J10 resto in OZ

[Donny]

Back in the good old days, Jeep Australia didn't think it was a proposition to import "box-back" J trucks. We only had a choice of Cherokees, CJ7's and J20 cab/chassis. I've still got the sales brochure from my first Jeep back in '78 and often ogle at the J range that was available in the US. Bought a Chief in '82 and had so many memories that I could not part with it, so it's been parked since '98. Fast forward to today, I've got a CRD four door "plastic" Wrangler but as it's set up for outback touring, I wanted a ute for a DD.... putting 2 and 2 together in the old grey matter, I bought a long box J10 off the internet from a "good old boy" in Yakima WA, shipped it over, doing a RH drive conversion and complete rebuild using bits from the old termite riddled Chief. I've put some pics in Photobucket and hope my compoota skills will allow me to link them here. Our business is Elastomer Protective Coatings (Rhino lining?) mainly for Infastructure, Water, Roads and mining, so the truck will get the full treatment. http://s906photobucket.com/home/Donny-G

[fsjparts]

The link didnt work....but interested in watching this one

[mud89]

Try this one : http://s906.photobucket.com/home/Donny-G

Seems like a great frame off resto

[Donny]

Thanks Mr. Mud89, (for fixing my photobucket link)
I checked out your stepside. It should restore nicely, but you would be jealous if you saw how perfect the sheet metal is in mine. Working on the chassis now..... Should have some more pics in a week or two. Same problem here in OZ with parts so I'm lucky to have a donor but I will probably have to get a few "trick bits" sent from the US towards the end of the project.

[mud89]

Originally Posted by Donny

I checked out your stepside. It should restore nicely, but you would be jealous if you saw how perfect the sheet metal is in mine.

Sure i would be jealous
I guess that the roads are less wet in your place..

Hey Donny
I'm new to this so please be patient.
Just a few questions as i'm considering going down the same road in getting a long bed j20.
1; many hasles in getting the ute here?
2; what sort of dollar figure on the freight?
3; would you recommend the same for me or anyone else?
good luck on the build and mods i'm looking forward to seeing how it goes.
ps. i'm in regional west oz.

cheers

deebo

[Donny]

G'day deebo,
I found the J10 on jeeptruck.com, with the criteria being, minimal rust, as original as possible and with a "box" in good nick. Mechanical condition was not important to me because I have a Cherokee as a donor. Truck cost - $4,000US, transport from WA to LA - $900US, Shipping to Brisbane, duties etc - $4,000AUD. Some parts on order from BJ's - $1,400US. End result for restoration should be within $15,000 oz dollars, but it will be a unique truck compared to what's available here in Jap stuff. If you go for one older than 30 years, you don't have to convert it for rego in Australia. If you want to convert to RHD, I'd suggest you get hold of a wide-track Chief for donor parts, and buy something around the 80's for the truck. Better to pay extra for a good truck than buy a "clunker" because you can't find too many parts in the wreckers here. I'm on the down-hill run with my restoration and will post some more pics when time permits.
PS: Restoration cost is based on me doing all the labour, conversion to RHD done professionally can cost upwards of $20G.
Donny

cheers for that Donny.
I'm not too phased on the conversion cause you can get away without it in WA. its just gonna feel a bit strange for a while.
I'll be doing all the work myself also, just finding the the room is gonna be a problem atm.
i do like these 'trucks' very much. they tick all the boxes and look very nice!
-ute
-v8
-4x4
-JEEP!
thanks again and i'll most likely be asking a few more questions.

deebo

[jsinajeep]

Donny, very nice job. Do send more pic.