Follow the build on their facebook page:
  / 77j10extendedcab  

When Jeep introduced its SI Gladiator and Wagoneer lineup in 1962,
it broke new ground in passenger comfort and convenience. These
vehicles combined rugged 4x4 capability with ground breaking features,
including independent front suspension and overhead cams. The SI series lasted all the way to 1991, having survived three corporate owners and four decades. During that long lifetime, trucks and SUVs went from rough and tumble vehicles for farmers and outdoorsmen to luxury vehicles suited for the county club. Jeep recognized that shift, and
gave the Wagoneer and Grand Wagoneer all the trim and features found on a contemporary luxury car. Despite the changes in tastes, the J-Series pickup lived on largely unchanged through 1988, having never gained the extended cab layout that is now ubiquitous. However, in 1977 AMC did build a prototype to test the waters. Harold "Pete" Johnson was the supervisor of the Toledo Plant R&D works at the time, and oversaw the build of the truck. The prototype was built with a 360/automatic/ Quadra Trac drivetrain. Rather than lengthen a standard cab, a Cherokee body was cut down to length and a long bed frame appears to have been used. This explains the absence of the cab eyebrow that all J-trucks wore until 1982. Modifications to the frame allowed a stock short bed to bolt on and accommodate the additional length. Fast forward several decades, and Pete had passed. His wife contacted granddaughter Paula, and her husband Mike. They were offered the Jeep, provided they agreed to return it to its former glory. Mike was no stranger to restorations, having completed several Camaros, and immediately agreed. Work began in 2011, then paused to complete other projects. Work began again earlier this year, with the goal of unveiling the truck at Toledo Jeep Fest in August. The chassis has been stripped and painted. The entire drivetrain rebuilt to stock specification, and the interior reupholstered. Every nut and bolt is factory correct, and special Jeep markings have been preserved. Mike and Paula have conducted a considerable amount of research, especially at UAW Local 12, where Pete was a member. They have also started a Facebook page for the project, titled: "1977 Jeep J10 Extended Cab Rebuild Project". They are interested in hearing more about their unique Jeep, and about Pete. If any of our members have information, feel free to contact them through the aforementioned Facebook page. Inside, The truck features nearly every option jeep offered. The Front portion of the cab is standard J10, and the rear area matches so well it looks to be production ready. A pair of inward facing jump seats provided relatively easy
access. This design would become common on the compact pickups that became popular a few years after the jeep was built. After the jeep was completed it was reviewed by management in Toledo and Detroit. Looking back, the concept seems like a homerun, but management decided that they could not effectively market the vehicle. As most prototypes are, the truck was ordered to be crushed. Pete had other ideas, but his boss at the time stood firm. Unable to see his creation destroyed. He hid the truck inside the Toledo plant. Buried in a rarely used filing room and behind shelves, the truck sat for some time awaiting its fate, unknown to management. Pete soon found himself working under a new boss, who was more accommodating. He arranged to have Jeep sell Pete the truck for $1, to make the sale legal. Pete was able to title it, and his family drove it as a normal vehicle for close to a decade, incurring the wear and tear of weather and use.

Terry Friar a co-worker wrote:
“I worked in Jeep Research with Pete Johnson. He was the supervisor of the fab shop on the 2nd floor. I was a development engineer on the first floor. Mike Smith described Pete perfectly; just give him a general idea of what you needed and he'd have his guys make it reality! I remember this project. It was completed shortly after I came to Jeep in 1976. Ivan Schatzka and Pete got their heads together and came up with the idea of using a Cherokee body for the cab to eliminate the "eyebrow” over the windshield that was typical for the J-10 and J-20."

Steve a co-worker wrote:
"In June of '73, I was hired into Jeep R&D as the engineer for the "Jr Jeep· (CJ's & Commando's). Fresh out of college, my first assignment was to take the first set of draft prints for the CJ7, (then code-named the CJ-5.5), to Pete to schedule, getting the parts fabricated. Pete's fabrication shop was a busy one. At the same time. they were building several hand-made prototypes for the CJ7's, & Cherokee's that were to be concurrently prototyped as an added line to the "Senior Jeep" line. (now called FSJ's or Full-size-Jeeps). I don't recall the exact time this truck came to be included in the mix. but there was NO doubt that this was Pete's favorite program."