TJeepster

[slusher]

Very creative and cool project!

[NOBLNG]

Thanks, Guys!  I wanted to put some better looking steering gear on this thing. So I started by cutting all that nonsense off the kit piece. However the springs being mounted so far out in front of the axle, would interfere with any semi-accurate steering setup. I figured the best thing to do was swap in a d-44 resin copy of the Mobius F-100 unit. After fumbling about with it for awhile, I came up with what I think is a workable solution. Since I am starting with bare axle tubes, I decided to upgrade the suspension to a long arm setup. I still have to fab the upper links and the new spring pads, but I think I have a handle on it now. I’ll be making new springs also from mechanics wire, since the kit pieces are way too flimsy to support the new engine! ?

 

 

 

 

Edited May 3, 2020 by NOBLNG
Change pics

[NOBLNG]

I am also giving the rear the same treatment using the resin Center section of the Ford 9” rear. I drilled straight through it and pressed in a brass tube and covered that with styrene tube. A little sanding and some J.B. Weld, and it looks a lot better than the original piece I think.?

[NOBLNG]

I cut out the second to rear crossmember that I had made and replaced it with one more like a factory one, just behind the differential. I also moved the rear one back slightly so the fuel tank would clear the diff.  I made upper shock towers to move the shocks outside the frame and made some shocks. I still have to make the lower shock mounts

 

Edited May 11, 2020 by NOBLNG

[NOBLNG]

I am pretty much done the suspension and steering mods. I still have to make the front shocks and mounts. The front suspension is a radius arm setup and I went with a crossover steering upgrade because it is easier to fabricate and better than a stock Jeep setup. I also scratch built a steering box, as there was nothing for steering components in the kit. For the rear, I went with a triangulated 4-link setup. I can see I am going to have fun snaking an exhaust system in here!?

Edited May 11, 2020 by NOBLNG

[NOBLNG]

The jig that I made paid off since the rear wheels are still centred in the wheelwells, Yay!? To make room for the knuckles and springs I had to widen the track slightly. I may have to widen the flares a bit to make it Street legal...or I might wait till I get a ticket? ?

[espo]

Great looking suspension work. I would leave the tires where they are with no bigger flairs. That way you can spray water on everyone else when driving in the rain. 

[jjmat3Gasser]

Wow! Just wow!! Amazing work! Whats the latest on this porject? 

[Mattilacken]

Impressive work! Looks really good and I love the idea! Need to get me one of those TJ’s! 

[NOBLNG]

On 10/31/2020 at 9:49 AM, jjmat3Gasser said:

Wow! Just wow!! Amazing work! Whats the latest on this porject? 

Thanks! It’s on the back burner right now, but I hope to get to get back to it soon.? I took the summer off and then started a few other projects, trying to get myself motivated again. Thanks to everyone for their interest.

[dino246gt]

Man that looks so cool! I'm sure there's a real one out there somewhere like it!

[NOBLNG]

2 hours ago, dino246gt said:

Man that looks so cool! I'm sure there's a real one out there somewhere like it!

Thanks. I saw a Jeepster years ago on a 4x4 forum that had the front end of a Willys truck grafted on. It was pretty cool!

[tuffone20]

Man what a cool project! 

[NOBLNG]

I’ve got the chassis pretty much done. This was my first attempt at building a complete exhaust system.? Heck, first attempt at everything! It took me about three tries and a few sticks of .080” styrene to get the exhaust to where I can live with it. I ditched the Hemi engine and replaced it with a Buick 350 and turbo 400 transmission (the earlier C-101 Jeepsters had a Buick V6 and TH400 trans, and the 350 is a popular swap in the 1:1 world). This engine is actually a 430 from the AMT ‘69 Riviera that I re-worked a bit to resemble the smaller block since no Buick kit came with a  350. The resin roof from Olson Brothers arrived a while back too and looks better than the half-cab roof I think.

Edited November 13, 2020 by NOBLNG

[Mattilacken]

Looks awesome! Cool engine choice.  New top suits it well.

[NOBLNG]

I got the interior finished today using the seats from the Wrangler. The center console needed the most attention...I scribed the cubby door into it and added the latch for it. I moved the clock forward to where it belongs and made a new shifter (oops, forgot the t/c shifter?). The speedo and guage cluster I printed on my ink jet from a photo I pulled off the net and coated it with flat lacquer.

 

Edited November 28, 2020 by NOBLNG

[1930fordpickup]

This is looking better every post. 

[89AKurt]

Looking really good!  You have the screws so it can be assembled, then taken apart for painting?

[Plowboy]

It's looking nice Greg! All of your extra work is really paying off! Are you going to extend the interior panels to the rear wheel tubs?

[NOBLNG]

On 11/26/2020 at 11:47 PM, 89AKurt said:

Looking really good!  You have the screws so it can be assembled, then taken apart for painting?

The screws are part of the Wrangler kit and worked great while getting everything finalized. I have now glued all the pins in place on the suspension, so it no longer comes apart.

On 11/27/2020 at 8:01 AM, Plowboy said:

It's looking nice Greg! All of your extra work is really paying off! Are you going to extend the interior panels to the rear wheel tubs?

The shorted interior panels somehow escaped my attention. I will have to look closer to see if the half cab will still work if I extend them. The bulkhead would definitely require modifications.  I want to be able to use both tops so likely not.

Edited September 7, 2022 by NOBLNG

[Plowboy]

1 hour ago, NOBLNG said:

 

The shorted interior panels somehow escaped my attention. I will have to look closer to see if the half cab will still work if I extend them. The bulkhead would definitely require modifications.  I want to be able to use both tops so likely not.

Unless your rear seat is removable, the half top won't work/look right. I found that out when I built my Jeepster. I cut the notch in the half top bigger to fit over the interior panels. Not an ideal setup as I'm unable to install the bulkhead. Plus, the rear seat is glued solid. There's not a good way to have both the full and half top options. What works for one won't work for the other. It's the same for the full and convertible tops. I can switch between those two. But, I like the full top best.

[NOBLNG]

It is removable, and I trimmed the bulkhead slightly so I can angle it into place I think. I’ll make some pins or plates to cover the holes when the halfcab is on. That said, I think the full top looks best also.

Edited November 27, 2020 by NOBLNG

[Tom Geiger]

The half panel interior sides came out so that the half roof would work. The former long panels were in the earliest versions.  

The Jeepster I’m building is to be a pickup. I wasn’t pleaded with how the bed looked unfinished so I added a layer of plastic to be the bed inside walls and cut the bed from the interior.  I also added the missing bed skid strips onto the floor.

Mine will assemble like a puzzle.. I am going to have to glue the short side panels to the body, while attaching the back panel, then insert the interior floor in. The seats will go in last. There’s not enough room to pivot the completed assembly into place.  

[Tom Geiger]

11 minutes ago, NOBLNG said:

It is removable, and I trimmed the bulkhead slightly so I can angle it into place I think. I’ll make some pins or plates to cover the holes when the halfcab is on. That said, I think the full top looks best also.

Remember too that the half cab sits on the rear cab wall that glues in place. 

I also agree that the full roof looks best and I don’t have one right now. I’m hoping to get one from Olsen Brothers, or their whole wagon body with top molded in for a future build.

I also am currently building a second Jeepster using the up top, convertible top.

[NOBLNG]

I finished up the bumpers for this thing. The front one is a reworked Wrangler kit piece. The clevises and hooks are from Olson Brothers, and the winch is home made. The cable is a little out of scale, but I couldn’t find anything smaller. I also widened the Wrangler flares to better cover the tires.

Edited January 23, 2023 by NOBLNG