WIP - Project "B"

1
October 4, 2022
Here's the lineup... these kits will became four different trucks, each with their own vibe.
2
October 4, 2022
This CJ-7 will be converted into an early 80's CJ-8 Scrambler. This will match the real life production truck for the most part, and should hopefully be a pretty straightforward conversion (yeah right)
3
October 4, 2022
The CJ-8 will retain the AMC 304 V8 from the CJ-7 kit, which would not true to life, but... V8...
It will receive some performance mods to keep up with the rest of the pack.
4
October 4, 2022
Something like this
5
October 4, 2022
Next, in order of ascending model year, will be a conversion of this Wrangler into what I'm calling the YJ-8... basically a "what if" build to show what Jeep may have built as a continuation of Scrambler line into the 90's. I'll be using parts from the hard top and soft top versions, because I'd like to do a removable top and removable doors for this one. It'll be a "Limited" trim, as well.
6
October 4, 2022
The straight six plant from the YJ kit will be replaced by this 5.2 L V8 from a Grand Cherokee kit (reasons for that beyond V8s being cool... different project). Leaving it stock to keep with the factory-spec theme.
7
October 4, 2022
I've only ever seen one example online of someone who I think did this conversion properly in 1:1
8
October 4, 2022
Continuing to the next decade, I'll be turning this TJ Rubicon into a real life specialty conversion vehicle known as the "Brute". Slightly different style here, the integral truck bed concept will be traded for a more pickup-like truck bed. And yes, it will be called the TJ-8.
9
October 4, 2022
Yes, it will get a V8 as well. I'll be using this SRT8-spec 6.1 L Hemi from a partially built Challenger kit I picked up at a swap meet. People have gotten them to fit, at least in 1:1... we'll see how it goes.
10
October 4, 2022
This is what I'm shooting for - really feeling the black and gunmetal look here.
11
October 4, 2022
And finally, this (rather exquisite, I might add) JK Rubicon kit from Meng will get the conversion treatment as well. I'll be making a JK-based version of Jeep's recent J6 concept (which was actually based on the next generation JL) Obviously, I'll be naming it the JK-8.
12
October 4, 2022
A more modern power plant will follow suit. This 6.4 L Hemi resin kit from A&N Model Trucks can be converted to a 392 Hemi with a few minor changes.
13
October 4, 2022
The J6 at Moab - I'll try to match the electric blue as well as I can.
14
October 10, 2022
The engine parts from the Challenger kits were already painted when I bought it (and not very well). To preserve the fine details, I removed what I could with some paint stripper.
15
October 10, 2022
All of the engine parts, which were in varying states of cleanliness, were washed with soapy water.
16
October 12, 2022
Not too bad I'd say... hopefully the detail is preserved in the print.
17
October 26, 2022
AMC 304 ready for paint. Home printed rocker covers, and the intake manifold, exhaust headers, carb, and air cleaner are from VCG resins. We'll pretend there's an aftermarket camshaft in there too. The extra horsepower will be needed, where we're going!
18
November 21, 2022
Engine for the YJ-8 is ready for primer now too. Keeping this one stock, just added a few small details and cut up the serpentine belt so that I can use something a bit more in scale.
19
November 21, 2022
This might just fit!
20
December 6, 2022
I cut the RWD tail off of the NAG1 from the Challenger to replace it with the 4x4 tail
21
December 6, 2022
This NV-146 transfer case is used in the SRT8 version of the Jeep Grand Cherokee, so I think it's a good fit for this Brute
22
December 6, 2022
6.1 Hemi is now ready for the next step. Belt drive was again cut up for further detailing. These aftermarket long tube headers will add a few horses to this souped up truck.
23
December 6, 2022
The 6.4 Hemi will need some fuel rail covers for a convincing conversion to the 392 model.
24
December 6, 2022
They kinda fit!
25
December 6, 2022
Using the 1:25 NAG1 from the Challenger as a reference (as well as photos of my own NAG1), I drew up and printed a slightly larger version to go behind the 6.4
26
December 6, 2022
I originally intended to use the headers from the 1:25 6.1, but next to the 6.4 block, they seemed too small. (I suspect the 6.4 is actually significantly larger than 1:24.) Home printed replacements seem to have turned out okay.
27
December 6, 2022
And that's all of the 6.4 parts ready now too... I see primer and paint in my near future!
28
December 8, 2022
Everything's mounted and ready to go!
29
December 16, 2022
Most parts got Tamiya gray primer, and the 3D printed parts received Alclad's microfiller primer, in hopes of achieving a more consistent surface finish
30
December 16, 2022
With just a few strokes of an airbrush, true to life parts start jumping out of the plastic! Always my favorite part!
31
December 16, 2022
Heat oxide is one of my favorite things to paint.
32
December 16, 2022
Making progress...
33
December 16, 2022
All engines done! (One of them is for another project, can you guess which?)
34
December 17, 2022
35
December 17, 2022
36
December 17, 2022
37
December 17, 2022
38
December 17, 2022
39
December 17, 2022
40
December 17, 2022
41
December 22, 2022
Side by side by side by side... The CJ and YJ tubs have a similar construction, with the floor integrated with the main body. The TJ's floor is molded separately, but the rest of the body is one piece. The JK has separately molded pieces for the floor pan, subframe, and left and right side of the body.
42
December 30, 2022
Let's jump right in I suppose...
43
December 30, 2022
Lopped off the back end of the body tub. A longer tub/truck bed with an integrated rear wall for the cab will be installed in its place. As a real life production vehicle, the new wheelbase was easy enough to find.
44
December 30, 2022
The YJ conversion will be done in almost exactly the same way. The wheelbase of the short versions of both models are about the same, and I'm targeting the wheelbase and length of the extended versions to be the same as well.
45
January 5, 2023
Working on the body for the TJ now. Doors and hood were removed with a panel line scriber and micro saw.
46
January 5, 2023
The tub is made up of two separate pieces in this kit. The cut line happened in about the same location as the CJ and YJ, but the parts that will replace the back half will look a bit different.
47
January 5, 2023
While I'm at it, I might as well separate the panels in the interior door cards
48
January 15, 2023
And that's the last cut. The JK tub is also made from multiple parts. Some of the interior trim will need to be modified after the replacement tub is printed.
49
January 17, 2023
First look at the longer tub!
50
January 17, 2023
A few blemishes... still deciding if I'll repair and fill and sand, or try reprinting.
51
January 17, 2023
More supports! File is ready in case I choose to go that route.
52
January 23, 2023
Moving on to the replacement tub for the YJ. I'll reprint the tailgate in the same style as the kit part, but with an integrated hinge to make it posable. The truck bed as also been divided up into segments that will be painted with a woodgrain texture, since will be the "Limited" trim.
53
February 20, 2023
After much moving the printer upstairs and trying a few new settings, I'm back to getting usable parts again!
54
February 28, 2023
Ugh, failed right near the end.... we'll get there, eventually.
55
March 9, 2023
Time to start building up the bodies with the modified parts. The TJ and JK will get shortened cabs, ending just behind the front seats, like a traditional pickup truck.
56
March 14, 2023
Manual transmission from the TJ kit will have its place taken by the automatic NAG1 I finished a while ago. Slot for the gearshift on the floorpan was opened up to accept the gear select module fro
57
March 9, 2023
While I'm at it, I'll widen the engine bay on the TJ for the Hemi. The wheel wells are quite thick, so there's plenty to shave down.
58
March 14, 2023
Cabs are starting to take shape - lots of filling and sanding
59
March 14, 2023
The real AEV Brute comes as a kit, to be installed on an existing TJ. This back wall graft is similar to what the owner of a 1:1 Brute would have to do during the conversion.
60
March 14, 2023
Finished(ish) Brute cab with the freshly printed truck bed.
61
March 14, 2023
JK cab also finished for now, shown with its more production-y looking truck bed.
62
March 14, 2023
Both cabs will get primer next, and I'll correct scratches, sinks, steps, and flaws as needed.
63
March 18, 2023
The bed and the hardtop still need quite a bit of finishing, but here's the Brute mocked up.
64
March 18, 2023
Parts for the YJ-8 Scrambler are starting to take shape as well.
65
March 18, 2023
The CJ-8 Scrambler will look similar, once assembled.
66
March 18, 2023
Filling, sanding, and repairing as necessary, to prepare to join the front halves of the Scrambler tubs with the newly printed back halves.
67
March 18, 2023
I think I've found my solution for removable doors and hartops... one thousand 1x2mm magnets!
68
March 28, 2023
Ready for primer.... and to see what spots I missed
69
April 7, 2023
Last body assembled!
70
April 7, 2023
First coat of primer, and as expected, there's much more blending and sanding to come.
71
April 7, 2023
I've found that store brand blinker fluid gets me the best bang-for-the-buck when it comes to stripping chrome plating.
72
April 17, 2023
Tiny magnets will (hopefully) hold the doors in position for photos/displays. I can sink the ones for the roof into the back wall, but I don't have the thickness to do the same in the door sills. Hoping they'll be fairly inconspicuous hiding behind the seat mounts here.
73
April 17, 2023
Easier to hide on the JK's tub
74
April 25, 2023
Time to start extending the frames to match the modified bodies
75
April 25, 2023
Need to confirm how much the wheel base actually changed by
76
April 25, 2023
Most of the frames will be cut in two places, ahead of and behind the "bump" for the rear axle
77
April 25, 2023
The CJ and YJ will be a little easier to mock up - the front of the truck bed doesn't hit the bump in the chassis for the rear axle, unlike the TJ and JK
78
May 8, 2023
All frames cut, time to start splicing!
79
May 8, 2023
Each frame was checked against its respective body once the extension sections were cemented in.
80
May 8, 2023
Everything seems to be in order...
81
May 8, 2023
The CJ-8 frame has a ~10 mm extension ahead of the rear axle location, plus extensions on the rear of the frame to push out the rear bumper. The fuel tank stays in place behind the rear axle.
82
May 8, 2023
Same story for the YJ-8 frame. Additional crossmember had to be added behind the fuel tank, so the rear section of the frame has something to mount to.
83
May 8, 2023
For the TJ-8 the mid-section extensions are a bit longer, and the rear extension/bumper assembly is one 3D printed piece.
84
May 8, 2023
Finally, the JK-8 frame was extented in two places. Being a more modern design, the extensions were a little more involved. The crossmembers holding the small skid plate moved with the rear "hump", and the rear bumper/body mounting points were separated and moved further back to the end of the truck bed.
85
May 12, 2023
The 5.2 is fitting pretty well in the YJ after moving the engine mounts
86
May 12, 2023
The 6.1 is another story... the tunnel isn't deep enough, so something will have to give. The top of the transmission won't be visible, so I'll probably sand that down unti it fits. The headers will also need to be adjusted.
87
May 12, 2023
The 392 will fit in the JK if I move the front underslung crossmember. The headers will probably need to be deleted unfortunately. They probably wouldn't be visible from any angle anyway.
88
May 15, 2023
I'd like to use the Brembo brakes from the Challenger SRT8 kit for the TJ. The stock wheels will have to be opened up a bit on the back side in order for them to fit.
89
May 15, 2023
Modified wheels on the left, unmodified on the right
90
May 15, 2023
Test fitting the bodies to the frames with the suspension and wheel mocked up
91
May 15, 2023
Very satisfying to see this truck on its wheels finally!
92
May 15, 2023
I thought that the CJ's engine would just drop into place, being the original kit engine - but alas, the headers are an aftermarket mod, and of course they interfere!
93
May 15, 2023
Wheelbase seems to line up pretty well for the others too!
94
October 2, 2023
Shhh....
95
October 2, 2023
Engine mounts either modified or fabricated from styrene on each of the frames
96
October 2, 2023
Thinned out mounts on the CJ frame now no longer interfere with the long tube headers
97
October 2, 2023
TJ8 Brute mocked up
98
October 2, 2023
99
October 2, 2023
Here's the YJ frame with suspension and axles added (note the lengthened rear drive shaft - all four builds will obviously need this treatment). I think I can use the V8 exhaust from the ZJ with minimal modification
100
October 2, 2023
Happy with engine fitment at this point. Now to continue on with prepping all of the chassis/suspension parts for paint!
101
October 6, 2023
Part of that prep work includes installing all of the chassis plumbing... fuel lines, brake lines, electrical loom, and power steering (which I now realize will mean adding a pump to the engine)
102
October 6, 2023
Oh, and evap canister lines for the newer models
103
November 22, 2023
The suspension on this Meng kit is remarkably intricate
104
November 22, 2023
Finishing up plumbing for the last one
105
November 22, 2023
Working on the more custom exhaust systems now. Taking the lazy way out with some side exit exhaust for the CJ8
106
November 22, 2023
...ut don't worry, I'm be putting the effort into full custom rear exit exhaust for the TJ and JK... here's the TJ's exhaust mocked up with soft aluminum wire
107
November 22, 2023
...and now fleshed out in brass. A bit of adjustment still needed here.
108
December 1, 2023
Final mockup for the TJ... had to do away with the headers entirely, unfortunately
109
December 1, 2023
Similar design for the JK exhaust
110
December 1, 2023
And here's the last one mocked up
111
December 1, 2023
Each chassis painted gloss black
112
December 1, 2023
Here's those Brembo brakes in color
113
December 4, 2023
CJ8 from the front. Winch still needs a hook, but that's minor
114
December 4, 2023
And from the side... The back end is sitting higher that I think it should... investigation needed.
115
December 4, 2023
YJ8 front view - this chassis is almost entirely done
116
December 4, 2023
Exhaust still needs some adjustment to get it where I want it, but it's looking good otherwise.
117
December 4, 2023
TJ8 side view. Not quite done yet. I have some scale braided hose that I'll use to mimic some aftermarket stainless steel brake lines.
118
December 4, 2023
Exhaust needs... well, something. I was hoping the top side would be a bit more covered by the truck bed. More to come here.
119
December 4, 2023
And finally the JK8... didn't get this one quite over the line.
120
December 4, 2023
Multiple fitment issues to address on the rear bumper, exhaust, and both axles. Gonna take a step back from this one for a few days.
121
February 9, 2024
122
February 9, 2024
123
February 9, 2024
124
February 9, 2024
125
February 9, 2024
126
February 9, 2024
127
February 19, 2024
128
February 19, 2024
129
February 19, 2024
130
February 19, 2024
131
February 19, 2024
132
February 19, 2024
133
February 22, 2024
Remaining parts for the YJ8, washed and ready for sanding/modification
134
February 22, 2024
The roll bar will be cut up and modified to fit under the printed hardtop
135
February 22, 2024
I'll be building up a set of both the full doors and the half doors.
136
March 6, 2024
Inspecting the 3D printed parts, recently reprinted in a ABS-mimicking resin. The drip rail looks great on the passenger side...
137
March 6, 2024
...but is totally missing on the passenger side! Now, to reprint, or just fab up a replacement?
138
March 6, 2024
I've decided to keep the roll hoop internal, under the hardtop. The rear supports will be cut away
139
March 6, 2024
Roll bars modified and puttied
140
April 29, 2024
First round of paint done!
141
April 29, 2024
Tamiya Rattlecan over gray primer for all of the body component
142
April 29, 2024
Remaining interior and engine bay parts done by airbrush in parallel
143
April 29, 2024
So... much... masking....
144
April 29, 2024
Just about all of the detail painting done
145
April 29, 2024
Flocking and assembly next
146
April 29, 2024
Coming together...
147
April 29, 2024
Final plumbing and touchups
148
April 29, 2024
149
April 29, 2024

42 4 October 2022, 00:43

Brandon H
WARNING!! This project will cover the following CONTROVERSIAL SUBJECT MATTER:
-Jeep Pickup Conversions
-Long Wheelbase Jeeps
-Jeeps with V8 Engines
-Jeeps built after 1987
I'm hoping we can PLEASE put all our disagreements aside and enjoy what will be a very ambitious and hopefully very fun series of builds!

4 October 2022, 01:12

Brandon H
First of the 4 engines is ready for primer. Moving on to the 5.2 next...

26 October 2022, 11:26

István Szücs
It seems more interesting, then in the start!

26 October 2022, 18:05

Brandon H
Don't worry István, it will only get crazier form here!

27 October 2022, 11:56

István Szücs
Brandon, I hope so!

27 October 2022, 14:18

Brandon H
Another engine ready for paint

21 November 2022, 12:26

Villiers de Vos
A very interesting project.

21 November 2022, 15:56

Brandon H
Finally, all of the sanding and prep is done! Paint this weekend, hopefully!

6 December 2022, 14:02

Mona
Interesting a TJ pick-up ,watching 👀 .in order to move stuff around in my "82" CJ I had to remove both the passenger and rear seat .

6 December 2022, 14:06

István Szücs
You are so crazy, man! I hope I will see the engine painted soon!

6 December 2022, 14:29

Brandon H
And the powertrains are done! Next stage will likely be the pickup conversions for the bodies... I figure it will be easier to match the chassis length to the modified body rather than vice versa.

16 December 2022, 12:26

Brandon H
Some better photos of the engines before they're installed in each truck

17 December 2022, 21:38

Brandon H
Time to start laying out the measurements for the new wheelbases and deciding on the cut lines.

22 December 2022, 16:39

Brandon H
Three out of four tubs cut up now! Once the last is done, I'll start drawing up the parts for the pickup conversions.

5 January 2023, 14:08

Brandon H
Long hours working with my "favorite" modeling program are starting to pay off. Two of the four truck beds are taking shape!

23 January 2023, 23:10

Brandon H
Back to making progress! Printer is feeling a bit more cooperative lately

20 February 2023, 23:51

Christian W
This is a huge project! I'd going nuts to build all of them parallel. I like picture #33 with your engine line up. Cool.

9 March 2023, 05:32

Brandon H
Thank you Christian! It's a lot to manage, juggling all of these builds at once... need to make sure I don't end up with '06 doors on a '81 body and whatnot....

9 March 2023, 12:27

Brandon H
Finished blending the back walls onto the two pickup-style cabs. Next, I'll work on the two long-tub Scramblers.

14 March 2023, 11:04

Dennis
This is Madness... Again!

Watching this 🤘

14 March 2023, 18:02

Nigel Chapman
Wow Brandon your a machine!
Do you manage to eat and sleep? 😁

15 March 2023, 06:47

Brandon H
Welcome, gentlemen!
You'd be surprised how little sleep you need when you huff this much glue 😉

15 March 2023, 12:32

Brandon H
Getting to the exciting part - now I'm able to start mocking up each truck with the new parts

18 March 2023, 17:58

Brandon H
CJ8 body done for now. Once I finish blending the YJ8 tub, I'll hit everything with primer and look for any areas that need correcting

28 March 2023, 13:57

Brandon H
Primer is on! It's exciting to see these trucks suddenly looking more real now that they're in monotone.

7 April 2023, 17:54

Dennis
Blinker fluid? What is this stuff originaly good for? Never seen any of this here in germany 🤔

9 April 2023, 17:51

Brandon H
Working on making the final corrections to the blending on the bodies, and hiding some small magnets to hold the doors and hardtops in place. Hoping to move on to the chassis mods soon!

17 April 2023, 14:31

Brandon H
Turning my attention to the frames now. Each will be be cut and extended to match its respective new wheelbase.

25 April 2023, 19:05

MS K
Oh I'm late, but I'm watching~ 🙂

6 May 2023, 16:07

Brandon H
Haha, glad to have you on board!

8 May 2023, 11:07

Brandon H
Productive weekend - Most of the work for extending the frames is now complete

8 May 2023, 11:27

Villiers de Vos
Very nice and steady progress.

8 May 2023, 12:15

Brandon H
Indeed, slowly but surely, it's getting there!

8 May 2023, 16:08

Nigel Chapman
Nice work

8 May 2023, 19:25

Brandon H
Thanks Nigel!

I'm just happy they've all come out mostly straight so far!

9 May 2023, 10:50

Brandon H
Working on some test fits for the powertrains now that the frames are completed. I've got some work to do...

12 May 2023, 12:00

István Szücs
The Hemi fulfills the engine bay nicely...

12 May 2023, 14:47

Brandon H
A little too nicely! I'm still not convinced it's really 1:24...

14 May 2023, 13:45

Brandon H
Mockups in progress to check the wheelbases - big step for this project!

15 May 2023, 12:37

MS K
As usual, your work is insane 😎

10 June 2023, 08:41

Brandon H
Back at it! Picking up where I left off, fitting the suspension and powertrain components to the modified frames

2 October 2023, 15:50

Maurits van der Aa
Realy great work my friend! Superb

6 October 2023, 06:06

Brandon H
Thanks Maurits!

6 October 2023, 11:55

Rui S
Folowing 😎

6 October 2023, 22:50

Nick Wilkie
So awesome!!

13 November 2023, 19:03

Christian W
This chassis with the installed engine looks great.

14 November 2023, 05:23

Brandon H
Thanks guys, hoping to have all four rolling chassis done and painted in the next few weeks.

14 November 2023, 12:21

Tim A
Ambitious as always.

14 November 2023, 16:06

Tom ...
just caught up. More Brandon Building Brilliance! In like Flynn.

14 November 2023, 19:39

István Szücs
Good to the progress here!

14 November 2023, 20:11

Brandon H
Finally, getting some color laid down!

1 December 2023, 13:46

Nigel Chapman
Nice!!

1 December 2023, 16:47

Brandon H
Thanks Nigel, more to come soon. Hoping to have all four chassis assembled and photographed by the end of the weekend.

1 December 2023, 17:38

István Szücs
Brandon, I'm waiting...

1 December 2023, 20:18

Brandon H
Well my weekend wasn't as productive as I'd hoped, at least for this project. None of the chassis are all the way done yet, but some are in better shape than others. Here's what I still need to address:

CJ8 - Finish winch detail, fix height issue in rear, touch up any damaged paint
YJ8 - Fix exhaust hanger, also need a few spot touchups
TJ8 - Still needs brake lines fab'd, revisit exhaust placement, paint touchups
JK8 - Investigate rear axle fitment, address front axle/exhaust interference, resolve rear bumper/exhaust fitment, connect existing brake lines, paint touchups

Gonna take some time to get everything sorted out... but this is to be expected when a build involves so much custom work

4 December 2023, 15:58

Brandon H
And apologies for the poor lighting on this side of my studio... I am pleased to report that I'm at least thrilled with how my color choices look in person (wheels etc.)

4 December 2023, 16:01

István Szücs
The YJ8 looks great with those rims! The others are also fantastic!

4 December 2023, 16:34

Brandon H
Thanks István! Very excited about how the YJ is coming along... more top-trim stuff to come. I think that one might end up being the best of the bunch.

4 December 2023, 18:46

Brandon H
With some other projects wrapped up, I'm back at it with the Jeeps. Two chassis all the way finished now (these only needed some minor adjustments). The other two will need some extensive exhaust rework yet.

9 February, 23:40

Jennifer Franklin
Following

10 February, 02:25

Alison Withonel
Nice appropriate plates on the CJ and YJ.

18 February, 21:25

Brandon H
The plates often get the most thought out of anything no my builds haha

TJ and JK frames are done now too. Each truck now only needs the body and interior parts completed. Though I had wanted to do them all in series, I now think I'll have much better luck doing them one at a time.

19 February, 18:03

Brandon H
Many irons in the fire... attention back on this one for now. Most parts just need clean up before paint; a few will get some minor modifications first.

6 March, 15:17

Brandon H
One down, three to go! I'll post a different album with more completed pictures for the YJ8

29 April, 17:12

Christian W
This looks pretty good. The color, rims and decor looking classic. Like it.

29 April, 19:35

Nigel Chapman
Looks suberb. Like the rear bed

29 April, 20:40

Brandon H
Thanks guys!

1 May, 10:59