Background: Sam & Lucie have a plan to travel all over the world in this clean 1970 Jeep Cammando they picked up recently.
First, however, they wanted to modernize the drivetrain using parts Sam has been collecting. So, they dropped the rig off at Triple X Traction, in Seaside, CA to have renown fabricator Toby Lavender work his magic.
The goal with this build is to provide a reliable vehicle capable of tackling third-world roads with confidence while providing comfort to Sam and Lucie during the multi-year trek across the globe. An emphasis was placed on using parts that are readily available virtually anywhere they go. As such, Sam insisted on Toyota axles and transfer cases, a stock Chevrolet 4.3L Vortec V6 and the tried and true GM 700R4 transmission. Watch as we combine these stout components under vintage sheet metal over the next few months.
No sir, Sam has no affiliation with the Magazines, though with he and his wife Lucy's epic photography skills, I bet it would be a great editorial series. Sort of like Turtle Expedition...
I'm not working for Four Wheeler magazine anymore, I'm working for Toby at Triple-X Traction, so I doubt this build will ever see print media.
That's right folks, a PBB exclusive...lol.
First they move to a almost beachfront house in Hawaii, and now a bad ass world-expedition rig by XXX! Did you hit the lottery or somethin' Sam? :grinpimp: :grinpimp: :grinpimp:
Edit - and for those of you who don't remember who Sam and Lucie are, they are super OG Pirate4x4 Editorial staff. Our very first paid writer/photographers. Heck they are so OG I think they did stuff for free for a while for me because I had no way to pay them back then.. :smokin:
Very cool build guys, I'm looking forward to building something smaller once the kids are a little older and can enjoy roughing it a bit more, always loved the Commando.
Stover, congrats on the career shift, looks like a win win for you and Toby.
Thanks guys. Lucie and I are very excited for getting the Jeepster back and prepping it further for travels. The actual driving journey isn't for some time. We have a new family member to raise. However, we are just in the process of being prepared for it by getting the rig started and bugs worked out. So in essence, our journey started some time ago as we gathered parts and ideas and all this prep work is part of that journey.
Once we hit the road, we will definitely keep a blog about it. We have followed many other journeys on this site, so of course we too will make a posting here on Pirate and keep it up to date as we go along.
Lance - Thanks for the words. I miss those days back then. Our first coverage was down by Johnson Valley. Wasn't it off of Camp Rock road? I just remember bringing a 1969 Bronco back to life just to make the trip down there. You Lucie and I were tag teaming running back and forth between your truck and the courses uploading stuff through your cell phone connection.
That year better be over here on the island If so, just bring your flat fender with you as well so I have something to drive around while I wait for you to release the steering wheel.
Dima, you and Kat should come out as well. I'm sure there is another truck that can be squeezed onto the container ship.
Sorry guys, not much to report lately. Just planning and design.
We have a crazy deadline for a Pre-Runner build to meet so we had to stop working on this one for a bit.
We'll be kickin some serious ass on it again in early Feb!
We found 2 major problems with the front diff requiring a total tear down ...
1- When you use these electric lock diffs for a front there is clearance issues where the case will not allow the RH inner U-Bolt to go around and straight up to the spring plate so we had to remove the drop out and machine the side of the case down. If you don't clearance the side of the case you can still get the U-Bolt in and tight but it ends up kinda bent and sheit. No good!
2- The Pinion felt really crunchy so we tore it down and found a fawked up pinion bearing. Woulda been a huge problem!
It's hard to tell what we did here. Look just to the left of the 2 bolt holes and you'll see a step up or shoulder. That's where we machined off about 3/16". That's all it takes to allow the U-Bolt to flow straight up and not have to bend around the casting.
Today we finally finished this Baja pre-runner truck. It's been the primary focus of the shop during the past four weeks. Now, we can get back to the Ugly Duckling build.
Even though this Jeepster was in EXCELLENT shape for its age, even it had quite a few hidden problems. The old floor was badly rotted and had been "repaired" by someone that was not very good at fixing things but very good at covering things up. It's almost done, the right way this time.
That might be the sexiest floor skin I've ever seen... I never thought I'd refer to a floor as being sexy... Nice work!
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