redrooster
New member
RE: 35
Here I go again...
I was under the Jeep fixing a minor transmision leak a month ago and noticed that there was a crack in my frame right by the transfer case. For those of you that don't know, I was running a 78 CJ7 with an injected AMC 360, TH400 auto, Atlas II 3.8, Chevy 1 tons and 39.5 boggers on beadlocks.
I already had plans to stretch the wheelbase and install some Sway A Way Airshox on the rear with a 4-link. I called my buddy that helps me with all the fab work and discussed options for fixing the frame. I hauled the Jeep over to his shop and we got to looking at the frame and found 3 other cracks. The decision was made to strip the Jeep and put a YJ frame under it (wider, stronger and thicker gauge than a CJ). Here's where it snowballs...
Before all the real work started, the same buddy came across a deal on a Chevy 5.3 Litre out of a newer truck. It was priced right so I bought it. The Chevy will be cranking out 315 hp when the programmer is done with the computer and harness.
My AMC model Th400 would not fit a chevy engine, so I called another friend who donated me a Chevy 400 housing. Right now I'm having a transmission shop swap the guts from the AMC to the Chevy 400 and make it bombproof.
I picked up a YJ frame for $350 from a Jeep salvage yard and got it torched clean of all the unnecessary BS and painted last weekend. We pulled the old frame out and got the new one in on saturday. BTW..it is not a direct bolt in, but close. That's a whole other thread.
It was a lot of work removing the front clip, pulling the engine, transmission and transfer case, removing the suspension , axles and frame and cutting all my stuff off and welding to the new frame. We got the new frame under the Jeep, the front axle and suspension back in, the 5.3 mounted and the transmission and transfer case are under there also. Had to add a 1.5" Custom body lift to fit everything in there nice and cozy.
Now, my buddy is fabbing the 4 link while I run down parts and get the harness, ECM and transmission done.
I got my old 39.5" Boggers sold and have purchased a new set of 42" IROKS. I bought them brand new for $900 minus the $300 from the boggers = a $600 set of Iroks. Killer!
There is still a lot of work to do, but it is lookin good so far. I will be running new brake lines, electrical and driveshafts also, which are another pain in the rear, but worth it.
I hope to get some pics of the progress this weekend. I will try to post them next week if possible.
See how a transmission leak can lead to a complete frame up rebuild in this whacky sport we love.
Here I go again...
I was under the Jeep fixing a minor transmision leak a month ago and noticed that there was a crack in my frame right by the transfer case. For those of you that don't know, I was running a 78 CJ7 with an injected AMC 360, TH400 auto, Atlas II 3.8, Chevy 1 tons and 39.5 boggers on beadlocks.
I already had plans to stretch the wheelbase and install some Sway A Way Airshox on the rear with a 4-link. I called my buddy that helps me with all the fab work and discussed options for fixing the frame. I hauled the Jeep over to his shop and we got to looking at the frame and found 3 other cracks. The decision was made to strip the Jeep and put a YJ frame under it (wider, stronger and thicker gauge than a CJ). Here's where it snowballs...
Before all the real work started, the same buddy came across a deal on a Chevy 5.3 Litre out of a newer truck. It was priced right so I bought it. The Chevy will be cranking out 315 hp when the programmer is done with the computer and harness.
My AMC model Th400 would not fit a chevy engine, so I called another friend who donated me a Chevy 400 housing. Right now I'm having a transmission shop swap the guts from the AMC to the Chevy 400 and make it bombproof.
I picked up a YJ frame for $350 from a Jeep salvage yard and got it torched clean of all the unnecessary BS and painted last weekend. We pulled the old frame out and got the new one in on saturday. BTW..it is not a direct bolt in, but close. That's a whole other thread.
It was a lot of work removing the front clip, pulling the engine, transmission and transfer case, removing the suspension , axles and frame and cutting all my stuff off and welding to the new frame. We got the new frame under the Jeep, the front axle and suspension back in, the 5.3 mounted and the transmission and transfer case are under there also. Had to add a 1.5" Custom body lift to fit everything in there nice and cozy.
Now, my buddy is fabbing the 4 link while I run down parts and get the harness, ECM and transmission done.
I got my old 39.5" Boggers sold and have purchased a new set of 42" IROKS. I bought them brand new for $900 minus the $300 from the boggers = a $600 set of Iroks. Killer!
There is still a lot of work to do, but it is lookin good so far. I will be running new brake lines, electrical and driveshafts also, which are another pain in the rear, but worth it.
I hope to get some pics of the progress this weekend. I will try to post them next week if possible.
See how a transmission leak can lead to a complete frame up rebuild in this whacky sport we love.
