3b Act II

Looks better with the truss removed.

You should do a TDI swap like I did.

 

Do I even want to ask what the previous owner was doing with the top steering link on the left knuckle?

 

That definitely won't be used. These axles were under a Toyota truck and it was a huge mess from what I was told. The only value to it was the aluminum links.

Yep, it looks way better without the truss.
I dream of engine swaps but there is an extremely tight budget and if I want to drive it anytime soon, I'll have to stick with what I have.


I went back out and measured the D60 WMS-WMS and it's ~61 7/8".
14b WMS-WMS ~62 3/4"

 

true dedication to the hobby!!

 

Got the axles marked for spring perches. The springs will sit outboard about an inch or so in the front.

Almost $300 for some spring perches and ubolts. Oof.

I'm thinking about using a WJ or C3 steering gear now. They would alleviate a few steering shaft issues that will arise.

Many hours of grinding ahead. I should have just bought another frame.



I have a good scrap pile going again.

 

I've spent the past couple days grinding off welds on the frame because I got a week off from work courtesy of the flu and covid.

Ordered all of the leaf spring stuff so hopefully, it'll be a roller in the next few weeks.

 

I've been thinking about the engine situation for the past few weeks....L67 Buick, TH350 (full manual), D20 or D300(?).

I don't know how well the auto would hold up to 3.73 gears and 37" tires but I have a line on a running engine and wiring harness.

Not a fan of slush boxes but a full manual conversion would make it more bearable.

Thoughts?

 

Supercharged Buick would be cool! The have the smaller bellhousing though, so adapting is required to mate to a TH350?

 

Right. 60 degree to 90 degree. No biggie

 

LS all things.

Don't forget the turbos.

 

I have a rebuilt 5.3 but it just makes too much sense to swap in something common and I want this 3b to be somewhat different from the rest.

 

3.5 ecoboost?

Supercharged Buick 3800?
NA 3800 is still a boat load of ponys.

VW TDI

Chevy 4.3

Ford 2.3

 

The L67 is a supercharged Buick 3800.

4.3- common sense swap choice but no supercharger.
3.5 EcoBoost- heck no
VW TDI- $$ & major fabrication required
2.3- meh

 

Buick Fireball straight eight?

 

Boat anchor

 

He’d be able to check number 7 & 8 plugs from the drivers seat

 

I guess the engine is settled. now all you need is a flywheel and fabricated bellhousing for a t18, or sm465.

 

A 2.8 bellhousing would fit the bill and bolt to an sm420/sm465 but I'd have to source a flywheel, clutch kit, etc. The bellhousing is not that easy to find but they're out there. There's one on eBay now for $285 plus s&h. I have a 4x4 sm465 and sbc bellhousing but the transmission needs a rebuild itself. The simple solution would be to just use an automatic transmission.

Back when I had the CJ2A the thought of using this engine was in my head so I have thought about this particular swap on and off since then.

 

You could make ITLKSEZ jealous and do a Toyota/Lexus 4.7 V8: https://www.ebay.com/itm/233648627675

 

Had one but it's my brother's now. It's a stout engine for its size.