An honest question,just an honest answer needed

lynn · Dec 21, 2006

Todd, here's one thing that will be a big help in gaining some room in the engine bay... to provide the potential to move the engine forward if needed...
get a grille and rad from an 72/up CJ. The rad mounts into the grille; the grille doesn't have the big "funnel" sheet metal that an early CJ has. The grille itself will bolt to the fenders the same way as the ECJ. The bottom mount will be different You'll have to fab a way to support the bottom. I used a plate between the frame rails, mounted the grille bottom to that (I used a '73 grille). Of course, you'll have to look at the rad, see if inlets/outlets are positioned where you need them. If not, they can be moved by a rad shop, or find a rad with the configuration you need.
Moving the engine forward you'll still have a couple issues. The early CJ front crossmember might get in your way. If it does, you may need to fab a different style of crossmember. Look to later CJs to see how they changed.
Also take a good look at the configuration of the 318 oil pan. I'm not sure how it will line up... the sump may interfere with the front axle position. If it does, you'll have to consider a different pan (possibly custom?) or relocating the engine position.
Good luck, keep us posted

Mcruff · Dec 21, 2006

The 318 is either center sump or rear sump, shoot for the rear sump model.
Hopefuly your 318 is old enough that it still uses v-belts as the they are shorter in there setup then the modern serpentine and will help fit in the jeeps engine compartment.

timgr · Dec 21, 2006

Regarding the wide axles, check on the laws in your state regarding how much of the tire must be inside the fender. Some states require that nothing be protruding. Any axles other than the stock width and the wheels will stick out. Flares will help, but only with a maximum of a few inches on either side.

Executioner · Dec 21, 2006

I'm almost teary eyed by your generous and excellent responses, It's gonna take me awhile to absorb and go through it all.
Well I'd like to go with manual trans. as far as what donor vehicle... anything with the least grief,and least $$ I know it's gonna take some work, cause if it were cheap and easy everyone would be doing it (well not everyone) If adapting the 318 to the current axles will work I'd do it, cause my only goal is to use the 318 cause I already have it and can easily push the jeep around, I'd even be willing to figure out what max recommended rpm's for axles are and limiting my speed to prevent abusing them, But I have a feeling the sheer difference in horsepower will tear up the stock axles anyway.
Maybe a cherokee is the way to go or a dakota pickup, making the whole jeep wider, frame and all is doable just labor intensive,and would make for an interesting project. Instead I've seen 6" flares already so that adds 1' width! I'd just need to go with alot of back spacing on the wheels.

Executioner · Dec 21, 2006

karlvin08 said: ↑

How far out there are you really looking to go? If it were me i would say go with the drive train all from one vehicle to eliminate adapters and keep the cost and length down. he more adapters you have to run the longer your drive train will get and also the thinner your wallet will get. Have you considered full width truck axles? If you went with a 3/4 ton dodge you could use the axles, transfer case and transmission from it then throw your 318 in front of it. Plus if the dodge had an engine in it you and your son could fix it up for the Diplomat and get a new tradition going but that is a whole different thing. Any way to keep the width down you could then put some hummer beadlock rims on the 8 bolt axles since they have somewhere around 7 inches of backspace which would bring full width axles back down to being similar to regular wheels on a 62" wms-wms axle instead of stock wheels on a ~67" axle. That would put your track width just a little wider a TJ. Then the only other thing i would do would be to swap the rear springs out for some xj leafs since they have the offset center pin which would gain you about 6 inches or so of wheelbase without really having to lengthen your frame out any, just comp cut the rear wheel wells, to stretch things out so you have a littel room for the rear driveshaft. Some things to think about in doing it that way are you get 3/4 ton brakes which would be more than enough to stop a cj under almost any conditions, you get the DOT legal beadlock wheels whit runflat inserts if you choose to use them, axles that are stong enough to hold up to your built 318, and a nice big stable base. Then again that is just what i would do(except with a chevy drivetrain )
Click to expand...

Very interesting concept.......

Executioner · Dec 21, 2006

I read all the responses and want to thank you, any suggestions on what to type for a search for the past discussions? I appreciate very much all the info and I'm going to copy and paste it to notepad then to a dvd disc for future reference.

This project is a year or more from starting, I'll have to gather as much info as possible and come up with a plan then gather parts.
I'd like to wait on parts gathering till I have a garage (less to move)
Then measure and make up brackets to pre plan as thoroughly as I can.
When I tear into it...My son will be takin pic's cause I'll be workin to get 'er done in under 2 weeks vacation time.

Lastly unless you guys wish to add more suggestions I'll let this topic drop due to the overwhealming response and length of time till it's started, I'll have to concentrate on keeping the stock setup workin for now, (yea I still want to try the turbo come spring, cause I can...)

jeepaholic · Dec 21, 2006

If it is that far from starting then you will have a step by step as I will have hopefully finished mine. The build thread is in my sig. Good luck on the build

Adam

Executioner · Dec 28, 2006

Any suggestions would be good I'd like to save this entire thread in some way,either on my hard drive or on a dvd or cd. My printer is outa ink and need my $$$$ to buy a wireless router tommorow. I don't want to upset anyone with dredging up and old topic to keep it current but I'm very thankfull for the responses... it will be VERY helpfull!

I could cut and paste each page but very time consuming:?

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An honest question,just an honest answer needed

lynn Time machine / Early CJ5 HR Rep Staff Member

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An honest question,just an honest answer needed

lynn Time machine / Early CJ5 HR Rep Staff Member

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timgr We stand on the shoulders of giants. 2022 Sponsor

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jeepaholic Jeepfreak81's fabricator!

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