79 J20.... Building The Diesel Truck Ive Always Wanted!

[Spectormj]

Sweet 

[Oddmodman]

I'm just curious, why the 12v Cummins specifically? General ease of the swap?

[ComancheKid45]

Not so much ease of swapping but ease of keeping it going. Minimal electronics and the dependability. My uncle and cousin (who are also my neighbors) are as big into the Cummins diesels as I am Jeeps so I have all the knowledge and expertise Ill need. My end goal is to build a simple, reliable, built to work and unique kinda truck I can be proud of for about 1/3 of the cost of a brand new diesel pickup.

[ComancheKid45]

Alright fellas, the critical 2nd part to this project has made it home! Now its up to me to get this project rolling!  :jump:

 

1989 Dodge W250 series pickup. 12 valve Cummins Turbo Diesel, 216k miles but VERY healthy. Automatic trans with 10k on rebuild. Dana 60/70 axles (fresh rebuild on D70) Professional built custom 1 Ton springs, and most important.....a Solid Chassis! Just what ive been looking for!

 

 

 

 

 

The J20 heads to its home @ the garage tomorrow and within the next week ill begin the tear down process. Keep checking back, this has only just begun  8)

[onlyinajeep726]

Awesome!  Seems a shame to tear down that Dodge though... I like those old Rams just about as much as the J10/20's.

[ComancheKid45]

A part of me agrees with ya. but the fact that the worst part of the Dodge is the body helps my motivation that much more. 

[ComancheKid45]

Got the Jeep moved to the garage this afternoon. Should hopefully begin tearing into it in a week or so.

 

[Spectormj]

gunna be badass when ya get done 

[ComancheKid45]

I sure think so too! :)

[ftpiercecracker1]

I might have missed it, but are you swapping bodies or drivetrains?

[ComancheKid45]

I will be swapping the J Truck body onto the Dodge chassis.

 

My MJs have been keeping me busy in the garage along with my Quad so i havent had much time to pick away at this sadly. Anyway though i have begun to remove parts from the J truck in prep of removing the cab. Ill be sure to keep ya updated of any major progress as it happens.  :thumbsup:

[ComancheKid45]

Finally put some time into tearing into the J20 this afternoon.

 

[neohic]

:rock on:

[mpace6a]

Awesome!  Seems a shame to tear down that Dodge though... I like those old Rams just about as much as the J10/20's.

:yeah that: Love me some 1st gen Ram. Especially a cummins. 

[ComancheKid45]

Alittle bit at a time....HAVE NOT broke 1 bolt yet and everything has been coming apart great for a 35 year old Jeep!

 

Plan is to have the cab off the frame by months end  ;)

 

[Spectormj]

what are ya going to do with the J20 frame??

[ComancheKid45]

The plan is to sell it. Hopefully to someone in need of solid frame to restore 1 of these trucks. 

[Spectormj]

:thumbsup:  . :MJ 2: . good deal 

I wish i had a J20 to restore

[ComancheKid45]

Got the steering column out this afternoon, and began disassembling the dash. Still planning to have the cab removed by the end of the month off the J20. 

[ComancheKid45]

Well no major news, I have a space in the garage prepared for the Cab. Ive been fighting a chest infection the last few days so progress hasnt gone much of anywhere...

 

Ill keep ya posted  :thumbsup:

[ComancheKid45]

Scored a dash on ebay from a 79 Grand Wagoneer. this will be much better to work with than the butchered mess thats currently in the cab

 

[neohic]

What are your plans for the interior? Are you planning on making the Jeep gauges and heater controls play nice with the Dodge stuff or will you be fitting the Dodge gauges and heater controls into the Jeep dash?

[ComancheKid45]

The HVAC system will be a stand alone setup under the dash, and i plan to take the Jeep dash and completely customize it with fabricated face panels and aftermarket gauges.  ;)

[neohic]

Neato!  :thumbsup:

[ComancheKid45]

Finally got some progress done with this project this afternoon! :)

 

 

 

Ill get the cab set on a cart and placed in the garage for interior work this winter later this week. I Also got the Dodge set in is home for the next few months and ready for some flying wrenches!