Project General JD "Ole Jack"
 

I purchased this truck during a rain storm in March 2013, first mistake of many I am sure. This is what the truck looked like back then. Me and the wife feel in love with it and caught the fever. Little did I release it was cobbed up beyond believe due to previous owners over the years rigging every little thing they done. I was overwhelmed by home much work I needed to do to just make it safe and pass an honest inspection. After finding this forum and going through so many builds using them as learning tools so I could fix my truck myself. I thank you all from small threads to large detailed threads I have learned so much. So I know its late but here is my build thread. Truck has a what appears to be a 1986 305V8 with a 3 speed manual tranny from I have no clue with the shifter moved to the floor.

Re: Project General JD "Ole Jack"
 

Don't think your pics loaded, but glad to see that you've opened a build thread up and looking forward to pictures and progress as you work on it!!!

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Didn't post the picture I uploaded before here it is again

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Another

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rear view

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full side view

Re: Project General JD "Ole Jack"
 

The start of the repairs. List of what needs to be done at this point:
1. Cab mounts and supports either missing rusted beyond repair
2. Rockers inner and outer
3. Cab corners including bottom of back cab
4. Front fenders bottom patches and braces
5. Drivers side rear frame repair
6. Bed floor
7. Both footwell's rusted out
8. Both front lower pillars rusted out
9. Both rear lower pillars rusted out
10. Drivers and passenger side floors rusted out
11. Windshield inner and outer panels rusted out
12. Both doors patch panels inner and outer

See why I was getting overwhelmed lol

Re: Project General JD "Ole Jack"
 

Great looking truck and thanks for posting the pics. Always been a fan of the short stepsides and still one one. If the cab work is real extensive, you might consider a donar cab that would require less work. This also depends on available money and what experience you have with rust repair and welding. By the time you purchase all the panels and time involved, often times a donar cab is cheaper and pretty easy to swap out.

Can you provide any pics of the rust in the cab?

Re: Project General JD "Ole Jack"
 

I already did all the repairs this is just a recap of my build. I did all this work from April 2013 to July 2013 it was back on the road. The work was nonstop every chance I got day and night but it was all worth it. Keep in mind this is a driver not a perfect show ride. And it is a work in progress. I wish I would have bought a donor cab agreed it would have been easier and probably less expensive with time and materials.

Re: Project General JD "Ole Jack"
 

an example of the PO's cob jobs no rocker at all spray foam and bondo everywhere. I was trying to see how the cab braces lined up since it did not have any I had to find pics of the cab bottom to go by and make everything work

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This is what the bed looked like

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This is the rot spot I cut out of the frame and repaired

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Bed removed awaiting some attention

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While it is all apart replaced the front springs with 2" drop and rear with 4" drop. Notice no garage. lol

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Removed outside windshield/roof panel. Put two 10 by 10 pop up tents together for a makeshift garage.

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The windshield corners were also rotted out and needing repairs here is the drivers side

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New outer windshield/roof panel installed with corners and inside windshield/roof panel repaired

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In this picture I got the inside of the cab painted, windshield installed, and had to buy a portable garage from shelter logic the two pop ups didn't make it long lol the weather tore them up.

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Rocker and floor work

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Drivers side cab corner before

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Drivers side cab corner after

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Thought the passenger side cab corner was ok until I started sanding it. Nothing but bondo it was worst than the drivers side. I think the worst part of this build has been dealing with the cob jobs of previous owners makes it hard to know what it was before they touched it

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More floor replacement on the drivers side and since no patch panels are made for the upper floors I just made my own and fixed all I cut out up top

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drivers side fender cut for patch panel

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Drivers side fender patch installed

Re: Project General JD "Ole Jack"
 

Repaired the tailgate had rust holes everywhere and painted I like the way it came out keep in mind I spray canned the paint job on this because it is an ongoing project when I am done with all the body work and body replacement it really needs it will get a professional paint job but that will be sometime from now it really needs a lot of new parts. I just made it as solid as possible so it can be driven and have fun with it while repairs are made.

Re: Project General JD "Ole Jack"
 

Passenger side work being done it was worst than the drivers side by far and had some crazy repairs made took forever just to cut those out

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more of the passenger side

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So I was not a good documenter with the pictures was not really thinking about it at the time was so much work involved here is the truck after all the work was done

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15% Tint installed and the first photo shoot for a charity benefit my tattoo artist was involved with

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This is the photo they used for the poster for the event

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Jack Daniel's logos installed and the shifter I use. I also recently raised the shifter so you can it through the windshield

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Wood bed cover built and installed. Used old wood I got from an abandoned paper mill it was shelving sandwiched vinyl between the supports and the cover to keep it from leaking

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Installed 17" FJ cruiser wheels with 225/70r17 in the front and 295/70r17 in rear had to spread the rear fenders, cut the lips, and bent them over to get the tires to fit the drivers side rear fender needs body work done to it after I found very thick bondo covering up damage

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Wood bed cover stained and Jack Daniel's logo painted on

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Trim rings installed

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Currently working on installing CPP tubular trailing arms, rear sway bar, porterbuilt crossmember for the trailing arms, front power disc brake kit, upper and lower control arms, front sway bar, and power steering kit with quick ratio gear box.

Re: Project General JD "Ole Jack"
 

And the brake spindles are 2.5" drop spindles

Re: Project General JD "Ole Jack"
 

Nice work! :chevy:

Re: Project General JD "Ole Jack"
 

Thanks! I got the porterbuilt crossmember for the trailing arms, CPP tubular trailing arms, and rear sway bar completed today. Started on the disc brakes and power steering have the passenger side disc brakes with drop spindles and new upper and lower control arms mounted up. Also got the drivers side all apart and the power steering quick ratio gear box mounted.