66 CJ5 Resto-Mod....ish I think...

Yeah that was my original plan to cut the front D44 to Jeep WT width, but the rear axle I found was wider. So I ended up matching the front to the rear so they both are 58.5" or 59". I already needed to get axle shafts cut down so it wasn't a big deal to steer away from WT width.

 

I started the major bodywork portion of the build, here are some of the areas that needed some attention.











Nice repair previously done...

 

Doesn't look too bad. Your Jeep is actually a little better than mine. The support in the first photo you posted is totally twisted on my Jeep.

Are those cage nuts around the transmission tunnel?

 

Got all that stuff cleaned up and patched, forgot to take pictures before I flipped it upright. Here's some of the work I have to do up top.






Some old lead work.





Gonna fill in the spare mounts.



Floor needs some patching.





Wheel wells are warped from cutting out the bow indents.

 

Looks like two of the spare mount holes are already filled.

 

Yeah it's not too bad, it should only take me a few days work to get it cleaned up.

That forward hat channel is supposed to have a flat rubber bumper that supports the firewall to the frame. Most peoples bodies that I have seen are missing or mangled.

Those nuts are caged and staked in the square holes around the trans tunnel.

 

I think I actually cut them off when I re-radius'd the wheel wells.

 

Interesting. I dont have any.

 

I was able to get the drivers side wheel well patched yesterday. It turned out great, just was a pain in the butt (butt welding 50 year old sheet metal sucks!)

I went ahaed and did a 3" wheel well notch just incase I want to upgrade to aftermarket seats later on down the road. I plan on getting the low back buckets re-upholstered in a few weeks.





Nice and flat



Inside the wheel well.



Pass side next. Here is my layout line.

 

Maybe they did away with them on later models...

It makes sense to have them though, it takes the weight of the firewall, cowl and windshield and supports it with the frame, vice spreading back to the forward body mounts.

 

I should have paid more attention, I was referring to the cage nuts.

I have those supports, but they're all warped from wheeling and age.

 

Oh duh, if the holes for the trans tunnel are square.... here ya go - http://walcks4wd.com/floor-plate-retainer-nuts-with-cage-cj2a-cj3a-cj3b-cj5-cj6.html

 

You'll be happy with the notch. I don't know what I would do without mine. I'd have constant hip problems lol

 

Yeah I think I'll end up running some PRP seats eventually.

 

I'm way behind on the updates, I'll try to bring you back slowly. I got the body patched up and painted. The body mounts came out well and lined up.



Wheel wells came out nice too.



Body mounts I had to fabricate





Stock tank back in.



New bumper follows the body well too.





And that Dauntless...



I ordered an EZ Wiring harness and slowly worked through installing it over about five days. More pics to follow.

 

Looks very nice. Great work.

 

Thanks

 

Next up was the wiring. 12 circuit kit from EZ Wiring. Mounted it under the dash with stainless studs. I made a few changes with the bundles as the EZ kit is more of a universal kit for GM cars, GM column and switch locations. After alot of reading, I think it's 98% buttoned up. I still have to bundle and wrap the wires.



Grounds, nice and neat.





I cut up the stock battery tray and rebuilt it for a little more strength. Still needs paint





And some ugly tail lights.... prob gonna order some round ones from Walcks.

 

Here's some interior shots. I pulled the speedo apart and cleaned it up, added some tan to the inner ring. Touches like that are what wins car shows Anyways, cut the floor for the 420 and twin sticks. Still need a glovebox and fix that hole for the radio.

 

The headers were starting to rust and peel so I blasted them and repainted with VHT paint. Whatever Heddman uses is some cheap stuff, every set of Heddman's I've seen is super rusty. I'm running some cheapy turbos and I'll add a turnout to them. I wish I could route everything under the frame....



And here's some of the grill and radiator. Stock radiator and fan.





And that's up to date. Still plenty to do...