• Notice for iPhone users: DO NOT use the image size reduction option when uploading photos to the forum. This causes portrait images to post as landscape. We have added a warning to the image insert pop-up as well.

Steve's "Homelander" CJ8 Project

CJ7Pilot

18436572
BENEFACTOR
Gold Member
Lifetime Member
SOA Member
City
Yuba City
State
CA
Here's a CJ8 I picked up recently, that is going to be a little bit more of a project than I initially thought it would be. It's got good bones though, and I'm excited about putting it together. This thread is going to have a slow start while I figure out a place to work, but we'll be having some fun down the road. ;)

As some of you know, I have a CJ8 Overlander world cab sitting in storage, but I haven't wanted to use it on my brown Scrambler. This black Scrambler is going to be a perfect candidate for the world cab!

It's a 1983 CJ8, and originally came with a 258 engine, a T5 transmission, and 3.31 gears. Currently it has a TBI 350 sitting in place, with no transmission installed. It has the original front axle installed, and the rear axle is a narrowed Dana 60, with 4.10 gears, and some flavor of limited slip... dare I hope for a true-trac? I also have the original AMC20 rear axle, as well as a narrowed Dana 44 front axle in the pile of parts.

It was originally black, and has been repainted black, although it's a mediocre paint job. It also came with a tan Acme full hard top.

Let's look at some pictures:

Body1.jpeg

Body2.jpeg
I don't know why someone decided to fill in the tire carrier holes. :shrug:

Body3.jpeg
There are pop-rivets filling some old soft top snap holes. :cautious:

Body4.jpeg
I'm sorry the front photo is so dark... I didn't want to push the Jeep out to the point that I couldn't push it back in by myself.
 
Last edited:

CJ7Pilot

18436572
BENEFACTOR
Gold Member
Lifetime Member
SOA Member
City
Yuba City
State
CA
The undercarraige is pretty much the same story.

und1.jpeg
New poly body mounts.

und2.jpeg

und3.jpeg
No clutch under that bell housing... it has a flex plate for an automatic. :unsure:

und4.jpeg
Dana 60.

und5.jpeg
Brand new Alcan springs! :headbang:

und7.jpeg
Standard fare up front.
 
Last edited:

CJ7Pilot

18436572
BENEFACTOR
Gold Member
Lifetime Member
SOA Member
City
Yuba City
State
CA
The engine is a TBI 350, but is just sitting on its mounts, a little too far back in the bay. The mounts are universal style, and welded to the frame (unfortunately). I'm planning to pull it out, and start over.

eng1.jpeg
The brakes have been updated recently, so that's good!

eng2.jpeg
There's a brand new aluminum radiator and electric fan setup, of unknown manufacture.

eng3.jpeg

eng4.jpeg

eng5.jpeg
There's that pesky mount I'm going to have grind off....
 
Last edited:

CJ7Pilot

18436572
BENEFACTOR
Gold Member
Lifetime Member
SOA Member
City
Yuba City
State
CA
Now, the pile of parts!

parts1.jpeg
From top to bottom: 20 gallon gas tank w/skid, transmission skid plate, SM465 transmission (not adapted to D300), Dana 300 t-case, factory (I think) air conditioning, Dana 44 front axle w/drilled flat top knuckles, AMC20 rear, parts bucket containg a brand new MORE shackle reverse kit (which I'm not going to use), brand new Alcan springs for the front (YJ width), Mile Marker locking hubs for the Dana 60 rear axle, ginormous tie-rod that I'm not going to use, and some nice straight rocker trim with all the t-bolts.

parts2.jpeg
close up of Dana 44 knuckle.

parts3.jpeg

parts4.jpeg
Under dash A/C unit.

parts5.jpeg
Novak in-tank fuel pump kit.

parts6.jpeg
Rocker trim.

Well, that's about what I've got to work with. I'm still deciding what parts I want to use, and what to let go. The TBI engine is going for sure. If I go with a 5.3, I'll keep the Dana 60 and Dana 44 axles. I'm halfway thinking about going back to a 258 though, in which case I'll probably go back to the AMC 20 and Dana 30 axles. I've got a Warn full-float kit for the AMC 20, which would be just fine for the 258.

Anyhow, I hope you've enjoyed the intro to this project. Have a great weekend! :cheers:
 
Last edited:

Randyzzz

Blown Budget
BENEFACTOR
Gold Member
Lifetime Member
SOA Member
City
Redmond
State
OR
I think you did good! That’s a great place to start. I can’t wait to see this come together.
 

Jeepskate

Insane in the Membrane
City
Christiansted
State
VI
Looks like a nice jumping off point...looking forward to seeing what you do with it. Dunno about the name since I watch 'The Boys' :LOL:
 

rubclt

BENEFACTOR
Gold Member
Lifetime Member
SOA Member
City
Charlotte
State
NC
Nice start, looking forward to seeing your progress
 

CJ7Pilot

18436572
BENEFACTOR
Gold Member
Lifetime Member
SOA Member
City
Yuba City
State
CA
I picked up a decent looking 258 today, which will get cleaned up, and fitted with a Howell TBI system.

All the accessories are there, which is great, since nothing from the 350 will fit. It is missing the engine mounts though, so if anyone has a complete set of 258 engine mounts, I'd be interested. ;)

With an AX15 5-speed, and 4.10 gears, this should make a pretty good driver!

258 - 1.jpeg

258 - 2.jpeg
 

jpnmaine

Well-known member
Member
City
East Wilton
State
ME
Going the 4.0 HO with the AX15 dana 300. Just haven't taken the time to research or ask about the conversion plate to mate the 300. I am old school and really like the T18 with granny low with a dana 20 with an early ford bronco gear set installed. So this will be new when the time comes...
 

Chamba

Not obsessed: focused.
Member
City
Vero Beach
State
FL
I went from the T18/300 to the AX15/300 using the Novak adapter. Night and day. Chalk and cheese. Government and intelligence. No comparison. I love that AX15. I don't miss my T18 one bit.
 

certifiablejeep

Definitley Certifiable
Lifetime Member
City
Bedford
State
NH
I picked up a decent looking 258 today, which will get cleaned up, and fitted with a Howell TBI system.

All the accessories are there, which is great, since nothing from the 350 will fit. It is missing the engine mounts though, so if anyone has a complete set of 258 engine mounts, I'd be interested. ;)

With an AX15 5-speed, and 4.10 gears, this should make a pretty good driver!

View attachment 95021

View attachment 95022
I definitely have a set of 258 motor mounts, but shipping them coast to coast these days? not sure how much that will run.
I just sent a sway bar out that was close to $50... AND... I stripped it down and made it in the smallest package I could. The term "oversized" is being thrown around a lot these days for not only length, but weight it seems.

cb
 

walkerhoundvm

Just trying to stay upright
Lifetime Member
City
Cave Creek
State
AZ
I definitely have a set of 258 motor mounts, but shipping them coast to coast these days? not sure how much that will run.
I just sent a sway bar out that was close to $50... AND... I stripped it down and made it in the smallest package I could. The term "oversized" is being thrown around a lot these days for not only length, but weight it seems.

cb
Remember those wood rails I sent you? I think they were $35-40 by USPS. If I had to guess, it'd be three times that now.
 

gr8dain

Old and Slow
BENEFACTOR
Gold Member
Lifetime Member
SOA Member
City
Ashburn
State
VA
This looks like it is going to be a fun build.
 

capnmark4

Basic User
City
WESTLAKE
State
TX
So what year C-150? 8-)

My other "persona" is cj8pilot. C-150F ('66) + 1984 Scrambler Laredo (both under construction)
 

CJ7Pilot

18436572
BENEFACTOR
Gold Member
Lifetime Member
SOA Member
City
Yuba City
State
CA
So what year C-150? 8-)
That's a '69J. In addition to the Texas Taildragger and Horton STOL mods, it's slowly undergoing a 150hp conversion. It won't be finished this year, and probably not next year... but it will be a hoot when it's ready to fly again! :thumbsup:
 
Top