Although I generally hire others to maintain my vehicles, I have always wanted to restore some antique rolling stock. I have resisted as I certainly do not need any more hobbies. The arrival of my two sons, with their high interest in modifying their trucks, has revived my interest also.
I was fortunate to be able to purchase a building in Davis which had once been a machine shop. The intent was to have a place my sons could work on their trucks. The availabilty of this shop is allowing us to take on some projects. Hopefully my sons will do most of the work so it does not impact my electronics activities. We will have to wait and see.
The initial project is the restoration of a DJ-5D Mail Jeep I acquired several years ago as part of a swap. It is generally in running order but the gasoline tank had been damaged and removed. The previous owner had been using a plastic gas can as a temporary tank....not legal and pretty dangerous. There was also some rust along the rear quarter panels and the floor pans needed replacing, very common in Jeeps. The photos below are of the Jeep in progress. When the body and mechanical work is completed, I intend to have it painted with an American Flag on one side and a Texas flag on the other. My Okie friends won't like that.... :-)
The second project is a Jeep FC170, better known as the "Forward Control" Jeep. I located it in Western Arkanas. It was originally a California vehicle which was then moved to Oklahoma, then Texas and then Arkansas by the second owner. I bought it from his Grandson. It needs a lot of TLC as you can see....
I remember the US Forest Service using some FC170s around Conroe, Texas, where I grew up and I think some were used at the Grogan mill and other saw mills in Montgomery County. It is a 4-wheel drive vehicle with an in-line six clyinder engine and a stick transmission. This one has had a small V-8 and and automatic transmission retrofitted, so that will have to be returned to stock....or near stock. The bed is unusual in that it is 9.5-feet long.
The third project is a Toyota FJ40. This is the result of a trip to Costa Rica with my son Cameron and my good friend Don Brittin in 2001. We saw several very nicely restored FJ40s during the trip and decided to have one someday. This body on this one is in pretty good condition and most of the work will be upgrading the motor and transmission for today's highway speeds. This Fj40 is a 1974 and it is set up for off-roading and not for 70 mph cruising.
This site is the responsibility of Jim Coe W5JI
(jcoe@w5ji.com)
ex-K5MBO, W7CDX and KC7CLW
Extra Class.........Licensed since 1956
ARRL QCWA RCC Skywarn WAC