Project SuperChief Build Thread

[krek]

Here are the two FSJ for my daily driver project. The drivetrain (Buick 350/TH400/D20) plus EFI from the '70 (Elroy) is swapping into the '89 (Elwood) along with a front D44 from a third unseen Waggy. The '89 is going to be dewooded, the dash, console, bumpers, trim, etc from the '70 are going in and on the '89 to give it a vintage appearance. The interior will be finished with new seats, custom door panels, etc with most of the conveniences of a modern SUV.

[addicted]

That sounds like a beutiful plan, get ready for a wiring headache from the dash swap I am in the process of swapping an 82' dash into my 89' and it isn't going to be fun.

By the way what is wrong with the 44 in the 89' waggy?

[Dirtball]

Wow, nice project... you gonna trash the 70 when you're finished? I hope not...

[addicted]

Never mind I just realized that you said the Dana 20 TC is going in!

[Ristow]

you're calling the '89 Elwood,but you plan to de-wood it?


lol! that '89 is decent. good one to start with. i see you have some cold weather down there too.

[krek]

Originally Posted by Ristow

you're calling the '89 Elwood,but you plan to de-wood it?

It's starting out as "Elwood" and "Elroy" so we can keep them straight... I imagine the finished rig with get a new name.

We had "freezing fog" here this morning. That's a new one to me.

The '70 is pretty rusty but will be available to buy or to part when we're done... same on the '77 donor.

[krek]

Thanks to Bev I finally dragged them both inside today and started stripping the '89. They sure do come apart easy when they are rust free.

[Lindel]

What, Jake hasn't made it out of Joliet yet??

Looks like a good plan. Hope to see lots of pics.

[dlowrance]

Looks like a good start to what ought to be a fun project....

and as a side note, I'd give my right arm for a lift like that...SAWEET!!!

[Dirtball]

My lift is straddling the ditch out front and crawling under!!!

[Bev25]

Gee, thanks Krek! Glad to be a motivator!
That garage looks awfully familiar! We built a dream garage for my DH a few years back and it's so nice to have a place to work out of the elements.
Good luck with your projects- looks good so far!!!

[JPSwapMohn]

Hey Krek,
I would not be one to try to talk someone out of their plan, but that 70 looks like it is/was in pretty dang good shape from the few pictures you have posted there. How come you don't just upgrade the interior of it?

[phatmax95]

Yeah.. I liked them the way they were.

[krek]

Looks are deceiving. The '70 (Elroy) sat outside with the rear window and a passenger window rolled down for a couple of years.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3074/...16397201fc.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3224/...37e11b9919.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2093/...7571488294.jpg

Once I pull the engine, transmission, transfer case, dash, console and misc interior parts I will give the carcas to anyone who wants it.

[cttandy]

Funny how yankee car people think rusted vehicles are all worth keeping and repairing, and we southerners think rust is mainly junk. I guess the unrusted are just to plentiful.

When I moved to PA for my 3 years, I sold my 2wd 96 GMC jimmy. I got a premium for it, even though it was wrecked, just because it didnt have any rust. Still amazes me.

[krek]

The scary thing is that it still looks better in the photos than it really is... what isn't rust is Bondo.

[JPSwapMohn]

Ah, so you were just showing us her pretty side.. I see. Not so pretty when you see the cancer.

I bought my GW while when I lived out in Boise. Main reason was that it is rust-free. I often saw vehicles from the 40's out there that were still good metal. My pop and I discussed the idea of my buying stuff out there and trucking it to him in NC for resale. The logistics were not realistice for 2 guys with regular full-time jobs, but I still think there is money to be made there.

Most of the stuff I see in Virginia is eaten up with rust although I have not seen bad winters in the 3 years we have been there. The stuff in NC seems to be hit or miss. You have to check really close when looking at older stuff there.

Well, I am glad to see that what is useable in the 70 is going to a new skin. How much of it would you have to swap to justify keeping the 70 title verses the 89? Then you would not have to worry about all the smog and such that the 89 had to get emissions/inspection taken care of. Is the VIN tag on the dash panel?

[shimniok]

Originally Posted by cttandy

Funny how yankee car people think rusted vehicles are all worth keeping and repairing, and we southerners think rust is mainly junk. I guess the unrusted are just to plentiful.

While those of us originally from the Southwest wonder what this "rust" is that you speak of... then when we move to Colorado our idea of rust is a few little spots here and there...

Michael

[krek]

The Elwood/Elroy combination has been named "Super Chief" by my boys.

The former Elwood loaded and headed for the body shop to have the misc holes welded up and the sunroof hole filled in.



And like the noble donor that he is, the Elroy gave up a sizable chunk of roof for a patch.



The body shop is going to put the Jeep into primer and then remove the body from the chassis so that I can clean up the frame and swap in the B350/TH400/D20 drive train. Then I'll take the chassis back to the body shop to rejoin the body and have it "jambed".

[JPSwapMohn]

Man I wish I had that kind of shop space..and that trailer!
Looks like you are making progress. Anxious to see the end results.