Build Thread 1981 CJ7 Trail Rig Build

[Nikwho]

Little more of an update. The gen 1 small block Chevy is still at the machine shop, getting magnafluxed, vatted, bored, honed, pistons hung on rods, and the rotating assembly all balanced up. BUT, that'll all get set aside for some other project in the future. In the mean time, I've managed to buy a new Jaspar crate engine. It's a 5.3 block, with 367" rotating assembly. All new parts. It's currently mocked up with a TH-350, but I'm leaning towards modifying my NP435 to mate up to the LS based engine, or I also have an SM420 4 speed with an even lower 1st gear. I'll update more on drivetrain stuff later.

Currently working buttoning up my new chassis and 4 link work. I am fortunate enough to have a friend that is willing to bring his crane over to my house tomorrow, to lift my tub and new roll cage off of the CJ7 chassis, and set it onto my new custom linked YJ chassis! Will update with pictures ASAP!

 

[Nikwho]

Some long overdue photos, since that's what we all really won't in these build threads...

The new chassis, with Moto-Bilt front half, and LS/TH350/Atlas 2 mocked up.

 

[Nikwho]

More mock up, of the front suspension and 14" Fox coilovers, prior to cutting off the back half of the frame.
Mocking everything up with these 40" tires, though will ultimately be on 42's.

No more steering boxes to worry about. Will be running a orbitrol/orbital steering valve (as seen on forklifts) and double ended PSC full hydro ram.

And, here's the poor girl sitting on the trailer, waiting for her new chassis!


Trying to feed updates in small bits here, believe it or not!

So, what's going on here, is that I realized that for my Rubicon trip (original date has come and gone) I realized that I didn't have enough cargo space in this rig. My family loved this Jeep so much, that I decided to build it (again), instead of building a tube buggy. But, I need more space, if I'm gonna camp out of it for a week at a time, on the Rubicon, Fordyce, etc. So, I am stretching the tub between 12-24" (to be determined). I'd love to go all the way to full CJ8 length tub, but I'm not sure about the departure angle that would be associate with a 24" tub stretch, even though my 106"(ish) wheelbase was already longer than the factory 103"-ish CJ8 wheelbase.

Being that I'm going from 37" to 42" tires, I'm willing to stretch my wheelbase out a bit more. 106" felt short to me, even on 37" tires. So, Im looking to most likely stretch that out to the 116"-118" range (should have final wheelbase numbers tomorrow).

Not certain yet how much I'll be willing to stretch the tub. Basically will be determined by the departure angle I feel that I'll be able to live with, after I set my final wheelbase.

 

[CJ]

That is one heck of an update. Keep it up!

 

[Belizean]

Nice rig !

 

[Nikwho]

Got the tub lifted off of the original frame and dropped onto the new chassis today! Man, I am SO grateful for my friend that that swung by my house today and made light work out of moving the tub and cage over to the new chassis! Now, I can really start making some progress!

 

[CJ]

That is one heck of a hoist!

 

[Nikwho]

Got the grill cut/notched for the new frame front section. Got the tub bolted up to the new chassis, installed my tube fenders, and got my rear four link mostly done. Sitting at 113.5" wheelbase currently, and liking it there.