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...

 

[VA6489]

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.

 

[VA6489]

Been a minute since posting anything here. Just finished the suspension and cycled to determine clearance. Little recap.
Triangulated 4 link rear 6 inch up trave 8 down. 14 inch 2.5 King Coil overs.
Three link Front 6 up and 8 down.
Axles Super duty 2008 D60 front and 10.5 rear.
Tires Toyo Open County RT Por 40x12.50 x17.

Just finished cycling the suspension with the tires on. It is impressive how much travel you can get with the right design. Biggest challenge is how much to cut off the bodywork to make this all work. Surprisingly not a whole lot.

Front fenders, the metal flare was removed and looking at how to widen it and section the center to fit the bigger opening. Yes the owner wants to retain the OEM look here. Section the fenders is going to be a lot of work and add to that widening them by about 2 inches.

Cab... The narrower Toyos fit rather well in the space provided. No cab interference with the axle pushed forward about 2.0 inches. The core support needed a bit of trimming. At full stuff and hard lock a small wedge needed to be cut from the core support. about 8 inches in and 4 inches up. WE were both very surprised at how little trimming needed to be done.

I promise Pictures later today.

Other updates:

Motor LS 6.2 is off to the shop to rebuild delete the fuel management system and generally clean it up.
Transmission 6L90 is being rebuilt awaiting on the tail shaft length to order an Atlas T case.

Next up Axles gears and lockers that will be a full weekend install. the 10.50 is a beefy unit.

The owner is doing most of the work as he is retired and has an excellent shop to work in with a lift. I chip in as required on the milestones and consult as necessary. The progress has been slow over the summer but now a fire has been reignited progress should be more forth coming.

The goal is to have it running and driving in the early part of next year.

 

[VA6489]

 

[VA6489]

Fabricating new upper front shock mounts. Had to move the top outboard to clear the frame.
Enjoy

 

[caryt]

Just finished a '78 SJ build if you would like some pictures for ideas let me know. This one was a open checkbook build.

 

[VA6489]

Loveto see some pictures. This build has a budget, while it is semi dynamic there is still an eye on costs.

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