Where do I begin?
I guess I'll do a progression type write-up.
I initially saw "oscar" for the first time in the parking lot at work in Alaskain 1999. To my untrained eye it was perfect. Stock, no modifications that I was aware of. I noted to myself that if it ever came up for sale "IT WOULD BE MINE!" Strangely enough, the owner got PCS orders about 3 months later. I nabbed "Oscar" for $2500. Initially I intended to tweak and tune and sell it for a profit to fund my CJ-5 build I had at my parents in the lower 48. Yeah that worked! It turned out that one of the previous owners swapped in a disc brake front axel, wiring, trans and t-case from a newer rig, but it still had the "F" engine. I had alot of fun in Alaska with it.
While I was in Alaska I met Mark-W and frequented his shop. I had him build a rear bumper with tire carrier, roof rack, FJ60 Power steering conversion, do my SOA, and install my rear locker. I couldn't be more pleased with the work, but I didn't get to wheel it in that configuration while still in Alaska. I eventually got PCS orders of my own to Langley AFB in Virginia. I bought a truck and trailer to drag "Oscar" from Alaska to where I am now. I eventually sold the CJ-5 project to fund other stuff for "oscar". Nice reversal of intentions there.
Since I have been in Virginia, I have removed the hard top, and subsequently the roof rack. I installed a Metaltech complete cage, tied into the frame as well. During this wave of modifications it became very clear that I needed a new tub. I got a screaming deal on an uninstalled Aqualu gen2 tub, and installed that. Also with the tub off came drivetrain enhancement in a 2F, H41, and Orion. Somewhere along the line I also toyed with Fuel Injection, on an Offenhauser 4bbl intake. One thing lead to another, and the Holley pro-jection ECU failed on me, and I went back with the Weber carb.
Currently "Oscar" is sitting beside the house awaiting new springs, as the stockers I have are warped, and a new rear driveshaft. I recently put 4.88's in both axels, and aussie locked the front, but haven't gotten to wheel it like this yetFurther down the road I am doing the 2FE conversion, but using a spare 2F I have acquired. Basically I would concider my rig "cookie cutter" as most of my modifications have stemmed from here and PBB. But it is a cruiser nontheless. The first pic is one of the very first of my rig, and the last is a more recent one from GSMTR '05
I guess I'll do a progression type write-up.
I initially saw "oscar" for the first time in the parking lot at work in Alaskain 1999. To my untrained eye it was perfect. Stock, no modifications that I was aware of. I noted to myself that if it ever came up for sale "IT WOULD BE MINE!" Strangely enough, the owner got PCS orders about 3 months later. I nabbed "Oscar" for $2500. Initially I intended to tweak and tune and sell it for a profit to fund my CJ-5 build I had at my parents in the lower 48. Yeah that worked! It turned out that one of the previous owners swapped in a disc brake front axel, wiring, trans and t-case from a newer rig, but it still had the "F" engine. I had alot of fun in Alaska with it.
While I was in Alaska I met Mark-W and frequented his shop. I had him build a rear bumper with tire carrier, roof rack, FJ60 Power steering conversion, do my SOA, and install my rear locker. I couldn't be more pleased with the work, but I didn't get to wheel it in that configuration while still in Alaska. I eventually got PCS orders of my own to Langley AFB in Virginia. I bought a truck and trailer to drag "Oscar" from Alaska to where I am now. I eventually sold the CJ-5 project to fund other stuff for "oscar". Nice reversal of intentions there.
Since I have been in Virginia, I have removed the hard top, and subsequently the roof rack. I installed a Metaltech complete cage, tied into the frame as well. During this wave of modifications it became very clear that I needed a new tub. I got a screaming deal on an uninstalled Aqualu gen2 tub, and installed that. Also with the tub off came drivetrain enhancement in a 2F, H41, and Orion. Somewhere along the line I also toyed with Fuel Injection, on an Offenhauser 4bbl intake. One thing lead to another, and the Holley pro-jection ECU failed on me, and I went back with the Weber carb.
Currently "Oscar" is sitting beside the house awaiting new springs, as the stockers I have are warped, and a new rear driveshaft. I recently put 4.88's in both axels, and aussie locked the front, but haven't gotten to wheel it like this yetFurther down the road I am doing the 2FE conversion, but using a spare 2F I have acquired. Basically I would concider my rig "cookie cutter" as most of my modifications have stemmed from here and PBB. But it is a cruiser nontheless. The first pic is one of the very first of my rig, and the last is a more recent one from GSMTR '05
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