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  1. Metcalf

    Long Jeep.....chasing unicorns

    All solid points.... I think with the 6L80E you are going into uber over kill territory. I think a 4L80e would be more than enough, actually in your application a 4L60E would probably get the job done. the The 6L80E is a very large heavy transmission. I just see no call for one behind a 5.3...
  2. Metcalf

    Long Jeep.....chasing unicorns

    I'm not totally set with a specific body/frame yet but I am leaning pretty hard toward an Aqualu LJ tub with a custom frame. So....what about the guts. I really want to use parts that are common and generally easy to find. I would prefer to stay away from super expensive and custom stuff like...
  3. Metcalf

    Long Jeep.....chasing unicorns

    Lots of good ideas! Pickup vs SUV. With a pickup I think you either end up too long in wheelbase or have too much rear overhang. I have thought about bobbing the dodge to fix this issue more than once. You basically need about a 6 foot bed to sleep in so that kinda limits how short you can get...
  4. Metcalf

    Long Jeep.....chasing unicorns

    This dang thread needs a picture or two.... This was the LJ that got me on this kick. I watched the build-up on Pirate and JeepForum. http://www.pirate4x4.com/forum/jeep-non-hardcore/1080893-daddy-longlegs-build-poison-spyder-stretched-lj.html I also got to crawl all over it, under it, and...
  5. Metcalf

    Long Jeep.....chasing unicorns

    I'm not really interested in Portal axles. The idea is really cool, but parts and complexity makes that idea go into the recycle bin for me. I really want something fairly simple with easy to find parts I can walk into any parts house with a hope of finding. The sprinter engine is neat, but I...
  6. Metcalf

    Long Jeep.....chasing unicorns

    I've thought about building something like this out of old iron but never really found the right body style. A hard steel top is nice, but I think this will get something along the lines of a frameless soft top. That is one thing I really like about the LJ body, using an off the shelf top is...
  7. Metcalf

    Long Jeep.....chasing unicorns

    Sounds about right. I have some ideas on how to make the powertrain and drivetrain cost effective but very effective. For what I want end the end I just can't see starting with a complete vehicle only to swap everything out. For a more mild vehicle I could totally see doing that. Hopefully I...
  8. Metcalf

    Long Jeep.....chasing unicorns

    Thanks for the thread idea, this one right.... http://www.expeditionportal.com/forum/threads/55999-Tales-of-the-Grey-Mouser?highlight=haggis Yup, lots of stuff in there to use. I think a 110" wheelbase will work under an LJ tub. The front and rear can be pushed out slightly easy enough. The...
  9. Metcalf

    Long Jeep.....chasing unicorns

    Taking the seat out is an option. I have thought about that on longer solo trips with my Willys. I think the LJ is about the right size. Bigger than the CJ7/YJ/TJ length vehicle for sure. The body is long enough to get the wheelbase out to a 110" without things looking funny. I think the CJ8...
  10. Metcalf

    Long Jeep.....chasing unicorns

    I will also be very interested in what you have to come up with. Mayahual is getting pretty close to what I am after. Does anyone know the difference in length between a factory CJ8 tub and a factory LJ tub? (answering my own question....9" in total tub length I think?) I really wish there...
  11. Metcalf

    Long Jeep.....chasing unicorns

    The Rubicon TJ, or JK, doesn't have enough axle for what I have in mind. It basically falls into that situation where I think I can get better parts starting with no base vehicle than I can buying a base vehicle and swapping everything out... On your LJ for space. What if the passenger seat had...
  12. Metcalf

    Long Jeep.....chasing unicorns

    While very cool vehicles I think they are a little rare in the states to build from. I would really like this vehicle to use somewhat common service parts that I can find at any autoparts store along the road.
  13. Metcalf

    Long Jeep.....chasing unicorns

    That I can see, but once you cross over that 37" tire barrier into big tire land I just don't think its that wise to start with just about any off the shelf small vehicle out there. You can get stronger axles in something like a 3/4ton-1-ton truck but then the body gets too big for what I have...
  14. Metcalf

    Long Jeep.....chasing unicorns

    A cj6 is close. I just don't think they have enough top/door support. The small door opening is also very annoying. I would like to get out to the 110" wheelbase range and the CJ6 is just a little bit short for that. All in all a solid idea though. Rovers are ummmmm....kinda junk in my opinion...
  15. Metcalf

    Long Jeep.....chasing unicorns

    I do think a J8 style 4-door JK would be neat. The problem is the initial cost. In my book even 10-15K for a used up old JK is too much. That same money can go a LONG way towards a custom body, frame, engine, trans, etc.
  16. Metcalf

    Long Jeep.....chasing unicorns

    Tough to say, I don't have 100K that is for sure. Rough numbers I am looking at trying to limit this build to about 20-30K. I think by eliminating the cost of the initial donor vehicle from the beginning that really opens up some interesting options. The dangerous line to walk is how custom you...
  17. Metcalf

    Long Jeep.....chasing unicorns

    Kinda half and half. I think I can get more of what I want in a vehicle for less money if I don't have to buy a base vehicle to begin with. On the other hand there are some things that I just can't really build myself in a cost effective way....mainly tops, doors, windshields, etc. I think...
  18. Metcalf

    Rango.....1942 Willys MB

    Not long enough, not the best support for off the shelf tops.... I started a tread here... http://www.expeditionportal.com/forum/threads/100795-Long-Jeep-chasing-unicorns
  19. Metcalf

    Long Jeep.....chasing unicorns

    I hope this thread will let me hash out some details and thoughts on a new build I have been tossing around for years.... I really enjoy the Dodge that I build a few years back. It is a simple vehicle that works really well doing a variety of chores. You can read about it here...
  20. Metcalf

    Rango.....1942 Willys MB

    It is a HUGE project to undertake. I like building things so that comes in handy. I thought pretty hard about using a 4door JK converted to a J8 but ruled it out for cost/complexity. I think the LJ sized body will be a good compromise. I can get out to the 110" wheelbase I want without making...
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