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Okay, kids, here's the plan...I'm building what Jeep doesn't build, a V8-powered, 5-speed, 4x4 shortbed, 2-door pickup. For years I've been thinking about how I would do this. I've finally pulled the trigger. I'm in the middle of the project now.
1. Started with an '88 GW. Previous owner installed a 3" lift. I pulled the body off and exposed a totally solid, rust-free frame w Dana 44s.
2. Procured a '92 YJ, 4.0L, 5-speed (AX-15) for the donor. I will use the body & interior, flywheel, (will need to be match balanced to the flexplate of the AMC360), tranny and transfercase (NP231), shifters, hydraulic clutch, fuel tank, steering column, basically everything but the frame, axles, suspension, wheels, etc.
3. I procured a bellhousing, clutch master & slave & line & input bearing support from a '94 4.0 YJ, because I want to run an external clutch slave cylinder (which became available in'94). If I wanted to keep the '92 YJ's internal hydraulic throwout bearing, I wouldn't have had to buy any of that stuff. Could have just swapped everything over from the YJ. BTW, this AX15 swap is possible with ALL Jeep parts! Only part I needed to buy separately was a pilot bearing to match the larger bore in the AMC 360 crank to the pilot tip of the AX15. The PN for that pilot bearing is National Bearing FC69907
4. I will need to move the AMC 360 motor mounts rearward aprox 9" (final distance will soon be determined after I drop the YJ body onto the frame to start mocking things in). The determining issue will be locating the front axle in the center of the YJ front fender opening.
5. I will bob the YJ tub by chopping a section (length TBD) out of the rear seat area and welding the rear corners/taillight area back onto the shortened tub. I will then build a custom bed (similar to a Jeep TJ Brute bed) to be mounted behind the tub.
6. I will bob the hardtop to match the bobbed tub. Objective is to leave ample room behind the driver/passenger seat for a good-sized tool box, lockable storage, etc.
7. I will have to fab new or shortened/lengthened driveshafts, as the tranny/transfercase will be located 9" or so rearward along with the engine.
8. I installed brand new locking hubs into the front Dana 44 axle. The stock axle ratios, however, stink. 2.73. Eventually, I will have those swapped for something lower, but I'm not spending any time on that now.
9. AMC 360 will eventually be rebuilt or swapped for a fresh rebuild. Mods will be moderate. For ignition I'm installing a TFI upgrade, but I'm gutting the stock Duraspark box and installing an HEI module inside it. Intake is an Edelbrock Performer and carb is a Holley Street Avenger 670 with vacuum secondaries. I'm running the stock, AMC high-flow passenger side exhaust manifold and swapping on a matching, high-flow driver side exhaust manifold.
10. If you're curious how this might turn out, do a search for Sitting Bull's Crackpipe. I discovered that project after I began my project, and it is very close to what I'm doing. The big differences are he kept his TF727 and stretched his YJ body to make it more like a Scrambler. I'm running a 5-speed and a separate bed (which will likely be almost a 5' bed).
I'll post plenty of photos and welcome suggestions, tips, etc. For now the project is well underway, so I should have the first photos up fairly soon.
Ernie
1. Started with an '88 GW. Previous owner installed a 3" lift. I pulled the body off and exposed a totally solid, rust-free frame w Dana 44s.
2. Procured a '92 YJ, 4.0L, 5-speed (AX-15) for the donor. I will use the body & interior, flywheel, (will need to be match balanced to the flexplate of the AMC360), tranny and transfercase (NP231), shifters, hydraulic clutch, fuel tank, steering column, basically everything but the frame, axles, suspension, wheels, etc.
3. I procured a bellhousing, clutch master & slave & line & input bearing support from a '94 4.0 YJ, because I want to run an external clutch slave cylinder (which became available in'94). If I wanted to keep the '92 YJ's internal hydraulic throwout bearing, I wouldn't have had to buy any of that stuff. Could have just swapped everything over from the YJ. BTW, this AX15 swap is possible with ALL Jeep parts! Only part I needed to buy separately was a pilot bearing to match the larger bore in the AMC 360 crank to the pilot tip of the AX15. The PN for that pilot bearing is National Bearing FC69907
4. I will need to move the AMC 360 motor mounts rearward aprox 9" (final distance will soon be determined after I drop the YJ body onto the frame to start mocking things in). The determining issue will be locating the front axle in the center of the YJ front fender opening.
5. I will bob the YJ tub by chopping a section (length TBD) out of the rear seat area and welding the rear corners/taillight area back onto the shortened tub. I will then build a custom bed (similar to a Jeep TJ Brute bed) to be mounted behind the tub.
6. I will bob the hardtop to match the bobbed tub. Objective is to leave ample room behind the driver/passenger seat for a good-sized tool box, lockable storage, etc.
7. I will have to fab new or shortened/lengthened driveshafts, as the tranny/transfercase will be located 9" or so rearward along with the engine.
8. I installed brand new locking hubs into the front Dana 44 axle. The stock axle ratios, however, stink. 2.73. Eventually, I will have those swapped for something lower, but I'm not spending any time on that now.
9. AMC 360 will eventually be rebuilt or swapped for a fresh rebuild. Mods will be moderate. For ignition I'm installing a TFI upgrade, but I'm gutting the stock Duraspark box and installing an HEI module inside it. Intake is an Edelbrock Performer and carb is a Holley Street Avenger 670 with vacuum secondaries. I'm running the stock, AMC high-flow passenger side exhaust manifold and swapping on a matching, high-flow driver side exhaust manifold.
10. If you're curious how this might turn out, do a search for Sitting Bull's Crackpipe. I discovered that project after I began my project, and it is very close to what I'm doing. The big differences are he kept his TF727 and stretched his YJ body to make it more like a Scrambler. I'm running a 5-speed and a separate bed (which will likely be almost a 5' bed).
I'll post plenty of photos and welcome suggestions, tips, etc. For now the project is well underway, so I should have the first photos up fairly soon.
Ernie
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