SavageSunJeep
Adventurer
Santa brought a 55 WW to me on 26 Dec. Solid rig, near rust free, all original except a Chevy V8.
Background(?):
As best I can ascertain and piece together this was a fellows hunting rig on his ranch in Utah at day one ('09/'55). He died, and family shuffled it off at some juncture to a wrecking yard a few years ago. Somebody rescued it and dropped in a V8 and 2 Jeep TJ seats. Project died for whatever and then was bought by a guy here in AZ 8 mo ago. Then Christmas rolled around and money was needed and I bought it.
It was stripped of its interior WAY back, most likely the original owner. Heater, seats, headliner and everything else that was there. He added interior white paint, mosquito netting and curtains for light control. Based upon holes drilled in the floor he mounted much other stuff. My guess is support gear for hunting. He was a AVID hunter appearing to spend weeks at a time living in it on his ranch in Utah.
Body is clean and straight, orginial wood in floor is in excellent condition. It had a false plywood floor in when I got it, painted white for better light reflection.
Why:
I had a '03 TJ Rubicon I was using for rock crawling and after a few years I drifted back to my camping, exploring and off road adventures of the 40 plus years I have been Jeeping. The short TJ frame was just not enough to work with my larger frame and I did not like tent sleeping. This led to buying a '06 LJ Rubicon, the long wheelbase version...104" Vs 93" of the TJ.
Now I had 2 Jeeps. The goal was to migrate and integrate parts into the LJ. In short and after much thought I slowly came to realize that in the end I still had a '06 Jeep with all the city, county, state and federal oversight that brings. And the past year has convinced me that I was the government OUT of my life as much as possible and get off the grid and below the radar. Any post '76 year rig is a link to ever increasing government control...Thus I decided to step back in time and do it my way.
The build:
'We've only just begun'. But here is the outlook: I now have 3 Jeeps including 2 Rubicons for donors.
Pull WW body off the frame, sell the rolling chassis to include the driveline and V8, everything is in great shape, runs great.
Attempt to slide TJ or LJ Rubicon 104" frame under the WW that has a 104" wheelbase under the WW body.
This brings with it:
Jeep coil suspension
F/R Dyantrac ProRock high pinion D60's w/ARB and 4.88 gears
NV3550 5 sp 4.1 low grear
OR 241 4.0 low transfer case
Jeep late model AC/heat, PW/PB/PS etc
Chevy Crate Motor, 350 cu in, 350 HP, 400 lbs Torque w/OEM fuel injection (this engine was developed by GM for pre-1976 model cars). This engine has not been purchased yet, but its the leading candidate at this time, but open to suggestions...
Results:
Rock solid drive line for hiway, off road etc etc travel from Alaska to S America...before I die I hope AND no interference by silly lights on dash that say 'check engine', 'failed' emissions tests or an annual crush to get your emissions certification before some gov't declared date, NO computers...and it ain't gonna get better. I am off the grid and below the radar.
Any suggestions, advice, help or whatever is welcome and appreciated...:coffeedrink:
Background(?):
As best I can ascertain and piece together this was a fellows hunting rig on his ranch in Utah at day one ('09/'55). He died, and family shuffled it off at some juncture to a wrecking yard a few years ago. Somebody rescued it and dropped in a V8 and 2 Jeep TJ seats. Project died for whatever and then was bought by a guy here in AZ 8 mo ago. Then Christmas rolled around and money was needed and I bought it.
It was stripped of its interior WAY back, most likely the original owner. Heater, seats, headliner and everything else that was there. He added interior white paint, mosquito netting and curtains for light control. Based upon holes drilled in the floor he mounted much other stuff. My guess is support gear for hunting. He was a AVID hunter appearing to spend weeks at a time living in it on his ranch in Utah.
Body is clean and straight, orginial wood in floor is in excellent condition. It had a false plywood floor in when I got it, painted white for better light reflection.
Why:
I had a '03 TJ Rubicon I was using for rock crawling and after a few years I drifted back to my camping, exploring and off road adventures of the 40 plus years I have been Jeeping. The short TJ frame was just not enough to work with my larger frame and I did not like tent sleeping. This led to buying a '06 LJ Rubicon, the long wheelbase version...104" Vs 93" of the TJ.
Now I had 2 Jeeps. The goal was to migrate and integrate parts into the LJ. In short and after much thought I slowly came to realize that in the end I still had a '06 Jeep with all the city, county, state and federal oversight that brings. And the past year has convinced me that I was the government OUT of my life as much as possible and get off the grid and below the radar. Any post '76 year rig is a link to ever increasing government control...Thus I decided to step back in time and do it my way.
The build:
'We've only just begun'. But here is the outlook: I now have 3 Jeeps including 2 Rubicons for donors.
Pull WW body off the frame, sell the rolling chassis to include the driveline and V8, everything is in great shape, runs great.
Attempt to slide TJ or LJ Rubicon 104" frame under the WW that has a 104" wheelbase under the WW body.
This brings with it:
Jeep coil suspension
F/R Dyantrac ProRock high pinion D60's w/ARB and 4.88 gears
NV3550 5 sp 4.1 low grear
OR 241 4.0 low transfer case
Jeep late model AC/heat, PW/PB/PS etc
Chevy Crate Motor, 350 cu in, 350 HP, 400 lbs Torque w/OEM fuel injection (this engine was developed by GM for pre-1976 model cars). This engine has not been purchased yet, but its the leading candidate at this time, but open to suggestions...
Results:
Rock solid drive line for hiway, off road etc etc travel from Alaska to S America...before I die I hope AND no interference by silly lights on dash that say 'check engine', 'failed' emissions tests or an annual crush to get your emissions certification before some gov't declared date, NO computers...and it ain't gonna get better. I am off the grid and below the radar.
Any suggestions, advice, help or whatever is welcome and appreciated...:coffeedrink:
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