Intro...me, and also my '58 Willys Jeep FC170 "Patina Rod" project

1x1_Speed_Craig · Feb 1, 2015

Hi, all. I'm Craig from Grand Rapids, Michigan, and go by 1x1_Speed_Craig everywhere online. I'm a "Jeep guy" whose Willys project found me lurking here (and admittedly lusting after some of the builds I've seen) for many, many months. In addition to my own project, I'm currently rebuilding late-model Jeep Cherokees (XJs) with/for both of my daughters, now ages 14 and 12 respectively.

Here's what I'm working with:

1958 Willys Jeep FC170 cab

2008 Ford F350 dually Cab & Ch***is frame (165" WB), springs, Dana 60/Dana 80 axles

1995 ***mins 6BT, 47RH auto transmission & (soon) NP241 DHD transfer case

Some parts from a 2003 Isuzu NPR forward control truck

(TBD) Modern-ish interior with some creature comforts/amenities

2008 F350 C&C frame (165" WB). Clean, 74K miles, diesel tank/lines already in place.

Converting the frame from 2WD to 4WD with a mix of new Coil Spring Seats & track bar mount (dealership), and donor parts from a 2005 F350 pick-up.

2008 F350 C&C Dana 80 dually rear axle (3.73). 74K miles. I still need to clean up & paint the axle, then reinstall it on the frame.

2005 Ford F350 Dana 60 front axle (3.73). I already replace the ball joints & U-joints, and the new Timken wheel bearings have been clear-coated, and are ready for install.

Various bits cleaned up & painted with Eastwood paint (my "go to" for paints).

Stock 2005-2012 F350 steel dually wheels (I have 10 wheels total via a couple purchases).

I'll be using some steering & brake bits & pieces from this 2003 GMC W3500/Isuzu NPR.

And here's me playing with some boiled Linseed oil on the original cylinder head. I'll be making this into an industrial-looking wall hanging for my house (I want to fit Edison Bulbs into each of the spark plug holes). It's also a test for the boiled Linseed oil, as I may be using it on the exterior of my cab once it's ready. I wanted to see how it behaved/looked, and I like the results.

My initial rendering of the FC cab/custom bed overlay on the F350 frame, although my frame will be 25" longer than the one shown here (source: fleet.ford.com). I'm confident that I can come up with a more aesthetically-pleasing design. The tentative plan would be to "skin" the bed with naturally-weathering Corten steel sheet.