1976 J10 refirb - couldn't help myself

[8JeepOwner]

Jeep nerd here - I couldn't help myself. When my 16 yr son wanted to rebuild a car, I was ecstatic. So I thought of the easiest full rebuild a person could do. A 1973 VW Super - we did body off, body, interior, engine, wheels, you name it. He did so good with it, he took it the day we completed it to a Florida car show and walked away with 3rd place.

My wife then got into it and using her GI bill - went to Autobody repair school (yup, sorry guys she's mine). Now we have started the 1976 J10 since I just love Jeeps.

I don't know if my build thread will be as good as the others on here, but I'll try and try to post the problems I had along the way. We are three months into it so the pictures will start slow. So here is what it looked like the day we got it. My son has named it "Mucho Grande". 67,000 original miles, AMC 8cyl engine. The only surprise we found when we took the body off was that sometime in it's past the frame had been modified to accept a 5th wheel.

[SOLSAKS]

I like the truck !

looks solid,...and dry.

all good.

it will be a great project

I am sure your wife will love to get to work on this...

dave in NC

[8JeepOwner]

Update

It's taken me a while to get an update, but it's been quite the year.

Here is where we are. We completely dismantled the body from the chasis. Had the chasis sand-blasted and painted while we worked on the body. After we got the chasis back, we went to work on the engine, front and rear diff and transfer case, new front and rear brakes, bearings and seals. Everything came out from under the cab, including the dash, and the firewall. All parts have been sandblasted and are getting ready to go back on. It feels like forever, but in reality we're moving along. It feels good to see progress when things come together.

This is what it looked liked when we received it.
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[8JeepOwner]

Start of tear down

Beginning the tear down

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[8JeepOwner]

More tear down

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On the way for sand-blasting
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[SOLSAKS]

you are in trouble now !

you are doing it right.

fun on the way.

my camera still broken

will get pics to you soon of the part you want.

dave in NC

[FleetFox]

On it's way, love that pic. Strangely enough my J10 had a homemade 5th wheel set up too. Extra set of batteries, jumper plugs front and rear. stock springs though but 3/4 ton axles swapped in. Was this a thing at some point ?? The homemade Heavy Half?? Looking forward to more.

Fleet Fox

[8JeepOwner]

Hi all - It's been 3 years and a lot of things have happened - especially Covid. I sure hope everyone on here is doing well and still around. We got back on it this month. Because of moving, new job and other family stuff, the project was put on hold, but as of this month we are back on it. I purchased 3 acres and put up a work shop, moved and the below pic is Nov 2021 getting ready to pull it in for the first time and the second pic is where we are today. Definitely learned some lessons on this and will share some soon.
Please let me know how everyone is doin'

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[cu4whln]

Nice progress... that shop!! I might be jealous.

What engine?? 360 or 401? Is it getting a rebuild?

[rang-a-stang]

Welcome back! Life is good these days! when the forum changed to new software there was some growing pains and I think we lost some folks but its screamin now.

Your shop.... oh my... WHats the plan for your truck? mostly stock rebuild? getting some mods?

[Heep-J4000]

Dude why are you torturing us with pictures of your new shop!?

Nah just kidding , it's looking very good and can imagine that you are proud on such workplace!
Looking forward to see progress on the jeep.
Good to have you back on here!

[8JeepOwner]

Nice progress... that shop!! I might be jealous.

What engine?? 360 or 401? Is it getting a rebuild?

AMC 401 - not rebuilding... it only has 58k miles on it. However I am replacing the distributor with an electric one.

The shop was a gift to myself.... I was tired of rebuilding in a 12x12 garage. Blessed that I have a supportive wife who also helps me work on these things. In fact, she just repainted my '89 Comanche.

Before anyone mentions it, yes, the grill is upside down. She and I have spoke about it after another member on the comancheclub forum pointed it out. Told her I was not giving any raises this year for mistakes like that.

Side view.jpg

[8JeepOwner]

Welcome back! Life is good these days! when the forum changed to new software there was some growing pains and I think we lost some folks but its screamin now.

Your shop.... oh my... WHats the plan for your truck? mostly stock rebuild? getting some mods?

Hi Stang, good to know you're still around. I like the new forum, it's much easier to get photos into.

Plan for the truck is to get it done 😅 then I'll decide. We just finished up an 89 Comanche and when this one is complete, we plan on taking it to a local car show that happens every 1st Friday of the month. Next project will be a late 70s CJ5 or 7.

[8JeepOwner]

Dude why are you torturing us with pictures of your new shop!?

Nah just kidding , it's looking very good and can imagine that you are proud on such workplace!
Looking forward to see progress on the jeep.
Good to have you back on here!

Yeah... I'd use the word "proud" 😁 and blessed.

Here is the current state of the truck as of noon today.

Current.jpg

[8JeepOwner]

Latest - just finshed epoxy primer on the cab. Below is what it looked like when I started taking apart compared to today. 20231206_174338.jpg(edited)_(edited)_20200802_145931.webp