I have debated documenting my rebuild because I usually forget to take pics until it's too late. However I will try.
I bought my 12/70 40 in December 2008. I was in pretty good shape overall, but has the usual rear sill rust. It came with a new Bestop and a hard top that has serious rust issues. The PO had rebuilt the engine, however health issues caused him to park it with less than 100 miles on the engine. Two years later I bought it from him. It needed a carb rebuild, lots of failed grounds to be repaired and lots of other stuff to make it safe to drive. I finally got it out on the road in March.
First steps included sliding and reclining bucket seats for the front and a forward facing bench in the rear. New three point belts up front were a must. The rear will get them also after I get a cage. I switched to a floor shifter and added some 33" mud tires. That was about it besides some slider I fabbed, but never got to use.
My last trip out was in June. Something let loose in the engine and started making a loud rattle. I tore the bottom end apart and found nothing except some metal in the pan. Most of that was from the new bearings. Last week I finally gave up on trying to fix the engine to make use of the fading wheeling season and decided to begin the frame off restore I planned for later this winter.
I am doing a mild restore, just seperating the tub so I can repair rust more easily. Then I want to clean up the bottom side and the frame and get them painted up and slap on some undercoating. I bought some Zero Rust to start with.
Plans include a Chevy 305 and 700R4 mated to the stock t-case using the AA kit. I had planned on the Downey kit, but.... Power steering using a tilt column, upgraded brake master and booster. The new master will feed 4 wheel discs. I bought some newer axles that have a front mini disc conversion. I had planned to build up these axles and then just swap out the ones in what was a running truck. Now I may keep them or not. It depends on which shafts are inside them. Later on will be lockers and new shafts. The axles will get new bearings and seals for sure.
The suspension will get some sort of lift to make room for 37" tires. I have not yet decided on new springs or a spring over. Shackle reversal up front for sure plus I want to push the rear axle back to help with the longer tranny.
The interior will get a full cage from Metal Tech and a new dash with gauges. I am debating removing the factory dash (carefully to preserve it) and put in some sort of hinged dash to allow for easy access underneath. I have not made up my mind yet. I do want to preserve as much of its value as I can, but also make working on it a bit easier. Last will be some bed liner.
I may try painting it myself by rolling on paint from Ace Hardware. We shall see.
All new wiring is on the plans too. I bought a Painless fuse panel and plan to wire it myself. The factory wires are OK in places and in other spots cracked and corroded. Better just to go all new.
I had previously started to restore the hard top. It is torn down and I repaired the rusted out sections of gutter. I quit at that point when I started on my sliders and then after the engine gave out. I'll leave the top for last.
So there it is. Here are some pics.
The 40 at the PO's house.
Original interior recovered.
The rebuilt engine
Original dash
Last wheeling trip with my 7 year old son. Note the 33's and cut rear fender well. I have some TJ flares to go on later.
Side view of the sliders I made. I put them on before I knew the engine was bad. I thought the sound was from the exhaust being shoved into the skid plate on the last trip.
After about 4 hours of work today. The 40 was exactly as I parked it after the last trip when I started. I was surprised how fast it came apart. No way it will go back together that fast. I quit for the day to let the windshield bolts soak. I can't even lower it. The hinges are frozen solid.
The 305 that will go in after some cleanup, new gaskets, etc.
That was the last pic today. My camera battery died.
I could use some advice in headers... I don't know what will fit. I will fab up my own motor and tranny mounts.
I will be installing a new 4bbl intake manifold and a offroad carb. Then maybe an RV cam. Later on I may add in a TBI. I had wanted a Vortec, but just too far out of my budget.
That's it for tonight.
Steve
I bought my 12/70 40 in December 2008. I was in pretty good shape overall, but has the usual rear sill rust. It came with a new Bestop and a hard top that has serious rust issues. The PO had rebuilt the engine, however health issues caused him to park it with less than 100 miles on the engine. Two years later I bought it from him. It needed a carb rebuild, lots of failed grounds to be repaired and lots of other stuff to make it safe to drive. I finally got it out on the road in March.
First steps included sliding and reclining bucket seats for the front and a forward facing bench in the rear. New three point belts up front were a must. The rear will get them also after I get a cage. I switched to a floor shifter and added some 33" mud tires. That was about it besides some slider I fabbed, but never got to use.
My last trip out was in June. Something let loose in the engine and started making a loud rattle. I tore the bottom end apart and found nothing except some metal in the pan. Most of that was from the new bearings. Last week I finally gave up on trying to fix the engine to make use of the fading wheeling season and decided to begin the frame off restore I planned for later this winter.
I am doing a mild restore, just seperating the tub so I can repair rust more easily. Then I want to clean up the bottom side and the frame and get them painted up and slap on some undercoating. I bought some Zero Rust to start with.
Plans include a Chevy 305 and 700R4 mated to the stock t-case using the AA kit. I had planned on the Downey kit, but.... Power steering using a tilt column, upgraded brake master and booster. The new master will feed 4 wheel discs. I bought some newer axles that have a front mini disc conversion. I had planned to build up these axles and then just swap out the ones in what was a running truck. Now I may keep them or not. It depends on which shafts are inside them. Later on will be lockers and new shafts. The axles will get new bearings and seals for sure.
The suspension will get some sort of lift to make room for 37" tires. I have not yet decided on new springs or a spring over. Shackle reversal up front for sure plus I want to push the rear axle back to help with the longer tranny.
The interior will get a full cage from Metal Tech and a new dash with gauges. I am debating removing the factory dash (carefully to preserve it) and put in some sort of hinged dash to allow for easy access underneath. I have not made up my mind yet. I do want to preserve as much of its value as I can, but also make working on it a bit easier. Last will be some bed liner.
I may try painting it myself by rolling on paint from Ace Hardware. We shall see.
All new wiring is on the plans too. I bought a Painless fuse panel and plan to wire it myself. The factory wires are OK in places and in other spots cracked and corroded. Better just to go all new.
I had previously started to restore the hard top. It is torn down and I repaired the rusted out sections of gutter. I quit at that point when I started on my sliders and then after the engine gave out. I'll leave the top for last.
So there it is. Here are some pics.
The 40 at the PO's house.
Original interior recovered.
The rebuilt engine
Original dash
Last wheeling trip with my 7 year old son. Note the 33's and cut rear fender well. I have some TJ flares to go on later.
Side view of the sliders I made. I put them on before I knew the engine was bad. I thought the sound was from the exhaust being shoved into the skid plate on the last trip.
After about 4 hours of work today. The 40 was exactly as I parked it after the last trip when I started. I was surprised how fast it came apart. No way it will go back together that fast. I quit for the day to let the windshield bolts soak. I can't even lower it. The hinges are frozen solid.
The 305 that will go in after some cleanup, new gaskets, etc.
That was the last pic today. My camera battery died.
I could use some advice in headers... I don't know what will fit. I will fab up my own motor and tranny mounts.
I will be installing a new 4bbl intake manifold and a offroad carb. Then maybe an RV cam. Later on I may add in a TBI. I had wanted a Vortec, but just too far out of my budget.
That's it for tonight.
Steve
Tomorrow I will get the rest of it out then remove the tank. I took off the float and looked inside. For nearly 40 years old the tank looks brand new inside. I was dreading it thinking all I would see is rust. I lucked out on that part at least.
