73 Wagoneer Build The Falcon

[Logans Run]

So, everyone else has a build thread... I thought I would do one too.
I got my Wag several years ago and drove it for a while until the tranny started puking red stuff all over the driveway.
I figured while it was down I may as well make a few changes to her.
That was 6 years ago
I bought a bunch of parts and then lost my job and then went into the hospital to make matters worse.... long story... but now I am able again to work on her and I am picking up where I left off.
Things done 6 years ago:
6 inch BJ's Spring lift.
3 inch body lift.
New manifold Edelbrock porcelain coated.
New shorty headers Edelbrock porcelain coated.
New Edelbrock 650 carb
New Rancho 9000 shocks
New seats
new poly tank (still working on that one)
New electric fuel pump.

Here is what she looked like before I went into the hospital.

.... and I think I will start the thread updates from here.

I am going to have to pull the tranny back out this week because of a stripped torque converter bolt (I will see if I can get a new converter tomorrow).
Today I think I will see if I can change out my pitman arm to the dropped one that came with my kit 6 years ago.
Then I will see about changing out my steering damper (also bought 6 years ago)
and maybe work on my front bumper and winch combo (bought the winch 2 weeks ago )

[serehill]

Looks good

[Logans Run]

Today I started with this:



I first changed out the pitman arm with the 4 inch dropped one I got from BJs



Then I changed out the steering stabilizer

[Logans Run]

I also changed out the driver side shock which you can see here.



I put on my wheel spacers ... I will get offset rims when I get tires next ... but for now this will work.

[Logans Run]

so I think she looks better today than she did yesterday



I was too tired and its too hot out to work on the winch lol

[autoarcheologist]

Got some overall interior / exterior shots? Love seeing fellow 73s!

I just yanked the soaked carpet out of the front of ours today and tossed what was left of it in the trash.

[Logans Run]

the old girl from the street.



The interior needs a bit of work lol

[misfittom138]

Lookin good!

[Logans Run]

Well, today I chased my tail all day long.
I went and talked to my tranny guy and explained to him what I have.
We tried for a good long time to find parts locally but could not.
So I went to a hole in the wall auto place I know of and they had this:


It is for a 74 - 79 ... I bought it just in case it might work (he said I could bring it back)

BJ's called me back and said it wont work ... you need our 71 - 73 model.
OK .. I said, send me one .... we are out of stock on those :|

So I should get one as soon as they get their stock in..

I went to Harbor Freight and prepared myself for battle !!



This should help

[Logans Run]

Tomorrow it might rain, maybe I will work on the bumpers ... welding in the rain sounds fun

[Logans Run]

Today I worked on the front bumper/winch.
It was fun to use the plasma cutter ... havent used it in a while.

I did some mock up ... got to use my new tranny jack too ... that was a plus


measure twice ... cut once.


made sure the hole was where I wanted so the cable would spool off the winch right


welded it on ... you can see the heat marks on the bumper from the welds.


Have not yet drilled and mounted the winch yet ... but I like how it looks!!


Now I need to clean up my tool box before I can do anything else!
plasma cutter/tig welder in the foreground.

[Logans Run]

Tomorrow, depending on the weather, maybe rock sliders and steps or rear bumper/swing out tire carrier or steering wheel and seats.

[SnowShoe]

[billyj7175]

You got my vote for the SBOTY (stout bumper of the year award)...

Looks good. Glad to hear you're on the mend and making progress.

[Logans Run]

Originally Posted by billyj7175

You got my vote for the SBOTY (stout bumper of the year award)...

Looks good. Glad to hear you're on the mend and making progress.

HAHA! Thanx.. it is so nice to be working on her again!

[Logans Run]

So I have the pipes mocked in:



And I am measuring for my rock sliders:

I will taper both ends, and hang some removable steps off of these (for those times I can get off road lol)
I plan on making some "L" brackets and bolting these to the frame. They should be strong enough to use as jack points.
If I feel it still leaves the bottom of the body too exposed I may weld some steal up the sides a little ... any thoughts on that anyone?

[Logans Run]

my only concern with that is it will be a great place for dirt and mud to catch ... and hard to get out!

[Logans Run]

After I got my butt kicked all day by those silly rock sliders (only got the pass side roughed in .. still need to finish welding it and drill holes for the running boards/steps) I worked a little on the center console ... I am still debating on what gauge goes where ... the square things are switches ... I figure I will put a whole row in and use them as I need them..

[bruner1981jpce]

Looking good! Like that front bumper build. Where did you find those wheel spacers? The times i've tried to find some, i never can.

[Logans Run]

Originally Posted by bruner1981jpce

Looking good! Like that front bumper build. Where did you find those wheel spacers? The times i've tried to find some, i never can.

I got them on Ebay ... just search for 7/16 wheel spacers ... if you need me to I can look up the seller ... he has an ebay store.