Building a Road Trip

[Kaiserjeeps]

That is a great looking rig. I was hoping to see a picture of it after seeing what photobucket did to your thread. It is beautiful. Absolutely beautiful.

And now I don't feel quite so bad taking 7.5 years on my build. Good things take time. Now you need another project.

[8man]

Projects 2 & 3 are sitting patiently, a '48 Chevy truck and a '54 Chevy truck, both are 5 windows. The rust work I learned on RT will come in really handy on these two.

[SnowShoe]

This is one of my favorite builds. Outstanding work...
I have been trying to find some seats for my 79wt.
I sure like what you are using...somehow I missed what you chose in your posts.
Can you redirect me to your post number covering that part of your build.

Thanks

[8man]

Seats and center seat/armrest are from a Honda Odyssey conversion van. I got the seats at a swap meet at one of the larger car shows.

The seats are mounted (with some custom brackets) to the original electric bases that came from the Jeep. The bases mount to the base and the electronics are controlled using the original control cut into the plastic on the side of the seat.

The seats are larger than stock, so the custom brackets were required to set the seats as far to the outside as possible to give room for the LARGE center armrest/seat. Also, since the seats are "fatter" than stock, the brackets lowered the seats to a better location that could then be controlled by the Jeep base. Set flush with the top of the Jeep base and I rubbed my head on the ceiling.

Also, since I'm tall, I used the custom brackets to move the seat back a little.

The bases and the center armrest/seat are all mounted to the floor using the stock Jeep bolt holes.

The new seats are REALLY comfortable!

[8man]

Cruise control is now working, all systems are go.

I will tell you that the 5.3 will make that thing get up and GO!

Now for some short trips to get some hours on it, and it'll be ready for some road trips.

[PlumCrazyChris]

OMG 8Man,
You have done a tremendous job, love it, love it, love it!!

Man, it makes me miss my 83 so much. Wish I hadn't sold it.... If the LS swap had been around back in 05, I probably would have done that swap myself and kept it. I went from a 79 with 360 to an 83 with all power and a FI 258. Got the same 12 mpg....

I'd upload photos if the site would let me...

anyway, nice job! I hope you enjoy it.

[8man]

Thank you. I enjoyed the build a lot, learned a lot and got in contact with some great guys through doing it.

[ProTouring442]

Lookin' great!

[Strode]

Robert, Road Trip is fantastic! You did a great job and it's beautiful..... I love it. Hope you enjoy it for years and no numbnuts ever runs a shopping cart into it at the Home Depot. And I love your shop.

Are you going LS with the Chevy 3100? I'm betting yes?

Post some more pictures of the completed Road Trip when you can

[8man]

Thanks Brad. When I get the dust washed off and it is a sunny day here I'll take a few outside shots and post them up. We have had a LOT of wet over the last several months!

As for the 54 3100 I thought I'd go carbureted this time. I'm building it for Laura and she wants it old school. I looked at putting a carburetor on a LS, it can be done, but at this point I think just a good old 325 hp 350 will make it burn the tires off, so that's what I "think" I'll go with. I'm still a ways away from needing to finalize that decision. Too much body panel work left. I'm cutting out rust and welding in panels. Got the doors done and one cab corner. Still a lot of rust on a 65 year old truck.

Glad you are checking in.

[mdcptman]

Amazing

Robert, i want to thank you for so faithfully taking the time to record what you did and post the pictures. As I'm going through this myself now, and preparing to do my LS swap in my 88 Grand Wagoneer, the information is priceless. I'm so sorry that we lost Rick, way too soon, but this is almost as good as having his advice. Well okay it's great but not nearly as good as Rick would have been. LOL. thanks again buddy.

[8man]

Thanks Todd. I just want to pass this along to others. Let me know if you have any questions.

[jeepman1]

Amazing

8 Man, that baby came out awesome! The thread keeps me going...very slowly going..

[rws31]

Very nice. Seeing all these awesome rides is helping me get motivated on ours.

Excellent job.

[8man]

Thanks guys. I appreciate the comments.