Varg In Jeep's Clothing

All of the oddball stuff I am, but everything else I’m holding off (for no other reason than procrastination) until the end. I’ll go through piece by piece and write everything down eventually. It’s more straightforward than one might think. Most of this is ‘87 Volvo 740, ‘01 Isuzu Rodeo, or ‘~84 Toyota pickup. If not, it’s in my notes.

 

I’ve been hard at work on this thing with my head down, just tackling one thing at a time without the endgame even on my mind. This morning, I stepped back and said to myself, “Holy crap. This thing is almost ready to test drive.” It was a total surprise.

Brakes are done, power steering is done, radiator hose templates are pieced together to take to the FLAPS to find something similar, the t-case seal kit should be here today so I can final-assemble that and double check the driveshafts before I weld them.

After this week, it’ll be down to a gas pedal, bumpstops, the steering wheel, wiring, gauges, bodywork and paint.

 

Better hurry
SNOW is coming

 

Seems your idea of "almost ready to drive" and mine are very different!

 

Considering where it started, it’s practically finished.

“...almost ready to test drive,” meaning I could start it and drive it under its own power for the first time in 13 years. Never thought the day would come!

 

He's been there for about a month....

I think he doesn't really want to finish, and maybe we don't either because the work is so much fun to watch happen. The mental energy you use when working a project like this is a bit of a high with a definite outcome. It expands your ideas and your hands bring it to fruition. Its also infectious. Ryan is clearly a master at this and anyone who is watching this thread is better off because of it.

 

13years - yea I guess your at the almost point.

 

Drivetrain is DONE! I had my neighbor stop by last night to spin tires while I marked the high spots on the driveshafts and tacked them, then I welded, cleaned, painted, and installed them this morning. I was even able to find the spline boots in my parts bin.

I got the D300 re-sealed and installed yesterday.





Here’s a process-shot I took of the driveshaft weld. I gave them heavy tacks at four spots while on the rig, then grooved the joint on the bench between the tacks. I start each weld just after the tack, then finish the welds just before the next one. This prevents the tacks from getting too soft and allowing the cooling weld to deform the tack, knocking the shaft out of plane.



If I don’t have a honey-do list this weekend, I should be able to take it for a test drive by Sunday!

 

I can't wait to ride in the Varg during Christmas vacation.

 

Living vicariously...

 

post #1. on the honey do list: get my jeep finished, you are this close to being done!! I want my jeep done! sincerely, the honey.

 

She couldn’t care less at this point.
We don’t discuss it. I’ll just let her know when it’s done.

 

I've only been watching your build for about 4 months now, but so impressed with your creativity and exceptional craftsmanship! I'm also in the "can't wait to see this driving around camp!" Great work!

 

Don't drive it! It's a mistake! Ever since I drove mine I have been completely unable to focus on the last three body panels (hood & fenders) I need to finish it... I keep finding myself fiddling with it instead... tweaking this, adjusting that. I can't help it! I'm like a little kid without his Ritalin.

 

Invariably, everywhere you go, some old codger will come up and say "I had one JUST LIKE THIS ONE", while your thinking "oh yeah, yours had Volvo parts too? Where's your build thread?"

 

Don't worry he tends to get side tracked every now and then
his last build
http://www.earlycj5.com/xf_cj5/index.php?threads/the-fat-hippo-utility-bike-build.128392/

 

I just have so many questionable pieces that I need to know will work.

If this transmission adapter shears off the first time I put the pedal down, I’d rather know now, before I spend the time building the floor around this transmission...

If the cow-mat bushings are firm enough to act as front radius arm bushings...

If my diagonal braking circuitry will work without a proportioning valve...

If the rear driveshaft is over-extending the limits of the double cardan at static height and vibrations are unbearable...

If I set the caster at enough of an angle...

If the power steering pump’s pulley is too big and doesn’t move enough fluid for the Saginaw box...

If the tiny radiator will be big enough to cool this engine...

If the transmission and t-case even work?! They’re both untested junkyard units.

I could go on forever. Plus a whole load of questions I have that wouldn’t make much sense to you guys, like if the clearance under the roll cage bushings is enough to allow for compression without contact with the frame outriggers...


One simple drive will calm me down, because up until that point, I’m still just sitting here wondering if all the work has been worth it.