1981 Cherokee Chief - Rustard - 2WD 2JZ

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SJohn
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Re: 1981 Cherokee Chief - Rustard - 2WD 2JZ

Post by SJohn »

Stuka wrote:Yeah, at least its not a DOHC V8 with 32 of them!
Absolutely!

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Owner/Operator/Chief Engineer of Johnson Production FSJ Parts
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1986 J20 LS Swap
https://www.fsjnetwork.com/forum/viewto ... 12&t=17875

1981 Cherokee Chief - Rustard - 2JZ swap
https://www.fsjnetwork.com/forum/viewto ... 12&t=22981

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SJohn
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Re: 1981 Cherokee Chief - Rustard - 2WD 2JZ

Post by SJohn »

The water test went well this evening with the springs in! No leaks so I must have done a decent job lapping these valves! Now I can fully finish putting it all back together.
Owner/Operator/Chief Engineer of Johnson Production FSJ Parts
https://www.johnsonproductionjp.com/

1986 J20 LS Swap
https://www.fsjnetwork.com/forum/viewto ... 12&t=17875

1981 Cherokee Chief - Rustard - 2JZ swap
https://www.fsjnetwork.com/forum/viewto ... 12&t=22981

Topic author
SJohn
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Re: 1981 Cherokee Chief - Rustard - 2WD 2JZ

Post by SJohn »

The Cherokee is finally out of blasting and priming!

Image

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Owner/Operator/Chief Engineer of Johnson Production FSJ Parts
https://www.johnsonproductionjp.com/

1986 J20 LS Swap
https://www.fsjnetwork.com/forum/viewto ... 12&t=17875

1981 Cherokee Chief - Rustard - 2JZ swap
https://www.fsjnetwork.com/forum/viewto ... 12&t=22981

sierrablue
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Re: 1981 Cherokee Chief - Rustard - 2WD 2JZ

Post by sierrablue »

Oooo nice!

Looks like diesel isn't TOO bad for price where you're at either...
'71 Wagoneer (DD)
-B350 (HEI, iron 4-barrel, Edelbrock 1406), TH400, D20
-'74 D44 front (nonpower discs)
-custom headliner
-Front shoulder belts (rears eventually)

viewtopic.php?t=23070

There are 2 major differences between new Wranglers and FSJs. FSJs are meant to be both utilitarian and capable, not just capable. FSJs are also rarely initially recognized as Jeeps by the average American.

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SJohn
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Re: 1981 Cherokee Chief - Rustard - 2WD 2JZ

Post by SJohn »

sierrablue wrote: Sat Jun 10, 2023 8:47 pm Oooo nice!

Looks like diesel isn't TOO bad for price where you're at either...
Yeah SETX fuel prices are regularly lower than most other places thanks to being so close to the refineries. I typically see a 30 -35 cent difference between Dallas and SETX prices.
Owner/Operator/Chief Engineer of Johnson Production FSJ Parts
https://www.johnsonproductionjp.com/

1986 J20 LS Swap
https://www.fsjnetwork.com/forum/viewto ... 12&t=17875

1981 Cherokee Chief - Rustard - 2JZ swap
https://www.fsjnetwork.com/forum/viewto ... 12&t=22981

sierrablue
Posts: 1208
Joined: Wed Nov 30, 2022 8:02 pm
Location: MN/CO

Re: 1981 Cherokee Chief - Rustard - 2WD 2JZ

Post by sierrablue »

Interesting.

You using the LS-swapped J20 for towing that?
'71 Wagoneer (DD)
-B350 (HEI, iron 4-barrel, Edelbrock 1406), TH400, D20
-'74 D44 front (nonpower discs)
-custom headliner
-Front shoulder belts (rears eventually)

viewtopic.php?t=23070

There are 2 major differences between new Wranglers and FSJs. FSJs are meant to be both utilitarian and capable, not just capable. FSJs are also rarely initially recognized as Jeeps by the average American.

Topic author
SJohn
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Re: 1981 Cherokee Chief - Rustard - 2WD 2JZ

Post by SJohn »

sierrablue wrote:Interesting.

You using the LS-swapped J20 for towing that?
I towed it out there with the J20 back in March then found the engine issues so it has been out of service getting a new long block. It's currently at the tuner waiting for a spot on the dyno. I'm also preparing to move to Houston so my dad towed the Cherokee back to his place in SETX. As my dad likes to often tell me, I have too many irons in the fire hahahaha!

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Owner/Operator/Chief Engineer of Johnson Production FSJ Parts
https://www.johnsonproductionjp.com/

1986 J20 LS Swap
https://www.fsjnetwork.com/forum/viewto ... 12&t=17875

1981 Cherokee Chief - Rustard - 2JZ swap
https://www.fsjnetwork.com/forum/viewto ... 12&t=22981

sierrablue
Posts: 1208
Joined: Wed Nov 30, 2022 8:02 pm
Location: MN/CO

Re: 1981 Cherokee Chief - Rustard - 2WD 2JZ

Post by sierrablue »

Lol you certainly have a lot of iron, owning steel Jeeps
'71 Wagoneer (DD)
-B350 (HEI, iron 4-barrel, Edelbrock 1406), TH400, D20
-'74 D44 front (nonpower discs)
-custom headliner
-Front shoulder belts (rears eventually)

viewtopic.php?t=23070

There are 2 major differences between new Wranglers and FSJs. FSJs are meant to be both utilitarian and capable, not just capable. FSJs are also rarely initially recognized as Jeeps by the average American.

Waggy82
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Location: Detroit Metro Area

Re: 1981 Cherokee Chief - Rustard - 2WD 2JZ

Post by Waggy82 »

Can you add some more pics after blasting. Love the project!
82 Wagoneer Limited Straight 6

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SJohn
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Re: 1981 Cherokee Chief - Rustard - 2WD 2JZ

Post by SJohn »

Waggy82 wrote: Fri Jul 14, 2023 7:10 am Can you add some more pics after blasting. Love the project!
Sorry for the delay, will do next time I'm down South where the body currently is.
Owner/Operator/Chief Engineer of Johnson Production FSJ Parts
https://www.johnsonproductionjp.com/

1986 J20 LS Swap
https://www.fsjnetwork.com/forum/viewto ... 12&t=17875

1981 Cherokee Chief - Rustard - 2JZ swap
https://www.fsjnetwork.com/forum/viewto ... 12&t=22981

Topic author
SJohn
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Joined: Sun Nov 03, 2019 4:10 pm

Re: 1981 Cherokee Chief - Rustard - 2WD 2JZ

Post by SJohn »

The J20 has been taking up most of my time the past few months but I just picked up the next piece of the puzzle - the rear axle. I was able to find a crown vic interceptor 8.8 with limited slip and disc brakes locally this weekend! Now I need to figure out how to build a rear suspension hahaha. Any tips, videos, threads would be appreciated!
Image
Owner/Operator/Chief Engineer of Johnson Production FSJ Parts
https://www.johnsonproductionjp.com/

1986 J20 LS Swap
https://www.fsjnetwork.com/forum/viewto ... 12&t=17875

1981 Cherokee Chief - Rustard - 2JZ swap
https://www.fsjnetwork.com/forum/viewto ... 12&t=22981
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Yeller
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Location: Rogers County Oklahoma

Re: 1981 Cherokee Chief - Rustard - 2WD 2JZ

Post by Yeller »

Seth, give me a shout when you’re ready to dig into that. There are some tools that will toy with an engineers mind that I can share. I’ve been playing building suspensions since the late 90’s. Happy to help you come up with something that rocks.
The bus I ride is so short it is a yellow Smart Car full of squirrels, monkeys and clowns.

1970 J2500 Resto Mod
https://www.fsjnetwork.com/forum/viewt ... 12&t=21395

1974 Bronco “Broncno”
https://classicbroncos.com/forums/threa ... st-3411909

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SJohn
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Re: 1981 Cherokee Chief - Rustard - 2WD 2JZ

Post by SJohn »

Yeller wrote:Seth, give me a shout when you’re ready to dig into that. There are some tools that will toy with an engineers mind that I can share. I’ve been playing building suspensions since the late 90’s. Happy to help you come up with something that rocks.
Awesome! I absolutely will!

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Owner/Operator/Chief Engineer of Johnson Production FSJ Parts
https://www.johnsonproductionjp.com/

1986 J20 LS Swap
https://www.fsjnetwork.com/forum/viewto ... 12&t=17875

1981 Cherokee Chief - Rustard - 2JZ swap
https://www.fsjnetwork.com/forum/viewto ... 12&t=22981
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Yeller
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Location: Rogers County Oklahoma

Re: 1981 Cherokee Chief - Rustard - 2WD 2JZ

Post by Yeller »

SJohn wrote: Sun Aug 06, 2023 7:03 pm
Yeller wrote:Seth, give me a shout when you’re ready to dig into that. There are some tools that will toy with an engineers mind that I can share. I’ve been playing building suspensions since the late 90’s. Happy to help you come up with something that rocks.
Awesome! I absolutely will!

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This has been my test bed for a few decades😎

One thing I’ve learned is what works properly in the dirt works on the street. If it works well on the street it works even better in the dirt. Street builds are just smaller lol. I cut my teeth in the early 90’s sub framing street rods.
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The bus I ride is so short it is a yellow Smart Car full of squirrels, monkeys and clowns.

1970 J2500 Resto Mod
https://www.fsjnetwork.com/forum/viewt ... 12&t=21395

1974 Bronco “Broncno”
https://classicbroncos.com/forums/threa ... st-3411909

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SJohn
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Re: 1981 Cherokee Chief - Rustard - 2WD 2JZ

Post by SJohn »

With the J20 just about back to 100% its time to get going again on the Cherokee, so its time to unwrap the 2J and man up! I finally took the dive and pulled the crank and finished stripping the block. I've been reluctant to do this as there's nothing wrong with the crank or main bearings and I knew pulling the crank means a ton more work going back together but will also guarantee I'm starting with a brand new motor. I made the decision to have a shop clean and hone it rather than a ball hone myself so it had to be done.

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I also started mocking up the frame and rear end to start on the rear suspension. With the axle sitting at wheel height and the frame sitting right on top its evident I will need to notch the frame. The front end is setup at ride height and a level sits on the center straight section of the frame so I'm able to see the rear of the frame is sitting too high right now with it resting on the axle. Next I need to cut all the brackets off the 8.8 and figure out how much to notch the frame.

Image
Image
Owner/Operator/Chief Engineer of Johnson Production FSJ Parts
https://www.johnsonproductionjp.com/

1986 J20 LS Swap
https://www.fsjnetwork.com/forum/viewto ... 12&t=17875

1981 Cherokee Chief - Rustard - 2JZ swap
https://www.fsjnetwork.com/forum/viewto ... 12&t=22981
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Stuka
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Re: 1981 Cherokee Chief - Rustard - 2WD 2JZ

Post by Stuka »

Its a lot more work to tear it down all the way. But its also going to be good to know that when you inevitably crank up the boost, that everything down here is fresh and ready to go.
2017 JKU Rubicon
Pevious Jeeps: 1981 J10, 1975 Cherokee, 2008 JK, 2005 KJ, 1989 XJ

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SJohn
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Re: 1981 Cherokee Chief - Rustard - 2WD 2JZ

Post by SJohn »

Stuka wrote:Its a lot more work to tear it down all the way. But its also going to be good to know that when you inevitably crank up the boost, that everything down here is fresh and ready to go.
Absolutely, I'll feel much better knowing it's all been rebuilt.

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Owner/Operator/Chief Engineer of Johnson Production FSJ Parts
https://www.johnsonproductionjp.com/

1986 J20 LS Swap
https://www.fsjnetwork.com/forum/viewto ... 12&t=17875

1981 Cherokee Chief - Rustard - 2JZ swap
https://www.fsjnetwork.com/forum/viewto ... 12&t=22981

Topic author
SJohn
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Posts: 283
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Re: 1981 Cherokee Chief - Rustard - 2WD 2JZ

Post by SJohn »

I made a little bit of progress this weekend on the rear axle and prepping for rear suspension. With the plasma torch I whacked off the original link brackets and coil supports then got most of the welds ground down. Then I mocked the axle back under the frame and got it level with the frame sitting directly on the axle. Obviously still need to notch but it looks like I can get 4-5 inches of up travel with the bottom of the notch sitting directly where the top of the frame was.

Image

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I started drawing up the notch with a poor cell phone app 3d scan and a bunch of measurements i took on the frame and its looking pretty good so far.

Image
Owner/Operator/Chief Engineer of Johnson Production FSJ Parts
https://www.johnsonproductionjp.com/

1986 J20 LS Swap
https://www.fsjnetwork.com/forum/viewto ... 12&t=17875

1981 Cherokee Chief - Rustard - 2JZ swap
https://www.fsjnetwork.com/forum/viewto ... 12&t=22981
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Yeller
Posts: 1521
Joined: Thu Apr 01, 2021 7:54 am
Location: Rogers County Oklahoma

Re: 1981 Cherokee Chief - Rustard - 2WD 2JZ

Post by Yeller »

Looking great! Sure wish I physically had the time to help with this.
The bus I ride is so short it is a yellow Smart Car full of squirrels, monkeys and clowns.

1970 J2500 Resto Mod
https://www.fsjnetwork.com/forum/viewt ... 12&t=21395

1974 Bronco “Broncno”
https://classicbroncos.com/forums/threa ... st-3411909

Topic author
SJohn
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Re: 1981 Cherokee Chief - Rustard - 2WD 2JZ

Post by SJohn »

Yeller wrote:Looking great! Sure wish I physically had the time to help with this.
It's all good, like Johnny Cash said, "I'll get it one piece at a time." One question though, will 4-5" be enough up travel?

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Owner/Operator/Chief Engineer of Johnson Production FSJ Parts
https://www.johnsonproductionjp.com/

1986 J20 LS Swap
https://www.fsjnetwork.com/forum/viewto ... 12&t=17875

1981 Cherokee Chief - Rustard - 2JZ swap
https://www.fsjnetwork.com/forum/viewto ... 12&t=22981
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