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Last call for entries - voting will begin on January 27th!
Project RJ...a Golden Eagle tribute
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Ok I have had it, its time for me to start my latest project. I am putting my current on the back burner just a little because I want a jeep for the summer and I already have gathered up 85 percent of the parts.
This will NOT be a rock crawler, but more of a light trail, street driver...and more than anything, a tribute to where my family started in jeeps
Dad started in 77 with a CJ5 Renegade, then in 79 he bought the gauntlet of all CJ's...the Golden Eagle CJ7. She was a dandy, 304, automatic, quadratrac, air conditioning, hardtop with moonroof, and a factory 8274 winch. He sold that one in 1982 and I cried when it was gone. Fast forward 29 years and since we are into jeeps bigtime, I decided to make my own version of that beauty.
My goal ultimately is to have it turnkey for 10K....just me supplying the knowledge and labor. Below is the list of parts I have gathered up for it.
1994 rust and dent free body tub
1991 rustfree YJ frame
1979 Ford Dana 60 front axle with 52K original miles and 4.09 gears
1985 Sterling 10.25 rear axle and 4.10 gears
1978 NP435 transmission
1979 NP205 transfer case
1995 Rio Grande seats in flawless condition
I have a really good start and by the time the body is painted the engine should be done and ready to install. Anything that is not standard Jeep I will make by hand...no bought and bolt on pieces here. I will do my best to document as much as I possibly can. Starting tonight with a view of the clean shop floor lol. Sooo, stay tuned as this is gonna be a doozy and a hell of a good time
This will NOT be a rock crawler, but more of a light trail, street driver...and more than anything, a tribute to where my family started in jeeps
Dad started in 77 with a CJ5 Renegade, then in 79 he bought the gauntlet of all CJ's...the Golden Eagle CJ7. She was a dandy, 304, automatic, quadratrac, air conditioning, hardtop with moonroof, and a factory 8274 winch. He sold that one in 1982 and I cried when it was gone. Fast forward 29 years and since we are into jeeps bigtime, I decided to make my own version of that beauty.My goal ultimately is to have it turnkey for 10K....just me supplying the knowledge and labor. Below is the list of parts I have gathered up for it.
1994 rust and dent free body tub
1991 rustfree YJ frame
1979 Ford Dana 60 front axle with 52K original miles and 4.09 gears
1985 Sterling 10.25 rear axle and 4.10 gears
1978 NP435 transmission
1979 NP205 transfer case
1995 Rio Grande seats in flawless condition
I have a really good start and by the time the body is painted the engine should be done and ready to install. Anything that is not standard Jeep I will make by hand...no bought and bolt on pieces here. I will do my best to document as much as I possibly can. Starting tonight with a view of the clean shop floor lol. Sooo, stay tuned as this is gonna be a doozy and a hell of a good time
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Thanks man, I am really excited to do it. I hope by the beginning of july it will be done.
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8,435 Posts
Sounds like a hell of a build. Good luck. I will be checking in on this one.
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868 Posts
The amount of know-how that this project involves is pretty amazing as well, i was just over at "always stuck" spot and he helped me with cleaning out my fuel injectors. im still amazed about the stuff people on this forum know about Jeeps, im still learning to crawl but enjoying every minute of it!
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8,644 Posts
Yeah I wish he was closer, could prolly use an extra hand like his :thumb:
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7,154 Posts
I've been looking forward to this build since you started talking about it a little while ago. Wish I was there to see it in person! :thumb:
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8,644 Posts
You might just have to come over one weekend
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8,644 Posts
Ok I had to move out 4 jeeps and alot of other stuff, but I got the frame inside last night. I also dug out the front axle and gave it a quick cleanup just so I can move it around without getting super greasy. I knew the truck I got it from was low miles, but Ive never seen an ink mark from the factory on a 60 front before. Kinda sad considering it wont be going back into a pickup lol
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8,644 Posts
Here's a pic of me at 6 years old next to dads 79 GE
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8,644 Posts
So I sat in the shop tonight after I got done selling parts, had a few beers and contemplated the suspension for this dude. Part of me wants to leaf spring it and stay traditional, but there are several issues I have with that. One being, I hate to buy a set of springs to find out they arent gonna work the way I want them to, or hold the motor, or sag either front or rear. Two, Im gonna have to address the 1/2 inch pin width difference going to a 60 front. And three, the cost of leafs is just plain retarded. I am considering coiling it simply for the fact its cheaper, stronger, and more my style. I am cornfused lol
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1,644 Posts
coil it
excited to see this one, subscribed
excited to see this one, subscribed
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After a decent nights sleep I am still torn. I am pricing stuff out and see where that puts me. Im considering doing the SOA with OME springs and hopefully be able to run a 36" tire with no rubbing. I just have to keep reminding myself that I dont need another hardcore rig....hell I barely use the one I have now lol
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27,864 Posts
Looking forward to the build! :thumb:
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8,644 Posts
WOW that dude scares me just looking at it....dad said it was a handful on the street as it was. lol
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7,154 Posts
What's the story on the big white '79 Ford I see in the background of your tub pic?
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That would be my very first truck/wife lol. Its been in my family since 1986 when my dad bought it from an extrication service who only put 7K miles on it. I drove it through college and worked on it every weekend I could. It was a F150 but after many years of motors, blown axles, transmissions, etc...it now has a 60 front with coil springs and a 70 rear. Sitting on 19.5" inches of lift, its more of a parade/show truck than a go truck anymore. After I finish the jeep and the dually, she will be next in the shop for a go over. I sold the motor earlier this year to a mud racer since I am going bigger and more retarded when the time comes
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7,154 Posts
My first truck was a '79 Ford F-150 Ranger. It was 2-wheel drive with the 400 ci engine. Someone along the line (probably a dirt track racer) put a Predator carb on it. I remember the first time I opened the hood on that old girl and got a look at that funky looking carb...I couldn't figure out what it was at first! It was hit or miss with that thing, so we swapped it out for an old but trusty Holley. I really miss that truck...even though it was 2-wheel drive. Lots of good memories associated with that truck. I even got my first ticket in the old girl!
The '79 model year is still my favorite year for Ford pickups. I'd love to get another one some day...only this time I'd go with a 4x4. :thumb:
The '79 model year is still my favorite year for Ford pickups. I'd love to get another one some day...only this time I'd go with a 4x4. :thumb:
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