64 Kaiser Wagoneer 2dr, Factory Manual, Cummins 3.9l 4bta conversion

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  • pratty85
    230 Tornado
    • Oct 13, 2010
    • 7

    64 Kaiser Wagoneer 2dr, Factory Manual, Cummins 3.9l 4bta conversion

    Hello all!
    I am the proud owner of a 64 Kaiser Wagoneer 2dr Factory manual, factory 4wd. And I am going to stuff a Cummins 4bta in it!!

    I bought the vehicle from Minneapolis, MN.....Rust bucket!!! The front floor was completely destroyed along with seat mounts. But the rear floor, front clip, hood, dash were in great shape and it has all the original glass too!

    I had my doubts whether to take on this rusty of a project, but I love the 2 doors! And this one is a crown jewel. Someone needed to save it! So I am completely taking everything apart.



    One thing about this vehicle that intrigued me was the front 4wd setup. First every IFS????? and the steering geometry....wow


    I decided that I wasn't going to be able to use this setup for what I wanted...So I decided to do a rolling chassis swap from a 1977 Wagoneer that has factory D44's and leaf springs front and rear. It had a 401 in it but I pulled that out and gave it to the owner as part of the deal since I will be using a 4bt. I am also going to be using the floor out of the 77 because its in amazing shape!! as well as all the factory steering and brakes etc.

    I have already pulled the 64 body(I welded it braces to ensure integrity due to the floor being completely gone), off the rolling 64 chassis and it is complete!!! 1964 factory 4wd IFS wagoneer chassis so if anyone is interested shoot me a pm. I will have more pics coming soon, this is going to be a huge project with a lot of fabrication and I am looking forward to it!

    Final plans:
    Go anywhere Expeditionary rig
    6" spring-over lift
    35" tires
    custom made bumpers w/front and rear winches
    Intercooled 4bt swap with NV5600 and NP205 Tcase
    Roof rack
    Last edited by pratty85; 10-21-2012, 08:14 AM.
  • budojeepr
    350 Buick
    • Feb 02, 2006
    • 933

    #2
    Great-looking project. I did a body swap recently so I may be able to help if you get stuck. When first looking at the pictures it piqued my interest because I haven't seen anyone working on an IFS chassis.

    I hope you have someplace warm and covered to work on it! I know New-braska winters aren't easy.

    You might want to cross-post this on fsjnetwork.com too (if you haven't already).

    Don't be yourself. Be someone a little nicer. -Mignon McLaughlin, journalist and author (1913-1983)

    Comment

    • Resbum
      327 Rambler
      • Jun 16, 2010
      • 648

      #3
      VERY NICE. Subscribed
      Originally posted by Resbum
      "What year is my truck?... Which part?" Build thread- http://www.fsjnetwork.com/forum/view...p=18290#p18290

      Comment

      • FSJunkie
        The Nigel Tufnel of the FSJ world.
        • Jan 09, 2011
        • 4040

        #4
        The early FSJ IFS setup was very interesting. It used torsion bars just like Chryslers did, and they were reported to handle great. Too bad the IFS setup used the screwy belcrank steering system instead of a saginaw box. Jeep did design that IFS to be used offroad, es evidenced by the steering stabilizer and loads of suspension travel. A Motortrend test drive of a Wagoneer with IFS praised the way it soaked up bumps on rough roads.

        If it was me, I would keep the IFS and fabricate in a Saginaw power steering box.
        '72 Jeep Wagoneer Custom, 360 V8

        I love how arguements end as soon as Ristow comments. Ristow is right...again.

        Comment

        • pratty85
          230 Tornado
          • Oct 13, 2010
          • 7

          #5
          Originally posted by FSJunkie
          If it was me, I would keep the IFS and fabricate in a Saginaw power steering box.
          I have gone back and fourth with that idea, but I know that 77 chassis with D44's will support the 4bta just fine. And I don't want to work around that huge cross-member while making custom motor mounts for a 900lb motor. I also plan on moving the rear spring hangers back a few inches and trimming just the back part of my fenders by 4 inch (approx). Then getting longer custom leaf springs to recenter the axle in the widened wheel well.

          Yeah Midwest winters are rough, I do have a heated shop, but as you can tell with the pictures I share the space. So please be patient guys, this is going to take awhile. It has taken a year to get to this point since I bought the Kaiser

          Comment


          • #6
            That IFS could be the greatest thing since sliced bread...but I would guess parts are even less than unavailable. It was only used for what...2-3 years? I'd bet nearly everything would be custom made, even simple maintenance items.

            For a good reliable driver, standard available parts are the way to go. I know it seems boring, and I'm all for unique, but something like that belongs on a factory resto. It's just too oddball and expensive for the average joe.


            aa
            1983 J-10 - 4.6L(MPFI)/CS130D/Hydroboost/NV3550/D300/44/44/3.54/Disc-Disc/32s/42 gallon 'burb tank

            Comment

            • mud89
              304 AMC
              • Nov 18, 2009
              • 2028

              #7
              Jeep was definitely a forerunner with IFS and 4WD as soon as 1962..
              IIRC they drop IFS in 65, because it was not reliable enough for offroad and also because demand was low
              IFS was only available for the models with the Tornado engine
              Do you have the serial number of this rare bird ?
              Last edited by mud89; 10-21-2012, 11:04 PM.
              J10 sportside '81, J10 Golden Eagle '77, Wagoneer '65, Gladiator '64 + parts rigs

              Comment

              • pratty85
                230 Tornado
                • Oct 13, 2010
                • 7

                #8
                I have the Kaiser identification plate with serial number. Ile post it later. as far as I know it was a tornado, 3 on the tree, 4wd IFS with manual hubs, and a 2 door.

                Comment

                • mud89
                  304 AMC
                  • Nov 18, 2009
                  • 2028

                  #9
                  Ok, thanks, should be 1412 something
                  J10 sportside '81, J10 Golden Eagle '77, Wagoneer '65, Gladiator '64 + parts rigs

                  Comment

                  • The PIG Smith
                    King Browless

                    Moderator
                    • Nov 30, 2001
                    • 6537

                    #10
                    Originally posted by FSJunkie
                    If it was me, I would keep the IFS and fabricate in a Saginaw power steering box.
                    I second this idea.

                    ...only IF the IFS parts are in good shape.
                    As has been mentioned already, these IFS are made from unobtainium.

                    There was a post here some years about these IFS being cross referenced with other front parts parts from other manufacturer
                    As I recall, someone put some time and effort into digging out that information.

                    I cannot find it now.
                    The search here stinks and my searching with Google against this site has resulted in nothing.
                    Am I dreaming or does anyone else remember this?

                    If far as I know, there are no members here that own a IFS equipped rig that is a running, driving vehicle.
                    (Oh please, I hope I am wrong!)
                    So, if I had a chance to be one of those with a working IFS rig (or maybe the only one) then I would all over that.

                    The sad unfortunate fact, that once you started driving it, these unobtainium begin to wear.
                    Bryan Smith
                    2017 Jeep Grand Cherokee Limited
                    - 75th Anniversary Edition - 1941 Trim Package - Recon Green
                    1986 Jeep J20
                    - Super clean rig from the AZ/CA state line
                    1982 Jeep J10
                    - Has become a Long Term Project.
                    1981 Jeep J20
                    - Commercial flat bed - Lost in a Divorce --gone
                    1987 Jeep J20 Pioneer
                    - Former Rick Bielec aka Ricbee plow rig. Major rust!! --gone

                    IFSJA Member #1933 Joined November 30, 2001

                    Originally posted by Jayrodoh
                    ...but if it works, I wouldn't touch it.
                    Originally posted by Lindel
                    Best laid plans, yada yada yada...

                    Comment

                    • Resbum
                      327 Rambler
                      • Jun 16, 2010
                      • 648

                      #11
                      Originally posted by pratty85


                      Final plans:
                      Go anywhere Expeditionary rig
                      6" spring-over lift
                      35" tires
                      custom made bumpers w/front and rear winches
                      Intercooled 4bt swap with NV5600 and NP205 Tcase
                      Roof rack
                      I notice in the first picture the cool 4X4 van w/ roof rack in the background. Between that and your "
                      Go anywhere Expeditionary rig" comment I wondered if this was what you're interested in doing:

                      http://www.expeditionportal.com/

                      If so, we may have to stay in touch. Although I've never mentioned it in my thread, one of the things I've been really interested in doing with my truck is a figure 8 lap around N & S America's. I've done some things during my build with just that thought in mind.

                      Also, converting over to a Dana front axle makes even more sense. You definitely don't want to be stuck in boondocks S. America with an exotic IFS front end.

                      With a 4BT and Dana front end your Kaiser Wagoneer would be a perfect expedition rig.
                      Originally posted by Resbum
                      "What year is my truck?... Which part?" Build thread- http://www.fsjnetwork.com/forum/view...p=18290#p18290

                      Comment

                      • pratty85
                        230 Tornado
                        • Oct 13, 2010
                        • 7

                        #12
                        Yeah exactly Resbum! Actually, this is my other build thread at the Expo:http://www.expeditionportal.com/foru...Build-Overview

                        I wanted to build a pure mechanical vehicle as an expeditionary rig and something that has a shorter turn radius.

                        That diesel 4x4 van is my daily driver.
                        Last edited by pratty85; 10-22-2012, 09:07 AM.

                        Comment

                        • pratty85
                          230 Tornado
                          • Oct 13, 2010
                          • 7

                          #13
                          Originally posted by mud89
                          Jeep was definitely a forerunner with IFS and 4WD as soon as 1962..
                          IIRC they drop IFS in 65, because it was not reliable enough for offroad and also because demand was low
                          IFS was only available for the models with the Tornado engine
                          Do you have the serial number of this rare bird ?

                          Kaiser Serial # 1412-11590

                          Comment

                          • Resbum
                            327 Rambler
                            • Jun 16, 2010
                            • 648

                            #14
                            Originally posted by pratty85
                            Yeah exactly Resbum! Actually, this is my other build thread at the Expo:http://www.expeditionportal.com/foru...Build-Overview

                            I wanted to build a pure mechanical vehicle as an expeditionary rig and something that has a shorter turn radius.

                            That diesel 4x4 van is my daily driver.
                            Cool beans! I'll check your other thread.
                            Originally posted by Resbum
                            "What year is my truck?... Which part?" Build thread- http://www.fsjnetwork.com/forum/view...p=18290#p18290

                            Comment

                            • fulsizjeep
                              Señor Jackhead
                              • Aug 21, 2002
                              • 22496

                              #15
                              I would have removed the grille assembly and crushed it just so I could share pictures on this forum.
                              Flint
                              Ran when parked.
                              http://jubileejeeps.org/quadratrac
                              88 GW, 401/727/208, 5" lift, D44s/4.10s/locked up, 35s with a few Evil Twin & TT's Fabworks mods
                              76 401 Wag, 77 401 Wag, 77 401 J20
                              http://eviltwinfab.com http://www.ttsfabworks.com

                              Comment

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