Prodigal JK Project

[Mr.Joshua]

Originally Posted by Ramset

Nice brazing dude! Where did you learn that. PM me on stuff I need to braze.

Thanks man. I learned it on this great site . Lurking and a few videos. I think the best way is to make sure you start with the right materials/tools and then pick a project and start. The hardest part is keeping everything where you want it to end up while brazing.

[Mr.Joshua]

As I was getting ready to start on the rear tube fenders I decided to go a different direction. I ended up "pinching" or "boat tailing" the rear of the body I took out 1-1/2" of material in the middle and glued the body back together. I used the strip that I removed as a support on the inside of the body to strengthen the joint. Shoe Goo don't fail me now!

I really like how its looking as long as the joint holds and the body holds its shape



Cardboard to hold it in the shape I want (hopefully)


I'll post up some pics tomorrow when I remove the tape and cardboard

[Mr.Joshua]

I pulled off the cardboard and tape this morning. The joint came out nice and clean and the shape of the bed stayed put. Makes for a pretty "floppy" body but I plan on supporting it with the tubework.

The joint seems strong but only time will tell I guess


The rear bumper is scrap now but I'm going a totally different direction now anyway. Going for a fully caged Jeep and not a trail rig.
You can see how much narrower the body is compared to the bumper

[Ramset]

Looks like it is time for the chop shop on that bumper. I love the boat tail look too, very nice.

[Mr.Joshua]

Originally Posted by Ramset

Looks like it is time for the chop shop on that bumper. I love the boat tail look too, very nice.

Thanks bud...I'm really glad I boat tailed it, it looks kinda goofy right now but it has potential.

Probably for the best on the bumper, it came out too "pointy" anyway.

[Mr.Joshua]

Every time I get ready to start on some metal work I end up cutting something off of the body. I'm REALLY liking the looks of the half doors ...one of my favorite things about the Jeeps.
Rough edges on the upper doors but clean on the body




The door line goes lower than I would like because the Pro line body had full steel doors


I cut the back bed down to line up with new top edge of the half door...not much body left in back but it's going to work

[steele42]

I'm liking where you're going with this

[Mr.Joshua]

Originally Posted by steele42

I'm liking where you're going with this

Hey thanks, once its done at the chop shop I'll start on some cage work.

Bob is looking good too man

[Mr.Joshua]

Here are some better pictures of the piece that I added onto the bottom of the front bumper. These are out of sequence but I like how it came out and wanted to show how it came about.
I may cut it down a little bit so it doesnt hang down quite as far (easier to shorten it than add to it) but I think it is going to slide really nice up the rocks.

Test piece


Before


With the piece cut and fit


Brazed on and cleaned up


Side shot




Poser shot

I can't wait to get a winch mounted up

[Mr.Joshua]

I was able to get a little done on the cage work. Trying to figure out the body mount in the back (that'll have to wait). I got the "bed rails" bent up and one side of the roll cage.

[TT17]

Looking very nice I'm really liking this build.

[pobrockcrawler]

looking good mr joshua, i'm liking the tube work

[nigelpheron]

Ya Dude. That plate front bumper is what I wished mine was like.

Excellent work

[growlinsax]

Looking awesome! I just bought this body and am grateful for all the ideas.
Guess I'm gonna have to learn to braze...

[Mr.Joshua]

Originally Posted by TT17

Looking very nice I'm really liking this build.

Thanks

Originally Posted by pobrockcrawler

looking good mr joshua, i'm liking the tube work

Thank you...still a lot of tube work to do but it's fun

Originally Posted by nigelpheron

Ya Dude. That plate front bumper is what I wished mine was like. Excellent work

Dude thanks for the compliment...your build is looking awesome too

Originally Posted by growlinsax

Looking awesome! I just bought this body and am grateful for all the ideas.
Guess I'm gonna have to learn to braze...

Thanks man...the Jeeps rule. You definitely need to learn to braze. Lots of how to's on this site, and once you figure it out it opens all kinds of options.

[Mr.Joshua]

I was able to get one side done.


Think I have room for bigger tires?

[Mr.Joshua]

I was able to work on the cage some more. Both sides are done and across the windshield. I'm still kicking around what to do on the top and down the center. I think I have it narrowed down so we'll see how it comes together. The challenge I am having is making it so the body will still go on/off. I had to make the back pillars a little shorter than I wanted to clear the rear tail light buckets. (crappy phone camera is all I had on me)

[Mr.Joshua]

While deciding on the final design of the center of the rollcage I kept going back and forth on the looks of the windshield...I ended up cutting it off For what I have pictured for the final look I think it was inevitable.

Thats pretty much all that I can cut off of the stock body...I think

[Shinjari]

Looking good, planning to put a winch on that sweet bumper?

[Mr.Joshua]

Originally Posted by Shinjari

Looking good, planning to put a winch on that sweet bumper?

Thanks. Yeah planning on a winch for sure.