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1983 Scrambler "STUMP JUMPER". Frame off, 5.3 Conversion.

zr10054

Car and Gun Junkie
Lifetime Member
City
Gonzales
State
La
I'm back for my second Scrambler frame off build. My first was a '81 scrambler frame off restoration. This will be a '83 frame of restoration and 5.3 Vortex with a 4L60E conversion. I am not going to pinch pennies on this one or balance my checkbook again until this build is finished. My guess is this is going to be about a $18K project.

The truck is a 1983 CJ-8 with absolutely no rust but had a very small engine fire due to a leaking valve cover. It will need a new cowl and windshield frame.

The engine is a 5.3 5300 Vortex out of a 2005 Tahoe 4WD with 80,000 miles. It has aluminum heads and a cast iron block. My compression check read 130 to 140 on all cylinders so I believe the engine is ready to go. The engine should be at 295 HP. With headers a few other bolt on mods I should be at 325 when I'm done.

Since this is my first engine swap of this kind in a Scrambler I sure could use all the help and advise I can get from members.
I need to get my conversion parts ordered this week. I'm slightly leaning towards the Norther auto parts kit tha comes with the headers, engine mounts and a Aluminum radiator. If you have something better let me know.
 

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Turzog

Scrambler Enthusiast
Lifetime Member
City
Rockville
State
Md
Nice Shop! What is the measurements on that space? I am thinking about buying some land and that is one thing on my agenda. Scramblers and Samaris. Nice.
 

zr10054

Car and Gun Junkie
Lifetime Member
City
Gonzales
State
La
Nice Shop! What is the measurements on that space? I am thinking about buying some land and that is one thing on my agenda. Scramblers and Samaris. Nice.
The building is 50ft x 100ft. The picture with the 65" TV also shows my 1800 sq ft home which is inside the building. The log cabin is my guestroom/gun room. The shop is another 3,500 sq ft. I also have another 30ft x 50ft "garage" next to it. You can never have to many trucks or to big a shop.
 

zr10054

Car and Gun Junkie
Lifetime Member
City
Gonzales
State
La
I have gone as far as I can go. The two Painless Harnesses and the radiator came in and the rest of my Advanced Adapters order should be here Monday.
 

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certifiablejeep

Definitley Certifiable
Lifetime Member
City
Bedford
State
NH
Hey... is there a reason you don't want to take the body off first?
It is a ton easier mocking up the drivetrain stuff and measuring for shafts, transfer case mounting, etc. with it off and more room to play.

cb
 

zr10054

Car and Gun Junkie
Lifetime Member
City
Gonzales
State
La
Hey... is there a reason you don't want to take the body off first?
It is a ton easier mocking up the drivetrain stuff and measuring for shafts, transfer case mounting, etc. with it off and more room to play.

cb

I'm leaving the body on so I can be sure of all my clearances. The minute I am sure of the placement of the engine, the body will come off. All my parts should be here any minute now and the tub will probably be off of the frame tomorrow, maybe even tonight.
 

zr10054

Car and Gun Junkie
Lifetime Member
City
Gonzales
State
La
I felt like a kid at Christmas this morning.
 

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zr10054

Car and Gun Junkie
Lifetime Member
City
Gonzales
State
La
Where are the pics???? you had all day to play with your presents!!!!

cb

Silly me! I've been installing these parts on the engine when I should have been taking pictures.
I hit a snag right off the bat. When I bought the truck it did not have a motor or transmission in it and the TC was in the bed. So when I went to install the TC it turned out to be a Dana 20 instead of a 300. Luckily a local Jeep shop(Searchers 4WD) had a Dana 300 and I picked it up for $300.00. I'll be in the poor house before this build is done.
 

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jammer1

Scrambler Junkie
Lifetime Member
City
Maple Hts.
State
Oh
Silly me! I've been installing these parts on the engine when I should have been taking pictures.
I hit a snag right off the bat. When I bought the truck it did not have a motor or transmission in it and the TC was in the bed. So when I went to install the TC it turned out to be a Dana 20 instead of a 300. Luckily a local Jeep shop(Searchers 4WD) had a Dana 300 and I picked it up for $300.00. I'll be in the poor house before this build is done.
Isn't that the way it is with all our toys.:rolleyes:
 

zr10054

Car and Gun Junkie
Lifetime Member
City
Gonzales
State
La
Fit was not as bad as I thought. The motor is now in place and it's about time to get the tub off the chassis and complete the drive train. I'm looking at a Russel performance fuel delivery system and this will probably be a good time to install an exhaust system. So far the Advanced Adapters conversion kit has worked fine with only a couple minor hic-ups.
 

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zr10054

Car and Gun Junkie
Lifetime Member
City
Gonzales
State
La
Naked and Afraid...But with a attitude.
All motor mounts are done and it looks like the rear drive shaft needs to be shortened about 4 inches. The front drive shaft will need to be a small diameter shaft and still the transmission pan may need a little persuasion to work. I also got a good start on the Painless wiring harness. I got so carried away on this last night that before I knew it the sun was coming up. That's when I decide it was time to go to bed.
 

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regular guy

Basic User
City
Cameron
State
NC
Does it matter which end the sliding part of the drive shaft is on? Yours is down by the rear axle. Mine has been on the transfer case side since I bought it.
 

John N

Addicted....Ex-SOA VP
BENEFACTOR
Gold Member
Lifetime Member
SOA Member
City
Rockville
State
VA
What rears are you planning to use for this?
 

zr10054

Car and Gun Junkie
Lifetime Member
City
Gonzales
State
La
Does it matter which end the sliding part of the drive shaft is on? Yours is down by the rear axle. Mine has been on the transfer case side since I bought it.

I just stuck it there for a good look. It's bass ackwards.
 
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