Full Size Jeep Network

A little shade for those hot summer days...

Belatedly - cool project. I'm starting on my J4800 in the next few months - good running 360 4bbl, D-20, and fine T-18A. Looking for updates from your project too.

Well, it's time to do a little updating.
As of June 2016, the caddy threw a rod cap from the sounds of it. It started as a mild knock that gave in short order. I have been very upset about this as it only seems I got 80k out of the fresh rebuild? I thought these caddys were strong?

I have a customer/ friend with a big shop that I parked it behind until I made a plan. Meanwhile I'm running all my tools and welder around in a 92 xj with 340k on it. The poor little thing is not handling it well. The J20 was 8400#.

In August I did a job in Boise and thought I had all the details ready for a 2000 cummins dually flatbed 4x4, but fell through the weekend I was to go get it.

Flash to last month, I have been putting feelers out that I'm looking, when I get "that" call. 2000 2500 club cab, short bed, 5.9l 24 valve (250k odometer), nv4500, nv272. PO hit a patch of black ice and slide to dirt and "flopped" it on its roof. The 2 main doors still open. Fired it up and drove it on and off the trailer.









Teardown has begun and we are in full layout stage here. Should be an interesting week , I don't have very much work scheduled. I'll update when I can.
I can't believe that this will be the 3rd engine setup I've had under this hood. I'm hoping this one is going to last...

Engine swap? Screw that! Full on body swap!


Jk, I don't remember the numbers, but I remember measuring when I was looking at donors for the CheroWaGladabego project. I know that it's not even remotely close.

Oh no, I need suspension and all. I want it to all work together like under the Dodge. Don't want to try to reinvent, I'm even going to try to use the Dodge wire harness. It was an SLT truck, so had all the bells and whistles.

You probably should plan to go through the NV4500. My 99 lost 5th gear at about 150k. And spend the money to get a good fuel delivery system. If you lose your lift pump and it takes out the pressure pump it's BIG $$$. Fix it now so you are worry free.
And if you run the dodge axles, plan on ball joints. Don't go cheap on them or you will do them very often. Nice score though!!!


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Planning on doing the Ford hub conversion on the front to get serviceable bearings and lockout hubs.
The Dodge came with a fuel pressure Guage already installed....

jaber wrote:Planning on doing the Ford hub conversion on the front to get serviceable bearings and lockout hubs.
The Dodge came with a fuel pressure Guage already installed....

While knowing is helpful, I wouldn't trust the factory lift pump. If it goes then the pressure pump can starve and overheat. The fuel provides the lubrication for the pump, when the lift goes it's like running your motor without oil.
I'm excited to watch your conversion... gotta love a Cummins J-truck!


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Well dang, I am sorry to hear about the Caddy. I like the Dodge upgrade ideas!

Got some time to work on it today...







And after a good washin...







Until next time...

Ok, another weekend off. I want my final wheelbase to be 132.5" to get the wheels centered under the bed. So I set out getting the frame preped, old mounts off and frame cut to length. If my measurements are right, I might be able to use the stock tank. I know, I know, enough talk...





I went a little unconventional and cut it where it's boxed. It will get plated before I'm done...

This weekends progress...



Definitely higher then planned...

8x8??


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Lol, optical delusion...

Beautiful!

Groovy Jeff!

Damn Jeff, that looks like I wanted to do it lol. I would have kept the full length and mount the welding rig in between the cab and the bed. But hey... you the owner . Keep us posted man.

Thanks guys. I'm having fun with it, making little steps here and there in my free time. It's 15 miles away, but it's a free shop. I set the cab where I wanted it and shortened the Dodge cab mounts to fit the jeep,removed the steel mushroom they use against the cab, and made some steel sleeves to replace them at the same length. Tacked the mounts to the frame, and measured for engine placement. 8"seems to be the magic number, so I pulled the cab and set it back, then the engine, trans,t-case out in one piece. Today I cut the engine mounts off for relocation. They would have hit the accessories if I had left them, plus I won't have to fab any. There is a notch "molded" into the frame for the a/c compressor that I'm going to have to continue back the same amount, so that's next on my list, then mod the jeeps firewall for the Dodge pedal assembly. It's funny how close things are lining up. I'll get a crapload of pic sat when I'm on it next.

Thanks for the shots of how you cut and welded the Dodge frame. That looks like an excellent way to do it, with the opposing angles and the jog in the diagonal cut lines.

http://s252.photobucket.com/user/jeffaber/library/J-20
Here's the link to the album these pics are going into. There are many more, and if you want anything specific feel free to ask.