1971 J2000 build on Jeep JKU Frame

[Copper204]

Restoration guys have been doing it for years. Also some purists do it for finish quality. The chemical reaction between gun blue basicly creates Black Iron Oxide. This creates a chemical bond to the metal. Then when it is fresh it allows the oil to penetrate the black iron oxide. Sealing and protecting the metal. It also makes it so I can install with tools not effecting finish in process. Painting would not do this. Putting on nickel or other coating. A tool can mark or scratch. This will then lead to corrosion. The Black iron oxide is already a corrosive action. And is stopped and sealed by the oil penetration.

[bigun]

So frame is at KrashFab in Valley Springs, Ca. Having a master welder firm up and do a professional job on all my booger welds. Caspy had to basically grind off my booger’s and redo everything.


So decided to prep all of the hardware for the frame. Rust proofing the hardware to avoid issues. Also did not want any of the silver looking hardware. It will have a matte black finish when done.


Tumbler with resin compound to remove all the rust.




Rust removed 8 hour run time.


Into the sand blast booth.



Gun blueing compound. Not pictured also. Soaked and rinsed bolts in muriatic acid to strip any unseen coatings after blasting. Then rinsed and acetone washed.


This is finished Gun blue black. It is soaked in old motor oil that will set the coloring and on a microscopic level, protect the finish. The reaction of the metal is almost instantaneous. I will be doing this to almost every fastener on this rig.


Here is the frame.. you can go back and look at my booger welds in older post’s. I am mechanic , retired detective and Marine. Not a welder.

I don't see anything wrong with your welds!

[Copper204]

Have a slight delay. My powder coater ended up in hospital.

[Stuka]

Have a slight delay. My powder coater ended up in hospital.

Oh wow, hope he is ok. He's a really nice guy.

[sonoraed]

Have a slight delay. My powder coater ended up in hospital.

Oh wow, hope he is ok. He's a really nice guy.

Ditto that Larry is a local treasure

[Copper204]

So these are the axles and the limited edition cover from Yukon that will be on them. These are the original axles from my 2017 Jeep Rubicon. Dana 44 Front and Dana 44 Rear. E-Locker in both. 5.13 gears and chrome alloy axles.

[Copper204]

Sometimes I look in the mirror. And say, “dummy why do you do that” ?

There was absolutely nothing wrong with these axles. But wanted to freshen them up. And needed to make the hardware match the chassis hardware. So everything with get Black Oxide Coating treatment aka gun blueing. Then will paint them with heavy solid Polyurethane coating. Aka Steel-It Black. The best part is if scratched. Can lightly sand and patch paint will blend in with no deformation. But need to run these purple limited edition covers from Yukon Gear and Differential.

[Copper204]

And like that. The frame is back from powder coating. Looks amazing. Larry and Spencer and Josh at L&L Powder Coating went above and beyond.

[Stuka]

Wow, nice!

[Copper204]

And this is how it looks at moment.

[Copper204]

So yesterday aka Friday I did get some more parts back from L&L Powder Coating in Sonora, Ca.








I really need a better camera or better lighting. The photos do not do Justice to Larry and Spencer’s work.

[Copper204]

I finally had a little time to work on the fuel tank install. The frame stretch of 3 and 7/16 inches caused a few issues I missed prior to powder coating. I needed to move the front crossbar. I did not. So being a polypropylene or whatever tank. I heated it up and remolded it in a few areas to fit. I also made a second mounting point for one of the tank skid mounts. I then installed tank and transfer case skid guard. I also worked on getting the bump stop’s installed. Normally I use axles for this. But had to try something different.










Hopefully tomorrow night. I should be able to get the power plant aka Engine, transmission and Transfer case back into frame. So I can start installing and figuring out the FI-TECH fuel system. Then will be waiting for axles so I can get it to a rolling chassis and over to muffler shop for custom exhaust. The rain we are having is kind of causing me a headache and anxiety. This rig will not be out in the rain.

[Copper204]

Photo dump coming

[Copper204]

So these are my axles at L&L Powder Coating out of Sonora, Ca. Larry and Spencer do amazing work and meticulous work at that. Larry is a hot fodder also. So he brings the best out in what he works on.



This is all the attachments and such on the axles. My camera cannot do Justice to the color.





Drivetrain. Engine, transmission and transfer case back in the frame and bolted in.


Core support back on.






Engine intake and such installed.



Next post will cover rear and such.

[Stuka]

That’s going to look really sharp with all those bright parts.

[sierrablue]

Purple axle stuff...you're almost as bad as I am with the purple axles

Hey, Copper204, do you know by chance if those brake brackets work on the earlier D44s like our stock Jeeps have? Not ABS but just the discs.

[Copper204]

No, different bolt pattern on brackets.

[Copper204]

I may be going a little too far on this according to wife….lol

[Copper204]

Rear brake caliper and parking brake brackets.

[Copper204]

Pretty much on this build. Either new or 100% confirmed perfect if used.