For the past 50 years, Denny Lloyd has been involved with Jeeps. Recently, he put the finishing touches on a 1978 Jeep J-10 Honcho rebuild. As you can see, the truck definitely caught our eye. You don't see many J-10's driving around, and even fewer this beautifully built. Denny has created a machine that is both ready to run Baja and take home trophies at auto shows.
When Denny started this project in 2001, his original intent was to simply do a few minor fix-ups and be done. As enthusiasts, we know completing a project is hardly ever done. For Denny, the truck turned into a complete frame-off restoration. In the early '80s Denny owned and campaigned a J-10 race Honcho out of his 4WD shop in the then SODA race series in the Midwest. His success in racing lead to greater projects and what eventually brought his family to the West Coast.
During his racing years, Denny became good friends with Curt LeDuc. Curt knows a few things about building a race inspired machine, with his vast experience racing both the CORR and SCORE circuits. With LeDuc's help, the project took on an entirely new level of badassness. When we met up with Denny to shoot his truck and learn about his story, we realized he isn't your average off-road guy. He is a true enthusiast with fabrication and dirt in his blood. He pulled out a three-ring binder about 4 inches thick filled with pictures, stories, technical information, user manuals and even the original classified ad he purchased the truck through. If this truck ever goes up for sale, rest assured the new owner will know its entire history.
In Denny's words, "I am not a very good storywriter, but if someone is interested I can provide hundreds of step-by-step shots of the entire project from day one. I started by reversing the front shackles and mounting points for softer travel. The front spindles were changed to accommodate F-150 5 x 5.5 bolt pattern with 5/8-inch wheel studs. The first suspension was a 4-inch lift kit, but I found it to not be very compliant, so I had Deaver Spring construct me a custom set of springs. Soon after I added King triple bypass shocks and pre-runner series shocks. While I was getting this setup, Curt was building the entire chassis and cage out of 1 3/4-inch .120 wall chromoly tube. I then had a 44-gallon custom fuel cell made from a template I created. When it came time to tackle the interior I called Mastercraft and added their Rubicon seats and belts for safety. The entire dash and gauge cluster I custom made including mounts for a new Jeep Wrangler heater unit.
The Honcho originally had a 360ci motor in it. I sold that and replaced it with a warmed over 401ci motor. It is connected to a Ken Mogi rebuilt Turbo 400 transmission that I mounted a Dana 20 transfer case. The front axle is completely rebuilt with NAPA chassis service parts and includes 4.56 gears and a Tru-Trac diff, and Wilwood GM III aluminum calipers. The rear axle is a Dana 60 that was built by Currie Enterprises. Curt added an upper truss for strength and Wilwood brakes went on as well. It has matching 4.56 gears and a Detroit locker."
 The body is a '78 Jeep J-10...  The body is a '78 Jeep J-10 Honcho. Martin Senour finish gave it a custom paint job on top of the new front fiberglass and original cab and bed, while Curt LeDuc worked on the chrome-moly rollcage inside. |  The Dana 44 front axle is...  The Dana 44 front axle is stuffed with 4.56 gears, a Tru Trac limited slip differential,..... |  ....Wilwood calipers, Warn...  ....Wilwood calipers, Warn premium free wheeling hubs, and a Dana Perfect Circle drag link and tie rods. |
 Ultra 15-x7-inch aluminum...  Ultra 15-x7-inch aluminum racing wheels were wrapped in 35x12.50R15 BFG Baja T/A tires for a tested and reliable package. |  Front Deaver leaf springs...  Front Deaver leaf springs and a shackle reversal sit in front,..... |  .....with King 2.5-inch triple...  .....with King 2.5-inch triple bypass shocks and pre-runner series shocks soaking up the bumps. |
 The engine is an AMC 401 bored...  The engine is an AMC 401 bored .030 over with an Edelbrock Performer intake manifold, Holley 600 CFM Truck Avenger carb, Crane RV cam and lifters, Crane 1.7 ratio roller rockers, G&R polished aluminum tall valve covers, Milodon single swivel pick-up oiling system, Motocraft ignition, Hedman headers, and a K&N Air cleaner. |  The transmission is a Mogi...  The transmission is a Mogi custom Turbo 400 with and AMC bellhousing, RV 2500 RPM stall converter, Winters gate style shifter, Advance Adapters tranny-to-transfer case adapter, and dual 10-inch transmission coolers. |  Dana 60 rear axle custom built...  Dana 60 rear axle custom built by Currie, 4.56 gears, Detroit locker, 35-spline axle shafts,..... |
 .....Wilwood Dyna Lite calipers...  .....Wilwood Dyna Lite calipers and rotors, Curt LeDuc custom truss. |  |  The Honcho sports a Dana 20...  The Honcho sports a Dana 20 transfer case with twin-stick shifters. |
 The interior was spruced up...  The interior was spruced up with Mastercraft Rubicon seats and..... |  ......belts, custom upholstery,...  ......belts, custom upholstery, a Lowrance GPS, Autometer gauges, Jeep.... |  ......XJ heater, Boss Marine...  ......XJ heater, Boss Marine radio, and a Grant steering wheel. |