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.
GRMhick - Wow that's awesome information. Thanks for pointing them out and also putting in links to the articles. Very helpful.
I'm surprised about the T-case adapter bearing failures. I must be very lucky or have something different in mine (on Slinky). It's adapter #3 from the original MC03 thin adapters and has been around since 1994(ish?). I've put a ton of street miles on it when it was in my Toyota but never had the noise or bearing failures as seen by so many. I like the idea of switching to the other bearing if it's a better design.
I'll also have to start looking for some coil spring axles to replace mine if that's the case. I have the high pinion version front and rear on Slinky and never had the issue so it might have a different outer design possibly.
I won't be able to join you on a trip any time soon unfortunately. We just moved to Oahu and won't be making our road trip for a few years. However, I'll definitely be keeping in touch on Pirate, so we'll have to connect when we do make it out.
The front and rear Drain Plugs and guards look like hammered dog shit and some fawkn genius shoved a pipe thread plug in one so we have to fix that up too.
Since the Jeepster will be registered in Hawaii it will need to adhere to Hawaii "Reconstruction Laws" and pass a "Reconstruction Inspection".
There are a lot of details that we have to be sure are in perfect working order... Staring on the E-Brake Cables.
Recon inspection is sooo much fun :shaking: The biggest nit-pick is full tire coverage, mudflaps, and headlight/bumper height. Must have alignment with in 30 days of the recon inspection. There's only one place that does the recon inspections and they are usually booked 30-45 days out, by appointment only. I had to go through recon inspection with my Scout. Let me know if you have questions.
Shame on you Sam for not pointing me to this thread a long time ago. My ride in Slinky was the most harrowing, fun, and frightening thing I have ever done. Trying to hold on to what seemed like a 2.5" front hoop, sitting on a flat piece of foam while the car would randomly lean over seemingly indifferent of terrain angle was a learning experience for sure.
Car looks very cool. I do hope to see you guys again before we expire. How long has it been? Mareyna is 18 years old!
I didn't realize I didn't tell you. It was on my FB postings several times... oh that's right, you must have got FB'd and it didn't show you relevant or interesting things. Well, I'm glad you found it.
Hahaha... you didn't like my 1980s sized roll cage tubing and vintage foam pleasure seat in Slinky? You really can't get that kind of experience anymore.
Are you going to be at KOH this year? Try to get down there. I'll be down there with it and lightly testing it out before I ship it back to HI. I really can't believe your daughter is turning 18. I had to look on FB to see if you were joking. Damn.. you weren't. We are that old now.
I would love to go to KOH, but with the job switch I am very poor. Riding in slinky was almost like meeting a rock star. You see them in magazines and oogle over how cool they are. But up close...... I am kind of with ya on the wheeling thing. Almost no one in my old club goes out except for motorcycles. The club moab trip this year is all bikes and atv's. My Audi kick is still sitting in the garage with a broken front end. I have the parts, just lazy.
Lots of good information on this build. Loving it. I only wish I had a job where I could fab all day. Then maybe mine would come along a little faster (9 years now).
Seeing everything on here gave me some ideas. A little cold right now with a non-heated garage and -10F outside.
Can't wait to see this one all done. Great job.
Hey guys. Sorry for the lack of updates. There is a lot to report and I will post progress progress pix when I can. I'm on the road with the family for a little New Years vacation this weekend and I'll be posting a lot of pix and info late next week.
Since I knew the motion ratio and pull amount would be right for the rear brakes we decided to use the entire E-Brake system off our donor Four Runner. We modified the Four Runner interior pull handle to fit inside the Jeepster and mounted the cam arm under the rig in just the right spot to utilize stock length cables. :smokin:
Here's a shot of the stock cam arm under the Four Runner. As we mentioned earlier, we're making every effort to utilize stock (easily sourced) parts everywhere we can. This solution guaranteed proper brake pressure applied by the pull handle and will have the right amount of pull at the handle with stock cables. I had to get very creative with mounting it under the Jeepster where stock length cables would reach just right and clear everything but I think it was worth the effort.
That's all the pix I have on my phone so that's all for now. Happy New Year everyone and I'll post more next week. Next week will be exciting.... Our Kitty should be purring. :smokin:
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