AOSC Forum Archive

While on the hunt for a Suzuki Samurai to turn in to an offroad airsoft partywagon, Felix directed my attention towards a 1985 AMC/Jeep CJ10A Air Force tug truck. It was sitting in long grass in the owner's yard with no motor installed. I was expecting a lot of rust, but since it has been in South Carolina since 1985 (when it was built) the frame and tub are solid and largely rust-free. I have two motors to work with; a complete (with transmission and 4wd T-case) Nissan SD33 Turbo, and a mostly complete (minus trans/T-case) SD33 with no turbo. The SD33T got about 25MPG @ 55MPH when it was installed in the truck, so my goal is to use that motor. It's currently knocking because a goofy 16yo girl drove it without checking the oil, but as soon as it started knocking it was shut off and towed home. No smoke, so I'm hoping its not too far gone. *crosses fingers* If that motor is shot, the non-turbo SD33 should be in decent shape.

There were only 2300 of these ever made, so I don't intend to make it a mud truck and destroy. Beyond a few little cosmetic addons, I intend to simply restore it to how it looked in 1985... minus the stubby towing rear end.

Current specs:

1985 AMC/Jeep CJ10A Flightline Tug Truck
- SD33T 3.3l or SD33 3.3l diesel
- Dana 44 up front
- 80" Dana 70 in the rear with 4.88s, limited slip
- 727 3 speed auto w/NP208 T-case (2w hi/lo, 4w hi/lo)
- 8 lug 16.5"-ish wheels w/31.5" BFGs

If I put a real axle up front all I need for 4wd is another driveshaft, so I'll be watching junkyards and Craigslist for that.

Plans:
- A motor that works
- A radio would be nice
- Either OD or tan paint
- Black diamond plate rocker panels
- Scrambler style rollbar
- Humvee tail lights (already have those)
- Detachable deuce style canvas top for use at games.
- Eventually re-gear it for highway speeds. Near as I can tell the top speed with those tires and gear ratios should be about 65MPH off a cliff, with a tailwind, and a rocket strapped to the back.

What the rear end looked like when the Air Force owned it:


As it was in the yard:




^ complimentary shades!

Barely cleared the garage door!


Stripping it down for the initial cleaning.


Two motors:


Not something you see on Jeeps very often.


What I want to have in ~6-12 months.

You're welcome.

Pretty bad ass ! As with all things I expect this to be perfect Yoda ! Mount a 50 cal in the bed !

I agree with Cleric. A 50. cal or a Saw mounted int eh back, unless you want to transport a few inside the bed to places. but more so of a assualt tank. i can't wait to see this. Keep us up to date.

ARRRRGHHHH it wouldn't be a tank, it would be a technical.

"A technical is a type of improvised fighting vehicle, typically a civilian or military non-combat vehicle, modified to provide an offensive capability similar to a military gun truck. It is usually an open-backed civilian pickup truck or four-wheel drive vehicle mounting a machine gun, light anti-aircraft gun, recoilless rifle, or other support weapon."

Calling it a "tank" would put it in the same class as glorified golfcarts and gocarts.

So Stephen, can I get in the back and set up my M60 on top and be a Somalian again?

Dominum wrote:So Stephen, can I get in the back and set up my M60 on top and be a Somalian again?

Once I get a bracket made, sure.

I'm too sexy for my roof, too sexy for my roof.


Le tub


Going to have to make a new sticker to match this. Too cool to get rid of it.


This plate ain't goin nowhere.


Frame extension welds are not the best, but they've lasted almost 20 years.

Good thing you know a guy that makes custom stickers like that .

Were you able to talk the owner down?

Not as much as I wanted, but I did get him down a bit.

Steevo, Have you been in contact with Ironman 4x4 in Travelers Rest? I don't know if he is still around but I think he built a rockcrawler from the same Airforce truck you have. Also, Coleman Surplus ( check for the website) sold chevy 6 bolt front axles that were brand new hub to hub for $600-700. I know that messes up the bolt patterns front to rear but you can get adapters to straighten that out. It looks like you will have a really neat truck when you get done. What brand is the engine? Nissan?

Sorry, the price was wrong, I just checked the website and the front axle is $395.00 plus shipping.

I haven't met him, but the name sounds familiar. I think I saw some pictures of his build on a Jeep forum... perhaps pirate4x4.com. I had found some companies selling bolt on live axles in the $350-500 range, Coleman's Surplus among them.

It does have the original SD33 Nissan inline six diesel. I haven't had much time to work on it lately, but I'm fairly sure I just have a bad bearing on the crank to deal with; nothing major.

I think International Harvester use that engine in the diesel powered Scouts. Man that sucker will get about 30mpg when you get it running. Plus, it's a mechanical injector pump so it will be dirt simple. Tell me when it's running I am driving down to see it. I LOVE old trucks, I just sold my 1970 M35A2 and I'm having withdrawls.
LOL My son thinks i'm crazy. Catch me up on your progress at Fulda. We will be at the campsite with the 77 K-10 flat tan pickup. My best friends truck was killed by a semi and he is borrowing it for the weekend. See you there.