Well well, figured its time to pop the cherry on making a build thread.
After a few years of looking I decided I wanted to move forward with a CJ8 due to the unique body and ability to have 3 rows of seats. A fully restored version was out of my price range and after looking at a few rust buckets I decided to put more $$$ up initially and have less repair/body work. I found a guy that had lost interest in his scrambler project after he had gone through 3 donor scramblers, new frame, new body, restored a few items, etc, my father and I made the trip up to Ohio from Charlotte, NC area to pack up the project in totes on an open bed trailer.
Primary goal of the rig is to be reliable for 3hr drives to the beach and mild offroad use, no extremes.
A few specifications:
AMC20 Rear 4.10 gears, 1 piece yukon axles, tubes welded to the housing, detroit locker, widetrack
Dana30 Front 4.10 gears, detroit locker, widetrack
Dana300 rebuilt
T-5 transmission (Looking at NV4500's or AX15's)
AMC360 running with good compression (To be rebuilt for potential boost or nitrous)
New Rough country 2.5" lift
New standard TDK frame
New Willys overland tub
Everything else is mostly stock as you would find on an 82 CJ8
After looking at other builds I really wanted to do an SOA conversion or larger lift than 2.5" so I can run 33" or 35" tires but still debating how to go about this, I hate to see the brand new lift kit go to waste. It also appears an SOA conversion with widetrack axles isn't the best idea for tipping over on the road.
I'll be starting the assembly with welding motor mounts onto the frame and test fitting the drivetrain with new tub, epoxy priming and black chassis paint. I found a guy that would trade me his 4" lift springs for my 2.5", however I'm not thrilled about the rough country brand name. I'd be curious to hear recommendations on other options to get me decent lift for 35" tires.
After a few years of looking I decided I wanted to move forward with a CJ8 due to the unique body and ability to have 3 rows of seats. A fully restored version was out of my price range and after looking at a few rust buckets I decided to put more $$$ up initially and have less repair/body work. I found a guy that had lost interest in his scrambler project after he had gone through 3 donor scramblers, new frame, new body, restored a few items, etc, my father and I made the trip up to Ohio from Charlotte, NC area to pack up the project in totes on an open bed trailer.
Primary goal of the rig is to be reliable for 3hr drives to the beach and mild offroad use, no extremes.
A few specifications:
AMC20 Rear 4.10 gears, 1 piece yukon axles, tubes welded to the housing, detroit locker, widetrack
Dana30 Front 4.10 gears, detroit locker, widetrack
Dana300 rebuilt
T-5 transmission (Looking at NV4500's or AX15's)
AMC360 running with good compression (To be rebuilt for potential boost or nitrous)
New Rough country 2.5" lift
New standard TDK frame
New Willys overland tub
Everything else is mostly stock as you would find on an 82 CJ8
After looking at other builds I really wanted to do an SOA conversion or larger lift than 2.5" so I can run 33" or 35" tires but still debating how to go about this, I hate to see the brand new lift kit go to waste. It also appears an SOA conversion with widetrack axles isn't the best idea for tipping over on the road.
I'll be starting the assembly with welding motor mounts onto the frame and test fitting the drivetrain with new tub, epoxy priming and black chassis paint. I found a guy that would trade me his 4" lift springs for my 2.5", however I'm not thrilled about the rough country brand name. I'd be curious to hear recommendations on other options to get me decent lift for 35" tires.
