Complete frame off resto begins soon... need some ideas

[Mondo Bat.]

Tearing down my 82 WT, Moving to boston soon I think, can someone give me some suggestions as to how to "rust-proof" por15 or zero rust the frame, running gear and undercarriage? This jeep is completely rust free at this point and I would like to keep it that way.

Also, my 84 Grand Wag that was for sale is gonna git axed, gonna but the 360 in instead of the 258, QUESTION:

Can I rebuild my T5 with heavy duty enough parts to withstand a 360's tourque, I AM NOT GOING O RUN AN AUTOMATIC!!!! I hate hate hate them, and a 3speed makes no sense behind this engine to with gas prices the way they are, is there a 5 speed (maybe out of a Javelin or the likes) that I can use in place of the T5? Will the result still allow an NP208 behind it?

Tips are apprieciated, THANKS.
Patrick.

[brielly]

If you want to rust proof the entire frame and underneath you will need to sand blast first to remove old paint and years of gunk. Other methods would take too much time. From there you can prep and apply por-15 or zero rust.

[mcinfantry]

i plan on zerorusting mine today or tomorrow (depends when i go get it blasted)

[joe]

I wouldn't waste any money trying to beef a T5. You could get a WC T5(world class) used in some Mustangs and I think Camaros or some such. It's got a higher 1st get than a plain T5 but is beefier but not cheap. If you feel you really need to have an OD check into an NV4500. Not cheap either but it's a real trans and will be a lot less grief in the long run.

[tgreese]

AX-15. http://www.novak-adapt.com/knowledge/ax15.htm

Re salt, you can slow the corrosion by washing the car often. If you can afford it, get a second car to drive when the roads are salty and save your Wagon.

With my VDub, for the last year I've had to park it outdoors, and it has weathered more in th last year than in the previous 5 (parked in an unheated public garage). So wash, wax, keep it dry if you can.

[LRRH]

I wouldn't try and get an AX15. Most of the XJ guys hate them cause they break so regularly.

NV4500......mmmmm....tasty. Or better yet.....mmmm.....NV5600. 6 speed. =)

either way...getting a top notch 5speed to withstand a decent V8 will cost $$.

[FSJ Thing]

After you get the frame and undercarrage down to bare metal and paint it with the rust inhibitor of your choice, get 3M rubberized undercoating. It's not a truck bed liner or some fancy black paint. I'd say it most closely ressembles road tar, but it will not only protect your frame and sheet metal from the different chemicals they spray on the roads and the salty air, but because it's so rubbery, it won't chip off from rocks and stuff flying up from your tires and such.

[over2land]

That 5600 is a sweet trans.

The 4500 is good too, and like 8" shorter than the 5600. Of course, that 8" is just my estimate from the last time I saw them...

The AX15 isn't bad.... in a small Jeep. For yours, I'd stay away from it. Having had a few of them apart... um, well let's just say I'm not a big fan.

Agreed on the T5 and the sandblasting.

Are the Cherokees boxed like the 715? If so, do you have a plan for getting the rust inhibitor into the insid of the boxed section? Or, even getting the inside of it stripped?

[andy d]

uhhmn, if you're moving to bahstin, you may wanna rethink the manual trans. if you had my commute, yood be walking in circles due to your hyper-developed left leg muscles :D i drove standards for ages, until i started commuting into town on a regular basis.

[sloop]

tellico4x4.com is a vendor that sells NV4500s and conversion kits for it, NV4500s in general seem to be very expensive.