Project...Kahuna 66 cj6

OK ya'll it's all fixed. I remember reading on one of the threads about drilling a 1/8" hole in the t-stat to allow air to pass (this site saves me again). I bought a new t-stat and gasket, drilled it out and installed.....walla!!!....sits right at 180. Drove it around the neighborhood awhile, MAN THAT FEELS GOOD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Thanks for all your help guys
Things yet to do....................................................................................
fix headlights
modify rollbar (ya Sparky gonna give ya more head roomR))/install/
weld up steps on rocker guards/install
install rear tail lights and backup lights
make/install rear swinging tire carrier
install winch
wire up/ install CB
wire up install stereo (for you purist's it's going where the glove box would be behind the door)
mucho misc. small stuff
I guess I'm getting closeR)R)R)R)R)
Jim S.

 

Wait, you can drive these things?

Congrats - don't stop till all the small stuff is done or you'll kick yourself later..

 

OK flares are on, and built-installed the steps/rocker guards today. Except for my less than acceptable welding ability I'm happy w/ the results. Still contemplating roll cage mods/design, that's next
Jim S.

 

a what???!!!
Jim S.

 

Jim, my guess is he means Year of Make.

 

cut the back section of the rollcage off today. I cut the rear hoop and was prepping the rear spanners when I fryed my 1/2" Milwaukee drill. I guess I'll take it to work and finish the metal prep there. I'm liking the way it's looking in the mock up. Should be able to get it welded up tomorrow then paint Wed.

Thurs. I have an appt. to get the mufflers modified to fit correctly.
Sammy.........the plates I have are Ca. "black plates" relativley old (1961 stamped on them) and sought after........I also have a set of the Ca. yellow plates for the Lincoln, even older and more sought after
Jim S.

 

couple update pics of rollcage progress. I finished prepping the spanners then tacked it up. Pulled it outta the 6 and finished welding (that's one of my guys tacking it up, they don't think the boss should be working while they're standing around). I need to prep some diagonal bracing and weld it in , get it painted, and back in the 6. I'll feel alot better about driving it when the cage is done.
Jim S.

 

hmmmmmm????.....got folks in Georgia and Tenn, heard wheelin's good in Bama.....might hafta talk to the boss....er....Mrs.R)
Jim S.

 

I've been trying to decide whether to sell my hard top or make a stretched half cab outta it....was thinking adding a foot to the stock half cab design, maybe add 6" height, then insulate and headliner....
you may be onto something
Jim S.

 

still working on the roll cage, but got the exhaust done today. I had the mufflers from the M38, had the guy extend and tuck them outta the way for me. One more thing to remove from the checklist

Jim S,
ps....Jim (jpflat2a) thanks for the pic, gives more detail than the banner shot, and exactly what I had in mind. Just hafta convince myself to start another project

 

Got some time in on the rollcage today. I added the "t-top" sections to the front, and some lateral angles in the rear. I also added some small grab handles in the front. I still need to weld in some nuts to secure the rear seatbelts, then get it painted.

Thanks for all the input here and in other threads on the cage design, without a doubt I'd be lost w/o this site and the resources available.
Jim S.

 

Took a few shots of the completed rollcage today. I still need to mount the seat belts and add some more padding. I'm happy with how it turned out. I think I'm leaning toward having a custom soft top made for it at this point.

Still working out some of the bugs....needed to replace the alt. as it wasn't producing enough volts...also need to replace the fan clutch. The one thing that's really bugging me is a oil leak, pretty good amount of drips when it's been running...pretty sure it's the intake manifold...Oh well time spent in the garage is always better than in front of the boob tube
Jim S.

 

getting ready for the first real wheeling run since the build up so I thought I'd update progress. I put the rear seat in and seat belts(the kids are loving it) I replaced the alt. and fan clutch, they both work great now. My oil leak ended up just being the valve cover gaskets, swapped the rubber over to cork...got about 95% of the oil leaks stopped. I was short one extended bumpstop so included a pic of the solution. I also added padding to the rollcage to lessen the pain if smacked during wheeling. I have a 8000lb winch and mounting plate, but it's gonna take some modding to make it work so not sure if it'll get done before the end of the week wheeling adventure. I've been DD it lately...what a blast
Jim S.
ps...also included the pic of the girls in the jeep before build and after