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DOJO's 1st OCHO

DOJOLOACH

Member
Member
City
Stanley
State
NC
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.
 

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John N

Addicted....Ex-SOA VP
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A good 4”-4.5” spring under lift will clear 33’s easily and 35’s if you’re not flexing out. Good spring brands are Rubicon Express and BDS. Even these w probably need a full length add-a-leaf with the weight of a Scrambler and a V-8. Personally, Rough Country is just what it says. Also a TDK frame will already have a 1” body lift built in, so you’ve got that extra clearance.
 

bigwalton

Alaskan Postal nutjob
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City
Dexter
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MI
A good 4”-4.5” spring under lift will clear 33’s easily and 35’s if you’re not flexing out. Good spring brands are Rubicon Express and BDS. Even these w probably need a full length add-a-leaf with the weight of a Scrambler and a V-8. Personally, Rough Country is just what it says. Also a TDK frame will already have a 1” body lift built in, so you’ve got that extra clearance.
Beat me to it. No reason in the world to get into the complications that an SOA brings for 33s and very little even for 35s. Just trim or deal with the rubbing, especially with the TDK frame being set up well.

I love how mine now rides with the BDS springs and Fox 2.0 shocks I have in it, but I did their full length add a leaf on both sides with an extra leaf on the one side to FINALLY do away with the CJ lean I had forever. Basically they need the add a leaf for anything more than a dead stock scrambler.
 

DOJOLOACH

Member
Member
City
Stanley
State
NC
Thanks for the input on the lift scenario. I think I'm leaning towards trading a guy for his 4" Rough country springs (short term), but paying for the premium shocks like Fox. Down the road I'll upgrade the springs to BDS and 2.5" width, add a leaf like you guys suggested. I was planning to do a 1" body lift but it doesn't sound like a good idea now.

I also found a buyer of my T-5 locally, so I'm looking at using that money towards a 5speed (AX15, NV3550, or NV4500), I'm thinking the AX15 and a rebuild kit are going to be my first choice but open to others inputs.
 

tower210

Scrambler Junkie
Lifetime Member
City
Olathe
State
KS
Thanks for the input on the lift scenario. I think I'm leaning towards trading a guy for his 4" Rough country springs (short term), but paying for the premium shocks like Fox. Down the road I'll upgrade the springs to BDS and 2.5" width, add a leaf like you guys suggested. I was planning to do a 1" body lift but it doesn't sound like a good idea now.

I also found a buyer of my T-5 locally, so I'm looking at using that money towards a 5speed (AX15, NV3550, or NV4500), I'm thinking the AX15 and a rebuild kit are going to be my first choice but open to others inputs.
Keep in mind AX-15 new from novak aren't really crazy expensive (at least it didn't used to be)
 

John N

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I’ve seen a lot of threads on Rough Country springs being too short and bad shackle angles…..so look out. They’re not unknown issues.
 

AdamH

Scrambler Junkie
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RC stands for Rough Country = 'nuff said

I also have never liked how RC stuff rides - both their leaf spring set-ups and coil springs. I have driven many of both.

@DOJOLOACH if interested you are welcome to come take a ride in my BDS equipped Scrambler. it's only 2.5" and it's a front YJ conversion but I've also owned CJs with the BDS 4" and had no issues with suspension comfort.

For the money I will always be a BDS guy.
 

DOJOLOACH

Member
Member
City
Stanley
State
NC
RC stands for Rough Country = 'nuff said

I also have never liked how RC stuff rides - both their leaf spring set-ups and coil springs. I have driven many of both.

@DOJOLOACH if interested you are welcome to come take a ride in my BDS equipped Scrambler. it's only 2.5" and it's a front YJ conversion but I've also owned CJs with the BDS 4" and had no issues with suspension comfort.

For the money I will always be a BDS guy.
I'll have to take you up on that offer, I honestly have never even sat in a scrambler lol.

Some updates:

-I finally got around to painting the frame, using eastwood products (2 coats of epoxy primer, 2 coats of chassis black). Have a few paint runs I may touch up later.

- AX15 arrived, still waiting on the shift tower. I also got the amc360 weld in mounts, and advancedadapters T-Case clocking ring and bellhousing adapter.

-I paid for a membership on the forum, man I love not having ads everywhere!

- Next up is to rebuild the Dana 30 and start painting other drivetrain components. I bought a couple torque wrenches and dial indicator for the axle gearing. Picked up a mig180 from primeweld to start learning on the next few months before I weld anything important.

- Adam I see how that sandblast and powder coat is such a good deal. What's their contact Info? I'm getting quotes on sandblasting some of these axle and steering parts
 

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AdamH

Scrambler Junkie
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Mt Holly
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Nice progress.

CRC Powder Coating on Mooresville. Best around this area by far.
 

sdsupilot

CJ-8 Member
Member
City
OKC
State
OK
This looks like a very nice project. I also have BDS 4" springs. It is an older kit but rides and flexes well. Currently I have Bilstein shocks on it.

If sandblasting the axles, make sure to get all the sand cleaned out. Had a friend go that route. Somehow he missed a bit while cleaning and made a mess of his new gears and bearings.
 
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