71 Rhino Conversion

[PhilG]

Well I did the famous rhino conversion to the 71 replacing the razor grille. Believe it or not, I haven't seen the trucks show, but I always loved the look of the rhino. . .Anyway, my vent covers had bullet holes in them so I cut them out and placed CJ lights in them. This also seems to be a popular conversion. I think I am going to ditch the amber bulb in the CJ lights and use tradiational bulbs and tie them to the high beam. Not sure how others are doing it. On mine, since the CJ lights are held in place with two screws, I used j type speed nuts for the holes on the cutout and used stainless 8-32 bolts. This way, when changing bulbs, I won't have sheet metal screws constantly cutting away at the hole. The faux vent cover material very flimsy and the speed nuts seem to work good. The stock holes for the vents were cut in such a way that without making tabs, I couldn't have gotten 4 screws all in metal if the louvers on the vent were running horizontal. Since this wasn't an issue, I rotated the covers counter-clockwise until all holes had sheet metal behind them. I then drilled and inset 8-32 rivets. I used stainless bolts with a washer and lockwasher. All four hole are secured well so it seems. I still have a few issues like relocating the hood release, filling some unused exposed factory holes, and working on the hood where it won't bump the top of the grille on a full slam. It does latch now, but isnt seated as I want it. Also, there are 4 metal tabs running horizontally across the bottom area that were used for the razor. I am not sure just yet what I want to do with those.
Would appreciate any advice or comments. Anyway, here are before and after pics:

Before:




After:

[Elliott]

Looks great! People seem to just cut the tabs off and grind smooth. Is that a factory paint code?

[PhilG]

Hey - thanks . .from what I was told, the guy I got it from repainted it 4 years ago and matched the original color from when his grandfather bought it new. Today I found a DupliColor spray paint at O'Reilly's that looks very very very close to this color . .they call it "Caymen Green" . .I am not sure what AMC called it . .but I do have receipts where he repainted in and the PPG code is in it . .just dont have it in front of me.

Phil

[KaiserMan]

That looks great! Gladiators look so much better with the original grilles. Nice job.

[J10Mike]

Sweet...Very Sweet.

[91G-Dub]

Well I did the famous rhino conversion to the 71 replacing the razor grille. Believe it or not, I haven't seen the trucks show, but I always loved the look of the rhino. . .Anyway, my vent covers had bullet holes in them so I cut them out and placed CJ lights in them. This also seems to be a popular conversion. I think I am going to ditch the amber bulb in the CJ lights and use tradiational bulbs and tie them to the high beam. Not sure how others are doing it. On mine, since the CJ lights are held in place with two screws, I used j type speed nuts for the holes on the cutout and used stainless 8-32 bolts. This way, when changing bulbs, I won't have sheet metal screws constantly cutting away at the hole. The faux vent cover material very flimsy and the speed nuts seem to work good. The stock holes for the vents were cut in such a way that without making tabs, I couldn't have gotten 4 screws all in metal if the louvers on the vent were running horizontal. Since this wasn't an issue, I rotated the covers counter-clockwise until all holes had sheet metal behind them. I then drilled and inset 8-32 rivets. I used stainless bolts with a washer and lockwasher. All four hole are secured well so it seems. I still have a few issues like relocating the hood release, filling some unused exposed factory holes, and working on the hood where it won't bump the top of the grille on a full slam. It does latch now, but isnt seated as I want it. Also, there are 4 metal tabs running horizontally across the bottom area that were used for the razor. I am not sure just yet what I want to do with those.
Would appreciate any advice or comments. Anyway, here are before and after pics:

Before:




After:

Nice job!
What are you doing with the razor?

[PhilG]

I got a friend with an 89 GW that says he is interested . .we looked at the conversion for him and he would need to come up with a few things . .and I am not 100% sure he will . .round light buckets being the biggest thing . but he also has a lot of extra tabs and things . .if he doesnt want it, I will shoot you a message and see if it interests you.

Phil

[PhilG]

Paint COlor

The Cayman Green is a Ford Color I believe . .it is very close to mine . .but I think mine be this Meadow Green from a 71 chip chart:

[Elliott]

Hey - thanks . .from what I was told, the guy I got it from repainted it 4 years ago and matched the original color from when his grandfather bought it new. Today I found a DupliColor spray paint at O'Reilly's that looks very very very close to this color . .they call it "Caymen Green" . .I am not sure what AMC called it . .but I do have receipts where he repainted in and the PPG code is in it . .just dont have it in front of me.

Phil

I'd be interested in that PPG code, if the original tag is on it you could find the original code on the passenger side of the firewall behind the hood hinge.
Is that the Jeep paint chips you posted?

[PhilG]

I will try to get it in the morning . .the image above is AMC paint chips from 71 . .found on http://www.amxfiles.com/

[Elliott]

I think that was Spruce Tip Green before it went AMC, is your's metallic?

[PhilG]

yeah . .not real heavy, but yes it is

[Elliott]

A buddy of mine up in AK had a '65 J200 in that color, I thought it was great. Used to chase him through the trees in my J3000 and always wanted a shorty like his, maybe I'll use that color since it's more correct then the '80 Sherwood I was looking at. Classy look I think. (and I love PPG!)

[KaiserMan]

Sure does look like spruce tip metallic. Matches the color chip I have for 71 Jeeps.

[PhilG]

HEy . .this is what is in the receipt for the code . .I haven't looked it up . but pretty sure this is it:

PPG DBCSC 4716