Starting point: 1974 Cherokee 2 door with 244k miles (maybe more). Inline 6 4.2L (258) with a cheap amazon carb on it. As far as I could tell almost everything else was stock..ish. I only paid 1200 for it so consider that when looking at all the bad.
The Bad:
- This jeep has been molested a bit all over.
- The rear section of frame past the wheel well is pretty badly rotted and someone welded on some random angle iron with what looks like zero attempt to clean the rust out. This will need to be repaired.
- The body mounts are all kinds of different sizes and most of them are actual hockey pucks (NHL brand).
- I can only guess the person who attempted to fix the frame also fixed the front floorboards as there is a some non-rusty floor panel welded and screwed directly over the original and completely rusted floor pan. These sections will need to be cut out and replaced.
- The rear floorboard leading the tailgate was a large piece of steel welded overtop of the original rear floor similar to the front floorboards. In this case when the floorboard gets close to the tail gate it stop and some random scraps of metal are screwed in at an angle leaving a giant 2-4" gap at the bottom of the tailgate you can see daylight easily through. See pics.
- The interior side walls near the rear passenger areas are mutilated and cut up may turn these into cubby holes for something?
- The front inner fenders are almost gone from the mounting points. This may not be an issue given my plans.
- The Front portion of the frame rails have all kinds of "aftermarket" holes and cuts for things that were done to it over its life.
- This one should be obvious but the rockers are basically gone.
- The rear tailgate has been cut near the handle for some reason and it has aftermarket hinges that don't work so well given the angled issue from earlier. Might swap the tailgate for another with power window option.
- the passenger rear window is cracked all the way across.
- Other than the aforementioned the frame is pretty solid.
- The body from rocker and the outer portions of the wheel wells are pretty straight (some dents here and there) and the roof isn't rusted through.
- I now own a 1974 Cherokee that I didn't pay and arm and a leg for .
- The dash aside from the rats nest of after market wires and street sign aluminum plates that were added is in tact and not rusted through.
You can see below the tail gate hinge cut outs and other cut off wheel marks:
The welded panel on the rea interior and the banged up inner wall can be seen here:
The "AutoZone special" dash modifications and front of the jeep:
Front floorboards:
Now that everyone knows where my starting point is here are some of my plans for this rig. I do want to give a shout out to a lot of the amazing other build threads I have seen here. Too many to list, but some of the ones I have taken inspiration from are wimsurf's Hemi swap build. I didn't even know what a "drop out kit" was until I had combed through his posts. There are a few threads here of folks doing some 4 link conversions that I got some ideas from. I love the look and styling of these FSJ's, but I'm not huge on the features from 1974 like manual windows, wood grain, and 40 different analog gauges to monitor your rig. So looking for more modern features where it makes sense.
My plans::
- Gen 3 Hemi swap with 392 6.4 L and 8HP70 8 speed automatic transmission. I already have a wrecked 2015 Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT with 33k miles on it (full roll over, see pics). I got at auction for about what the drivetrain alone cost around my area (10k delivered to my driveway).
- wrangler sport transfer case out of JK (non rubicon).
- Hydro boost brakes.
- 1 ton Dana 60 axles. Already ordered Spicer ultimate dana 60 with disc brakes, 4.88 gears and e-lockers front and rear.
- 40x13.50R17 wheels and tires. Patagonia MT's and Hutchingson Monster beadlock rims already on order as well.
- Triangulated 4 link front and rear. Still might consider 3 link in the front as I'm concerned about axles clearance with engine. Thoughts?
- Coilover or spring shocks depending on how much room I have.
- Box in the frame with plate and repair rear frame section
- Full Hydro steering with ram armor.
- Fabbed inner fender wells all around since originals are pretty rotted and for tire clearance.
- High clearance and tucked Front and rear bumpers to help with approach and departure angles.
- Armor underneath, rocker panels tucked in with box steel perhaps. armor the quarter panels where necessary.
- Interior roll cage
- Led lights all the way around and rhino grill.
- Power window conversions even for tailgate
- Retro fit the interior from Grand Cherokee donor to include front and rear seats, shifter, maybe center console?, gauge cluster, remote keyless entry and start, switches and controls in various places.
- Some sort of waterproof and sound deadening interior coating or a really durable carpet. Open to suggestions here?
- After market heat only from something like vintage air. Don't need A/C.
- Wrap or cheap paint exterior
- Rear tire carrier maybe roof mounted?
Front clip is all off Engine, trans, transfer case is out. The 258, 3 speed manual and transfer case are all for sale if you are interested all working before pulled (virginia):
Interior is stripped out minus brake pedal and brake assembly:
Donor Grand Cherokee SRT. Surprisingly has a sunroof that didn't even crack. I haven't had a chance to get the engine running and the keys are missing so this will need to wait:
I have the doors and tailgate off. The body is ready to be pulled off and is disconnected from the frame. I now have a surplus of used hockey pucks . I don't have a lift so trying to figure out a rig with 2 tractors lifting at the same time to get the body off. I also need to build a body dolly out of 4x4's and caster wheels I have laying around as it will be a bit before getting to this.
I keep my Jeep Project in a OneDrive photo album so here is all the pics in one spot: https://1drv.ms/u/s!AvJfI2_SgZwZi5QuqvS ... g?e=iCF3h6
Thanks for reading! Don't be afraid to bump this if I'm slow to update or offer up tips, tricks, and suggestions to keep me on track. I know many of you have far more experience with these than I do.