My "I'll take my time" M38 build up

Well I have actually started working on my M38 so I figure that its time to start a build up thread to help motivate me.
Here is the plan:

• 
  M38 tub

• 
  52 CJ2A frame

• 
  68 225 Buick odd fire V6 out of a 68 CJ5

• 
  T90 transmission

• 
  T18 transfer case

• 
  Spring over with YJ springs

• 
  (eventually) dana 44 and ford 9" out of an EB

• 
  Full roll cage

• 
  35s

• 
  oh and propane.

On to pictures.

Here is the frame. It is in pretty good shape. Mainly surface rust, no holes or anything. There is no rear crossmember so that has to be made. I plan on plating the frame at some point.



The body is from Davies Jeeps in Southern Ohio. The hat channels are rusted out so those need to be fixed and there is a strip that is completely gone where the tire used to mount on the side. There a few other smaller spots on the sides that need to be fixed.

















The motor was recently rebuilt. I bought it from a local guy who bought a CJ5 and is making his jeep into a push jeep for the local dragstrip. He is dropping in a SBC so I got a recently rebuilt V6 with the alternator, 2 barrel carb, fenderwell dump headers and mufflers for a deal. I pulled the tranny/transfer case from another jeep but I kind of want an automatic but this is fine for now.






As you can see, I have most of the big parts (for right now I am using a Dana 30/ AMC 20 for mock up) so things should get going quickly. There will probably be some stops along the way due to work and having another Jeep(my 2000 Cherokee) to work on. Most of the knowledge and know how will come from my dad ( sgtdave ). Thats about it for today. I'm hoping to have the front and rear spring mounted by the end of this weed so I should have pictures.

Chris

 

Looks like a fun start! One thing, if you're planning a 9" rear and 44 front from an Early Bronco you're gonna need to change from the 18 transfer case to something different. The 18 has both front and rear outputs on the passenger side. The pumpkin on the Ford 44 front is on the driver's side, and the 9" stock is centered. A wider 9" from an F-150 could be narrowed with the offset pinion you are looking for though.

 

Yeah. So It looks like my options are go with axles out of an early bronco and get a new trasfercase (I will go this way if i go with an automatic transmission) or go with dana 44s out of a 74-79 wagoneer (both axles ofset to passenger side with 30 spline one piece axles?)

Also I want power steering but the engine does not have it on it. I have heard that I can use any power steering pump and just need to make a bracket that mounts it to the block inline with the serp. belt? what else do I need. EDIT: I just found the ps conversion thread. I think I'm good. This site is sweet.

Chris

 

Looks like a good build you have going there, are you located near sgtdave? if so im not to far away if you ever need an extra set of hands (or parts)!

 

Haha, yeah I'm at home from school for the summer so I live in Avon Lake. During the school year I'm at cleveland state so either way I'm close.

Chris

 

Probably the Waggy axles would be the best bet if you want to go wider than stock. You will need to build a custom length drag link and outboard the front springs but that's not a terribly big deal. It's been done tons of time. Several members on this board have done it to their Jeeps so if you have questions ask away.

 

if you want a cowl battery box to replace your missing one let me know. I Have one on the parts m38 I can cut out. Just make an offer.

 

Bill do you have a battery box cover? we need one for this build

ssgt Dave

 

I do have the battery box cover. Send me a PM So we dont go to far off topic on this build

 

well I have gotten a lot of work done on hanging the leafs. The frame did not have a rear crossmember on it so that had to be made also. For the time being we are using an offset AMC20 rear and a PS drop Dana 30. Because of the offset rear axle and the skinny frame, rear springs had to be outboarded, this will help when I go to fullsize axles in the future. The whole rear shackle hanger and rear crossmember is one piece that gets bolted in. In the front, the springs are just going to mount under the frame. I didn't attach the shackle side of the front springs yet b/c I want to set the shackle angle after the motor gets set in.

Oh and the body is just set on the frame to save space.

Pictures:




The crossmember/rear shackle hanger is not fully welded in this picture but it will get welded the next time that the body is off it will get welded up.










As it sits, the brackets for the suspension are bolted on. The rear crossmember is going to stay this way. I am leaning towards welding everything in while SgtDave is leaning more towards bolting everything in. any thoughts?

Chris