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Re: 1975 j-20 wrecker
Posted: Wed Oct 12, 2016 6:42 am
by Stuka
Great to see an update on this!
Re: 1975 j-20 wrecker
Posted: Wed Oct 12, 2016 9:29 am
by tedlovesjeeps71
This is awesome! Only thing better would be a crewcab. Haha.
Do you plan to run a.c. in addition to heat? I'd think a stand alone heater could be mounted someplace else creatively. A.C. may prove more tricky. Can't wait to see this thing rolling along. Great work sir! *salute!*
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Re: 1975 j-20 wrecker
Posted: Wed Oct 12, 2016 11:39 am
by Adventure_Wagon88
Are you making the "dog house" in the cab removable? I would think a setup similar to how full size Dodge B vans or Econolines and such have the sealed/insulated removable cover would be very helpful for future maintenance so you don't have to pull the motor or jack up the cab to be able to get to the rearmost bolts and components. Very nice work by the way, love seeing this come together!
Re: 1975 j-20 wrecker
Posted: Mon May 07, 2018 10:48 pm
by nimbus09
Here's another update
Since you last saw the truck I have swapped transmissions, finished the dog house and mounted the coolers, inner fenders and a couple other odds and ends
I lifted the cab again to make removing the 5-speed and installing the 6-speed a little easier
I got lucky and a truck at work was written off and I was able to grab the 6-speed trans this was awesome considering my 5 speed was missing 3rd and 4th for unknown reasons
As soon as I got the 6 speed in I realized I had somehow managed to pop the shift fork off when transporting it so it came back out and got opened up to pop the fork back on, I put it back in the truck but forgot the clutch linkage and throw out bearing so it will have to come out again at some point. A new tranny crossmember was made and the drive shaft lengths will need to be adjusted later
With the new tranny in I purchased a downpipe for the turbo so I could continue the doghouse. I did the driver side first but forgot to take pictures but here's the passenger side. I have a welding blanket over the engine and exhaust but you can kind of make out the down pipe and how tight the area is
The dog house is made in two pieces so it might be possible to remove it with the dash in place, I started with the outside frame that bolts to the body then cut and formed panels to make the various curves. I tried to make it as close to the exhaust as thought I could to save some passenger foot room but not get to hot at the same time. Hopefully some exhaust wrap will keep the heat on the floor to a minimum.
With the engine moved back I had room to mount the coolers up front the header panel was notched out to put the inner cooler inside in then the rad bolts to the back
The mounts that support the bottom of the coolers as well as the front clip took way longer then I would have liked but I am happy with the result
Here you can see the three pieces I'm hoping to support from left to right the front clip the inner cooler then the rad all rubber mounted
I then made a plate that meets all of their different heights and another plate that bolts to the frame
Then attached them together and added some strength
I managed to get most of the inner fenders in just had to trim some at the front for the wider coolers and I also mounted the brake master cylinder to the firewall and attached it to the jeep pedals
(Frame on jack stands not actual ride height)
Making progress a little at a time but getting there
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Re: 1975 j-20 wrecker
Posted: Tue May 08, 2018 1:26 pm
by Stuka
Looking awesome!
Re: 1975 j-20 wrecker
Posted: Tue May 08, 2018 5:44 pm
by jaber
I LOVE IT!!!
Damn, now you got me thinking about mine...
Re: 1975 j-20 wrecker
Posted: Tue May 08, 2018 5:52 pm
by letank
Very very impressive, I guess we can learn new tricks... thank you for posting all the detailled steps and pictures
Re: 1975 j-20 wrecker
Posted: Wed Jan 23, 2019 7:53 pm
by nimbus09
Re: 1975 j-20 wrecker
Posted: Wed Jan 23, 2019 7:54 pm
by nimbus09
Re: 1975 j-20 wrecker
Posted: Thu Jan 24, 2019 7:56 am
by jaber
Great progress. Not crazy on color, but love those seats, nice score. I might have to use your gauge pods in something, they look great.
Re: 1975 j-20 wrecker
Posted: Sat May 09, 2020 10:09 pm
by Txrangers20
Nice truck. I have a 1978 Jeep Cherokee project that’s almost finished. I really want a J Seris truck as well. I notice it’s been awhile. How’s the truck now?
Re: 1975 j-20 wrecker
Posted: Sat May 09, 2020 10:11 pm
by Txrangers20
Nice truck. I’ve got a 78’ Cherokee Cheif project that’s almost finished. I really want to have a J seris truck eventually. Nice truck. I notice it’s been awhile, what’s it look like now?
Re: 1975 j-20 wrecker
Posted: Sat May 09, 2020 10:12 pm
by Txrangers20
Sorry I thought the first post didn’t go but apparently it did