Advice needed: Looking at buying a project cj-8

[STSFCTN]

I believe that, seemed like a no-brainer for me because of my limited welding experience. I definitely wouldn't make a body panel weld look nice but i can handle structural stuff.

Would a good service manual or restoration manual detail all the wire channels? He is passing this book along but I'll probably pick up a Haynes service manual as well. Most the boxes at least looked labeled and he had lots of pictures.

Anyone near Columbus Ohio?

Again, if you get a Painless Wiring kit. You get a complete step by step manual on how to wire your Jeep.

 

[ag4ever]

If you buy it, this site is better than any technical manual. If you can’t find the info, post a question here and somebody will help by providing guidance and/or photos.

 

[Interceptor]

Having a complete post '76 Jeep CJ to look at would help a ton. CJ5/7/8 all are mostly the same except for body lengths.

This is the way I'm doing my build, basically building another 8 from parts. When ever i have questions I go over to my original jeep and compare. It is completely stock.

 

[gpassida]

Again, if you get a Painless Wiring kit. You get a complete step by step manual on how to wire your Jeep.

The Painless wiring manual is awesome. Really helped me when I installed their 10150 harness in my Scrambler.

Here is a link to the PDF version of the manual: https://www.painlessperformance.com/Manuals/10150.pdf

 

[DOJOLOACH]

My experience is that Chilton's and Haynes manuals are not worth the money. I suggest an AMC technical service manual (TSM) for your model year Jeep as a starting point. Unfortunately no manual is going to really tell you how to reassemble a Jeep. Lots of trial and error, and the brainpower of this forum is what you'll need. This place is hands down better than any manual.

Again, if you get a Painless Wiring kit. You get a complete step by step manual on how to wire your Jeep.

It's on the buy list!

Having a complete post '76 Jeep CJ to look at would help a ton. CJ5/7/8 all are mostly the same except for body lengths.

Looks like that painless harness will allow me to run one engine/transmission option and then switch later on without having to change anything besides what is infront of the firewall which is sweet.

Thinking about this further I'm starting to think maybe I should run with the 258/T5/D300 for now since the 360 may stress the T5 a little bit. I'd like to put a junkyard Chevy LQ4 in it at somepoint down the road.

He said I can have both engines but not sure I want to haul both of them

 

[Mancunian]

I believe that, seemed like a no-brainer for me because of my limited welding experience. I definitely wouldn't make a body panel weld look nice but i can handle structural stuff.

Would a good service manual or restoration manual detail all the wire channels? He is passing this book along but I'll probably pick up a Haynes service manual as well. Most the boxes at least looked labeled and he had lots of pictures.

Anyone near Columbus Ohio?

"Small" Jeeps Page

 

[certifiablejeep]

I have a good representation of OEM vs. MD Juan in this picture...
OEM on the left
MD Juan on the right.



It is close, but it isn't quite right... the stamping isn't as "crisp" as well.

All in all, it can be made to work, but it takes time (and pie cut slicing / welding)

cb

 

[DOJOLOACH]

I have a good representation of OEM vs. MD Juan in this picture...
OEM on the left
MD Juan on the right.

View attachment 109392

It is close, but it isn't quite right... the stamping isn't as "crisp" as well.

All in all, it can be made to work, but it takes time (and pie cut slicing / welding)

cb

What joint is that?

 

[certifiablejeep]

What joint is that?

B Pillar... replacing a side panel with a MD Juan one because of rusted out wheel arches...



The piece is the same piece that they use to make their bodies with... figured I would give it a try as it is "fresh" metal, but the stamping is just a little off all around.

cb

 

[Dave The Sparky]

I bought an entire side panel just like CB did and ended up just using the wheel arch part itself as i could see the rest of it was going to be a problem with fitment.
The arch shape isn't quite right either and looked like it was hand formed, but its way better than the fresh air that was there and luckily you can only visually see one side of the Jeep at a time so shouldn't notice it 😁

 

[AdamH]

Small world possibly. You said Ohio? I sold a Willys Overland tub to a guy in Ohio a few years back doing a complete rebuild. Wonder if it’s the same guy

regardless for $8k for all that it’s a no brainer

 

[DOJOLOACH]

Small world possibly. You said Ohio? I sold a Willys Overland tub to a guy in Ohio a few years back doing a complete rebuild. Wonder if it’s the same guy

regardless for $8k for all that it’s a no brainer

Adam,

His name is Bob, pretty big into motorcycles also. Very small world, you actually reached out to me from Mike's post on NC 4x4 the other day. I'm in Stanley, NC.

I'm also pretty sure I took my WJ to your shop Freedom 4x4 back in 2020.

 

[DOJOLOACH]

That sounds like a sweet deal. Just research this forum on the MD Juan tubs and modifications needed to make everything line up. Make sure you get the VIN on the old windshield frame around the wiper motor. Sell the T5 if you are going with the 360. Look up my build under Meet Rusty.

What transmission do you recommend for being able to handle the AMC power + maybe some additional power down the road in the 500-650 range? Preferably at least a 5 speed manual

 

[Chamba]

My Novak AX15 is marketed by them to be heavy duty and capable of handeling (I think) 450 horse. I really like my AX15. It shifts beautifully and feels very sold. I'm only putting out 345 house though. For what you're talking about though I'd be looking at the NV4500 or a Tremec.

The Toyota H55F will handle that power but then you're committed to the Toyota transfer case; which will also easily handle the horsepower but will require an offset rear axle like the Quadratrack and the 40, 60, 70 and 80 series.

 

[DOJOLOACH]

My Novak AX15 is marketed by them to be heavy duty and capable of handeling (I think) 450 horse. I really like my AX15. It shifts beautifully and feels very sold. I'm only putting out 345 house though. For what you're talking about though I'd be looking at the NV4500 or a Tremec.

The Toyota H55F will handle that power but then you're committed to the Toyota transfer case; which will also easily handle the horsepower but will require an offset rear axle like the Quadratrack and the 40, 60, 70 and 80 series.

Thank you sir, probably will go with the nv4500 but may consider a 4 speed.

Do you guys think it's worth grabbing all the parts I can up there? Is there any worth in an amc20 front axle these days? Or an unmodified rear axle? I'm going up there next weekend and debating what to sacrifice if I can't fit it.

Planning to grab the 360, he has a 4.2 as well but hasn't tried running it so I assume it needs rebuilt at the least.