CJ Project -Getting Started?

[Finn]

Since I've been "forced" into an SUV, I'm thinking something with big
tires, power and a little rough around the edges, but need some help to get started.

I'd like to buy something that needed a little, but not lots of work. I've got basic mechnical skills and have a mill, lathe, welder, etc.

Would be nice to have something with the stuff below already completed

AMC 304 or 350 conversion
4x4
Suspension lift for big, but not huge tires.

Is the 350 a better choice for parts/upgrades, etc? How difficult is a project to do crawler gears and/or ARB air lockers?

What's a reasonable price for something with the big stuff done? Any tips for getting started?

I'm not really sure where to start with this, so I would really appreciate any help.

Thanks!!

 

[LongHorn]

Since I've been "forced" into an SUV, I'm thinking something with big
tires, power and a little rough around the edges, but need some help to get started.

I'd like to buy something that needed a little, but not lots of work. I've got basic mechnical skills and have a mill, lathe, welder, etc.

Would be nice to have something with the stuff below already completed

AMC 304 or 350 conversion
4x4
Suspension lift for big, but not huge tires.

Is the 350 a better choice for parts/upgrades, etc? How difficult is a project to do crawler gears and/or ARB air lockers?

What's a reasonable price for something with the big stuff done? Any tips for getting started?

I'm not really sure where to start with this, so I would really appreciate any help.

Thanks!!

That's alot to cover in one post , but here goes. A 350 Chevy is cheaper to buy, but don't forget There are a lot of extra cost to any engine swap. Much less a cross branded one. A AMC 304 is not externally different from a 360 or 401, so you may want more AMC inches. Crawler gears? are asking about Transmission gears or Transfer Case gears, Or both? Either way you'll need a hydraulic press. ARB lockers are more invloved than most due to drilling the housing. Also mounting & wiring the compressor. The actual gear change is no different than others.

 

[certifiablejeep]

Since I've been "forced" into an SUV, I'm thinking something with big
tires, power and a little rough around the edges, but need some help to get started.

I'd like to buy something that needed a little, but not lots of work. I've got basic mechnical skills and have a mill, lathe, welder, etc.

Would be nice to have something with the stuff below already completed

AMC 304 or 350 conversion
4x4
Suspension lift for big, but not huge tires.

Is the 350 a better choice for parts/upgrades, etc? How difficult is a project to do crawler gears and/or ARB air lockers?

What's a reasonable price for something with the big stuff done? Any tips for getting started?

I'm not really sure where to start with this, so I would really appreciate any help.

Thanks!!

What is "forcing" you into this? It seems that you have a lot on your plate here... you can find good deals sometimes with the stuff that you want, but you are talking thousands of dollars for the new parts and installation of said parts. It can add up quickly as well, and soon you can be into 10's of thousands of dollars. Do some digging and some reading on the site, I am sure you will see how a lot of these projects start, progress, and finish... then you will get an idea of what you are in for.

cb

 

[Old Dog]

Since I've been "forced" into an SUV

So are you getting a suv or a jeep ?

 

[mylittlecj5]

Since I've been "forced" into an SUV, I'm thinking something with big
tires, power and a little rough around the edges, but need some help to get started.

I'd like to buy something that needed a little, but not lots of work. I've got basic mechnical skills and have a mill, lathe, welder, etc.

Would be nice to have something with the stuff below already completed

AMC 304 or 350 conversion
4x4
Suspension lift for big, but not huge tires.

Is the 350 a better choice for parts/upgrades, etc? How difficult is a project to do crawler gears and/or ARB air lockers?

What's a reasonable price for something with the big stuff done? Any tips for getting started?

I'm not really sure where to start with this, so I would really appreciate any help.

Thanks!!

Just as a starting point, I paid $5200 for my CJ. It came equipped as follows:
new 6 inch lift to clear brand new 35x12.50 Swampers
360 AMC (built pretty good) swapped in
Full stereo system complete w/ DVD and flip-down 7" TV screen
hi-lift and tool box
brand new 9000 lb. winch
too much chrome and diamond plate
front brake lines stretched to beyond safe
roll cage installed
nice replacement seats
royally screwed up wiring
full soft top and doors

If you are looking for one, search craigslist, Ebay and every classifieds you can find. Check every small and large sales lot you pass by, and ask every person you meet that might know. I spent weeks, no, months looking for one, and finally found what I wanted (Built up, nearly completed project someone lost interest in, with a V-8 and big tires,and under my target price).

Unless you know what your looking at, stay away from most conversions and custom lifts. Too many bad apples out there that someone wants to unload on an unsuspecting buyer. An AMC 360 swap is different, since its pretty much a bolt-in replacement. CJs never came with a 360, so check under the motor mounts on the block for the displacement casting to confirm its a AMC 304 or not.

good luck in your search!

 

[mhubacek]

I went the opposite way as mylittlecj, and found a 68' CJ5 on craigslist for $1000. I often wish I would have saved enough $$$ to go the way he did! I didn't really know what to look for at the time, and I was just starting out. After a year of tearing it apart, and finding all the jerry-rigged work that was done by the PO, I'm into it for way more then I bargained for! The upside to it, is that I've learned alot about my jeep and by the time it is finished I'll know every little in and out about it.
What it came with:
sbc 305 conversion, and a decent body w/little rust, solid frame, power steering.
This is a great site for learning what to look for, and bouncing questions about deals you've found. Good Luck!

 

[Jroch]

So are you getting a suv or a jeep ?

Thats what I was wondering

 

[Petescj]

x3. From what youve posted I dont really think you want a Cj. If you elaborate though we may be able to help. I guess in the Spring Im turning my CJ8 into an Suv by adding two rows of seats and a full softop???

Thats what I was wondering

 

[Finn]

Guys,

Thanks for all the responses.

Sorry, I didn't make myself very clear on the SUV thing. For family reasons, I had to trade my 400hp Denali truck for a very underpowered Durango SUV. (the "forced" thing). Unfortunately, the SUV is staying.

But I could add to the fleet...I was thinking a Jeep/project/toy might be a way to preserve some of my cojones.

In reading the forum, it seems like there are two ways to go about doing this. Buying something somewhat complete or starting from scratch.

Just based on Ebay, it looks like something decent could be purchased for $5-7thou. Basically, I'd like to have a solid base to learn from and do stuff like engine upgrades, etc. Provided everything was sound, is there any disadvantage to going this route?

I want to make a reasonable choice, based on my mechnical skill level. There is something cool about starting from scratch though...

I'm very interested in how others have gone about this and would appreciate your thoughts...

 

[Jroch]

Guys,

Thanks for all the responses.

Sorry, I didn't make myself very clear on the SUV thing. For family reasons, I had to trade my 400hp Denali truck for a very underpowered Durango SUV. (the "forced" thing). Unfortunately, the SUV is staying.

But I could add to the fleet...I was thinking a Jeep/project/toy might be a way to preserve some of my cojones.

In reading the forum, it seems like there are two ways to go about doing this. Buying something somewhat complete or starting from scratch.

Just based on Ebay, it looks like something decent could be purchased for $5-7thou. Basically, I'd like to have a solid base to learn from and do stuff like engine upgrades, etc. Provided everything was sound, is there any disadvantage to going this route?

I want to make a reasonable choice, based on my mechnical skill level. There is something cool about starting from scratch though...

I'm very interested in how others have gone about this and would appreciate your thoughts...

Ahh now it all makes sense BTW welcome to the forum

I am a new Jeep owner also bought mine about 2 mos ago, I was looking for a toy and always wanted a CJ. For me I based my decision on what Jeep to buy based on my wants and skill level. Body work did not scare me, but I wanted a solid frame to work with, I wanted a V8 but didn't want to make the conversion myself to start with. Wanted something I could get on the road relatively early, and build from there. I also set a $ figure of what I was willing to spend to achieve being on the road and able to enjoy "but may not be show quality".

Now I can tell you I made a few mistakes in my purchase but I do not regret them. As I was able to and have met all my goals, and got the Jeep on the road for exactly what I wanted to spend "with in budget". Now the spending continues as I have made the decision that I want to continue to upgrade and go above my orginal plans, in other words I LOVE owning a Jeep LOL.

I did not do enough research on CJ's and what to look for, the PO put a lot of different stuff in it and has been a little frustrating trying to find parts for it. The motor is another challenge I have a 343 in mine not real popular motor runs great at the moment but parts are difficult, will definately have to change out down the road.

One of the things that I have found with Jeeps, is that you are going to have to spend to get it to what you want, wheather you buy it that way or do it yourself. There are a lot of very smart people on here that have helped guide me in my build, and after getting to know them all they are all doing the samething, building their Jeep to what THEY want, kinda like owning a Harley LOL.

So I bought a stock looking Jeep, Floor boards totally rusted out, had a V8 exterior not to rusted out, needs a windshield frame, wiring a total mess, suspension also stock no lift.
Brought it home, put new floor boards in it, replaced suspension with a lift kit, put 33" tires on it, cleaned up wiring, Rhino lined the interior, replace alt, figured out fuel issue, put on road made decision to continue with project .

Anyway's that has been my expierence owning a Jeep and wouldn't change it for anything. It's an addiction and a hobby and I personally feel thats how you have to enter into this venture of Jeep owning, but at the end of the day, the rewards are priceless.

Best of luck in your search

 

[mylittlecj5]

And don't discount that Durango! We have a '99 with the 360 in it, and it works great for racing weekend/camping trips. Pack everything we need for the CJ and all our camping gear, then load the CJ on the trailer and take off in comfort and style!
There are a few places to get ideas for wringing out a bunch of ponies, but no it isn't a replacement for 400 HP.
www.dakota-durango.com

 

[BajaEdition]

And don't discount that Durango! We have a '99 with the 360 in it, and it works great for racing weekend/camping trips. Pack everything we need for the CJ and all our camping gear, then load the CJ on the trailer and take off in comfort and style!
There are a few places to get ideas for wringing out a bunch of ponies, but no it isn't a replacement for 400 HP.
www.dakota-durango.com

we do kinda like that
we load up the trailer and pull it with the 08 unlimited wrangler and drive up in the cj

 

[Old Dog]

If you take your time looking, you can usually find a cj thats already fixed up cheaper than buying all the parts new and doing it yourself.
But it's buyer beware, as theres some people that build things without knowing what they are doing, and than sell unsafe jeeps just to get rid of there problems.
Learn as much as you can before buying anything.

 

[LongHorn]

If you take your time looking, you can usually find a cj thats already fixed up cheaper than buying all the parts new and doing it yourself.
But it's buyer beware, as theres some people that build things without knowing what they are doing, and than sell unsafe jeeps just to get rid of there problems.
Learn as much as you can before buying anything.

X100 On that!!!!!