1970 Wagoneer Build (Many pics, dial ups go grab a drink)

[littlebuck23]

I FINALLY have got started on the Wagoneer.

Im starting with a 1970 Wagoneer with a chev 350 equipped with a Edelbrock performer intake 1405 carb Dual exhaust bolted to a T350 trans and np203 t case with part time kit.

THE PLAN:
Im building it to be my daily driver, The wag will see PLENTY of snow storms, medium duty trail rig, fishing/camping, tow the boat around rig.

THE BUDGET:
Not enough

The list:

remove the aftermarket guages from their current crap location to a more useful place.

4" lift springs in the rear from Bj's (Already have em)

install AC system from a 77 cherk

re wire almost everything. The po put a new harness in but it looks like he was in a hurry.

install Steering column from a 75 wag to get tilt and cruise control buttons

install cruise control system from newer fjs with bellows and all.

new Headliner of course

re done door panels

re done dash pad.

Decent bucket seats.

Dynomat and that super quiet molded carpet with pad from bj's

2 not dented front fenders and paint job

roof rack if a good deal falls in my lap.

install towing package

hydroboost!

would love to swap the trans and t case but the ones I got will do the job for now. I might be able to get by with a doubler but we will have to see.


Here are some pics of what Im starting with








Here are some of the parts Im gonna be installing. I haven't collected everything I need yet but Im getting there.

The wallet can only withstand so much flogging per month.

THE DAHS PAD


THE SPRINGS FROM BJS


THE MORE MODERN COLUMN (The one with half primer)



GUTTED THE INTERIOR AND REMOVED THE STEERING COLUMN TODAY.










Ill update whenever I get something significant done. Feel free to throw all your input, tips and flack my way, its all useful.

[billyrb]

nice looking start! Who did your dash pad???

[littlebuck23]

I got that pad from a ifsja member in Montana and took it to giottos aircraft interiors. They glued a layer of 1/4 inch foam on it to takeout any imperfections and covered it with vynal. It'll go in before the new window after the dash gets a few coats of paint. Thanks for sending those springs so quick I was sure surprised to see them so early.

[lkmarsh]

Nice looking project. Black interior. Is that a clock in the glove box? You know you're gonna catch flak over the 350/350. Dana 27 and two-piece 44, right? I am fersure watching this build!

[krek]

Nice build so far!

If you decide to relocate the gauges to where the stock panel is now and want to sell the faceplate feel free to drop me a note.

[littlebuck23]

It's just a jeep emblem on the glove box door. I'm not a fan of the t350 trans. It doesn't do u any favors when going down steep grades. Due to $$ I'm stuck with it for now. When it goes so will the older axels. The d 27 looks pretty puney under the front but will do for a while.

After the re wire I'll be happy to get rid of my extra guage panel. Might go with the Dakota system if I can get the overtime.

[wickedwagon767]

Sweet man, lookin' good

[Dr Teeth]

That's a clean truck. The buildup looks like alot of fun. This site will help you every step of the way, just holler if you need anything!

Todd

[grand_wag_85]

Nice, and that dash pad looks great!

[littlebuck23]

WOW Todd your rig looks GREAT! I wish I could take mine that far down. I just don't have the time.

anyhow Iv got the correct gas peadal in and the proper bracketry as well.

this is what the po had in there it sucked it must have been for a short person.



Thanks to Ziptie Iv now got the Jeep parts in there. It feels nice making my chevy powered jeep a bit more of a Jeep.



As you can see Iv got some wiring to cut out and re do. The thought of relying on this stuff when going thru a blizzard is not comforting.


Steering column swap.

What Ill be doing is installing the later model in my old rig.

it looks like the way to do it is relieve the dash so the wider trim will fit. Then bolt it to the underside of the dash. I haven't measured yet but there are two sets of tapped holes under there. I bet the wider one fits the newer column. Then I will match drill to the plate that goes on the fire wall, bolt her up and that's it. Easy right lol!!
This way I will have tilt and cruse control buttons.

it will be interesting that's for sure.







Were off to wally word right now hopefully I ll get a chance to get to work this afternoon.

My beloved silly girlfriend telling me to knock it off and come in for dinner.

[Tad]

Nice to se another '70 project.

Steering column swap.

What Ill be doing is installing the later model in my old rig.

it looks like the way to do it is relieve the dash so the wider trim will fit. Then bolt it to the underside of the dash. I haven't measured yet but there are two sets of tapped holes under there. I bet the wider one fits the newer column. Then I will match drill to the plate that goes on the fire wall, bolt her up and that's it. Easy right lol!!
This way I will have tilt and cruse control buttons.

I have an '85 GW column in mine.
I did have to relieve the dash about 1/4"-3/8".
Been a long time and I don't recall the coulumn not bolting up to the wide holes, I'll look at it later today.
I chose to remove the original plate at the lower column and reuse it on the newer one, your plan of attack might be better but their was some reason I did it that way.

[KaiserMan]

WOW. You gotta hate the PO for using all one color wiring. That looks like it will be "fun".

The other tapped holes are for the clutch pedal support bracket.

[cu4whln]

Alright.. another build thread.
Will be keeping tabs on your progress.

Geez, wheres the floorpan rust ?? I am so confused..... thought I was looking at something other than a FSJ at first.

Have fun !

[jaber]

Thanks for the inspiration. I'll be watching also. Nice work and nice Jeep.

[ursusarticus]

How many blizzards do you get in San Jose? One every thirty years? If you decide not to use the stock instrument cluster I can use the circuit board for my 1969 Wagoneer. I would suggest updating those axles. Get a later one piece 44 for the back or a full float Dana 60 and a disc brake 44 up front. Good luck.

[HeavyIron]

littlebuck23, that wiring looks like it'll be mighty fun to grasp. Looks like there were some upgrades in the past like the fuse block and a brake light switch.
It's good to see another 70 here in Cali.

Originally Posted by ursusarticus

If you decide not to use the stock instrument cluster I can use the circuit board for my 1969 Wagoneer. I would suggest updating those axles. Get a later one piece 44 for the back or a full float Dana 60 and a disc brake 44 up front. Good luck.

If that falls through let me know, I have two clusters collecting dust in the garage, one from a 68 J2000 and the other from a 71 Commando.

[jaw knee]

looks like a great start. nice pics, I sure dig seeing jeeps all striped out an empty like that.

[littlebuck23]

Thanks for all the encouraging words guys!!

The wiring will be a pain but not tough. I wire privatly owned aircraft navigation systems for a living so re wiring the wag will be annoying but won't shake me. Due to my job I'm anal about bad wire jobs. Too many nice cars and trucks catch on fire cause everyone either doesn't know how to do it properly, or rushes thru wiring cause it's less fun than bolting an engine in.

During the winter I spend almost every weekend in Tahoe I wish San jose got snow but that ain't in the cards.

Axels will get swapped but that will be later when I decide on what drivetrain to use.

I have 2 inst clusters. If I go with the Dakota digital I'll be happy to get rid of he old ones. I think kreck wanted one.

[Danbert]

I'm gonna watch this one too.
Excellent post so far.

[littlebuck23]

Picked these seats up yesterday. does anyone know what they are out of? The seller had no idea. They have adjust knobs all over the place.






Will have more to report tomorrow on the Wagoneer. Im planning on getting the new steering column in tommorow and then removing it for paint. While its getting multiple coats I will be going after the wiring.

I would have gotten down to it but the Cherokee decided I should replace the 401's water pump. Boy was that fun.