I thought I would start a new build thread, since this is a different Jeep. And yes, it is still Dave's fault!

Last year about this time, a fellow Jeeper posted a link to a CJ6 for sale in Oregon. After, talking to the gentleman that was selling it we came to an agreement. Now, how to get it back to TX?

I was headed to Idaho, to hunt late October, so I had a hotshot company transport it to my friends place in Utah. After my hunt, I loaded it on a trailer and headed home.

This CJ6 has a lot of what I was looking for, already done, Turbo 400, 225 Dauntless, and a surprisingly strait body and very little rot!!!

So after some thinking I decided to sell my 71 CJ5 and put the funds into the 6.

As it looked when I picked it up.


The trip home, stopped off in Moab just cuz.


Home, and behind the shop.


After, thinking about the build, I decided to swap out the axles on the 5 and 6. Then I wanted to improve the rock crawling ability, so I ordered a Rocky Road YJ spring conversion. I got it bolted up, I will weld it at a later time.


I like the new stance.

So, now onto the mock up and changes...

I am going to add hanging brake pedal, power brakes, new tilt steering column, new seats, probably and extra (2nd) fuel tank. Fab up a new front bumper, rear bumper and stuff.

So started with getting the Diamond plate off, roll-cage out...






Heater and blower are out, I will run an aftermarket heater defroster.

Nice Jeep. I am partial to my '05 Unlimited 2-door.

Neil

The kind of work you and ND do on vehicles just blows me away. It's definitely an art.

Keep us posted on how the build progresses.

If I didn't have the JKU the Unlimited is what I would have!

I appreciate the kind words, but I am not a flea on Dave's butt when it comes to talent! Though he is my inspiration!

Looking forward to your build!

Neat project, a rust free CJ6 is not easy to find.

Got a little side tracked today, I have to get my truck ready for Idaho, later this month. Got my old school Con-Fer rack painted and installed.

Well, been a few days, getting my truck ready for my hunting trip to Idaho, but did get a little done on the 6.

Got the dash off, the tangled weave of wires out and started to position the hanging brake pedal.




I am waiting on a plasma cutter, which will make this fab work much easier.

So I finally, got back to working on the CJ6. I got my firewall plates cut, for the hanging brake pedal/power brakes. It is just bolted up for now, will weld the plates on in the coming weeks.

and a few more...

Man that reminds me of welding in the floor & from cab supports for many a Ford F100

They come in from time to time.

Sometimes not at all.

I still need to order a whole wiring harness for my car.

Them suckers are costly.

Dude... Hurry up already. It left my house over a year ago...

Buy this one...then I will work on the 6 faster!

I have my old 89.


wasteland 1

You going to deliver it to Utah?...

Wow, you're really going off the Jeep end on this project!

I mean... oh, never mind.

Keep it coming!

Do you really, think I am going to drive halfway across the country towing a Jeep to deliv....Oh, yes when do you want it?

🤣🤣🤣

I cleaned up my shop, before I dove into the next episode. Today, I got the master cylinder and bracket off the frame, radiator out, headers off and the new rear dump exhaust placed, so I can start the mock up of the steering.




.
Today, I got the steering column set so I can try and line up the steering linkage.

Hurry up...

Ok!

In for another cool build!

Been a little slow on this, but did fab a floorboard piece that the steering column will go through.

I used the small factory piece to get the angle right....Got it right on the first try!

A little overkill, but it will work...The bolt are for mock up only, I will use button heads on final assembly.

Well, I didn't get any work done on the 69, but I did pull out Sour Apple and enjoyed the nice weather!

I still think it looks pretty sharp!

Indeed it does!

Looking good.

About that 350 going in the latest project.

Does it bolt up to the drive train of the original or does it take an adapter?

Might have a similar job in store for a Landcrusier.

sweet

Very cool

If you are asking if the Turbo 400 bolt up to the Dauntless V6, yes it is a straight bolt up, the adapter is between the transmission and transfer case.

Jeep looks great!

Good job!


As a suggestion, I think you may want to replace those skinny tires with some that are bit wider...

Man that thing is sweet!

That is the same thing my father said, now he really likes the stance. I got those rims on the cheap, cheap, so being 10" I thought I would go with the 12.50 tire to make it look right.

I love these threads. Keep it coming. Thanks.

Well I have been a little slow on working on the 6. I am ready to get it to my welder so the important stuff gets welded correctly. So, I wanted to practice a little welding on non-structural stuff. I took the frames of the old half doors welded on some tabs and cut some aluminum sheet that I have. Still have to grind and polish, but I think it will look good.

OMG!

Never said I was good and I know it ain't purty...but it is solid.

Keep practicing 😂😂😂

From the guy that welds by the pound!

Well I got the power steering box mounted...

Is that JB Weld?...

LOL ........ Zinger.

I do weld inspection for a living and use that phrase all the time.


Great thread BTW.

Good looking frame patching.

I like the round piece for the bolts.

Also, did the firewall...

You a Mittens voter?

Um no!!! McRomney needs to be thrown out on his ass.

Sure didn’t think there was this much “wrong” with it in the first pictures!

Nice work.

Very nice work.

My jeep history is a little hazy.
I was gonna ask if the 6 was a military version.
Then I saw the fuel fill.

I always hated when they went back to the round headlight on new ones.
"Round or square" used to be the tell tale for a good jeep or a Chrysler jeep.

The military version of the 6 was a M170, it was an ambulance carrier. The passenger side had a larger cut out, to get the stretcher in.

It was built late 80 early 90's, I'm mostly cleaning up some and making it more road worthy, but also a good rock crawler.

Looks good, I love threads like this. Just wondering, why didn't you do a shackle reversal on the front springs? I know there are pros and cons for both set ups, just wondering your thought process.

Good photo, thanks.
I will have to refresh my memory on numbers... the scrambler was a even number. right?

Nice job Jason! Post your progress.

The Scrambler was the CJ-8 one of my favorite body styles.

Hey Slacktoller... That thing left my house 2 years ago... Finish it already😂😂😂

All kidding aside. Glad you’re making some progress on it. Keep the pics coming.

Very nice Scat. I really enjoy these threads other that it tempts me to tread where I don't belong. Hope we'll see the finished work. Couldn't hurt to share some pics of that upcoming hunt too.

CJ8

Buy the 71 and I will have it done is 3 months!

Got the top half of the motor off, just to check things out...Looks clean.

Going to go with a Holley Sniper FI.

Still a long way to go, I got some body panels and ready to weld them in and patch holes.

The best part is I'm going to make Springcove ride with me on the first trip out....and he is skeered!😋

Ya not happening…

Good to see you working on it again.

🐔

What kind of power does a 225 make approximately? I’ve always been kinda curious about the V6 CJs but I’ve never actually seen one in person.

The factory odd-fire had about 160 horsepower and about 240 ft lbs of torque.

I'm guessing this one to be a bit more than that, it has been rebuilt, but I'm not sure of the cam. Will know more when I dig into it more in the coming month.

Well, getting back to the 6, just trying to get some things done for the sake of progress. I striped the roll cage and primed and painted it. Mostly, just so it doesn't rust! It is by far the worse project on the Jeep!

Did the cage last weekend.



This weekend getting the fenders striped and patched.

Big thanks to Northern Dave for his advice on body fillers! The evercoat Ultra plus is a joy to work with!

Did a little work on a fender and the hood...I needed some instant gratification!

Holy crap! You bought a Willys, too??

Good to see you working on it again.

Got that for dad, but it is too far gone. Motor is good if you know anyone that wants a flathead!

Got the fenders and hood pretty much done, a few spots to touch up. Welded up a couple of holes in the hood and some cracks on the fenders. Will add a sealer to it then color.

I got some rust cut out and patches welded in. Getting better at the sheet metal welding. Found the sweet spot for my welder and makes it a lot more fun!

Looks good. Might be done in 4 more years 😂

God I hope not!

Well chit!

Why do good project come up while still working on the current project?

1959 Jeep FC-170

It has a 225 oddfire and Turbo 400 already in it...Oh, what to do.

Continue to work on the body. Going to have to replace the A pillar on the passenger side. Got a lot of the smaller holes welded up, until I ran out of gas for my welder.
Did get the grill primed.



Did place the V6 badging just to boost my spirts.

Hello Jason. Everywhere I go Jeeps dominate the landscape. I'm sure your restoration will be a head-turner and a fun off-roader. But that 1959 Jeep FC-170 is beyond cool! Rare as a white blackbird. Where'd you find that? (!)

Get rid of the Willy so you have a place to park the new one…

The 170 is up in Minnesota. The guy is flakey as hell, so I passed on it. I will find another and closer, I'm not in a rush. I hope to have my 6 going by the end of September.

I did get a rear panel replaced today. Still a learning experience, but it is solid.

Tomorrow I will tackle the other side. I will do a couple of things different.

Fun thread here. Thanks.

Work faster… Whistle that toon from the Bridge Over the River Kwai if that helps…

Drivers side started and completed. Did it a slightly different way much smoother.

I used plug welds to attach the outer body to this replacement, on both sides. Bottom line for me is the rust is gone and the structure is back.

I am just waiting on the passenger a-pillar replacement, then the major body work is complete and I can get to the body filler and sanding part.

Chit! A trip to Colorado, maybe?

Did you sell the Willy yet or the 2012? You got no room for that…

Well, as soon as you pony up for the JKU, I will have more than enough room!

Just for you!

Last piece to the body woes has arrived. And made in the USA!

Damn! FC Jeeps are cool. I hope you get it.

Still regretting not buying the green one. This one is a clean I’ll pass…

chicken

Got the last of the the major metal work done. Now just a few minor bits and then lots of primer, body filler and sanding...

I got the bare metal primed, so I don't have to deal with rust. I will do the interior body next, the the bottom. Then it is onto body filler and color.

That sure looks like a lot of work Jason. Hope your shop is air conditioned.

Gotta say my one experience with a CJ6 worked out just like yours. I bought it running and in less than a week I was a full time jeep mechanic. First thing was the fuel bag cracked. I spent a considerable amount of money on that thing for a couple of years. Just the regular maintenance on the wheel bearings and springs in the hubs was a lot, definitely not designed for a lot of hiway driving. The clincher was not enough room to load an elk in the back.

Yep you got your starter kit!

It is, best 3k I ever spent!

Got the inside of the tub primed, got it up on it nose now so I can prep the underside and repair a couple of spots.

I got the underside and inside the tub done with primer/sealer and the small section on the drivers side that I had worked. I think it came out pretty good.

Decided to shoot the color for the underside, and experiment with my gun. Flowed well, no runs, the runs visible were in the original paint.

You're quite a craftsman.

Thanks for the kind words, but I am really just a hack.

Interior of the tub is in color!

There goes all the gun money.

Nah, I am selective in what I purchase now.

You and your Jeep are MAGA , Thanks for posting.

Got the hood, grill and tailgate sprayed in the sealer primer.

Looking good my friend. Have you picked a final color yet?

Destroyer gray.

Nice!!!

Anyone in need of some once used body filler?

The cartels will be calling you soon…

LOL

Got the body filler and sanding done, as good as I am going to make it. The the primer/sealer on it, looks not too bad. A couple of spots I will need to touch up, when I spray the fenders.

Looks good.

Got some heavy angle iron cut and mounted.

Got the flat bar bent and cut. This should help on the dreaded 'rock crunch'! I also, got the fenders and my half door skins in sealer primer. Will try and get it sanded and painted this weekend. Cutting it close, as I am leaving for Idaho next Thursday.

Bondo boogers!

Amazing how that stuff can find it's way into bodily orifices you didn't even know you had. Always hated digging that stuff out of my ears.

I had a '45 Willys at one time, with a V-6 Buick in it. Wish I would have kept that thing and done a full resto on it.

I'm really enjoying your posts on this build - keep it up, good work!

Thanks!

Yes, the body filler is everywhere in my shop. I have blown it out about three times and still I find pockets of the dust. I will have to remove everything in the shop and clean.

Well it has been a bit. I went hunting, I mean hiking in Idaho, so I didn't get much done. I did get back to it a bit this weekend. I got the sanding sealer sanded and reapplied in a couple of areas. I also, got a couple of items painted in color. The tailgate, firewall and my half door panels. This was mostly to get my gun dialed in, I figured if I messed up, will be easier to correct.

After about a month of traveling for hunts and picking up a new pup, I finally, got back to the CJ6. I got the fenders, grill and flywheel cover painted. Have a few runs that should polish out, or maybe not.





One of the pup...Lucy (Fur)

Wasn't the perfect day but got most of the jeep painted. Repainted one fender, underside of the hood and the tub. Went well, except for a few runs, but what is an old Jeep without runs? I'm hoping I can clean them up. Otherwise sprayed pretty well.

Well got the hood and hinges painted in color so most big stuff done. I have some welding to do on the dash, before I can paint. It will go grey as well and the windshield will go black.

Time to bring the frame in and get it painted so I can get the tub on.

Been a while, but have been working on it slowly. I did get the frame stripped, primed and painted. I may, go with a gloss finish instead of the matte.




I also, changed up the suspense mounts, looks like it will be better.

Now I am waiting on the transmission, so I can mate it with the engine and get it painted.

Looks awesome Jason. What do you mean "waiting" on the transmission? Are you having it rebuilt?

WTH? That thing was in one piece when it left Utah…

Yes, it has a Turbo 400 and I having Phoenix Transmission here in Weatherford rebuild (build) it for me. I hope to have it at end of this week so I can mate it up to the engine and get them painted together. I am going with Buick red, I think.


But may go with my first choice of the AMC color.


I think both would look good with the Gray body color, but the red would give it more pop!

Yes, and so was my liver!

Red ! Will look great against the gloss black frame. Should really pop !

My transmission is done, should be able to pick it up this week, hope to have it and the engine painted by the weekend and in the chassis shortly thereafter.

Well, got a little done the past couple of weeks. I picked up the transmission, got some floor panels painted and the engine.

Well, I got the engine and transmission in.

Looking good.

It does take time to put it back together.

Then there is all of the small stuff that one needs to find.

I swear that small stuff hides on purpose .

Getting there

Yes, rhe small stuff always gets you in the end.

Well I started to paint the transfer case and other running gear, with a new batch of paint...I think they missed the mix.

Here is an image of the two batches under LED light.


Here is an image of the two batches in natural light.


I have spoken with Eastwood and I am waiting to see what the outcome will be. Based on my conversation with them, they have had a few calls regarding this batch.

I understand that there are variations from batch to batch, but this is a bit more wide, then it should be.

At least have enough of the original batch to paint my windshield and dash!

Premixed paint is tough to match original!

I smacked a deer and messed up my bumper. While at the body shop to get repair parts ordered, he ripped off a broken piece of the bumper. He said know I know I can match the paint! LOL and he did!

Had the bumper painted before I took the car for repairs. In and out in a couple hours.

In this case it should be closer than that. The second batch is on the white side, not much blue/black.

Just heard back from Eastwood. They are sending a new gallon of paint. I gathered from our conversation that there has been an issue with a couple of batches of this color. Wait and see what the next batch looks like.

Had to put some rear outer body mounts on, since I don't have the normal rear cross member. I am not a welder, still learning, getting better since this is not a super structural piece I figured I could do it. After a couple of attempts that I didn't like, I settled on this.

Just did a little fun thing.

Cool build.

Keep it coming!

Had to do some adjustments on the transmission mou t in order to get the alignment right. I am much happier with it now.

Got a bit done, after a week long emergency with my pup.

Getting ready to take it to my welder to build the front crossmember/bumper and winch plate.

hp locations near me

Looks good!

That jeep is going to be absolutely awesome!

Jason, all this work!!! It's looking like a show car. How are you going to do any rock climbing or brush busting?

It is a Jeep, if it was for show I'd chrome it!😉

First time in 4 years it has see daylight while on all 4's!

Added the fenders.

Waiting on parts so doing a few little things, like corner guards.

Nice!

+1!

Jason, do you have a hardtop for it?

No, have an old soft top. There is a company company that makes a nice fiberglass top.

Rally Top

I'm old school, hardly ever run a top.

Been a while, do t have much of an update. I am having to redo my spring perches, since the so called kit is all fugged up.
So I ordered some Ruff Stuff, hangers and got them welded up, so I can cut off the existing, to fix the fugg up!



Do have the hood on, to keep from damaging it.

Lookin' good. You've got serious skills.

And to add to my, 'I have no time",

Been a while. I had to back track and fix the suspension, since the kit that was supposed to be right, was all wrong. Got the rear done with Ruff Stuff shackle hangers and moved the axel back about 1.5", gives me the right shackle placement and lines the tire up better in the wheel well.




The front was even worse, being almost a full 2" spread too wide. If I was to wheel with it I would get shackle wrap, not good. I will put boomarang shackles on the front as well.

Here you can see the difference of the shackle angle,
Before

After

While welding up my dash, I had time to stare at the front bumper. I think I will reuse with a bit of trimming.

Just check the flex with the new spring correction, from the crappy geometry of the Rocky Road st up. Much happier, I still have about 3 inches more, but that is as far as I wanted to go with my lift.

A little of the front flex. Just a hair over 28".

Pretty dang good articulation. Will finding & fitting shocks that still allow it be a challenge?


Looking forward to seeing the finished product.

I will add taller shock towers to give me more shock throw. If I do my math right I should be able to get to 26" or so.

My cousin came into town for a week, so didn't get much done on the 6. Did get some work done on getting a steering column mount made, ain't real pretty but it will work.

Good job.

Care to share how much you have into your build, not counting your labor? How many hours?

I wish I was even moderately handy.

I took a two year hiatus when I was dating a lady, so I am going on 4 years. I did have a little bit of creep and I have had to do a couple things twice to fix some chitty kits. I am all the better for it. I have 6k in the purchase and when all said and done, I will have right around 6k in the build. If I decide to go with the Atlas II transfer case, add another 3500.

I have probably, 100 hours of actual work time. It is not a show piece going to be a rock crawler, just wanted it to look decent.

It has been slow progress, lots going on this time of year.




And got the fuel tank primed.

New shoes for the old grey mule.

Got the upgraded sliders mounted.




Also like the the look with the new shoes!

Looking good. Getter done…

Going to have a nice truck when you get done. You remind me of my brother.

Got the sliders primed, just so I don't have to deal with rust later.

Very nice!

Got the windshield in the epoxy primer.

Mighty fine

Decided to go black instead of the grey...can always paint it the grey later.

No runs that I have found.

They came out pretty nice. No runs or sags, I'll take it.

Do you have a proper paint gun, or do you use mixed rattle cans? I’m not sure I’m using correct terminology?

Looks great by the way!

LOL, you can't be serious?

Very, very nice work. You are skilled. What is the paint color please?

I a mixing paint and using a paint fun. It is a HVLP. I have used the cheap Harbor Freight ones on my previous build. On this one I upped it to a nicer gun. Made a huge difference in the paint control and was well worth the extra money. I use the cheap ones for other things, for $20 I don't feel bad if I don't clean it well.

The body color is Destroyer Grey.

Got the windshield out of my way.

Little brown truck arrived....

Looks good, what year?

You're gaining on it!

👍👍

1969

Thanks.

A fellow Jeeper on another site took the time and effort, on his 3d printer, to make the hood reflectors for 1969 to early 170 CJ's.i got his first pair after getting e everything worked out.

Well, have been going through about a month and half of health issues with my father, then throw in a few days with my mother and almost nothing of my projects gets done.

I did get the GenRight bumper and it is going to work out great. Saves me a ton of time trying to get the old bumper to worth with my new steering and spring set up. Just placing the bumper on the frame rails and I like the look.


I also, got some work done on my dash, both with the steering mounts and switch cluster. Then I got it primed.

Looks good 😎👍

This is going to be really nice. Looks great already!

Got the color on the last of the body parts. The sash is my best spray yet.

Lots of rain today, so did a little with the dash to get it out of the way.




and started mocking up the front bumper, hope to get the brackets welded on tomorrow.

Got the front bumper on.

Got the welding done on the front bumper brackets completed, bumper primed, fender wells trimmed to fit shock mounts and thinking about placement of rear recovery points.

Bumper and rock rails painted, runs and all! 😁😅

You gonna be driving that before long!

Looking good!

Shooting for May!
Shooting for May.

Nice work

Pushed her out to get some Vitamin D.





Also, picked up 2 transfer cases so I can build a 5:1 reduction and still have a stock spare.

It's going to be too pretty to drive!

Of course not, always drive it.

Picked up the seat frames yesterday and purchased a metal top in very good shape, will pick it up in a couple of weeks.

Put the frames in just to verify fit.

Cool!

Glad to see the pieces are coming together nicely.