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CJ-7(6.0L AX15) with a TDK frame build

mysunnshine

mysunnshine

Legacy Registered User
City
Phoenix
State
AZ
I thought you all would appreciate the build I'm doing on this Jeep for a customer. This will generally speaking be a stock looking CJ-7 from the outside visual but have everything else updated otherwise. This will be running a 6.0L Vortec engine with an AZ-15 transmission. Here's a couple of pics to start off this project.....

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To keep from having any fuel supply issues, we changed out the fuel tank to the Genright fuel tank. This tank has internal baffling and is set up to use a YJ fuel sender but I chose to build my own since I would need to modify the stock pump module anyhow. This tank is one beautiful piece....


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A couple issues I have right off the bat is the upper links crash into the bottom of the engine mounts, the track bar bracket crashes into the front diff cover, the oil pan hits the diff. All of these issues are happening 2" away from the bump stops even touching the pads. So we are going to clearance what we can and build from there. PXL_20260325_231743642[1].jpg
 
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So far, I have the brake lines mostly done and the exhaust done at least to the back side of the mufflers. Being stock, there isn't a whole lot of room to work with near the clutch slave and the front driveshaft.

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Cool build, looking forward to more photos and how the clearances go… having done the TDK the trac bar frame side was tricky getting steering angles for drivability. Other surprise, discovered after paint, was CJ inner fenders need to be cut around TDK Shock Towers.
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mysunnshine said:
To keep from having any fuel supply issues, we changed out the fuel tank to the Genright fuel tank. This tank has internal baffling and is set up to use a YJ fuel sender but I chose to build my own since I would need to modify the stock pump module anyhow. This tank is one beautiful piece....


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Click to expand...
I have one of these to go in the Postal, trying the Holley lidar sender and a Tanks Inc in-tank pump with the Genright pump access plate for the bed floor.

It sure is pretty to look at.
 
I was able to get the tail pipes built and the exhaust fully welded up now. The next job is to get the fuel line built on this thing. For radiator clearance, we had plans on running the Holley Mid-mount but after having issues with getting the correct kit three times(2 incorrect kits and one pulley MIA and unknown ETA), I have decided I'm done with them and have ordered the Vintage Air Frontrunner kit. Unfortunately they too have taken three weeks to build the kit and STILL have not shipped the parts.657151217_122153350112960750_7502934682772451691_n.jpg
 
Making progress. I should be able to clearance the front fenders for the shock towers next week and then it'll be off to paint.
 

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A lot has been happening so far with this one. The tub has been moving along nicely with all of the metal work done and it's in primer right now. Probably early next week it'll all be painted. While the paint shop had some other things they needed to get done, I had the chance to get the tub on the frame for the first time. Unfortunately I have found a lot of issues with this frame. The first thing is I have always questioned the motor mount placement. The mounts were welded in by TDK for the LS swap. The mounts in my opinion were about 5" too far forward and too low. I had prior issues with the front axle housing crashing into the engine and the upper links crashing into the bottom of the engine mounts welded in. The reference we were going with was we knew the radiator was going to be very minimal clearance. The reality of the situation was there was no room behind the radiator for an electric fan and fan shroud. So this week was step back and punt week. I ended up cutting out the existing mounts and putting some rubber stock Camaro mounts on the engine(for less vibration than the poly mounts) and built some mounts 5" back and about 2" up. Tomorrow I can burn in the mounts and keep moving forward. I also am starting to figure out that the springs that were sent with the frame were 2-3.5" lift springs and the spring rates were WAY too high. The scope of this project is a nearly stock height without a lift. We ended up sourcing some used TJ Sport(soft top) springs and we will proceed forward with these until the build is weighted down as it would be driveable. At that point we will cross the bridge of modifying the current bump stops shorter and getting some custom springs built. Hopefully we will not need to go down that path but we at least have options if we do. The other thing I have noticed is the mounts at the crossmember at the front of the fuel tank and the rear crossmember have a 1/2" gap between the body and the mount when the front 6 mounts are sitting correctly. It's not a big deal to machine up some .500 spacers but damn........ I'm definitely disappointed in this TDK frame. The geometry is not correct for the rear suspension either. My best guess so far is that I will have to cut and shorten these arms to get the axle to center in the wheel wells. I will also have to build a correct track bar for the rear too. The first image is the frame sitting on the bump stops. This really is where we want the ride height to end up at with the front up about 1-2" to level it. 20260602_160455[1].jpg
 
We installed the Vintage Air Frontrunner drive system because we were worried about room. We didn't stand a chance with the stock front drive which would have been forward about 2" more than this.


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