Preservation or Desecration? The 96/86 Crewmanche Build

[Fabri-Cobbler]

On 2/27/2021 at 2:25 PM, Ollie said:

I love it, wish I had the talent to attempt something like that. I always gravitate to "odd Balls" like that at a car show. Sure going to be a head turner. 

 

Having Comanche Fun,

Ollie

Thanks!! And I'm not talented by any means.  I'm just hacking it together with a wing and a prayer. It's not perfect by any means. 

[Fabri-Cobbler]

So I'm too cheap to go buy 2x6 tube because I have a ton of these 2x4 tubes laying around the shop. So I made my own.

 

Also bought all the clamps Tractor Supply had, they were on clearance for 6.50 or so a piece. 

[Jesse J]

I don't think you have enough clamps lol

[Fabri-Cobbler]

On 3/3/2021 at 6:49 PM, Jesse J said:

I don't think you have enough clamps lol

I have considered hitting up other Tractor Supplys for more. 

[Fabri-Cobbler]

So I ran out of welding wire the other day... so I moved on to messing with other things till I got more. Redid the headliner, not perfect but it works. I tried to match the cab trim to the Cherokee fronts, but it was a little darker. 

[Fabri-Cobbler]

Boring stuff...

 

Got one rocker put in the other day. And went to the JY to grab a set of 97+ mirrors and the caps for the grab handles.

[Fabri-Cobbler]

So I found an easier way after I did all the work on one side. Mostly have the door sealing now. More work to do. It'll get there eventually.... 

[Fabri-Cobbler]

Face-lift and sorting out the tailight wiring. Used a trailer box to make the lights work correctly. 

[Fabri-Cobbler]

Cut the hole for the filler door in the rear of the bed. Good thing... I set the bed back on and it ran out of gas. 

[Fabri-Cobbler]

Pulled the interior back out since it's finally getting warm. Painted the floor and seam sealed everything. Put my sound insulation down, now to put it back together. 

 

Had a friend come over and do bodywork on the roof, not my cup of tea. 

[Pete M]

making good progress!  

[Fabri-Cobbler]

20 hours ago, Pete M said:

making good progress!  

Thanks Pete! It's getting there. 

[Fabri-Cobbler]

Added an outlet to the back of the console before putting the interior back in. 

 

Convenient for anyone in the back, but mostly to keep my son's tablet charged for entertainment. 

[JMO413]

This is awesome!!

[McDougal]

I love this build

[Fabri-Cobbler]

Rear seatbelts installed finally. Ordered 6" brackets from Seatbelts Plus and mounted them into the seat brackets. It worked out pretty well. The buckles and lap belt were from the Cherokee. 

[MiNi Beast]

sweetness.  coming along nicely. good work 

[MiNi Beast]

you driving it so much you haven't had a chance to update eh? 

[Fabri-Cobbler]

Small bump. Life has unfortunately gotten in the way the past year. 

 

The main holdup from getting it on the road was a driveshaft. 

 

I wanted a one piece shaft but after talking to numerous shops, I've been steered toward a two-piece. 

 

I've ordered a shaft from a 05 F-150 and will have it shorted and swap joints to make it work hopefully. 

 

Today I got it fired up and did some body work I'd put off. Hope to have it finally going soon!

 

[Fabri-Cobbler]

The driveshaft I ordered came today. With any luck, I may not have to shorten it at all. 

 

My conversion U-Joints should be here tomorrow. Hopefully I'll see if she fits tomorrow afternoon!

[MiNi Beast]

Progress.  

[Fabri-Cobbler]

4 hours ago, MiNi Beast said:

Progress.  

Finally. 

[Fabri-Cobbler]

Got my conversion joints today and put a Jeep Yoke on this Ford Driveshaft and lo-and-behold it actually fit. 

 

Threw up a temporary crossmember just to hold it up there. I'll engineer a drop/open space so I can orient the carrier in the correct position. 

 

While trying to tighten the rear up, I snapped a bolt. Nothing can ever go smoothly. Welded on a nut and got it out thankfully. 

 

Progress in the right direction, hopefully I can keep the momentum going. 

 

 

[Pete M]

now's the time to think about replacing those ujoints straps with ubolts  

[MiNi Beast]

Or a flange even. I myself need a pinion guard for sure as only have straps myself yet. I'm thinking that is a nice setup really for your platform 🤔. Definitely be useful for underbody skid..