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Extended Scrambler LS3 Build

Kim Dawson

Kim Dawson

CJ-8 Member
Member
City
Molalla
State
Or
I started this during the summer. I cut the front of a CJ7 frame and the back of a CJ8 frame and had my neighbor weld them together. Twelve inches were added to the wheelbase. You can see there is a long space between the body mounts in the middle of the frame. I had the frame sandblasted and I primered and painted it. I bolted the motor mounts for the Chevy engine in place. I've had those for years. I figured they would work for the LS3 as well as the older generation engine. If I'm wrong, someone let me know. Springs are for two and a half lift. Figured I'd need a little more ground clearance for the longer wheelbase. I got it this far and put it in my little garage for the winter. Now that I can post pictures, I'll be able to show progress from time to time.
 

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Cool build. Will it use a scrambler body? If those are SBC mounts they def will not work with a Gen III newer engine. Much different placement.
 
LetchcoreCJ7 said:
Cool build. Will it use a scrambler body? If those are SBC mounts they def will not work with a Gen III newer engine. Much different placement.
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Thanks for clarifying that. I was hoping they would since I already had them. They are only on with bolts. I've got a cut up Scrambler body and a CJ7 body for making part of the body. I've decided to add the 12" to the cab area and keep the bed and roll bar stock Scrambler size. Kind of like an extra cab in size.
 
Looks like a good start and a clean foundation to build from.

If you are staying passenger side drop for your front axle it is beneficial to use LS motor mounts offset to the drive side as it helps with clearance for the driveshaft. I got mine from Daves Custom Unlimited, but there are many fabricators out there.

Good luck!
 
Will I be able to use the exhaust manifolds from the 02 Tahoe or will I have to find some others?
 
I think the driver side will work but not the passenger. I used f body manifolds 99-02 off camaros and such. Corvette headers work as well. Check iaffcj build page for the corvette ones.
 
It will be interesting to see the finished product of yours and mine... similar wheel bases, but different "up top" concept for cab and bed.

cb
 
CJ5 body with rear wheel wells coverd up and inside parts remove then a small pickup bed on the back of the frame would be very cool.
 
PO Tub & 3 wheels 001.jpg
Made a deal for this Postal tub last week. I'll use what I can of the back section. I'll use the front part of a CJ7 tub. I remember reading about the misery of removing the foam insulation from the postal tub. What was the best way to get it out?
 
I don’t know that there is a best way. Pressure washer sounded interesting if you don’t mind the resulting mess. I did a screwdriver and paint scraper personally. It sucks.

Is there a story for that Postal? We are working to track them all down if we can and the VIN and fate of the Jeep would be great to know.
 
bigwalton said:
I don’t know that there is a best way. Pressure washer sounded interesting if you don’t mind the resulting mess. I did a screwdriver and paint scraper personally. It sucks.

Is there a story for that Postal? We are working to track them all down if we can and the VIN and fate of the Jeep would be great to know.
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This is the one that was recently for sale in Washington and then Oregon. The Oregon owner, Matt, posted that he had bought it and gave you the vin number. He changed his mind about building it, and now I have it. It was disassembled about 2012 and the tub sat out since. All postal parts are gone other than the tub. The title came with the tub so it will live on in this extended CJ8.
 
A little update. CJ-7 front section and CJ-8 back section and some new sheet metal makes an extended Scrambler. Just removed the tub in hopes of getting it sand blasted. My usual guy can't do it until summer. Going to bet estimates from mobile blasting companies. Went through my parts and hammered out a pair of fenders and picked a hood. Got them ready for blasting if that happens. Been posting under "Got the Vortec, now what?" Should have used this thread.
 

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Question for you. I have the title from the CJ-7 used on the front half and the title for the CJ-8 used on the back half. Seven has both firewall and windshield frame tags. Eight just has the firewall tag. Both are Oregon titles. Any suggestions on which title to use?
 
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