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 »

rocklaurence wrote:OK, just thinking out loud. These FSJ wind shield [WS] frames rot and leak. Partly because of the trim screw. Partly because of the old gasket design. Has anyone modified the WS frame to allow a bonded/glued in WS? I know they do it on Hot Rods etc--what's involved in mounting the glass without the BIG Rubber gasket?
I've got plenty more rust problems for you to solve! Come on down to Dallas hahahaImage

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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 »

Continuing to dismantle this thing, unfortunately uncovering more and more rust. Very discouraging. Not giving up just yet though - one door gutted and I'll go ahead and share my plans for the front doors. The plan is to build single piece front windows much like sonoraed has done on the Fast Eddie J10. Image

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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

sierrablue
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Location: MN/CO

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

Post by sierrablue »

Yeah, I know the rust can be discouraging (when I was 7 I got an '88 GW from my uncle, 401 TBI with 31s...when I was 15 I was going to fix it but there was some major rust on the frame I didn't want to deal with). But then they took off in price and I took a welding class and now I wish I had it back, if only to restore and sell again.

Glad to see somebody actually swapping a decent engine into one of these (I don't care how much you like the LS or how much power it makes--bottom line it's still just a fuel injected, pushrod, 90 degree V8)...if I'd had the money/time for wiring, I'd have probably swapped a Ford 4.6 DOHC into mine.

But ultimately I want to go EV on it anyway, though, and with any luck I can do that when this B350 finally gives up the ghost (before anybody gets mad, don't worry--I'm not going to make it a modern digital car; just get rid of the engine/transmission/fuel tank/exhaust/cooling system with a more efficient, quieter, and cleaner setup).

So you've got an engine with a torque problem but are planning on a 6-speed anyway--are you going to run 4.56s or 5.12s or something to help it out, since you have two overdrives anyway?
'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:Yeah, I know the rust can be discouraging (when I was 7 I got an '88 GW from my uncle, 401 TBI with 31s...when I was 15 I was going to fix it but there was some major rust on the frame I didn't want to deal with). But then they took off in price and I took a welding class and now I wish I had it back, if only to restore and sell again.

Glad to see somebody actually swapping a decent engine into one of these (I don't care how much you like the LS or how much power it makes--bottom line it's still just a fuel injected, pushrod, 90 degree V8)...if I'd had the money/time for wiring, I'd have probably swapped a Ford 4.6 DOHC into mine.

But ultimately I want to go EV on it anyway, though, and with any luck I can do that when this B350 finally gives up the ghost (before anybody gets mad, don't worry--I'm not going to make it a modern digital car; just get rid of the engine/transmission/fuel tank/exhaust/cooling system with a more efficient, quieter, and cleaner setup).

So you've got an engine with a torque problem but are planning on a 6-speed anyway--are you going to run 4.56s or 5.12s or something to help it out, since you have two overdrives anyway?
Turbo, 2wd and weight reduction is my plan for the low torque conundrum. The rust seems to be tackling the weight reduction already hahaha.

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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

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

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

Post by sierrablue »

Let's see...single turbo 2JZ is about 450 lbs (same as the Buick 350 actually), 6-speed is 170 lbs absolute tops, which, no tcase...vs. a 600-lb V8/170 lb (dry) 727, 90+ lb transfer case, plus probably 50 lbs easily from the front end and driveshaft...

Yeah, I'd say you're saving some weight ;) I'm sure you've already done all of this math though...

Minus another 100 lbs in scaling off the frame and floors :D And if you swapped it to narrow track (since I see the flares are rusted out anyway), you could get fiberglass narrow track front fenders, eliminate some wind resistance, AND shave some weight off the rear axle ;)

Don't worry I'm <mostly> joking on these suggestions. Looking good!
'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.

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

Post by rocklaurence »

Regarding the bonded windshield, I was thinking the same thing about a frame but it would be a composite frame. That could be made with epoxy, PVC and a router. IDK. My shop truck WS frame is starting to bubble up. Ill have to pull the glass and fix it soon

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

Post by SJohn »

Not much progress, but got a few things done. Front seats are finally out, the floor is so rotten that when removing the passenger seat, I pulled the back left nut/support through the floor with the seat. All the bolts, but one came out, and even after several attempts at welding a nut onto it, it would not budge and broke off below the floor. Not set on plans for seats, but probably won't be using these, so they will likely be for sale soon. The intake, wiring harness, and accessories have been pulled off the engine and waiting for an engine stand to continue the tear down. ImageImageImageImage

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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

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

Post by SJohn »

The Cherokee is just about completely stripped for blasting, just have the door guts and seat belts left. The engine is on a stand finally and will hopefully start amassing parts for it soon. Still on the lookout for crown vic parts, it seems the F100 guys have driven the prices of the front ends way up.ImageImageImage

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

Post by SJohn »

Picked up some cheap non vvti rods and pistons for the 2JZ today. Unfortunately, 5 minutes before arriving, the seller found that one of the rods was bent (they were still in the block prior). Went ahead and took them home for a great deal. ImageImage

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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 »

Interesting that it was bent and they had no signs of it before; just all of a sudden look down and it's bent.
'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
Vendor
Posts: 283
Joined: Sun Nov 03, 2019 4:10 pm

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

Post by SJohn »

sierrablue wrote:Interesting that it was bent and they had no signs of it before; just all of a sudden look down and it's bent.
They were still in the motor up until 5 minutes before I showed up, so the seller thought they were good until he pulled them. He was honest about it and was obviously not trying to scam me.

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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

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

Post by SJohn »

Got an exciting package in the mail this week from J&W Jeep! I asked for the top section of the doors and they promptly cut some off a Jeep and sent my way! As mentioned before, I plan to convert the front doors to single piece windows and this will be the most important part of the puzzle. I want to reuse the original divider bar as well as keeping the same felt all the way around the top of the glass so I am going to replace the thinner front sections with these cut out top sections. This will also allow for a similar install and removal process of the new glass as the original. I will shorten and move the divider forward, then remount it to the inner door skin like it was originally. Hopefully that all makes sense!ImageImageImage

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

Post by Yeller »

Makes sense to me, like the plan :)
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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Re: 1981 Cherokee Chief - Rustard - 2WD 2JZ

Post by SJohn »

This week's marketplace deal - a toyota R154 5 speed! Also included in the deal was a new clutch and flywheel, clutch pedal, master cylinder, and cable, and shifter. All new still in the boxes!Image

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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

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

Post by SJohn »

Knocking out the last items before I send the body to blasting. I cut out the panels between the B pillar and wheel wells. With that panel gone, the balsters should be able to get to the entire inner wheel well as well as the lower portion of the quarter panel that has started to rust. Also, I finally got around to busting apart the front clip. Got the fenders and front header panel off and will be blasted with the rest of the body. The inner fenders aren't going back on, so they're up for grabs.ImageImageImageImage

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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

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

Post by SJohn »

One of these is not like the others...
Square easy-outs on the way to extract it after I get the head off. I was hoping to have it off this week, but upon removing the cams, I realized that the head bolts use a special 12 point star bit that I don't have. It seems Toyota is fond of using odd fastener heads, lots of allen head bolts (I was lucky I just so happened to order a new set of metric and standard allen key sockets last week), torx and inverted torx bits etc. Interesting discovery/hack I found - the intake cam gear bolt is a 10mm allen but hidden behind a 14mm allen cap. Of course, my set didn't go that big, but I discovered that a 3/8" - 16 bolt head fits perfectly in said allen key. Running two nuts on the bolt and marring the bolt threads created an improvised allen key!ImageImage

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

Post by Yeller »

Necessity, the mother of all invention :D
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:Necessity, the mother of all invention :D
If only I had a 12 point star head bolt!

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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

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

Post by SJohn »

Pulling the cams was a process in itself, the cam caps have to be removed in sequence to avoid cracking the cam. Cams and valve train look good so far. Besides the broken spark plug the only other concerning finding thus far was the lower timing belt cover. It appears the harmonic balancer wore through it. I hope this is just from a bad harmonic balancer and not a crank issue.ImageImage

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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

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

Post by SJohn »

New tools arrived this weekend and the motor teardown has continued! Got the head off with the special 12 point bit for the head bolts and all looks good in the cylinders! I splurged on a full set of square easy-out bolt extractors and very pleased with the purchase. I hammered the 5/8" extractor into the spark plug heads and a 12 point socket with breakover bar twisted it out. I don't know who installed these but I think they might have put them in with a impact judging by how hard it was to break loose. Not surprised the spark plug broke now. Pistons coming out next!

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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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