rack and roll cage/WARN 8000/TT Fabworks steering brace/dual batts/custom TC skid plate/ARB fridge

Topic author
ReggieWilliams_jr
Posts: 11
Joined: Mon Apr 06, 2020 1:18 am

Re: 1979 J20: Tan Can

Post by ReggieWilliams_jr »

Installed a twin stick to the Dana 20 from jb conversions, super excited about this. Can’t wait to test it out. When I bought the Jeep the hubs were seized, and the original junky shifter box was such a pain to work with. Future reference, in my case, unbolt the transfer case from the transmission and life will be much easier.

Also, I need new vinyl flooring. If anyone has suggestions on which route to take would be wonderful!

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Icethrasher
Posts: 31
Joined: Sat Mar 28, 2020 4:39 pm

Re: 1979 J20: Tan Can

Post by Icethrasher »

Nice!

Didn’t know they had a radio delete block off plate. Cool
1976 J10 - 401, TH400, BW1339
1974 Ford F250 - 360, Manual, 4x4
1949 GMC FC150, 270 I6, Manual
2004 Nissan Xterra, Lifted, Manual
2002 Kawasaki KLR250

twisted frame
Posts: 637
Joined: Wed Mar 27, 2013 9:41 am
Location: Massachusetts

Re: 1979 J20: Tan Can

Post by twisted frame »

That truck is beefy. Looks excellent with that lift. I never knew the radio delete plates changed. My 73 has an aluminum one with design that is probably from the Kaiser era.
73 J4000. 360, MC 2100, T18A, D20, stock closed knuckle Dana 44 front, 60-2 rear. Warn Lock-O-Matics, Warn/Belleview electric winch, true duals with glasspacks, old-school front diff skid plate, used 265 Toyos on 16" AR wheels.

Topic author
ReggieWilliams_jr
Posts: 11
Joined: Mon Apr 06, 2020 1:18 am

Re: 1979 J20: Tan Can

Post by ReggieWilliams_jr »

Wanting alittle more power from the old amc 360 I ditched all the smog and bought a summit brand hei distributor Image


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After a lot trial and error and trying to save old wore out parts or replace them with new ones. I decided that I wanted to drive this truck a lot and started doing a lot of parts swapping for cheap insurances. Water pump, alternator, power steering pump and lines, fan and clutch, radiator and all coolant hoses, starter and all the other bolts ons. Including a new 4 barrel carb and intake

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Also replaced the old slightly dry rotted 33” All terrains for some 35” mile stars

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Topic author
ReggieWilliams_jr
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Joined: Mon Apr 06, 2020 1:18 am

1979 J20: Tan Can

Post by ReggieWilliams_jr »

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HowardT64
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Joined: Sun May 05, 2013 2:47 am
Location: Athens,Texas

Re: 1979 J20: Tan Can

Post by HowardT64 »

I would so love to do that with my suspension...it needs it badly...
2016 Jeep Patriot
"Faith"
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HowardT64
Posts: 1536
Joined: Sun May 05, 2013 2:47 am
Location: Athens,Texas

Re: 1979 J20: Tan Can

Post by HowardT64 »

Your truck is in decent shape :) body looks real nice ;)
2016 Jeep Patriot
"Faith"

Topic author
ReggieWilliams_jr
Posts: 11
Joined: Mon Apr 06, 2020 1:18 am

Re: 1979 J20: Tan Can

Post by ReggieWilliams_jr »

HowardT64 wrote:Your truck is in decent shape :) body looks real nice ;)
I think it has lived its whole life here in SC, but sat in a field for a long time before I bought it. Unfortunately the floors are gone, and bottoms of fenders, and pin holes in the bed in normal places. I love it. Thank you!


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Driftwood
Posts: 159
Joined: Fri Mar 02, 2012 3:31 pm
Location: 'gon

Re: 1979 J20: Tan Can

Post by Driftwood »

Now I'm inspired to do a lift.
1979 Wagoneer
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superstitiousmelon
Posts: 7
Joined: Wed Jul 22, 2020 4:45 pm

Re: 1979 J20: Tan Can

Post by superstitiousmelon »

I just recently bought a 79 Jeep j20! Although it’s a 3 speed automatic. I don’t really know much about fixing up this truck but I’m really trying to learn. Love to see your thoughts on mine and perhaps help me get a parts list together. Let me know if you’re down to help! thanks!


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Topic author
ReggieWilliams_jr
Posts: 11
Joined: Mon Apr 06, 2020 1:18 am

Re: 1979 J20: Tan Can

Post by ReggieWilliams_jr »

So the rear bumper on this thing is something from the 80’s for sure. GIANT plate steel welded to the frame with a really rusty ball welded to it. It’s kinda huge and ugly but I kinda like it, so I decided the hitch was no good since I really want to use this truck to do truck things. I cut a hole and welded a new 2.5 in hitch in, along with some d ring mounts. Also braced the front bumper and added some d ring mounts. And talked a friend into selling me his warn 8274!



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rocklaurence
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Re: 1979 J20: Tan Can

Post by rocklaurence »

Go with synthetic rope--not sure if you can get it as 150'.
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Stuka
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Re: 1979 J20: Tan Can

Post by Stuka »

Wow, the guy that built the rear bumper originally went a bit overkill on those frame mounts.

For winch rope, I second synthetic. Steel has very little advantage over synthetic in most use cases. Also, contrary to what many say, a roller fairlead is better for synthetic than a haus style. So you can keep that.
2017 JKU Rubicon
Pevious Jeeps: 1981 J10, 1975 Cherokee, 2008 JK, 2005 KJ, 1989 XJ

Topic author
ReggieWilliams_jr
Posts: 11
Joined: Mon Apr 06, 2020 1:18 am

Re: 1979 J20: Tan Can

Post by ReggieWilliams_jr »

rocklaurence wrote:Go with synthetic rope--not sure if you can get it as 150'.
Yes! That’s the plan. Going to do some research before I buy some


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