My Build Thread (year+) on 71 Jimmy 4x4

[RckyMntnKng]

As it sits on day 1, see pics:
1971 Jimmy 4x4
350 CI v8
RV Cam
Edelbrock Intake
Edelbrock Carb
2001 Silverado front buckets
Rust in pans and rockers
New turbo 350 tranny
Factory Roll bar
Primer gray
2" rancho spring lift
265/75R16's

Build items:
New pans and rockers, Fix all rust
New Full Wiring / fuse box
Fab full family cage / frame tied
Winch Hvy Front bumper
Rear hvy duty bumper, Hi-lift mounts
Recovery pts at each corner
3" body lift with new body bushings all around
6" suspension lift
Dana 60 Front / Corp 14 rear
Approx 37 x 13.5 mud tires
Rear Tahoe seats all shoulder integrated
Rear Seats on "Riser" box to get seat off floor and recess tahoe mounts
Riser Box will double as Speaker/amp holder and tools
Rhino line the entire inside and rockers
Paint color to be determined (likely the factory 71 OEM copper color)

Here is post #1, with progress pics to be forthcoming as progress unfolds.

Building this thing to be a weekend warrior basically for camping and running around on jeep type trails in the Wilderness of Idaho

[RckyMntnKng]

Ideas or thoughts welcomed.

[bouncytruck]

Sounds like a decent build plan. If you're going to actually wheel it, you may want to drop down to 35's or get more lift. 6" of lift might not be enough for 37's. You'll want at least 4.10 gearing to run the 37's without lugging the engine.

I'm not a big fan of the liner on the interior. If I were looking to buy a truck, I'd lean toward one with out liner that may be hiding something. From a practicality standpoint, it is a good idea.

Are you going to wrap the seats in leather or something less prone to dirt than the cloth?

[Big J]

Looks like you have a great starting point. If your not going to do any intense wheeling you should be safe using the stock running gear. I have those same seats and center console going into my blazer. Could you post up some good pics how you mounted them up?

[Long Roof]

Love those Jimmys

[RckyMntnKng]

I will have 9" of lift with the 3" body and 6" suspension. I think Im going to rebuild the 1-ton axles (got them already) with 4.56 gears. I will make sure 37's dont rub....seems like 9" would do it. Trimming isnt out of the question either.

Not sure about the seats yet...maybe go neoprene covers? I hate leather and vinyl with a passion, especially in idaho. Cold and cracky in winter, hot and sticky in summer. Need to be Hose-able or washable though.

Dont have the rear seats mounted yet, but will post pics when I do. Fronts are simply sat in the floor and bolted down with backing brace. Probable re-do all that in the following build up

[Jtrux]

It sounds like it will be real nice.

[bouncytruck]

Missed the 3" body lift. You should be fine for clearance.

[72BlckButy]

Gotta love those 4x4 Jimmy's! Good luck on the build.

[FRENCHBLUE72]

Looks like you have a soild foundation to start with..

[vtblazer]

I'd add fuel injection to your list, you'll be glad you did.

Some kind of 'real' seat mounts for those seat's with the three point belts.

Why the body lift?
6" lift with basic trimming will clear the 37's.

4:56's or lower, depending on where you want the best performance.

Thinking at all about cross over steering set up or hydro assist?

How far do you want this truck to go in reality?
Back roads, woods roads, trekking kinda stuff?

Looking forward to watching this one morph.

[ClassicJimmy]

Nice ride! I've got one myself. Doing a similar build, but mine will be a daily driver as well as a weekend warrior. Dunno if I'll upgrade to 3/4 or not, but will have a selectable locker front & rear as well as fuel injection. I figure better mpgs & more relible wheeling in the mountains. Looking forward to more progress pics. I should get to work on mine!

[johnnywagon]

6" suspension, 3" body w/37's.....exactly what I have....good call.

[Yukon Jack]

With my body lift on my K20 I went with a borgerson u-joint for the steering and went with one of their collapsable shafts. That with my van tilt took care of the steering shaft issue associated with my body lift. Your build sounds like it will be fun to follow.

[CDA 455]

Awesome rig

What part of Meridian are you in?

I'm in Boise.

[arcticspade]

Originally Posted by CDA 455

Awesome rig

What part of Meridian are you in?

I'm in Boise.

I'm in boise as well. Looks like a great plan. Good Luck.

[RckyMntnKng]

Thanks everyone. Good to see some other Idaho owners. Im real close to Boise out here in Meridian off of US 20-26 (Chinden).

vtblazer....after seeing your wheeling pics and your Morp build I would love to hear all the suggestions you have because it looks like you've troubleshooted alot of the probs im going to have already.

I will start researching Electronic injection and the hydro or crossover steering.

As for your "How far do I want this to go" question.....I want the most Off-road capability that I can get without sacrificing being able to go on the pavement as well. Not talking cross country highway trips, but maybe 100 miles radius to get to the trails and around town for gas. It will be for fun, mudding, camping, exploring, and in Idaho there are alot of huge rocks in the road to traverse.

[vtblazer]

Originally Posted by RckyMntnKng

Thanks everyone. Good to see some other Idaho owners. Im real close to Boise out here in Meridian off of US 20-26 (Chinden).

vtblazer....after seeing your wheeling pics and your Morp build I would love to hear all the suggestions you have because it looks like you've troubleshooted alot of the probs im going to have already.

I will start researching Electronic injection and the hydro or crossover steering.

As for your "How far do I want this to go" question.....I want the most Off-road capability that I can get without sacrificing being able to go on the pavement as well. Not talking cross country highway trips, but maybe 100 miles radius to get to the trails and around town for gas. It will be for fun, mudding, camping, exploring, and in Idaho there are alot of huge rocks in the road to traverse.

It's a thin line but doable.
I've gone a wee bit past the 100 mile radius capabilities but thinking about reining it back some just to drive it more.

Feel free to ask away, like the build direction and happy to help.

[RckyMntnKng]

Ok my last axles didnt work out (d60F C14R), but Ive found another truck thats wants to donate its axles to my jimmy. Actually Im gonna get the whole Truck for $500, but the cab caught on fire and the motor is gone. Basically Im buying it for the drivetrain.

Its an 1987 Chevy 1ton Dually crew cab long bed. It has a Dana 60 Front and a Dana 70 dual rear w/4.10's. Also the driveline will be perfect to cut down after I get my lift on. Its from a crew long of course..

Any comments or advise on this? I know a D70 is similar to a corp 14 and Im getting it all for $500 and they are in good condition. What am i going to run into converting the DRW to SRW?

Also we have all the tubing to start the Roll cage, and a body and suspension lift coming to grab 9" lift to start with

[RckyMntnKng]

Ok I now own a 14bff from a 78 3/4 ton 4wd suburban, its in the back of my truck ($150).

I also own a D60 drw front and D70 drw rear, both for $500. Didnt want the D70, but it was all or nothing.
Guess it will go up for sale on Craigs. It dwarfs the Corp 14 bolt in all areas, but I dont want to run a Hummer wheel nor try to find gears and lockers for it.

The build begins.....I also ordered front and back 6" lift Springs, a 3" body lift, and Uruthane body bushings.

Pretty soon were gonna have a big set of axles under the jimmy sitting on 9" lift, and 4.56 gears

[RckyMntnKng]

Ok, bet you thought you'd never hear of this build thread again haha.

Progress has been painfully slow up to this point.

Body lift and polys are in...tires are purchased...rust is almost taken care off.

6" suspension lift next with 8 lug axles and 36x14.50s on centerlines

[RckyMntnKng]

The old mounts were pretty bad id say

[packers05]

what are you doing on the steering intermediate shaft? thanks I bought blazer with body lift installed and shaft angle is off beyond what it designed for i think.

[RckyMntnKng]

I drilled out the plastic screws in the slip portion of the shaft and lengthened it about 2 inches before I started. Seemed to work well.

[vtblazer]

Why the need for a 3" body lift?