Built not Bought Introducing Skeletor

[VA6489]

Posting for the owner who started out wanting something different. After a few years of looking at XJs we came across a Jeep J10 stretched to a super cab with a shortened bed. To make this a bit more different the Back of the cab is the back of a Wagoneer with a forward facing slope.

Details:
- 1979ish Jeep J 10 gladiator shell. Interior stripped of everything save the steel dashboard. Door from a Wagoneer complete with power windows and vent windows! The supercab windows need to be custom cut but everything else is Jeep Gladiator or Wagoneer.
- No power plant when bought. Installing a 3 gen LS 6.2 and a 6L80 trans mated to an Atlas 2 speed T-case.
- Purchase came on D 60 Chevy axles and leaf springs. These are being replaced by a Triangulated 4 link rear with a SD 10.50 axle running 5.38 gearing and an ARB locker
- Front will be replaced with a SD D60 ARB 5.38s and either a 4 or 3 link suspension.
- All of this will ride on King 2.5 x 14 Coil overs Custom valved and sprung from Filthy Motorsports in Colorado.
- An Internal Roll cage will be installed and looking to mount the front cross bar behind the top edge of the steel dash. Might even be the top edge of the dash.
- Dakota Digital Gauges and an IDIT steering column
- Rolling stock will be 40x13.50s on bead lock wheels.
- bed floor will be hardwood stepped to provide room for the rear shock towers and cross bar.

Body finish is right now more a Rat Rod and will likely stay that way thru 2027.

Build schedule is aggressive but the owner is retired so every day is Saturday for him. Goal is the first road test in January of 2027 then run the Idaho BDR with our group in July of 27. Yes building a road worthy machine and off-road beast.

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[VA6489]

Some pix of the rear 4 link build.

 

[Alpine Warthog]

OOOh, Subscribed...

 

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AI rendering of concept

 

[VA6489]

Chipping away. Progress, settled on 6 inch of up travel give room for a bump stop and 2 inches of clearance to the frame. This way the cross member is only trimmed not removed. Shocks will be 2.5 Kings 14 inch stroke.
Working on Mounting design to allow for a 40 inch tire to be stored vertically behind the cab. Likely a well mount. This gets tricky for the shock towner bracing. Several ideas floating one is an x pattern brace from the top of the shock tower to the base of the frame on the opposite side. with a removable cross bar. The concern is how to get the tire out on the trail if needed (Tire and wheel will likely be around 140#). Any way we look at it it will be a rascal to move around.
Front suspension is noodled out and will be a three link system from a combination of parts. Link location adjustability is a prime concern in the design and spec of parts.

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