Gr8Dain's 4.0/aw4 swap from a 97 XJ

[gr8dain]

Took it to the Leesburg Cars and Coffee. All went well. Shocker.

Then after yard work, I hardwired my GMRS radio. Previously I had it just plugged into my 12v outlet, but on the trails, I will need that for my trail camera.

For now the antenna that came with it is magnetically stuck to the roll bar. I used the ever useful zip ties to make sure the wind won’t blow it away. It may end up there permanently, it may not. So no surgery was done to run that wire. Man that antenna is small and hard to see.

 

[bigwalton]

Took it to the Leesburg Cars and Coffee. All went well. Shocker.

Then after yard work, I hardwired my GMRS radio. Previously I had it just plugged into my 12v outlet, but on the trails, I will need that for my trail camera.

For now the antenna that came with it is magnetically stuck to the roll bar. I used the ever useful zip ties to make sure the wind won’t blow it away. It may end up there permanently, it may not. So no surgery was done to run that wire. Man that antenna is small and hard to see.

I keep mine in that same spot in the rear corner on my cage and I keep saying I’ll weld a small flat plate for it there. Wind doesn’t bother it, not enough surface area, I imagine

 

[gr8dain]

I keep mine in that same spot in the rear corner on my cage and I keep saying I’ll weld a small flat plate for it there. Wind doesn’t bother it, not enough surface area, I imagine

Yeah, it seems small enough that the wind will slip by it. And it isn’t like I will be doing 100+mph. Even being towed it won’t

 

[gr8dain]

I am going to be installing my Barnes crossmember/skid soon. And I am going to need at least 2 new mounting spots at the rear. Do they make nutserts that big? Will they work? My otger option is to drill straight through the top of the frame and put a very long bolt on each side. But I would rather not do that.

Just thinking before I start the install.

 

[ag4ever]

I would not use a bolt to sandwich the frame. It will loosen if you don’t sleeve it.

I have some large weld nuts. I’ll check to see the size. They do make large nutserts too.

 

[gr8dain]

I would not use a bolt to sandwich the frame. It will loosen if you don’t sleeve it.

I have some large weld nuts. I’ll check to see the size. They do make large nutserts too.

I was wondering about the lack of sleeving, but figured top to bottom would not compress like it would on the sides. But yeah, it was a concern. I am seeing nutserts up to 3/8”. I will see if that is large enough.

 

[FLCJ8]

Do they make nutserts that big? Will they work?

Here are some for YJ/TJ's:

https://shop.blackmagicbrakes.com/Nutsert-Kits-87-95-Jeep-YJ-97-02-Jeep-TJ-and-03-06-Jeep-TJ_c79.htm

Here are DIY instructions:

Nutsert Instructions

Nutsert Setting Instructions

www.justaddrocks.com

 

[ag4ever]

I have 3/8” - 16, 1/2” - 13, and (I think) 5/8” - 11 weld nuts.



Let me know if you want me to send you a couple of them.

 

[gr8dain]

I have 3/8” - 16, 1/2” - 13, and (I think) 5/8” - 11 weld nuts.

View attachment 93650

Let me know if you want me to send you a couple of them.

View attachment 93651

Thanks. I will let you know. But I will probably go the nutsert way

 

[Randyzzz]

I did nutserts on my rearmost mounting point. They appear to be strong- but I also used studs instead of bolts for extra insurance.

 

[gr8dain]

I found a leak. Oil. I went away for the weekend. Ame home and found a spot under the engine. It is coming from the spot behind the harmonic balancer. Grrr. I guess I will be topping off the oil until after the Nationals

 

[gr8dain]

Successful shake down run on main roads. I drove it about 45 miles away to my local club’s show and shine event. And I made it back. No issues. But I did learn a few things. While I knew that I need to regear, this was the clincher. At 60 mph, the transmission is hunting and going from over drive at a super low rev to a lower gear at high revs. I am no speed demon at starting from a light. But I was not really trying either.

Another thing that was confirmed is that I do not like my muffler and will plan on having the exhaust run down the driver side like normal and use a regular muffler. I have a “tube style” muffler now so that it was not too close to the fuel line.

And I placed 3rd in my “Classics” class. Of 4. And really, I should have been 4th but I think the 1976 Cherokee Chief left before judging. 😜

This beautiful silver 85 Scrambler took forst and a Willys MB took second. These pics were taken before he got there.

 

[gr8dain]

Still running great. I took it back to Rausch Creek (where Nationals was held this year) and lead a group of new Jeep owners on some green and blue trails. It was so much muddier this weekend. Tons of black water. The Scrambler went super deep i to a few puddles and I got covered in mud at one point and had to wipe down the i side of the windshield. I had a blast.

so glad I did the swap.

 

[Belizeit]

Glad the plastic Jeepers got to see some metal in the mud !

 

[Chamba]

Glad the Fiat boys are getting to learn a bit from the American Motors wisdom.

 

[gr8dain]

Glad the plastic Jeepers got to see some metal in the mud !

There were a bunch of stock Rubicons that used their lockers to easily tackle stuff that I was slipping on. The new Jeeps are very capable. More capable than a lot of these drivers were comfortable with. But yes, I love taking my CJ out there. In fact, a different group was going by and my group was waiting for them to pass and the lead stopped and was gushing over the fact I was taking a Scrambler out. I was loke, Of Course. Why not?

 

[barrys]

Imagine if he was there during the Nationals!

 

[tower210]

Real MTs and Lockers are easily 2 of the biggest items...close 3rd is being 1000 lbs. less

 

[gr8dain]

Real MTs and Lockers are easily 2 of the biggest items...close 3rd is being 1000 lbs. less

When I replace these tires, I will definitely be getting mud terrains. This is no longer a DD so I don’t need the ATs

 

[Jeckhart85]

I plan on sending the harness off and get it thinned down and made to fit the CJ bulkhead connector and only the essential parts of the motor and trans. I don’t have the patience or skill to do it myself.

where do you send it to? im interested in doing the same for my scrambler