M38A1 with lift installed and front wheels/tires

Making progress. I've got the suspension done all the way around and the rear axle rebuilt. Front axle is next as the seals and kingpin bearings are whacked. And the driver's side front axle joint (Bendix or Rzeppa I don't know) is completely hosed. I've got a D27 for donor shafts which should be the Spicer joints. 35's look great on the jeep, and a lot bigger than on a fullsize. Anyhow, here's a shot:



I can't do the rears until I get the 8 lug axle swapped into the rear of my Jimmy. I finished the front swap, but am going to get one of my old axlehousings to jig off of before I disassemble. New wheels are 16.5x10 with 36 12.5 16.5 Goodyear Wrangler RT II Military Humvee tires.

 

Both look good. Nice pics.

 

Looks good! What are the specs on the suspension? Are you going to do something different with the steering?

 

Suspension is the black diamond 3". Plans don't call for any use on the road, so I'm going to see how it goes for now. If it bumps too bad, I'm going to convert to one long tie rod but keep the Ross steering. I don't plan on any permanent mods to the jeep so it can be returned to all original some day.

 

Looking good. What kind of motor do you have turning those?

 

Right now it has the F head motor. I figured with the 5.38 gears and the 35" tires coupled with the 2.56 low range of the D18 I would still have better overall gear ratio than my MB with stock tires, the 4.88 and the 1.96 low range of the old T18.

I have a Mercruiser 181 (3.0 litre) that I am planning on swapping along with an SM465. But first I'm going to enjoy driving it some along with the rest of the cosmetics.

 

Carry plenty of spare axle u-joints with you if you are running 35's on a D27. I grenaded 2 this Spring with 35's on a D30. Although I don't see much difference between the D27 and the D30 u-joints as far as size goes.

 

agreed... i've got a similar setup on my Rig... all stock running gear and axles with lift and 35" BFG's.
No broken axles or u-joints yet, but i'll be carrying spares to the trails this summer for sure.

 

Oh man - lovin' that Jimmy! I had a '72 Blazer with a 383 stroker and 33's...I miss that rig...

Both look real good!

 

Looking nice.

 

Thanks for the compliments. Going to order front end R&R parts this week and that should get the mechanicals in pretty good shape. I put a set of gears in a Camaro this week and that $ should cover bearings and seals. With new front axle shafts from my donor 27 and the brakes gone through I can at least enjoy a few drives!

 

OK, got the rear axle housing installed in my Jimmy. Built a jig off an old OEM 12 bolt housing and then used the shock mounts off the same housing. Still need to do the brakes and get a conversion u-joint. But it freed up the tires for the jeep! Next is to finish ripping out all the existing wiring. Then R&R the front axle and at the some time go through the brakes. Mechanically that gets me done. Just paint and wiring. I'm shooting for November 1 completion.

 

looking good

 

OK. Finished the 8 lug swap on the Jimmy except for the driveshaft. Couldn't get a 1310 to 1350 joint at any of the close parts stores. It'll be here tomorrow.

I need to find time to buy some jeep parts. Hopefully this week.

 

sharp jimmy and jeep where did you get the softtop

 

looks great!...

 

Thanks. Top is a Specialty Top Co. Fastrac. STC bought all Kayline's old stuff, but now they are at least temporarily out of business as well. Hopefully somebody picks 'em up and gets going again.