1971 J2000 build on Jeep JKU Frame

[Copper204]

Mounting the tunnel cover. Again with stainless hardware. Also the rubberized sealing tape. S what we use for sealing up AC boxes and such on older vehicles. This way if need to remove tunnel cover. I should be able to remove rubber without any damage to cover or tunnel.

[Copper204]

So today’s job was to get the cab and chassis bolted together. So dragged chassis out of storage. Of course I would pick a rainy day! And none of my guys are anywhere near shop to help. So blanket and fork lift it is. Also it was decided I should protect the chassis from future over spray. So that is why the chassis is wrapped in 3ml painters cover up. I went and bought new stainless steel mount bolts. The body pucks for this are a combination of Bump stop pucks and Toyota FJ40 body bushings. I used the fork lift to bring over chassis. It should be noted. The floor in this bay is marked for centering this chassis and body. This rig has been together at least 50-75 times during past couple of years.

FAST IS NOT CHEAP.. AND NOTHING ON THIS HAS BEEN CHEAP. EVERY SINGLE PART OF THIS RIG WILL HAVE BEEN TOUCHED, REDONE OR REPLACED.

[Copper204]

So since cab is mounted down. And cab mount bolts and lock nuts and such done. I decided to work on dash a little. I decided I will start with ashtray. Which will never be used as one again. it will become a coin holder. Also worked on hinges for glove box. If time allows maybe I will install glove box door tomorrow. I will not install plastic insert until wiring and AC ? Need the access. I also have to install defrost hoses and vent ducts. I am waiting on carpet kit to arrive from BJ’s. I also ordered extra carpet. I will need it to attach to Jeep JK center console to conceal the gap. Once carpet is here and installed then and only then can I put seats back in. I am also waiting on seat belts. I will also need to figure out which steering wheel. Tomorrow I may work on sorting out the steering intermediate shaft. I need a custom Fab unit going from YJ/XJ column to JK/ JKU Big bore box.

[Copper204]

Well today I was able to get glovebox door installed. Even put new rubber bumpers on. I also started with installing passenger side inner fender. And the hood bracket. As with all things the nuts and bolts and washers are all Stainless Steel. I also started on figuring out the steering intermediate shaft. I had to deviate from previous design. This due to the fact using a longer column from a Wrangler blended with parts from a Cherokee . My friend Keith will be tig welding the final version for me. I needed to make it collapsable. Not that I plan on ever crashing. But need to make it safe just in case.

[Stuka]

What color dash pad are you going to go with?

[Copper204]

The dash pad will be coated in Raptor lining.

[Copper204]

So today I was working on brake pedal install.

I also installed drivers side inner fender and started addressing brake proportioning valve. I spoke with my friend Keith he plans on Tig Welding the steering intermediate. I also ordered the 3/8-24 brake lines for attaching valve to brake distribution block. I put truck on 2 post lift. I have several items to address underneath of vehicle. I installed the torque converter bolts and torques them down. Also installed the bottom 2 engine to transmission bolts I forgot. I will hopefully get the starter installed tomorrow. It is almost time to start laying out the FI-Tech system and figuring out how I will attempt to hide the wiring. I am going to take a break tomorrow. I need to work on my LJ and get the dash on it back together.

As you can see I am also dealing with the steering on this rig. I need to get the hydro-assist ram and hoses installed. I think the purple of the bar clamp looks good?

I also have the custom radio install to do along with the under dash AC system. Sorry Ed we will be fighting the old system. I could not bring myself to deviate from stock style under dash AC. It is actually even if it did not work. It is all about the look. But as with everything else on this. IT WILL WORK.


I also spoke with the body shop they are starting on the bed next. They will also be painting front hood. They will hot rod black the underneath of hood. This of course since I am installing the heat barriers from BJ’s under there. So no need to go all Purple. I have spoken with upholstery shop. They will be doing custom work to the headliner to go along with my build. I also need them to make the modifications of carpeting for center console. Once the carpet comes in I will move onto the install ad seats and console along with parking brake cable, transfer cable and transmission cable. I also have to hook up power for center console lights and factory Jeep 110v inverter built into the center console.


I am also back into making sure lol bolt holes are clear and can accept new stainless steel hardware. I will need to start body wiring harness soon. I hope my engine bay does not get cluttered. I have seen so many that are.


Here are some more pictures enjoy.

[Copper204]

So worked a tad bit on the truck today. Test fitting the PSC hydro assist ram. For anyone who does not know. This helps with steering at slow speeds in difficult terrain. It also takes the place of steering stabilizer. But make the steering feel loose and twitchy. I like it and I am used too it.



I also decided to look at fuel delivery. So this is a neat little gem. It converts a quick lock 3/8 fuel fitting to a 6 AN fuel fitting. I also have returnless system for this build. I could not find a purple PTFE fuel line. So black with red fittings will suffice. But it is slick how the fitting slides on. Then you slide over and spin close the mandrel side. Cannot wait to see this all in action.

[Copper204]

It was also a good day to try out under dash AC install. I may be hating myself on this. I have not put hoses on the evap core unit. One of my tech’s looked at. He thinks he can put them on when times comes up. So a slight note; glad I was going with dash headlight switch. I am also using floor high/low switch. I deleted column switch so I could fully bolt up under dash unit. I also installed the bezel between column and dash. Hopefully next week I can start on installing the Rebel Wiring kit and/or atleast figuring out routing. My intent is to have minimalist view of wiring if possible.

[Copper204]

I also installed my hi-torque starter. I have had this starter since I first started build. I love this thing. It can be clocked and turned to avoid obstacles when installing. It is also pretty straight forward and robust.






Shameless pictures of a couple of my other rigs..

My cream puff 2006 Jeep LJ.



And my 1990 Jeep YJ with a 305CI engine and 700R4 with hybrid 231/241 Dana 300 transfer case. And FSJ Dana 44 front and rear axles in it with 4.56 gears. This rig has one of the first prototype roll cages built by Genright. It was from Tony one of the owners own personal rig. And it has secretly graced the pages of several magazines over the years. It has Lao been on the Rubicon more times than I have and more times to Moab than I have. It is my rig, but loaned out as needed. It was also the cover vehicle for the release of the KCLIGHTS V2 rock lights a few years back in Moab, Utah.

[Yeller]

Looking good! Looking forward to the wire instal, Rebel Wire has been my go to harness for many years.

Funny I too have an off-roader that spends a lot of time loaned out, just like it is in the pic I enjoy watching others drive it. Nothing like sharing the hobby with others and watching your creations work.

[Copper204]

So today and this whole weekend have been a bust. Not really getting anything done on the Gladiator. More of a prep job at home garage. Trying to make it ready for the Gladiator. Going to talk with paint and get an estimate on doors and hood. My understanding is they are in final primer. And he is transitioning to bed and filling a million holes. And my silly brain is thinking of making my truck bed into a tilting truck bed?

So I decided to look at the defroster vents. Since of course they need to be installed. And I found them very lacking. As I recall when I removed them. They kind of fell out from under the dash. So now I need to fix that issue. So JB Weld and screws and nuts and angle bracket. I present my repair.

[Copper204]

I finally got around to building an intermediate. It is a combination between Jeep YJ and Jeep JK.

[Copper204]

Forgot one picture showing clearance.

Items arrived today.

Transmission cooler lines. Need to decide if running stainless or Black coated stainless?

Also radio bezel!

And last but by no means last. Carpet kit and extra carpet arrived from the folks at BJS OFFROAD. I am curious if they get tired of seeing new orders like every 5-10 days……lol






Also cannot wait to put the springs on for hood brackets.

[Copper204]

Well darn it. Got ahead of myself. Carpet kit from BJS OFF-ROAD arrived. So decided to prep out the floor for the Jeep JKU Center console and shifters. I installed nursery’s for all the mounting hardware. I had also ordered extra carpet section.
I removed all the dash and such. I will get the carpet installed and move forward. I dropped off several parts at the powder coater today. I am curious if anyone has a picture of their carpet installed ? Wondering how far up firewall I should go? Will be at a pause waiting on a couple of floor plugs to arrive.

[Stuka]

Well darn it. Got ahead of myself. Carpet kit from BJS OFF-ROAD arrived. So decided to prep out the floor for the Jeep JKU Center console and shifters. I installed nursery’s for all the mounting hardware. I had also ordered extra carpet section.
I removed all the dash and such. I will get the carpet installed and move forward. I dropped off several parts at the powder coater today. I am curious if anyone has a picture of their carpet installed ? Wondering how far up firewall I should go? Will be at a pause waiting on a couple of floor plugs to arrive.

Looks like you already layed it. But when I installed a BJ's kit into my J10, it only went like a foot up the back wall. Basically enough to make sure it wasn't too short depending on how close to the firewall you get. Not nearly enough to actually carpet the backwall with one continuous piece.

[Copper204]

Well today was the least fun I have had. It was one of those. If I make the first cut wrong. I will be scraping carpet and ordering another one. But after lots of checking and more checking. the cuts turned out great. This carpet is a nitemare. I do not even think in Arizona it would relax and fit correctly. But it will work now for me. the coup[le of issue areas will be covered by sets and brackets so should be fine.






This is actual final ending photo.

[Copper204]

Got the wiper transmission installed.




I also found a company that made me a set of Purple seat belts.




I also worked on the AC system. These lines are pretty cool. Rated for AC and pressure up to 600 psi. Definately a workout clamping the hoses. Will finalize hook up to under dash unit. Vacuum and pressure test system. I also will wire it up as a trinary system. It is like a huge cobble of different models and years of all Jeep products. I did not want to do a hardline. So I did not. I will have my high and low charging shaders near the compressor .





Anyone see issues? With how I am doing AC lines?


I am getting parts back from powder coating tomorrow. So if have time hopefully will get seats back in. Still in o a steering wheel I am happy with. I may just settle on a stock YJ or Cherokee ?




I am starting to run out of boxes of parts for the rig. These are all the parts for the doors. I will not start on them till I get door jammed and hung. Then Anderson’s Autobody will lay some paint. Upcoming mission over next couple of months after inside cab. Wiring and plumbing. Make the chassis a runner.

[sonoraed]

Arrgh! so much work, doing a great job Hal, concerning the condenser you can see why the oem style doesn't work very well, the top line needs to clear the hood latch which forces you to do a 45 fitting and drop down in front of condenser, not as clean as I would like.
I have trinary's if you need one and concerning evaporator save the tight #10 flare fitting at the evap impossible to get and case won't fit tight against firewall without it.

[Copper204]

Still super mad at UAC has not sent new Evap core. Took my money. But no tracking