1979 Military Issue J20

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Rook2485
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1979 Military Issue J20

Post by Rook2485 »

Hello all! I've recently acquired a 79' J20 which was purchased form a military auction years ago, one owner who drove it for a few years off and on. 59,000 original miles, 360 AMC V8, Dana 44 Front, 60 rear with a T18 transmission.

I'll be honest, I've owned Japanese cars all of my life so while I am mechanically inclined, American V8's are a new territory for me. I am loving the lower cost of these American parts, however!

Anyway, I'd like to include some photos and maybe have some of the FSJ experts give me their opinion on things that may need immediate attention that I may not see. As of now, I plan on replacing the radiator, water pump, alternator, clutch pedal assembly, belts, etc.

Also, I haven't been on a forum in years so apologies, I couldn't remember how to embed images to the post itself so I added a link.


https://www.dropbox.com/sh/qcajjh501qjp ... Zr-Ga?dl=0

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Rook2485
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Re: 1979 Military Issue J20

Post by Rook2485 »

Oh, and U-Joints! What U-Joints would be recommended for the rear driveshaft which connects to the Dana 60?
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Stuka
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Re: 1979 Military Issue J20

Post by Stuka »

Welcome tot he forum!

For adding photos there is an attachments area at the bottom of the page (you have to select Full Editor next to submit to see the option). Also, photos can't be original giant size.

The truck looks pretty clean, no apparent bed rot which is very common, but its unlikely to be military. Outside of the M715, the Military didn't really use Jeep trucks. Other branches of the government did, and they came with a sticker on the dash that said they had gone through AM General.

But, a previous owner did install the Hummer H1 beadlock wheels and tires, and its using wheel spacers as those wheels have 7.5" of backspacing.

I see lots of new parts. New wires, distributor cap, looks like a new carb. I would probably put a new fuel filter on. That one is pretty discolored which would make me think its pretty old.

Which you mention the clutch pedal assembly, what is wrong there? The push rod is prone to wear and can break. Pretty easy to replace with 3/8" all thread and some heim joints.

Oh, and for u-joints, stock replacements are required unless you are going to swap out the yokes. Stockers would be 1310's, and Dana/Spicer still makes them, as do other companies.
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Pevious Jeeps: 1981 J10, 1975 Cherokee, 2008 JK, 2005 KJ, 1989 XJ

Topic author
Rook2485
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Re: 1979 Military Issue J20

Post by Rook2485 »

Thanks so much for taking a look, Stucka!

So the story I got was that it was an admirals in the navy. Specifically the Seabees. It has government stickers all over the interior and also because it came from the military auction, had no title so the previous owner had to jump through some hoops to get a title and in the process discovered that it had been to multiple continents during its time in the navy. It still has the faded yellow Seabee insignia too.

The clutch pedal is a nasty owner-job. It look like it’s rigged with whatever they had on hand and I basically have to stand on it to get it to engage. Any recommendations for a assembly would be super helpful. Again, it has the T18 transmission so I don’t know if that changes much in terms of linkage.

It also looks like maybe they started doing the rhino conversion on the front end?

Thanks again!

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Re: 1979 Military Issue J20

Post by madmikex3 »

Nice rig to start with. All Cherokee’s and wagoners share the same front support. That’s why it looks like that without a grille.


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78 WIDETRAC
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Re: 1979 Military Issue J20

Post by 78 WIDETRAC »

I was in the Seabees late 80's to early 90's and remember seeing a few j20's.
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Re: 1979 Military Issue J20

Post by Stuka »

Rook2485 wrote: Sat Dec 12, 2020 3:43 pm Thanks so much for taking a look, Stucka!

So the story I got was that it was an admirals in the navy. Specifically the Seabees. It has government stickers all over the interior and also because it came from the military auction, had no title so the previous owner had to jump through some hoops to get a title and in the process discovered that it had been to multiple continents during its time in the navy. It still has the faded yellow Seabee insignia too.

The clutch pedal is a nasty owner-job. It look like it’s rigged with whatever they had on hand and I basically have to stand on it to get it to engage. Any recommendations for a assembly would be super helpful. Again, it has the T18 transmission so I don’t know if that changes much in terms of linkage.

It also looks like maybe they started doing the rhino conversion on the front end?

Thanks again!
I can certainly be wrong regarding if it was purchased by the Navy or not. Some photos of the interior would be cool.

Seeing the auto trans in the bed, did the previous owner convert it to manual? If so, they may have used the wrong bell crank. The wrong one will put the angle of the clutch rod at a steep angle and make it harder to depress. I had a factory T18a in my '75 Cherokee, and it was pretty easy as far as mechanical clutches go.

For the grill, looks like the original plastic grill was just removed.
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Rook2485
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Re: 1979 Military Issue J20

Post by Rook2485 »

Hey Stucka, here are some of the interior and the janky clutch pedal. It was automatic previously and the owner I purchased it from did the conversion. Included in the deal was the turbo 400 automatic transmission, two a/c systems (interior), torque converter, and the OEM (mag??) wheels and two front driveshafts.

On another note, I have a leaky radiator. Is there a go-to replacement everyone uses? I see a-lot of aluminum 3 row radiators in the $200 dollar range, not many 2 rows however. Any suggestions would be much appreciated.

Thanks!
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Re: 1979 Military Issue J20

Post by Stuka »

Looks like you have the AM General stick on the glove box. Looks just like the one that I had. Very cool.

As for that clutch, wow. That is beyond janky!
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Pevious Jeeps: 1981 J10, 1975 Cherokee, 2008 JK, 2005 KJ, 1989 XJ

Topic author
Rook2485
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Re: 1979 Military Issue J20

Post by Rook2485 »

Stuka wrote: Mon Dec 14, 2020 11:13 pm Looks like you have the AM General stick on the glove box. Looks just like the one that I had. Very cool.

As for that clutch, wow. That is beyond janky!
Tell me about it! I ordered a brake and clutch pedal assembly off eBay last night out of a j10 for $150. It looks like it may be missing a few bolts, but it looks like BJ's has me covered if I need anything in terms of the linkage. Fingers crossed I can normalize this pedal a bit, ha. Will post pics when I go to do it.
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Re: 1979 Military Issue J20

Post by Stuka »

Rook2485 wrote: Wed Dec 16, 2020 9:53 am
Stuka wrote: Mon Dec 14, 2020 11:13 pm Looks like you have the AM General stick on the glove box. Looks just like the one that I had. Very cool.

As for that clutch, wow. That is beyond janky!
Tell me about it! I ordered a brake and clutch pedal assembly off eBay last night out of a j10 for $150. It looks like it may be missing a few bolts, but it looks like BJ's has me covered if I need anything in terms of the linkage. Fingers crossed I can normalize this pedal a bit, ha. Will post pics when I go to do it.
You will also need the bell-crank assembly that bolts to the frame.

And this changed base on the engine and transmission. Some used longer or shorter arms.
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Rook2485
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Re: 1979 Military Issue J20

Post by Rook2485 »

Screen Shot 2020-12-16 at 3.07.08 PM.jpg

This is what I got in the deal.
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Re: 1979 Military Issue J20

Post by Stuka »

Rook2485 wrote: Wed Dec 16, 2020 1:58 pm Screen Shot 2020-12-16 at 3.07.08 PM.jpg


This is what I got in the deal.
Perfect
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twisted frame
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Re: 1979 Military Issue J20

Post by twisted frame »

Cool truck. You're in good shape now that you got that clutch setup.
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.

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Rook2485
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Re: 1979 Military Issue J20

Post by Rook2485 »

Does anyone have any pictures they could post of their clutch linkage inside the the cab? I’m having trouble with the spring that brings the clutch pedal back. I’m confused as to where to attach it. I know one end goes on the pedal assembly, it has a wing on the left side. Just not sure about where it attaches to the pedal. When I attach it how it’s attached in the image above, the pedal still feels limp. Is this normal until I install the rod? Also, I’m curious about the rod and where it is supposed to enter the firewall vs what the guy before me drilled out. Ive almost got this new assembly in. It looks like the rod the eBay junkyard sent with it isn’t OEM and BJ’s is closed till 1/4/21

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Re: 1979 Military Issue J20

Post by twisted frame »

My J truck isn't where I live. If I get to it this weekend, I'll post pics.
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.

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Re: 1979 Military Issue J20

Post by 78 WIDETRAC »

Rook2485 wrote: Tue Dec 29, 2020 3:04 pm Does anyone have any pictures they could post of their clutch linkage inside the the cab? I’m having trouble with the spring that brings the clutch pedal back. I’m confused as to where to attach it. I know one end goes on the pedal assembly, it has a wing on the left side. Just not sure about where it attaches to the pedal. When I attach it how it’s attached in the image above, the pedal still feels limp. Is this normal until I install the rod? Also, I’m curious about the rod and where it is supposed to enter the firewall vs what the guy before me drilled out. Ive almost got this new assembly in. It looks like the rod the eBay junkyard sent with it isn’t OEM and BJ’s is closed till 1/4/21
I currently have a factory manual Cherokee in my driveway. I would be more than happy to send you any pics to help you. I also did a t-18 4spd swap on a 1984 Grand Wagoneer 10 years ago. I used stuff from a 75-76 ish j-10. It all fit but I think there was something up with the brake rod hole being too small. I don't exactly recall.

Point is it will bolt right in. the clutch rod goes through a elongated hole on the fire wall that has a plate over it. there is a factory boot that fits it but I think they are hard to find. If I can get some pics it would be after work tomorrow unless I can find more in my imgbb account.
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