This time I dared to venture back into the 'pre-historic' era and abandon my comfort zone of mail delivery style Jeeps!
Background story: I've recently started helping out with some of my friend's solid axle swaps and other 4x4 projects. Typically involving an IFS vehicle and swapping a 2006+ Ford Super Duty Dana 60 axle onto them. We usually end up throwing a Hummer H2 axle (GM 9.5, 14 bolt) on the rear because they come with an eaton e-locker from the factory and typically sell for $500. A few guys are also getting comfortable with LS swapping (LM7 typically) when the host vehicle's engine craps out. So I figured I'd combine a lot of this knowledge into a "fun" full swap and try and find a unique host vehicle. That is how I started looking into these classic jeep trucks.
I found this gem in the state north of me (Wyoming) and was immediately drawn to it for a few reasons. The price was right (~$2000), it had a blown engine (was going to swap anyways), the body looked good and the frame looked not rusty.
Well thankfully upon driving 6 hours north I was met with a very clean frame - basically no rust. The body does look good from 20 feet for sure. At 10 feet you start so see some paint runs and when you're next to the vehicle you certainly notice that this looks like a high schooler's first paint job! The body itself does have some dents and bumps and I must say, the sheet metal thickness on these things is amazingly thick! The engine was indeed VERY blown - the ad did not lie and it made me laugh looking at it for the first time.
So with all that said - My goal is to turn this into a fun rock crawling vehicle with respectable street manners. My build decisions will be based off some of the other builds my group of friends has done and how they perform and then mashing it all together into a unique vehicle of my own.
Preliminary build goals:
- Engine: 2001+ Chevy 5.3 (LM7) OR 6.0 (LQ4) if I can find one for a good deal, Holly Terminator stand alone engine management. Looking to use the Novak FSJ engine mounts. For the cheapest operating cost and registration fees I'll likely put Cats on the exhaust so I can register this as a regular vehicle and remain emissions compliant. There is a new radiator in this vehicle - may try and make it work but put in some E-Fans and a shroud for slow trail use.
- Transmission: NV4500 5 speed
- Transfer Case: NP241C
- Drive shafts: Front will be self made, rear will likely be self made then balanced professionally.
- Front Axle: 2006+ Ford SD Dana 60, Eaton E-Locker and re-geared to 5.13. Unit bearings / Brake discs re-drilled for GM 8x6.5 pattern
- Front Suspension: 3 link with track bar
- Rear Axle: 2003+ GM 9.5 14 bolt semi-floating out of a Hummer H2, with factory E-Locker and re-geared to 5.13
- Rear Suspension: Upper triangulated 4 link, no track bar
- Suspension: Coil overs on all 4 corners. Front I'll direct mount, rear I'm not sure yet.
- Frame: Box rear from cab back, research how to add a little torsional rigidity and add some metal to accomplish that, trim appx 1ft or more in the rear.
- Body: Engine and Cab kept as is. Rear of truck bed will be shortened about 1 foot for better departure angle performance.
- Steering: PS, not 100% set on steering box but LS swap will support power steering.
- Brakes: Vacuum boosted modern setup without ABS for sure, not 100% sure on junkyard swap to use but this will be something that will be done
- Interior: Bucket seats will be swapped in to replace the bench seat
- Safety: At a minimum a rear hoop will be placed behind cab. Possibly an interior cage if price is right. Better seat belts once bucket seats are in. New steering wheel is likely - would like to retain the Kaiser jeep badge if possible.