My 1987 J20 Build

[Randyzzz]

Randy I have a slightly used B 350 with a t400 that I'll swap you straight for that 6.0

I think I'll keep the 6.0...

[Randyzzz]

Just noticed your A/C install
I also am going that route, but I am putting the cold air outlets in place of the ashtray and clock slots in the dash (1979 J20) are you going with the Gen 4 unit? I see that the sliding controls are same as what I am using...but I'll be mounting them vertically on the left side in place of the old controls.

What model # AC kit did you order?

I'm going with the Gen II. The Gen IV took up too much real estate, and I didn't think I needed that big a system on a pickup cab. If it was a Waggy I'd go with the IV. It was the 68000 unit. Amazon had the best price, you bought the evaporator and they threw in the control panel. I'm mounting the panel where the original panel was in my '87, and putting the heated seat switches next to it.

[Randyzzz]

So, with the dash out, I decided to repair the area under the headlamp switches where the PO had installed a pyrometer. I got a sheet of thin Kydex, and cut a replacement applique. Came out pretty good. No lettering but that's OK. I might put the dual tank switches in the blank area. I also repaired the headlamp switch retaining tabs and cleaned the contacts on the dimmer.

[Randyzzz]

I also ordered a set of the ABS door panels and kick panels from Men In Black. Excellent product, great communication, can't give enough positive feedback.

Also found a nice Warn 8274 and a mount on Craigslist. I'm going to integrate the mount into a factory front bumper. May use the 8274 or may get a Warn 10K.

[Randyzzz]

Well, with this post I'll be current. I was watching Craigslist, and found a cheap set of BFG All Terrain 265/75/16's. A few posts later there was a set of wheels I liked, also at give-away prices. Bought them both and mounted them right up. 7" wheels with 3.6" backspace put the tire tread right at the outer edge of the flare. Perfect! And the skinny tire on a skinny rim give it just the old school look I was going for. Plus the wheels are one of my favorites.




So today I got busy working on making one good seat out of the two I got from Frank. Both seat backs were good, but the bases were another story. On one there were only 4 springs that were unbroken or not missing. But that was OK, because there were only 3 broken on the other one. After a quick spring transplant, I had a good seat. I installed it just to see how it felt- and like I figured, the bench seat is perfect of someone 6'2" and 280 lbs. The only bad thing was the cushion springs were so fatigued, and the foam so deteriorated, that it is way to soft and "lumpy". I've been researching fixes. One is to rebuild the base springs- new perimeter wire, new no-sag springs (the ones that look like a chain of S's), and new burlap and thin layer of foam. The other option is to buy a chunk of quality upholstery foam, build a support base out of either sheet metal, suspension cord, or straight stretches of the no-sag springs, and then carve a new base cushion to fit. This would replicate modern seating technology, and actually sounds good as I could then contour the cushion to get some raised areas to keep my butt from sliding around. I'll post up a step by step once I do one or the other- I'm guessing a lot of us deal with saggy seats. On our Jeeps.

Here's a pic of the bench installed. it looks huge, I'm guessing it's like that because whomever reupholstered it used a couple of layers of carpet underlayment foam and some automotive carpet over the top of the deteriorating factory foam. Double wrapped foam around the front wire makes the seat base look strange.

[Frank Ziebert]

I think I'll keep the 6.0...

Okay, okay. Ill make it 2 Buick 350s and a TH400 with Dana 20!! Final answer!

[Randyzzz]

Okay, okay. Ill make it 2 Buick 350s and a TH400 with Dana 20!! Final answer!

I'd like to say it's tempting...but no. Sorry!

[Frank Ziebert]

I tried. Passing up 700 cubics for 366.142 inches?

[Randyzzz]

I tried. Passing up 700 cubics for 366.142 inches?

Yeah... That would be quite an adapter to make them both fit!

[Frank Ziebert]

Yeah... That would be quite an adapter to make them both fit!

Let's see, tandem or in-line? Hmmmm!

[Randyzzz]

Ok...big day today. My transmission builder called, he got in my LS bellhousing 4L80E. He'll have it done in a few weeks. Told him to take his time if it would get me a better price. Then, I called a buddy at a junkyard- we got talking about Jeeps, and when he found out Al Unser Jr. used to own my J20, he was hooked. He used to hang out with Al Jr. when they were younger. He's an Indy car aficionado, I asked him if he wanted to contact Al Jr. to see if he could sign my glove box door. We'll see where that goes. After some more cool conversation he sold me a 32 spline 241c for $200 with no core charge. It should show up Thursday. Looks like this build will start progressing again!

[Randyzzz]

Picked up the 241C today. Looks great and feels nice and tight. I threw some paint on it and then remembered I have to tear it down to install the SYE. Keen eyes will see the adapter is wrong, that's one for a 241C/4L60E. Still have to get a 4L80E adapter.

[xabn82]

I need a 241c myself. I'm running a 4L80e

[Randyzzz]

Picked up the 4L80E yesterday. Things are moving along!

[Frank Ziebert]

Randy can't see the pictures without logging into cj8.com