General Tech Honcho Build, "Desert Edition"

[ChrisO]

Howdy fellow off-roaders! I've always enjoyed building and driving Jeeps. Over the years have built several CJ's, YJ's, TJ's, JK's, XJ's and MJ's. However, my love has always been J-10 Honcho's.
I love the desert, and off road racing, especially vintage (1980's). So, I have built a 83 Honcho that I thought I'd share.

It started out as a stock, rusted (really bad) J-10, that was a rare step-side. I purchased it from another J-truck enthusiast who wanted to see it get the restoration is so desperately needed. Here is what I started with:



The first thing was to tear it down and get it to a bare frame. Have every single part sand-blasted and put into epoxy primer. Then start the ground-up re-build into my dream of a retro-1980's looking pre-runner.






As you can see, the fiberglass rear fenders were in poor shape. Good thing I have a buddy who is good with glass & paint!

Got it back from sand blasting and started on the frame:



Also, started on the bed mounted roll bar which will also act as the upper rear shock mount point.




More to come soon.

 

[mbryson]

Cool build!

 

[Greg]

Awesome Chris, love seeing this shared on here!

 

[Hickey]

Very cool truck!

 

[ChrisO]

I decided to keep it old school and keep the AMC 360, T-177 4-speed and NP208. These might change in the future, I just want to get the rebuild finished.
Here is the stock drivetrain in the freshly painted chassis:



Now, before ya'll start flaming me bout' the shackles up front, here's my story. I want to get the big things out of the way first, then ether do a shackle reversal, or links & coil-overs!

The factory AMC 20 was not up to the task at hand, so I sourced a GM-14 bolt, 6-lug semi-float axle. Yes, I'm sticking with drum brakes. I want a really good parking brake with a manual trans.



I installed 4.56 gears and kept it open for now... there again, I can go back and install an ARB later.



I have had these wheels that are period-correct for years, just waiting for this build.



However, no way was I gonna put up with old-style mag lug nuts (you younger guys don't know what you missed out on!). So, I solved the problem with help from MOROSO drag racing 5/8" studs!



I'll keep posting.

Sorry for the extra thumbnail at the bottom, I'm still learning how to use this forum!

 

[TJDukit]

Looks awesome

 

[benjy]

Very cool! Keep the progress pics coming!

 

[Kevin B.]

I like where this is going. Love those old Jeep pickups.

 

[Bart]

Thanks for sharing this here. I saw some of your other pics and was very impressed. I can't believe how good of shape the bed was in. Very cool build.

 

[Tan Comanche]

So stoked to see this build! Keep the updates coming.

 

[Deleted member 12904]

Love it!

 

[ChrisO]

This project has taken over 3 years to complete, so if I get the order of pics messed-up, that's my story! Here is the test-fitting of misc parts:



I'm really into cool in-cab cages, so that was going to be the focus of the project. Here is the start of the cage build:
The reinforcement for the base of the main hoop, floor to back of cab.






The reinforcement on the floor for the "A" pillar.



I decided to do the "L" shape for the A pillars. It required a notch in the cab corner to keep it tucked as tightly into the cab as possible.
Yes, I ground the nasty cut from the Plasma before proceeding!



It is starting to take shape.







The square tube is the bottom of the dash and steering column support.





Stay tuned, more to come...

 

[ChrisO]

I cut up the stock steel dash so I could retain the defroster ducts.









Next time, fitting the Vintage Air heater/defroster/AC unit into the dash...

 

[sawtooth4x4]

nice build. i still have a soft spot for these J10's and Waggy's

 

[Greg]

Damn, that's a lot of dimpling!

 

[ChrisO]

Damn, that's a lot of dimpling!

Not nearly as much as Tan Comanche!!! Dang, I like his build!

 

[ChrisO]

nice build. i still have a soft spot for these J10's and Waggy's

Thanks, I like em' too! This build is the third J-10 I've restored. I built this one back in 1992:



This is a 1985 I finished last year for a friend:

 

[ChrisO]

I checked all measurements and found a Vintage Air in-dash unit that combined heat/defrost and A/C.



After all the fab work was done, I towed it to my Buddy's for paint.





The color is a 2013 Jeep Wrangler named Dune. Looks much better in natural light.



Starting on the dash, I used Masonite for templates, then made all panels out of .125" aluminum. It got a tilt steering column, and a Z-28 Camaro steering wheel.



The seats are Smittybilt, and the bases are Grand Wagoneer 6-way power. The floor is sprayed with Hippo-Liner that is color-tinted to match.

 

[Greg]

I love the color, very well chosen! And the Hippo-Liner is a nice touch, not too much... but just enough!

 

[Bart]

LOVE IT! Where did you find a wrapped steering wheel, or did you spend 10 hours doing it yourself?