Forrest Ely is as much a Jeep Honcho historian as he is an off-road lover. When he sent us the information and story behind his ’80 AMC Jeep Honcho J-10, we quickly realized why as he was quoting old AMC Jeep brochures from the ‘80s. He purposely chose to use period-correct parts for his Honcho, as well as designs made to emulate the desert racing support trucks of its time. Most of the original AMC components have been retained wherever possible with the help of a few new additions. Forrest’s adoration and respect for this old iron is obviously apparent when you look at the detail on this old fullsize Jeep, but that certainly doesn’t mean he doesn’t use it. In fact Forrest recently took first place at a Monster Jam event in the “street warrior” class. Not bad for a classic piece of 4x4 history kept so immaculate that you could eat off it! BJ’s Off-Road helped Forrest add an 8-inch front and 6-inch rear suspension lift made possible with leaf springs and vintage Heckethorn Big Yellow shocks. Energy Suspension also added their Spring Eye Polyurethane Kit. The crossover steering setup is also supported via Heckethorn stabilizers. The front axle is a rebuilt Dana 44 using Warn hubs, 3.73 gears, an Off-Road Unlimited differential cover and Power Stop cross-drilled rotors and brake pads. The BJ’s Off-Road bumper is holding KC 150-watt Daylighter lights and a Warn 8,000-pound winch.BJ’s Off-Road helped Forrest add an 8-inch front and 6-inch rear suspension lift made poss Under the bonnet is a ’72 AMC high-output 360ci V-8 out of a Javelin. Forrest has added an MSD ignition, Hooker headers that have been coated by Jet-Hot, and Competition Cams RV grind.Under the bonnet is a ’72 AMC high-output 360ci V-8 out of a Javelin. Forrest has added an We wanted to get a closer inspection of the frontend to make sure all of you reading this noticed there are no coilovers, no hydraulic bumpstops, and no fancy swaybars under this truck. This truck is sporting old-school technology and still gets the job done. This is proof that you don’t need to break the bank to have a great time in the dirt.We wanted to get a closer inspection of the frontend to make sure all of you reading this An aluminum pit box was mounted to the bed floor holding an Odyssey Battery and Mile Marker emergency kit. We also found a Power Tank CO2 tank, Craftsman hydraulic jack and a Hi-Lift. Forrest also had a 30-gallon auxiliary gas tank added.An aluminum pit box was mounted to the bed floor holding an Odyssey Battery and Mile Marke Looking under the truck we spotted a custom-fabricated double-barrel stainless steel exhaust system with expansion joints and quick disconnects installed by Julian’s Exhaust.Looking under the truck we spotted a custom-fabricated double-barrel stainless steel exhau Looking to match the rest of the truck, Beard Racing Seats wrapped both seats in brown velour with yellow and black vinyl accents. Impact four-point belts have also been added and supported by custom-fabricated seat mounts. A MOMO steering wheel is found with, of course, a yellow center point indication stripe. The remainder of the cabin is original aside from an updated Pioneer audio system.Looking to match the rest of the truck, Beard Racing Seats wrapped both seats in brown vel Even the decals surrounding the Jeep are vintage. We found decals from Camel, Trick, Coors Racing Team, BFG, KC, Dick Cepek, Hooker and of course original Honcho door decals. Mickey Thompson 15x10 Alcoa beadlock wheels are running old school 33x12.50 BFG M/T tires. Both the front and rear fiberglass are prototypes from Autofab. The rear AMC Model 30 axle is also using Warn hubs, 3.73 gears and Power Stop cross-drilled rotors and pads with an Off-Road Unlimited differential cover. An Eaton Posi differential was also stuffed into the AMC 30. The finishing touch on the rear is a vintage Olympic rear aluminum bumper.Even the decals surrounding the Jeep are vintage. We found decals from Camel, Trick, Coors Every piece of this truck was thought out, including the root beer-colored paint job and light grey fiberglass front fenders. The truck was built to look just like it would while running around the desert 30 years ago. Forrest did an amazing job.Every piece of this truck was thought out, including the root beer-colored paint job and l Want a little more history? Walker Evans and Ivan “Ironman” Stewart have both signed his dash. Can you name the others?Want a little more history? Walker Evans and Ivan “Ironman” Stewart have both signed his d This truck may appear to be all show, but we assure you that there is a whole lot of go, as well. Forrest enters it in local stadium truck competitions stacked up against some extremely “well-funded” trucks and still takes home trophies. He told us that by the time this article comes out he will have a few more races under his belt. We wish him luck, and hopefully this issue will be on his mantle next to a few new trophies.This truck may appear to be all show, but we assure you that there is a whole lot of go, a Specs Vehicle: ’80 AMC Jeep Honcho J-10 Stepside Owner: Forrest Ely Chassis: Boxed ladder frame, spring-under front suspension. Engine:1972 AMC High Output 360 V-8 from a Javelin. Competition Cams RV Grind with MSD ignition. Hooker Headers coated by Jet-Hot. Custom Fabricated double barrel stainless steel exhaust system with expansion joints and quick disconnects from Julian’s Exhaust. Drivetrain: Dana 44 front with Warn hubs, AMC Model 30 rear axle. Off Road Unlimited differential covers. Suspension: 8-inch front, 6-inch rear from BJ’s Off Road, all spring. Dynatrac gold-anodized U- Bolt flip kit, Heckethorn shocks, Energy Suspension bumpstops and polyurethane spring eye kit. Steering: Crossover with Heckethorn steering stabilizers. Brakes: Power Stop cross-drilled rotors and brake pads Tires/wheels: Mickey Thompson Alcoa 15x10 bead lock wheels on 33x12.50R15 BF Goodrich Mud Terrains. (Old-school 15x9 Centerline race wheels are in storage) Interior: Custom-designed Beard Racing seats in brown velour with yellow and black vinyl accents. Impact four-point racing harnesses attached to custom tubular mounts. MOMO steering wheel. Other Parts: Custom made Autofab prototype race front fenders, Autofab hood pins, Warn 8,000-pound winch. Odyssey battery mounted in bed, Power Tank CO2 tank, Hi-Lift jack and Craftsman hydraulic jack. Vintage aluminum Olympic Jeep racing bumper on the rear. KC 150-watt Daylighters in stainless steel. Aluminum overflows tanks by BJ’s. 30-gallon auxiliary gas tank, Mile Marker emergency kit, custom bed tire rack and root beer metallic paint. Favorite Off-Road Area: Surfers and The Wall in El Paso, Texas. By Jordan May Enjoyed this Post? Subscribe to our RSS Feed, or use your favorite social media to recommend us to friends and colleagues!
