suggestions for upgrades

[Amiles42]

Sorry for the sob story. So I thought I had pretty much nailed down what I wanted to do for my rebuild. A while back I purchased a 1978 jeep CJ7 for parts and the engine. I took everything apart and stored what I was not working on right away. Life happened and where the parts were stored was owned by a friend of mine. He said they could stay there until I was ready. Fast forward till today, I contacted him and said that we needed to setup a time I could come get those parts and wanted to thank him for storing them. He hesitated and said that he had gotten rid of most of those parts. He does still have the axles and Transfer Case but no lift, no rebuild kit for the Transfer Case , no engine, no dash, no hood or grill, no truetrak locker and the Tom Woods drive shafts are gone too. I figured about $5k. I am pretty bummed. Positive side of this, I can rethink the motor I was going to use. I had planned on using a AMC 258 i6 / 4.2l . The lift was a Black Diamond suspension 3.5 inch spring lift. Any suggestions on different combos?

 

[j6824]

Sorry for the sob story. So I thought I had pretty much nailed down what I wanted to do for my rebuild. A while back I purchased a 1978 jeep CJ7 for parts and the engine. I took everything apart and stored what I was not working on right away. Life happened and where the parts were stored was owned by a friend of mine. He said they could stay there until I was ready. Fast forward till today, I contacted him and said that we needed to setup a time I could come get those parts and wanted to thank him for storing them. He hesitated and said that he had gotten rid of most of those parts. He does still have the axles and Transfer Case but no lift, no rebuild kit for the Transfer Case , no engine, no dash, no hood or grill, no truetrak locker and the Tom Woods drive shafts are gone too. I figured about $5k. I am pretty bummed. Positive side of this, I can rethink the motor I was going to use. I had planned on using a AMC 258 i6 / 4.2l . The lift was a Black Diamond suspension 3.5 inch spring lift. Any suggestions on different combos?

Sorry to hear that...that hurts

Good news is there's not anything on your list that can't be had. I can recall seeing one of everything you mention on either Craigs or FB Marketplace within the last two weeks.

As far as the build, it really depends on what you want to do with it. Plenty of 258s around. Big block AMCs (360, 401) are bolt- in swaps. 4.0s are more work but reasonably achieved. Then there's always the LS.

There are better options than that BD lift. Again...depends on what you want out of the rig. BDS and RE are two of the more popular kits for CJs. There are some that utilize the softer riding and flexier YJ springs. Custom packs are an option.

Once you have an idea about the direction you want to take, it'll be easier to get suggestions and recommendations...there's an absolute ton of knowledge and experience to tap into on here.

 

[Manic Mechanic]

I'd start with a new friend but that's just me and I can get pretty serious about my parts. Otherwise what's already been said is on point

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[j6824]

Would have taken a helluva lot less time and effort to pick up the phone than it did to load it all up...

 

[Amiles42]

Wish he would have called me. I was leaning towards staying with the AMC 258 i6 / 4.2l because I like the torque. Now am thinking that since I have a pretty blank slate I may consider the stroker. Still lots of torque but with a little more horse power. Any thoughts.

 

[Manic Mechanic]

I love my AMC 258 i6 / 4.2l /300 combo I just wish I would have done the fuel injection upgrade when I was building it now I'm considering it but don't want to take it off the road long enough to do it

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[Amiles42]

I have a Dana 300 Transfer Case as long as that is still there. Going to see what is left on Saturday. I am hoping that all the parts, rebuild kit and twin stick kit are still there.

 

[Manic Mechanic]

If not that's one piece I would definitely be tracking down. Unless you have the bank roll for an atlas

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[GRR]

I'd start with a new friend but that's just me and I can get pretty serious about my parts. Otherwise what's already been said is on point

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^^ this

There is no excuse for not calling you if he needed the parts out of there


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[Manic Mechanic]

^^ this

There is no excuse for not calling you if he needed the parts out of there


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When my friends took advantage of me for storage and that includes my brothers one of whom stored a set of wheels and tires in my garage for 8 year's. I told everyone via text so it was in writing you have one month to make arrangements with me to either get ur stuff or move it or I was going to consider it abandoned and sold at owners expense. I think that was ample time to contact me.

But no contact what so ever is unexcusable

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[GRR]

When my friends took advantage of me for storage and that includes my brothers one of whom stored a set of wheels and tires in my garage for 8 year's. I told everyone via text so it was in writing you have one month to make arrangements with me to either get ur stuff or move it or I was going to consider it abandoned and sold at owners expense. I think that was ample time to contact me.

But no contact what so ever is unexcusable

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Exactly


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[Amiles42]

If he would have contacted me for me to get the parts out of there and I did not that would have been on me. Since I did not hear from him I assumed that our verbal agreement was still in place. Guess that is what I get for assuming. That being said I guess I am asking for everyones suggestions on upgrades to a stock CJ7 . I have Dana 44 axles out of a Scout and I am hoping the Dana 300 Transfer Case is still there. I am looking for opinions on motor, lift and other mods.

 

[Manic Mechanic]

I gave you my opinion on engine and tcase as for lift that depends on how u plan to use it and what size tires u are aiming for. I would however suggest yj spring conversion as they are wider and will improve the ride quality. I'm planning on doing that myself when I replace my springs

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[Amiles42]

what mods have you done to your AMC 258 i6 / 4.2l or is it stock?

 

[Manic Mechanic]

what mods have you done to your AMC 258 i6 / 4.2l or is it stock?

Mines rebuilt .040 over slight cam 6-1 headers gm hei dist. MC 2100 carb center force clutch all emissions removed only vacuum I have is pcv break booster vacuum advance on dis.

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[Amiles42]

I have decided to find another AMC 258 i6 / 4.2l and start over with that. I found a 4.0 head, casting #7120 and am going to rebuild that. What is the best bang for my buck when it comes to the head? Cleaning is a must but should I have it decked, polished and then have the valves ground any differently? Also, what rockers would be best? Kind of exploring the idea of a turbo on it. Any thoughts to that?