1972 BDJ55-T Resto-Mod

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I may just cut out enough for leg room. Two advantages of doing the whole back is carpet will be easier to install and it will give a little bit of storage in back. It will partially depend on what seats I go with for back there and also the 2nd row seats. Speaking of, in my measuring yesterday, I came to the conclusion most 2nd row seats are close to the same size. They were all 40-44 wide at the back (between the wheel wells) 20-22 deep. The only major difference was at the front part of the bottom cushion where they varied from 47-55. I looked at PT Cruiser, Volvo C70 and C50, Liberty, Xterra, Rav4, Outlander, HHR, Pontiac Azteck. I'll have to cut out the pillars to put anchors in for the shoulder belts. Believe it or not, the Volvo may be the best fit because it's a split seat so it folds like the bench that's in there and has integrated belts. I'd have to massage the metal a little in there but it may work. For 3rd seats I'm almost locked in on Denali or Envoy. I think the TrailBlazer 3rd seat will fit the best but it's hard to find one of those around here that have a 3rd seat (EXT model I think). What's good about all the Chevy seats is the integrated belt which is a must. I don't think I can put anchors in the back in a position that will work plus they'll I can get ones to match for the front. For the front, it's the Chevy ones with the integrated belt and instead of a console I'll put in one of those jump seat/consoles. All said and done, theoretically I could seat 9 but I think I'd have to put my wallet in the luggage rack because it would be so tight. Back to Pick and Pull today to see what's there for seats and also check their MB diesel selection (Still thinking on that one).

Oh, I may have found a 4BD in AZ, waiting to hear back from the guy. It's in a 95 GMC box truck. That should have a 4BD2T in it right?
 
well it sounds like a lot of work, but it will be a unique soccer mom rig,,,,,
95 will be the BD2,,, lemme know if i can help ya with that, go look at it drive it listen to it whatever.
also, these guys are local to me and its where i bought my engine and get alot of NPR specific parts, doesnt look like they have any 4BD engines right now but ya never know. http://www.americantruck.com/
 
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Awesome! another Diesel piggy! I'm getting ancy to try and find meself one, also...
 
Front Axle is on!!

Progress has been slow but it's starting to pick up. We got the front axle on last week and the back axle should go on tomorrow. Lots of head scratching involved to make sure we got them on right. They're just tacked in place for now in case they need to be moved once the engine gets set. Man those shiny black axles and springs make the frame look like crap!!
FJ55 Front Right Axle.webp
 
Progess is always good, just never as fast as you want it to be. I got the outriggers from Dan at RuffStuff. Came to the conclusion that it was easier and cheaper to buy them pre-done than have them fabricated.
RuffStuffSpecialties.com - Off-Road Fabrication Parts
 
Unfortunately this project will not see completion, at least not by me. After 2 1/2 years and over $10k in labor it's still far from completion and I will be headed to Europe shortly after returning from Iraq. I will have full details and price for what is there in the next week or so. The first post in this thread is fairly accurate though of what is there right now.
 
andrew.fletcher said:
Unfortunately this project will not see completion, at least not by me. After 2 1/2 years and over $10k in labor it's still far from completion and I will be headed to Europe shortly after returning from Iraq. I will have full details and price for what is there in the next week or so. The first post in this thread is fairly accurate though of what is there right now.
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Oh no! Sad that this Piggy needs a new home.

Thank you for your service.
 
I have been dreaming of this. will be watching closely.
 
RHINO - Brother if you only knew how much this sucks!!

PabloCruise - Thanks for the support, it's always great to see folks still support the military and I'm happy doing what I do.

archie816a - I'll do my best to quickly get photos and an accurate description of what needs to be done along with what needs to be re-done to get this truck on the road
 
Suspension mods: Front and rear modified for the FJ60 springs and axles. The fabricator failed to put anything over the welded on perches so they now have all kinds of surface rust on them but this should not affect functionality. Outriggers on front appear okay and welded into correct location. The perches for the front springs are tacted in I believe the wrong place since the springs are hitting the frame and the axled will hit the oil pan.
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Transmission and Transfer Case

Just enough bolts in place to keep transmission oil pan in place. The rest should be in the truck. They were both clean and rust free when dropped off so any rust should be surface type only and come off with a little work with sandpaper
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RHINO said:
looks like those shackle mounts need to be moved up a couple inches, but otherwise looks like good work.
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I'd say about 4"
 
Engine Placement

Not sure if engine placement is wrong or if correct placement of axle will resolve problem but as it stands right now, the driveshaft flange (?) will hit the oil pan. The metal portion of the motor mounts are a well proven design from Custom Cruisers and the bushings are AA bushings for the SBC 350 mounts if I remember correctly.
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Undercarraige

Lots of surface rust underneath but it started out as an AZ truck and saw very little road time in CA before I pulled the engine. The frame is solid. The axles and springs look a little rough but the axles were rebuilt and have zero miles on them and the springs are SOR 2 1/2" HD (FJ60 series)
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