James' RocknCJ Page

Took delivery on 2/7/2002

1984 CJ7

256 I6 - Offenhauser manifold - 4 barrel Carb

5 Speed transmission - T5

AMC20 - D30

D300 Transfer case

This is what I started out with for this project. We have run into some "awareness" with this. The first thing that we notices is that some where along this Jeep's life the driver's rear spring hanger and spring had let loose. This caused some damage to the gas tank that was never repaired, the frame was also not repaired. The engine and transmission seemed to be strong with a noticeable noise coming from what we thought was the throw out bearing.

This is going to be a build up for a rock crawler so everything will be gone through before it is ready for the road.

We now had a need to come up with some axles. The axles we wanted were hard to locate and people were proud of them. Doing some searching I found a 1979 Jeep J20 (3/4 ton) that was for sale, in Colorado. After some ebaying and talking back and forth with the owner we sealed the deal. So off to Colorado to get the J20. We took delivery on the J20 around the 20th of May, 2002, in Parker Colorado.

Donor Vehicle, 1979 Jeep J20

So here it is, what a beauty, can you see why we needed to drive a couple of thousand miles to get it?

Here is some stats on it:

52,000 miles (yeah right, it could have been)

360 2V, T18, D20, D60 rear axle, D44 front axle, new battery & the rest was pretty much junk. We paid for the truck that same amount as some people wanted for just the axles. The T18 with a couple of mods will double all that and the 360 V8 is bonus.

Now the fun begins, well after summer school

The basic plan is to use the 360 V8, T18, D44 front axle, D60 rear axle for the J20 truck. We will use the D300 transfer case from thee CJ to complete the drive train. The CJ will be lengthened 11 inches to give it a wheel base of 103 inches. The axle upgrades will change the width (wms-wms) from 58 inches to 65 inches. We will have to get some 38 inch tires and 16 inch rims to finish off the drive train.

Stretching

The stretching is easier than it seems. Basically, cut the frame in two places on a section that is parallel.

Keeping the frame lined up, move the two sections away from each other. Insert the pieces that are going to fill the gap, making sure they line up with both sides, and tack weld them in place. Once they are tack welded you can weld the whole thing up. Take your time welding and switch from one side of the frame to the other, to prevent heat warping.

Once the rectangular pieces are welded in place it is a good idea to weld some "fish" plates on to help strengthen the joints.

Getting it (the chassis) all together

A few decisions have taken place, stock YJ springs are being used front & rear, the steering box from the J20 is being used, high steer knuckles & steering components are being used on the D44, we are using 16x10 black spoked rims and the tires will be 38x13 TSL SS.

Progress

Tires & rims, steering components and drag link & tie rod are all in. The tires and rims are from Discount Tire, a big thanks to Rick Beer, they are Unique 42-7180 (16"x10" 8-6.5") rims and Super Swamper TSL's (13/38-16). The steering components come from Virginia, Tim at www.shakerbuilt.com, they supplied me with the machine flat top knuckles, 1" spacers, high steer arms & studs/cone washers. The drag link and tie rod are 6061 Al and were manufactured by Nick at Campbell Ent..

Steering pics (click on them to enlarge)

Just like that we are rolling again. With the transmission and transfer case done the engine is the next order of business.

No Turning Back 1/21/2003

Just like that, the engine, tranny & transfer case are in. The bracketry is really fun to figure out.

There are a few items to finish up before going any farther, i.e., ignition, one transfer case shifter, mods to skid plate, start exhaust, ..., it is coming right along though. The front clip doesn't need modified so the tub is the last major mod.

I forgot, I bought a Holley Projection off eBay so the 360, along with getting a new/used Dominator manifold, is getting injected. The injection helped clean things up by removing the fuel pump, the heat riser and a bunch of vacuum lines.

Running Finally 1/23/2003

After having some wiring problems with the fuel injection and getting them worked out... It's Alive...

Some Road Miles 5/30/2003

For the last 4 months there has been little to no action on the project. I got the on board air working, put on some new 3.5" (YJ) springs, added the drive shafts and a few other little things. I did add the grill to hold the radiator temporarily. I towed it over to my friends house, to store it for a while. The tub needs to be stretched and then I can start to mate the two up, finishing the little details and adding the cage.

The tub is back... (7/30/03)

After 6 weeks at the body shop, most of it sitting, the tub is back and stretched. The guy that stretched the tub had stretched his own CJ5 and his work looked excellent.

Latest pics:

The 5.38's, ARB's and alloy front shafts are in. Most of the wiring is done, I am still fighting some floating grounds. I need to do something with the springs, too tall.

I thought I would add these pics. It is going in for the roll cage design, fabrication and install next week.

How about a before and after?

Although it isn't done yet there is a dramatic difference. Remember the before is on 31" tires and the after is on 38" tires.

Roll Cage Started... (01/13/04)

A bunch of minor stuff that will probably take me forever with school starting again.

Closer look at the Fuel cell

Pic1 , Pic2, Pic3

I got the CJ out today to test for some shocks. This hill isn't the best, but it gives me some ideas of the flex to expect. The springs worked great, everything felt more than stable and there was plenty of room left.