East Tennessee intro (Jeep convert to Square Body Chevy military trucks)

[1x1_Speed_Craig]

Hi all. I'm new to this forum, but not to wrenching/DIY vehicle builds. My dad got me into wrenching with a '57 Chevy Bel Air rebuild when I was in 8th grade through my Senior year of high school. Fast-forward a bit, and in my adult life, I spent 15+ years parting out & rebuilding (frame-up) Jeeps from all eras, and have owned some very unique ones; I'm drawn to unique/rare, boxy & ugly vehicles, not necessarily in that order. Aside from driving my dad's old Chevy work truck back in the late '80s , I haven't messed with these particular trucks until I picked up an '86 M1008 military truck (K30). I'm using it for an around-town and farm truck, and love it...squeaks, rattles and all. I'm just maintaining/improving the stock 6.2 diesel with no intentions to drive it hard (Fluidamper/new pulleys/belts install is next).

I also picked up a stripped-down M1028 parts truck, which will be my longer-term build while I continue to drive the M1008.

I'm currently building my wife & me a small house and Quonset Hut out building, so I won't be spending an excess of time on the trucks until I'm done-ish (priorities, or so says the wife ).

Craig

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[Frankenchevy]

@1x1_Speed_Craig , what’s the best 1975 and older cj, not including the cj6? I’d assume the later ones (cj5) may have better frames, but I don’t know. I’m a touch over 6’ tall, so they’ll all be a bit tight. Looking to build a little wheeler that doubles as a side by side replacement.

Thanks!

 

[1x1_Speed_Craig]

@1x1_Speed_Craig , what’s the best 1975 and older cj, not including the cj6? I’d assume the later ones (cj5) may have better frames, but I don’t know. I’m a touch over 6’ tall, so they’ll all be a bit tight. Looking to build a little wheeler that doubles as a side by side replacement.

Thanks!

Feel free to message me offline and I can shoot you my phone number if you wanted to chat. In short, you'd be bucking the trend...many have moved *from* Jeeps *to* SXS. In short, I like the '76+ stuff better, as it's what I'm most familiar with. I'm 6'0", and the CJ-5/CJ-6 door openings are awkward/tough for me. I just sold a 5,800-mile '71 CJ-6 (fire station vehicle), and while it was unique/cool, it was a pain to climb in & out of.

The inline 6s starting in the Intermediate years ('72-'75), and continuing through the TJ/LJ era are phenomenal engines.

My favorites would have been a Scrambler or my old '86 CJ-10a military tug that I converted to 4WD. Especially with the Scramblers, though, I've been priced out of the market. They're fetching crazy money...way more than they should be, IMHO. For later-model stuff, my '05 LJ on 1-tons and 37s was awesome.

I've never owned a flat-fender, but your height may make those tough, too.

Craig

 

[dusterdude]

Welcome

 

[Mr Clean]

 

[Strick]

Welcome in. CUCV's are awesome. I've had a few M1008's & am looking another now. You can put a Jeep in the bed of a CUCV!

HS

 

[WFO]

Welcome from the Texas Panhandle.

 

[Corvette Ed]

Welcome aboard from a fellow East Tennessean.

 

[1x1_Speed_Craig]

Welcome aboard from a fellow East Tennessean.

Thanks, neighbor!

 

[Dave Kay]

Hi all. I'm new to this forum, but not to wrenching/DIY vehicle builds. My dad got me into wrenching with a '57 Chevy Bel Air rebuild when I was in 8th grade through my Senior year of high school. Fast-forward a bit, and in my adult life, I spent 15+ years parting out & rebuilding (frame-up) Jeeps from all eras, and have owned some very unique ones; I'm drawn to unique/rare, boxy & ugly vehicles, not necessarily in that order. Aside from driving my dad's old Chevy work truck back in the late '80s , I haven't messed with these particular trucks until I picked up an '86 M1008 military truck (K30). I'm using it for an around-town and farm truck, and love it...squeaks, rattles and all. I'm just maintaining/improving the stock 6.2 diesel with no intentions to drive it hard (Fluidamper/new pulleys/belts install is next).

I also picked up a stripped-down M1028 parts truck, which will be my longer-term build while I continue to drive the M1008.

I'm currently building my wife & me a small house and Quonset Hut out building, so I won't be spending an excess of time on the trucks until I'm done-ish (priorities, or so says the wife ).

Craig

You must be registered for see images attach

Bravo~! Got an M1008 myself. A thing of beauty~!