FSF- Full Size Freep

[Jeepman1972]

As a brand new member (about 20 mins ago), I'm looking to show you my ideas and progress on my "special project" and hopefully get some ideas from ya'll.

I've named it "FREEP" because my objective is to pretty much build it for little or no actual cost to me! Maybe this will be a helpful project for us all! With the Internet, I just find it hard to NOT be able to do. Well, so far so good! A big key is patience! I will say I started with a $2500 seed.

I found it on Craigslist. He had it listed for $1200 and went and looked at it in early November, 2012. It had the original 360 which looked like it would run with some attention but no tranny and tcase. The body was pretty clean, all the glass was good and doors shut tight so I offered him $800, which he declined initially, so I left. I touched back with him from time to time, again in late December and he still had it so I again offered $800 (I could've probably offered less but I felt it was worth it). He accepted it so I brought it home.

-$860

I found a deal on some 04 F250 axles and knowing what they were worth, I bought them for $860.

-$1660

I posted them up for $1600 and sold them for $1450.

-$210

Sold the 360 for $800.

+590

Found some more axles, this time out of an 02 F250. These are leaf spring axles, front D60 and Rear Sterling 10.25. Both have 4.10 gears, disc brakes and no ABS tone rings. PERFECT. Paid $640.

-$50

So... I'm sitting with a clean, 95% rust free 75 Wagoneer body on frame with good glass, lights and electricals, all good interior, good D44 axles front and rear and good rims. I also have a good set of 3/4 ton axles ready to go in with zero mods needed to them to drive it. I'm so far in this rig for $50 AND I'll get decent cash for the factory D44s and rims.

The build plan is an LS motor, a GM 4 spd automatic tranny and a late model solid tcase. I'll buy and sell on CL until I have the cash to get those drivetrain parts then I'll be in them for nothing. I don't plan a huge bodywork/paintjob project until its pretty much built at which point I'll blow it apart and "finish" everything, sand/bead blasting body and frame, any necessary body work and paint, interior stuff etc.

Any thoughts thus far?

[Snowstorm]

Sounds like you have a hell of a start on the project already Keep us updated!

Oh, and PICS!!!

[jaber]

Welcome to the net.

I agree, take pics as you go.

[fulsizjeep]

Welcome to the forum! Sounds like a worthy project. Only thing I have right now is that rear axle spring options for 74 and 75 FSJs are more limited than 76-91 FSJs unless you are changing spring mounts on the frame.