[Guest]

ok, from your guys vast knowlegde of jeeps, and a bit of research, i have come up with a rough plan of what my jeeps gonna be like. as soon as this summer begins, i will be looking for a jeep to start with, and this is what i think i will do
-76-79 cj-7, non-running 6-cylinder, or good 304
-swap chevy 350 in for 6 cylinder
- t18, or chevy 4-speed, whatever comes up cheaper
-keep dana 20 transfer case
-1 piece axles in rear, maybe a locker
-lock-out hubs up front, probably leave open
-4.10 gearing
-33"x12.50 super swamper SSR's
-4 inch lift springs (skyjacker or superlift, any other suggestions?)
-shackle reverseal
-maybe 1-inch body lift
-full roll cage

wow, that list got pretty long real quick!! so what are the weak links in this set-up? i realize the axles are probably where i'll have problems, but the will only be their until I build a set of SOA d44's, hopefully. once again, i probably won't be doing a lot of rock-crawling, so they should probably survive the time being. what else can i do to make them stronger? anyone see may's issue of 4wheel and off-road? they have a cj-8 with a hi-po AMX 390, 38" swampers and the amc 20! maybe it;s not such a bad axle after all? any suggestions or cristisms are greatly appreciated!/wwwthreads_images/icons/smile.gif

Keith
89/91 cr 125
89 Yamaha SRV

 

[elusive]

if your planing a chevy swap, why not go with an sm 465 tranny and np 205 x-fer case? it will bolt up with no adapters and they are easy to find....personally, i hate the narrow track cj's.. i think they look terrible. i would stay away from a 76 cj, their frames are not as strong as the years later than that and they had drum brakes. the amc 20 with 1 piece axles is a very good axle
good choices on everything..you have been doing your homework. the cj frame is a little harder to put dana 44's under than a yj frame, and the yj frame is actually stronger.. have you put any thought into starting with an older yj?

~~Elusive~~
it's sort of still a cj thingy....

 

[Guest]

The downside to the np205 is the low range gear. 2.0 vs 2.6 if he uses a D300, though he didn't mention what TC he was going to use. Of course the upside is big $$$ savings and a brute of a TC. Now if only some one would make a 4:1 type low range for the 205...

I've been running narrow axles on my 83 now for about 3 years...and I am going to get rid of them next year. Too narrow for a tall rig, constantly rubbing springs upfront and frame rails in the back. And a little squirelly on the off camber stuff!

my .02

Jim O'Brien
[email protected]
My jeep page

 

[WILL]

i would suggest getting a wide track jeep. 76-79 have a different roll bar without 3 point seat belts. you won't be able to use a tonneau cover with these years. the hard doors have the screen door style latch with weaker reinforcing of the body between the roll bar and door opening. the shocks mount to the bottom of the springs with short top mounts. if you are going to swap in a v8, there's no reason to get a 70's cj.

79/CJ-7/AMC360/TH400/Q-TRAC/d30/d44/33's/RS9000s/Herculiner/Pro-jection 2D

 

[251]

unless of course you get a granny 4 speed late 70s CJ with a 6 cyl, and then swap in a AMC V8, easy and very effective.

OzarkJeep
77 CJ5, in a bunch of sanded and primered pieces

 

[jeepgod]

all i have to say is..
screw the jeep.. go get you the pieces and put one together.. its cheaper and you can do what you want without the swapping.. its what im doing.. not by choice.. but it seems to work good.. if you have all these mods in mind.. and you can get it for cheap.. just dont limit yourself to jeep stuff.. meaning cj.. go yj.. even the pickup route.. and just learn what you can mix and match and you can have a very awesome jeep.. i have like .. 2500 so far in mine.. and i would say that when i get the parts together.. will be very effective..

you just need to figure out what you want to do before hand. i am a amc pureist.. so i stayed with as much amc as i could.. i went with a yj frame and body for one.. the frame is stronger.. better condition when you find one, and same with the body.. better condition. love cj's so am putting on a front clip of one. got some axles off from a jeep truck.. pre 74 so it is 5 on 5 and half.. meaning i dont have to change rims.. and are very stout.. and am using the engine and tranny, transfer case from the same jeep pick up.. very useful.. 360 with a t18 and d20..
nuff said..


survival is instinct, but living takes guts

 

[Guest]

hmmm, maybe i should just go all chevy on the drive train. how much can a sm465 /np205 combo be picked up for? seems that 80 jeeps might be a bit better, that's when they started using widetrack axles, right? if i use a t18, then i'll have to stay 76-79 to keep the dana 20. thanks to all who posted and any more suggestions are welcome

Keith
89/91 cr 125
89 Yamaha SRV

 

[elusive]

when you have all these plans, what you start with is not that important..
widetrack cj-s came out in 82 or 83, but if you want a t-18, put a dana 20 behind a t-18 and bolt it into whatever year you want. all of the parts are easy to find, if you look hard enough. if you want to buy it and drive it, then seek a modified jeep that you can make what you want.. remember.. only the frame needs to be strong... everything else is easy to change
check out the jeep i have for sale on the for sale board..... might be worth looking at for you

~~Elusive~~
it's sort of still a cj thingy....

 

[jeepgod]

wide tracks came out in 82.. and yes d20's can be found anywhere and are pretty cheap.. so you can throw it behind whatever.. amc that is..

survival is instinct, but living takes guts

 

[JEEPN]

I picked up my SM465/NP205 for $250 complete. They're easy to find and quite cheap. They're also strong, so odds are in your favor there'll be nothing wrong with either. Wide tracks came out in '82. The advice to date is good, get a strong frame, like the YJ, and start from there. Never mind the swap, unless you plan on wheeling between swaps like I am. The T-18 is also a good tranny, and if you're searching, look for the 1980 Scout II (square headlights) D300 transfer, it'll be a fairly simple swap. There are other parts involved but it can be done in a day. As to the lift, I have the Superstiff, oops, I meant Superlift 4", don't know of anyone with the 4" Skyjacker, but it might be a little softer. All in all it sounds like a nice setup.

JEEPN
'81 CJ-8 Scrambled!
GM151/SM465/NP205 twinstick/7"Lift/33"TSL's/IHC D44's 4.10's Lock'd

 

[Guest]

thanks for the advice everyone, and i think i have made up my mind for the tranny/transfer case situation. i figure if it doesn't come with a t18 in it, no sense swapping one in, when i could get a chevy drivetranin that will bolt up to my engine for the same price or cheaper. plus, i'll probably offset my losses by selling the dana 20/300 and whatever tranny came in it. so i guess my first objective is to find the best non-running jeep with little rust and a good frame.

thanks elusive, i checked out the jeeps you have for sale, but i'd much rather build my own stuff, that way if something breaks, the only person i can get mad at is myslef!

Keith
89/91 cr 125
89 Yamaha SRV