76 Chopokee

I'm really ok with how it is. Ideally I would be able to change a lot and make it perfect, but I don't have that much money. For now this build is focusing on getting it working, not getting it looking better. I can't spare the money to put in a full cage and figure out a top for it. When it's running and the hideous bedliner has all been scraped off, then we can talk about cosmetic mods!

76 Chopokee

Here's a much better pic of the jeep, the others were from craigslist. I will get more up soon. This illustrates how god awful this guy made the thing look with his "paint job". Will also serve as a better photo to photoshop!

PocketsEmpty

Definitely looks like a great project rig. That fender though, man! I'm pretty sure looking at it gave me cancer.

76 Chopokee

I have no idea how to fix it. It's bolted up tight that way, on both sides. It'd be a pain in the *** to take off. Even if I get it off I'm not sure I'll be able to mount it up symmetrical again. Any advice?

76 Chopokee

The bolts holding it on are rusted tight, there's a little bit of filler near the area that needs to move, and the idiot sprayed expanding foam insulation all over the place. Not gonna deal with it right now. Eventually I'll begin cutting and welding new panels but I'm not going to fight with bodywork yet. The fenders will have to stay where they are. Thus far I'm pretty disappointed in this guy's shoddy work.

How do I find out if my driveshaft is telescoping?

ta2tony

Look at the DS. You should be able to tell if it slides in and out or not.

As for the rear fender flare...it looks like aftermarket rear leafs were put on, and the distance from the front eye to the centerpin is too short. Granted, at full tuck it'll probably centered.

76 Chopokee

That's my driveshaft. It LOOKS like it slides, but I've never dealt with driveshafts, so I don't know.

76 Chopokee

Before and after... none of that wiring was essential to operate the vehicle. A little too many additions for my taste.

ta2tony

It does. The first pic shows where it slides (the skinny part).

76 Chopokee

Awesome, thanks. So it's as easy as unbolting the rear end from the U-bolts and rolling it back, as far as I can tell?

ta2tony

What, moving your axle back? No.

There are center pins in the leafs that locate the axle. To move the axle, you'd have to drill through the leaf pack and install a new center pin...and thats not something I'd recommend you do yourself.

DougyFresh

i would love to have one of these. I really want a J10 or j20 though...

76 Chopokee

I read somewhere that some jeep springs don't have a centered pin, it's a little bit off center. In that case, maybe turning the springs around would do the trick. Thoughts?

DougyFresh

you would end up with a 5" stretch, which is probably more than your driveshaft could handle and most likely a lot more than your wanting

76 Chopokee

Well shoot. How do I get the axle centered?! This is really the least of my concerns right now, maybe I should talk more about what I'm doing.

After tackling some wiring yesterday, I've started pulling the engine compartment apart. The previous owner was a real piece of work -- he installed fog lights on top of the wheel wells to act as work lights. I myself have heard of this crazy invention called a shop light, so those won't be necessary for me.

I'm down to the last of the wiring, next to come out will be the Howell and then I should be ready to pull the motor. I'm going to rent an engine hoist and purchase an engine stand. Since the motor is fuel injected, has headers, Edelbrock intake, and MSD ignition, maybe I will be pleasantly surprised when I open it up. For now I'm just glad to get the awful "chrome" paint job off of everything.