Build Thread Project " Un " Limited

[Petescj]

Thanks for the info. My last two Cjs had the T-176 as well. Its a good Transmission and Ive had alot of sucsess with them before. For the type of wheeling I have planned for this Jeep the SM465s 1st is going to be perfect. I'll go down to the garage sometime today and see if I can decipher the codes you gave me.

Congrats on the Limited. The underhood insulation IS original, and the underhood light takes an 1156 bulb (1157 is double filament for tail lights, 1156 is single filament for reverse lights, underhood light, and also is a brighter option for interior floor lights, although you have to ditch the bulb covers)

What exactly is wrong with the T176? The SM465 is a good tranny, but the unsyncrod first gear isn't fun to drive around town. I have one in my old GMC pickup though and I just start in 2nd. T176 should be a pretty easy rebuild, and if you check the tag, you MIGHT already have a T177.

T-177 (3.82 first gear) will have the number 5359389
T-176 (3.52 first gear) will have the number 5359390

I'm guessing you'll have 2.73's since that's normally what came with the T176, BUT, if you look to the right of the pumpkin, there will be a letter (or letters) stamped there.

D is 2.73 open
DD is 2.73 tracloc
B is 3.31 open
BB is 3.31 tracloc

I've got a Dana 30 with 3.31's in my shop, and have been looking for an AMC30 with 3.31s to swap in. Guessing shipping would be a killer since I'm down South, but if you end up swapping out for an 8.8 rear and yours is 3.31 holler before you sell it.

 

[alpha6]

Hey Pete...how did your housing situation work out?

 

[Petescj]

Havent heard anything from the Landlord on the selling of the house. I know shes been in and out of the hospital quite a bit lately. When the other CJ7 gets here at the end of the month its going to get my immediate attention. That will be the Cj we take to Natural Bridge in June. I'll be startting a thread on that one pretty soon.

As far as the Limited goes Im going to collect all the parts I need for the SM465 conversion first. Once I gather up everything I'll put up a tech thread on the conversion and if money allows, another on installing a 4 to 1 kit in the Dana 300

 

[Old Dog]

Pete, if you bring Vickys jeep with the Auto down here to wheel I think your be going home and looking for another auto for yours.

 

[Petescj]

Pete, if you bring Vickys jeep with the Auto down here to wheel I think your be going home and looking for another auto for yours.

So Im going to want to cut my crawl ratio in 1/2?

:shooter::barf:

 

[Old Dog]

So Im going to want to cut my crawl ratio in 1/2?

:shooter::barf:

Well you know, I think crawl ratio and flex are both over rated.


But seriously the right torque converter helps make up for the crawl ratio.
Plus you won't be stalling it out at the wrong time. (like half way up a big rock)
I'm not trying to talk you into anything, just giving you

 

[Petescj]

Im not a big fan of taking that auto up and down a bunch of times. Once it gets here Im swapping out the Transmission thats in it with another thats coming with it. If Im thinking aftermarket torque converter now is the time. Let me see what I have and then I'll figure it out. With an auto I think you atleast need the 4 to 1 kit in the Transfer Case .

Just cause its not "mine" doesnt mean I dont want it done right. Actually its quite the opposite. Making it "easier" to drive on the trail and more reliable is a must. I knew it would be something that slowed my project downbut thats ok. As long as we can enjoy it together while I slowly build mine itll be awesome.

Well you know, I think crawl ratio and flex are both over rated.


But seriously the right torque converter helps make up for the crawl ratio.
Plus you won't be stalling it out at the wrong time. (like half way up a big rock)
I'm not trying to talk you into anything, just giving you

 

[Old Dog]

If the Transmission is bad a new converter is probably good thinking,(you don't know what kinda junk is in there) I have a TCI in mine. I went with their towing converter which is a lower stall speed than stock, it works good for me.(it helps with downhill brakeing) Not sure if they make one for your Transmission . but I would not go any higher stall than stock.

 

[Petescj]

While I was in the garage the other day working on the Laredo I fired off this pic.



Its a little depressing seeing the Limited patiently waiting out in the rain. Every 2 weeks I go out and fire her up just to get the juices flowing. I started this thread way to early. I cant see even starting this project till theres snow on the ground.




Shes actually running in the above picture. A little shot of gas in the carb and she fires right up. I day dream about this build at work though. I'll share a couple more of my plans for it next time I have to dig this thread up.

 

[Petescj]

Well some more daydreaming was going on lately. Vicki and I were talking about the condition of the tub not being up to the standard I want it to be. That led us to talking about how its a shame I couldnt get a little enjoyment out of it before the tub swap. We were already talking about what her Laredo needed and decided that Cj will not see the Salty Winter roads Pa has to offer. Together we formulated a pretty solid plan to stretch the Limiteds legs by the time the snow flys.

There are two major concerns with the Limited the way she sits. After the Cj runs for awhile and heats up the oil pressure will drop under 10 psi at highway speed. If you let off the gas it will come back up. Scott suggested I install a new oil pump to see if that solves the issue. The other is the T-176 shifts awfully hard. This leads into one of the bigger money items of my build. Im figuring it will cost me about $1300 to get my Sm465 in the Cj. Theres no sense in me working with the T-176 then swapping it out so time to bite the bullet. I will do a total write up on everything it takes to put the Muncie below in a Cj when this happens.

 

[Petescj]

So even with the Limited running good oil pressure and shifting freely after the above mentioned mods its stuck on stock size tires and some unsightly rust bubbles and bondo. Some of you with good memories may remember back when I put Tj flares on my old Cj. I parted that Cj away after frame rust issues but the flares and fenders are still here.



Im not sure yet what type of fenders I want to run on the Limited when its in its final stage with 35s. I may use tube fenders or not. Using the above fenders will let me save its present stockers if I want to keep them.

The next part of this will help me get rid of a good bit of the tub rot and improve its wheeling capability. The old Cj was supposed to get the tub boatsided before the frame rot ended that. Well I still have them and will use them on this tub. With these mods it ought to be interesting seeing where this Cj can go on 31 inch tires.



I thought this was a really nice plan to keep the Laredo away from the salty roads. It should make it interesting to see how many times Vicki has to winch me out trying to follow her 35 inch clad Cj.

 

[Scooter402]

So wait a minute... Your wife drives a Jeep...AND she wheels it? Did you have to teach her to like driving offroad, or did she come to you already having the ability? Can I loan you my wife so you can teach her?

 

[Petescj]

Shes had 2 Jeeps since we've been together. A 79 CJ7 with the QuadraTrac and she basically took over my 88 Xj that ran on 33s. She hasnt been off road yet but wants her turn behind the wheel next time we go. Thats what made me look around for a Cj with an automatic and ultimately end up with the Laredo .

Since I had to cancel out on my trip to Kentucky I have some extra cash to throw at hers. Once it gets new tires and some power brakes we'll take it up to Rausch Creek. I just have to wait till after we get back from Virginia Beach. I used a good chunk of change to use as a deposit to rent a Suburban for the trip since 8 of us are going.

Then of course when I get back from vacation on on 7-7 for a week. It'll be Labor day week till I can get the brake upgrade and tires. I still have a couple vacation days left after that so Im looking at going in early Sept.

So wait a minute... Your wife drives a Jeep...AND she wheels it? Did you have to teach her to like driving offroad, or did she come to you already having the ability? Can I loan you my wife so you can teach her?

 

[Petescj]

I was out between thunderstorms today eyeing up the boatsides. Im gonna have to grab some angle finders for sure. I'll document the whole thing and do a write up if theres enough interest. My google searches only come up with one fairly descent one and I think it should show more detail. I'll just start from scratch. I really do like the way this will get rid of some tub rot. The key will be making sure I have a good seal after the install.

 

[Petescj]

Well when I got up this morning it was pouring down rain. I found it ironic that boatsiding the Limited would have to wait because of it. It wasnt to big of a deal since I had some things I needed to go over on the Laredo in the garage. Once I was done re tourquing all the bolts from the Transmission swap and swapping a broken flare the weather was clear enough for me to spend an hour on the Limited .



I took the driver side flares off and used the front one on Vickis Cj. The Limiteds fenders are decent and I'll be saving them , not cutting them for Tj flares. Im really conflicted about what fenders I'll run on the finished product so Im holding on to these uncut stockers. I'll use the beat up ones from the $600 Salvage CJ7 until I make up my mind. Their already cut and ready to bolt on.



Heres a crude mock up of the rear Tj flare. The small rear wheel opening on a Cj doesnt give you alot of room to cut away without modifying the inner wheel tub. Im not gonna go crazy with it now. It only really gives about 3/4 of an inch to 1 inch at the rear most area. The front is where it really shines. I'll post up comparison pics once I swap them. The boatsides will have to be done fist before the fender swap. I dont see any problems clearing 31 in tires even with the flat stock springs that are currently under it.

 

[gaspipe]

I just read this whole thread, and you've got me stoked to continue fighting the wasps.

 

[Petescj]

I just read this whole thread, and you've got me stoked to continue fighting the wasps.

Ha , thats about as far as Ive gotten with this Cj. I knew it was gonna sit for awhile though so it hasnt eaten at me too much. Now if I didnt have the Laredo to use a bit Id be goin nuts.

 

[74G8R2]

You've got my attention too. Trying to decide what to do, or not to do, with my '80 stock rebuild. Subscribed and waiting to see the Limited emerge. Good stuff.

 

[Petescj]

You've got my attention too. Trying to decide what to do, or not to do, with my '80 stock rebuild. Subscribed and waiting to see the Limited emerge. Good stuff.

Ok great , now the pressure is on! I can tell you this much the next 3 weeks are going to produce about as much work as our current government. Leaving for Va. Beach this weekend and then come back to work 7-7 for another week.

I can let you all in on how I believe this Cj will progress. The Limited will be built in stages. The first is stage will be the boatsiding and Tj flares along with some light body work. It will also include the SM465 upgrade along with getting the complete driveline into shape. I'll be swapping out the Yj Carter carb on it for a yet to be determined replacement. A set of 31s will get thrown on with the stock springs. I also have some cleaner Limited accent parts Im going to grab from another member. Like I said I want to keep the Limited theme it came with from the factory , but it will end up a heavy resto-mod. Thats the first stage I hope to have done before the snow really starts to fly. This will be the winter Jeep cause I dont want to "salt" Vickis Laredo . I'll put the next stage up in another post tomorrow.

 

[Petescj]

Its tough for me not to get too pumped up after the first stage. But reality is Christmas will be here by then and Jeep funds will be unheard of. Winter and early Spring will be dedicated to the Laredo . Barring an unknown landslide of cash it'll be Summer till I hit the second stage.

The second stage is where I try and close the gap a bit between the Limited and Laredo . That means the lift , 1 piece axles and 35s fall in here. This is where I'll be cleaning up the frame and getting the under carriage in shape. Gearing is an unknown until after the first stage. If I need lower gears right away that will end the second stage for sure. It'll be interesting to look back on these last two posts and see how close I am to these goals.