Bringing the J300 Back

[Kaiser]

Finally decided it was time to build a shop and get started on bringing grand dad's 65 back to life (with a few upgrades...some needed...some wanted). It blew a head a few years ago and needed a major overhaul. The Mrs. decided that since we need a truck for the farm and since this bucket is never leaving it was fair game to get wrenching and turn it into something useful.

Been meaning to share some pics of the progress and its a lazy Sunday! Hope you enjoy.

Rolled in the 1965 Jeep J300-down but not out:
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Out with the old 383:
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Pulled the TH350 to get rebuilt and found a NP205 for $100. Had the shop replace the seals and check it out:
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Ripped out the old axles and went crazy cleaning and sealing undercarriage/frame:
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Picked up a 77' J20 donor:
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I HATE tearing down/cleaning axles:
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One of my shop managers thought she was going for a ride:
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[Kaiser]

Building it back up!

Some of the "goodies" started rolling in:
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Cleaned and mounted the J20 PS box with some slight trimming:
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Besides rebuilding the J20 axles, they're getting disks at all 4 (+ hydro boost that I'm finishing up now), moly axles and Spartan lockers:
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Started on the rear bumper:
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Swung the axles back under and adding some beef (Reid, all new timkin all around, 1 ton steering, HD perches, etc.):
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Putting together the GM 350/290 motor (will be changing cams later but its a good cost effective motor):
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A little old-school "bling":
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Hold your breath! Whew!:
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Even my senior shop manager was tired:
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Had to offset the front Dana 44 due to the Expletive Deleted!Expletive Deleted!Expletive Deleted!Expletive Deleted!ed casting but a .25" wheel spacer will fix that:
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Picked up some new shoes (35" BFG's) and liking the stance:
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[Kaiser]

Where we are today...
Got some more welding of the shock towers done (RuffStuff loves me these days):
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I feel guilty for how clean stuff is looking these days (lots of aluminum):
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Didnt really want to go with a "pusher" but it is what it is:
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Finally getting things stuffed under the hood and topping off fluids:
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Next up is finish the hydraulic/brake lines (all new as well), set pinion angles/weld up perches, get drive lines measured and cut, install the NOS Warn front bumper, rewire and turn the key.

[joe]

Nice job. looks good. Lotsa work and expense there. Only thing I see questionable with your plan for a 383 powered 4x4, is what made you decide a TH350 car trans was a good idea over the TH400? In normal use stock SBC 4x4's, new or rebuilt ,I've never got more than 65,000 out of a TH350 before it failed. Bone stock TH400 is good for 200,000.

[Kaiser]

A TH350 can be pretty well built (and was used in many 4wd trucks over many years). Had one in a Suburban 2500 that got well over 200k of towing > 6,000# without any issues.
Had my shop over build this one so I'm not too worried. Keep the TH350 cool and it'll do the job fine. Besides, it MIGHT get 5-10k miles a year once finished. I aint wheelin' this rig. LOL!
I took out the 383 and sticking with the 350. Have a 502 I couldve used but that gets $$$ real fast!

[44BZ]

Great looking truck! Nice work

[rocklaurence]

I've had to offset my front axles before. I.ve gone 2" and I'm the only one that noticed. That's a lot of cash to drop in a short period--good work!

[tgomes1987]

I like it! Looks great so far! Subscribed to see the finished product!

[Auburnmark]

That's gotta be the nicest looking "farm truck" in the neighborhood! Love the red. Keep the pics coming

[Achilles]

Subscribed, You are doing it right.

[Kaiser]

Updates

Thanks for the kind words guys. My latest...
Finally figured out the hydroboost lines (had to get custom made but after visiting more than 8 shops I finally got fed up and bit the bullet). Also added new AT lines (Advanced Adapters SS lines), belts, hoses, etc. Most important thing was putting the "horn" back on the rhino!
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Figured out the new transmission mounts using some 1" aluminum body mount spacers. Finally settled on a 3* camber for the motor/tranny. Now to get the axle angles dialed in, welded, and measure for drivelines...

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Forgot to add a pic of the interior. Dakota Digital, new carpet, sound deadening, all new vent lines, speakers, door panels, and redid the seat.
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Am now looking for some finishing "Jeep" emblems. When I was doing the paint job years ago I didnt have the heart to fix my first weld as a kid (I ran over a t post and bent the fender). Weld is still visible. Got an apple branch for that one!
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Rear bumper and 15,000# "weld in" tow hitch are finally finished. Lord help the fool who rear ends me in this 'cause its 1/4" 2x6 steel. Hope it will also add some stiffness to the frame.

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Will be adding fluids and turning the key later this week. Still gotta figure out how to run the SS brake like "kit" and new disk/disk pressure regulator.

[azmtn04]

Seems like you did all of this in two weeks. Or is there another number?

Looks awesome as all get out as well!

[tgomes1987]

Can you post a picture of the rear bumper with the whole truck in view?

I like the look of it and may want to build a similar one.

[Kaiser]

Seems like you did all of this in two weeks. Or is there another number?

Looks awesome as all get out as well!

I wish! Been over the past few months. Finally decided it was time to do a major overhaul as my beekeeping sideliner business is getting out of hand and am in need of a truck. Figured my grandfather's big red truck would do the job both for work and marketing.

[Kaiser]

Can you post a picture of the rear bumper with the whole truck in view?

I like the look of it and may want to build a similar one.

Will post up a few pics when I get back.