Official CJ-8.com Forum Lurker Intro Thread!

[scrambler4315]

A candid shot the wife took of the new to me Scrambler when I was getting it moved around behind the house to get some things fixed before I start driving her daily. A little miffed about the Jeep it isn't exactly what was advertised. However, there are some serious redeeming qualities. Solid frame, solid engine, solid tub that was said to be 'glass but I've never had a magnet stick to 'glass. It was supposed to have a 4 speed, nope she has a T150 3 speed manual. Advert said Dana 300 t-case, nope Dana 20. A few other little things. Thankfully I have a T5 and Dana 300 I can rebuild and refresh and swap in. I need to fix the E-brake and adjust the clutch, she grabs about 2 feet from the moons surface its so far up. Might need a clutch, but we'll see.

 

[bigwalton]

View attachment 118459
A candid shot the wife took of the new to me Scrambler when I was getting it moved around behind the house to get some things fixed before I start driving her daily. A little miffed about the Jeep it isn't exactly what was advertised. However, there are some serious redeeming qualities. Solid frame, solid engine, solid tub that was said to be 'glass but I've never had a magnet stick to 'glass. It was supposed to have a 4 speed, nope she has a T150 3 speed manual. Advert said Dana 300 t-case, nope Dana 20. A few other little things. Thankfully I have a T5 and Dana 300 I can rebuild and refresh and swap in. I need to fix the E-brake and adjust the clutch, she grabs about 2 feet from the moons surface its so far up. Might need a clutch, but we'll see.

Welcome and nice looking Scrambler! I'd take the metal tub as a huge bonus (not a fiberglass fan). I'd look on here before putting any work into/installing a T-5, lots of them go wrong with stock tires, much less bigger ones. @spankrjs can talk about them. Big time bummer on the D20 over the D300, but at least you have one to use.

 

[mwqpd11]

Looks like a nice Jeep

 

[CJ7Pilot]

View attachment 118458

As a returning member (from years ago) my CJ-8 is still around but has been mostly ignored because of too many reasons. This one and my CJ-7 are still in my ownership but I have been trying to free up some space in my garage to start a new project (taking the drivetrain out of the 7 and grafting it into the 8). Years ago I installed the Hesco fuel injection conversion into the 7. My old website (SierraJeep.com) showed how to do that. The 1981 CJ-8 has a wimpy 4 banger and I have little need for the 7 these days. So taking what I want from the 7 to upgrade the 8 is my plan.

Fortunately, while my old website is not on line (long story) I still have it on my computer to reference all the steps and hints. I decided to rejoin this website to get some ideas and tips.

I remember SierraJeep.com! I actually looked at your site quite a bit when I was adding MPI to my CJ7. I remember you were pretty excited when you picked up the Scrambler, and I'm glad to see you've still got it. Welcome back!

 

[knight krawler]

It's good to be back, sorry I've been away but life happens. We left MI back in 2007 because the automotive world collapsed and a house payment had to be made. We ended up in Texarkana soon after that working for Husqvarna, got to run up to the Super Lift Park a couple of times. Then we moved to the Seattle area for a couple of years, and got to run the Naches Pass. Got laid off from Boeing and cruised down through CA where we helped a long time friend out for a few weeks in Placerville. While we were there we played at the Rubicon for a day (so wished we could have done the whole trail). Then we migrated down to AZ to hang out with family, and then my mother passed away back in MI. So we loaded up and headed back to Coldwater MI to deal with mom's house while looking for work. While in MI. I got to be a trail gunner for the Jeep Jamboree in Drummond Island, got to take advantage where you can. Couldn't wait to possibly head back to the Boeing in the PNW, but soon Honda said come work here in OH, so we made our way there and enjoyed the Buckeyes telling us that they were sorry that we lived in Michigan. LOL Lucky for us the Boeing opportunity came back around and away we went. (During all these moves the Scrambler was stored in MI at a friends house) We did another 2 years in the Seattle area, and this time got to run some trails with a friend that we knew from the past. The talk of layoff's started to rumor around again and I didn't wait to be laid off this time. Sent my resume to a job in Lexington KY, and soon we were on the road again heading back east. Thought for sure we'd be in heaven since we had so much fun wheeling there in the past, but the job ended up taking us down to FWB FL soon after I started. We did manage to get some wheeling in though out in the Gorge before we left. During the time we were in Lexington I reclaimed my Scrambler, and just as we were getting ready to move it to FL it caught fire in the engine bay. The hood got scorched along with the right fender and soft door. Thank God it didn't go any further. My heart was broken, and it was no fun cruising in a toasted marshmallow. My wife finally told me to get it fixed, and quit moping around about it. Well, Collins Bros here I come! Now the Scrambler has been retired to a Parade & Car Show rig. Hasn't seen water to speak of since 2016, but it's so enjoyable to cruise in now that's for sure. My 99 TJ has stepped up to be my trail rig, gotta love the coil suspension. Still hanging out in FWB, spent 10 plus years working on the AC-130J Gunship. Now we're making our plans to maybe head back to MI to retire someday and really do some wheeling around the country. Only God knows where we'll really end up though....

 

[designerRob]

@knight krawler , wow those are some travels since 2007. I also was an automotive designer and left the field in 07'. I took an opportunity to get into aerospace in Virginia and that worked out very well for me. I retired back to MI in 2013. Good to see you back on the forum. Post some pics of that beautiful CJ.

 

[knight krawler]

@knight krawler , wow those are some travels since 2007. I also was an automotive designer and left the field in 07'. I took an opportunity to get into aerospace in Virginia and that worked out very well for me. I retired back to MI in 2013. Good to see you back on the forum. Post some pics of that beautiful CJ.

Hey designerRob, we had to do what we had to do that's for sure. It turned out to be a great thing getting out of the Detroit area back then, and the aerospace work has been fun. Cars are sexy, but aircraft with guns are a whole new game! lol Can't wait to get back up in MI with my Scrambler and hit some events. We're looking at 2028 currently, seems like a long ways away but I know it'll be here before we know it.

 

[Keltanf]

Hi y'all!

I am a new member to the forum, but my Scrambler has actually been on the forum already! My Dad (84scramblertex) is a lifetime member but he hasn't posted in a while. Earlier this year my dad gifted me our family's 1984 Scrambler so I figured since I had the forum stickers on the back I had to join the forum!

The Scrambler has a bit of an interesting story. My best friend's Grandpa bought it brand new in Plano TX back in 1984. From what I remember it originally had a soft top and soft doors. His Grandpa drove it to their place where it became a ranch/farm vehicle. After a while they got a hard top and doors for it (the trees out on the trails weren't exactly the nice to the soft doors and top!). Even though it had pretty low miles, it had lived a hard hard life and ended up sitting for around 3.5yrs until late 2013 when my friend's dad was looking to sell it. We got a deal on it and ever since then have been enjoying it!

Currently it has a SBC backed by an SM465 and the stock Dana 300. The AMC20 out back has been upgraded to one piece axles, it has a 2in lift and is sitting on 31's. As of late, the SBC has been giving me trouble (I don't think it enjoyed going from being a weekend cruiser to a DD!). But overall I totally love it and have some plans for it, the first being a different transmission.

The SM465 is a stout transmission but I want something with overdrive again to keep the highway RPMs down. I already found a used AX15, and bought some of the Marlin Crawler R-series upgrade parts so I can beef it up. Looking to rebuild the AX15 here in the next couple weeks then get an adapter for it to bolt up to the SBC bellhousing! however, I will say that even with a carbed V8 and no O/D the Jeep has been getting a surprising 14.5mpg!

As a random side note, if you guys are looking for CAD files for a Scrambler, I recently made a CAD model of a CJ8 frame from measurements on my Jeep and a couple posts here on this forum! I uploaded it to a couple places online, it's free for anyone to use. You can find it here (or do a quick google search for it): https://grabcad.com/library/jeep-cj8-frame-1

I'll do my best to post updates on the progress and show any cool things I do with the Jeep! Since I noticed everyone loves pictures, here's a picture of mine!

 

[knight krawler]

Welcome! Congrats on being gifted with a Jeep Scrambler!

 

[designerRob]

Hi y'all!

I am a new member to the forum, but my Scrambler has actually been on the forum already! My Dad (84scramblertex) is a lifetime member but he hasn't posted in a while. Earlier this year my dad gifted me our family's 1984 Scrambler so I figured since I had the forum stickers on the back I had to join the forum!

The Scrambler has a bit of an interesting story. My best friend's Grandpa bought it brand new in Plano TX back in 1984. From what I remember it originally had a soft top and soft doors. His Grandpa drove it to their place where it became a ranch/farm vehicle. After a while they got a hard top and doors for it (the trees out on the trails weren't exactly the nice to the soft doors and top!). Even though it had pretty low miles, it had lived a hard hard life and ended up sitting for around 3.5yrs until late 2013 when my friend's dad was looking to sell it. We got a deal on it and ever since then have been enjoying it!

Currently it has a SBC backed by an SM465 and the stock Dana 300. The AMC20 out back has been upgraded to one piece axles, it has a 2in lift and is sitting on 31's. As of late, the SBC has been giving me trouble (I don't think it enjoyed going from being a weekend cruiser to a DD!). But overall I totally love it and have some plans for it, the first being a different transmission.

The SM465 is a stout transmission but I want something with overdrive again to keep the highway RPMs down. I already found a used AX15, and bought some of the Marlin Crawler R-series upgrade parts so I can beef it up. Looking to rebuild the AX15 here in the next couple weeks then get an adapter for it to bolt up to the SBC bellhousing! however, I will say that even with a carbed V8 and no O/D the Jeep has been getting a surprising 14.5mpg!

As a random side note, if you guys are looking for CAD files for a Scrambler, I recently made a CAD model of a CJ8 frame from measurements on my Jeep and a couple posts here on this forum! I uploaded it to a couple places online, it's free for anyone to use. You can find it here (or do a quick google search for it): https://grabcad.com/library/jeep-cj8-frame-1

I'll do my best to post updates on the progress and show any cool things I do with the Jeep! Since I noticed everyone loves pictures, here's a picture of mine!

View attachment 118576

Congrats on the gift. It looks like you have a couple other toys in there too.

 

[jwl3715]

Howdy Everybody. New to the forum. Just got my second Scrambler 32 years after I sold my last one before leaving Alaska for college. Happy to be a part of the Jeep community again. Never should have sold the first one. In Texas now and will go to first rally in November. It’s an ‘81 with a 350 V8 engine swap, Fitech fuel injection and T400 automatic 3 speed. Half cab and full cab. Super excited to be a Scrambler owner again. Working on joining the site and SOA. Looking forward to getting to know all of you.

John

 

[HighSierra CJ]

Congratulations, and welcome. Beautiful Jeep.
I also sold my first Jeep Scrambler (first car) before leaving for college (in 1989) It was an 81 base with a 4 cylinder/soft top. I thought i needed a lockable vehicle. I have always regretted selling it.

 

[John N]

Howdy Everybody. New to the forum. Just got my second Scrambler 32 years after I sold my last one before leaving Alaska for college. Happy to be a part of the Jeep community again. Never should have sold the first one. In Texas now and will go to first rally in November. It’s an ‘81 with a 350 V8 engine swap, Fitech fuel injection and T400 automatic 3 speed. Half cab and full cab. Super excited to be a Scrambler owner again. Working on joining the site and SOA. Looking forward to getting to know all of you.

John

Congrats and welcome to a great forum and family!