[SilentBob2]

I have finally got the urge to build me a toy again. The wife wont' let me have to much fun in the Scrambler so I must build my owne. Here are my options that I have to start with, and with out spending a lot of cash yet. I have a 74 CJ5 motorless right now or a 69 Jeepster. For the drivetrain I have a 258 I6 or a 350 Chibby. I also have a 14 bolt rear and 10 bolt front out of a 79 Chibby truck I stripped down. The CJ5 has the factory 3speed and D20 case or I have the NP205 but had to use the SM465 in the Scrambler! I also have a full set of coil springs from a 93 Toyota Land Cruiser and all the hiem joints to do the coil!!
Need some motovation here. Don't know what body to use and dont know if I should keep it simple and use leaf springs or should I try to set up the coils. Im planning on about 38 inch tires and no I don't want it to be street legal. Ive been doing the home improvement thing lately and want to get back to some grinding and welding. I know the 10 bolts aren't that great but it will do for a while, anyone here know if you can run bigger than a 38 on it???

 

[jdoggmoney]

I'd use whichever body, and more importantly frame, is in the best shape. The Jeepster should have a little more wheelbase no? This could come in handy if your lifitng it enough to fit 38s or bigger.

You should be able to find another SM 465 and maybe a Chevy D44 for very cheap. Then go all Chevy with the drivetrain. The price is right. The only negative is the width of the axles. You don't need it to be legal, but I've heard some say that with full width axles, they can't fit some tight trails.

Coils or leaves.... hmmmm. Will the coils be long enough? To get to 38s and up you'd have to spring over lift springs or go with one of those gawd awful big body lifts and some trimmin. Trying to fab your own coil lift would be tons of fun, but may take alot of time and money, even though you got some of the stuff. Good Luck and keep us posted.

 

[uglyjeepoffroad]

I don't think the frame on a 74 CJ 5 is up to 38's and abuse. Also, the 258 will not fit in either of them without a lot of mods. I would go with the Jeepster, chevy 350, and hack the tub to fit the tires with low lift. There is a guy on the Jeepster board putting 40" MTR's on a Commando, maybe he could give some insight.

 

[Olin18]

THAT is Funny !

 

[pbmcauliffe]

Since I have always wanted to build a Jeepster, I would do the Jeepster with the 350 for power and 10 bolt (run it until it dies and go 60) and the 14 bolt out back welded. Then I would SOA leafs in front with fender trimming (I like Jeepsters, but I'll cut up anything

) and four link the rear with the coils you have, or 1/4 elliptical (since can be done low budget also).

 

[Randyzzz]

Well...I may be biased but a Scrambler and a Jeepster are a perfect combo. Longer wheelbase, longer springs if you stay leaf, the frame stays narrow all the way back and is boxed 3/4 of the way back, if you're lucky it might have been converted to saginaw steering from the original ross unit, you'll feel real comfortable in it if you're used to the Scrambler. Ect, ect, ect... Hop over to the Jeepster board, great group of guys there...more than happy to answer any Q's. Lots and lots of pics and discussions from mild to wild.

 

[SilentBob2]

I actually have two Jeepsters but one I parted out because of body rust and kept the frame for this reason. The frame is fitted with mounts for the 350 and the front of the frame has been modified for the Sag. power stearing gearbox. As for the coils I have, they are plenty tall for the job. Geussing, I would say they are about 18 inches for the rear and 20 for the front!!! I don't have any negative thoughts on trimming the body either. I had plans for the Jeepster a coulple of years ago and then got the Scrambler and that kind of ended that project.
As for the CJ5, it bugs me to see it sit there after all the good times we had in it!!!, but the frame on those are a little flexy... I think Im going to keep it simple for now and use leafs on the Jeepster. I can get another SM465 but was actually thinking of going with an auto tranny this time.

 

[uglyjeepoffroad]

You could always do this...

 

[SilentBob2]

Thats tuff!!! Wish I had a Bullnose!!!