An idea....CJ8+

[Metcalf]

I came up with this idea after my recent moab trip. I really want something about 3/4 the size of my dodge, but still diesel with a strong drive train....

The basic idea....

-CJ8 tub from Aqualu
-factory replacement cj8 hard top
-rear axle moved back to 110" wheelbase
-Some kind of highline fender conversion
-37" tires give or take.

You could also make it a YJ8 pretty easy. Since the YJ is a little better supported for highline fender kits and such. The YJ grill better matches a slightly wider frame rail in front. Throttle Down Kustoms can make just about any frame you want.....

Just a thought or two....

 

[reece146]

Not sure if this is intentional or not... your photoshop image is showing a pre AMC 258 front clip... what engine do you have in mind as that clip is pretty short compared to the later CJs. A V8 or L4 should fit no problem.

 

[Metcalf]

The front clip was all 'chopped up to show the high fenders. I would use a regular cj7 or YJ length front clip.

I want a diesel engine, but I don't know which one. I think the Cummins 4bt would be decent, but its a little bit big for how low I would want the jeep overall (2" of lift max). Its just so sad that there is not a lot of choices in the USA.

 

[reece146]

Not a fan of the 4BT. Every conversion I've seen ends up getting sold within a year or two of completion and then continually flipped. Too noisy, too much vibration to live with.

6.2 is non-optimal but if built intelligently works well and is plenty of engine for a quarter ton universal.

GM Space Cab Isuzu diesel...

 

[Metcalf]

yeah, I think the 4bt would be a little much, but then again, I am still on the fence about it. My 6bt rotary in the dodge has been a great motor.

I think the 3.9L Isuzu motor could be another interesting one. I don't know if they motors are as easy to find as the 4bt. There are some adapters available now for the engine too.

It would be nice to be able to find a somewhat simple bolt together power train and drivetrain would be nice. While custom axles are cool, I just don't want to throw that much coin at it. If I could get the chassis low enough I would not be against using the drivetrain and powertrain out of something like my Dodge. This would make using a 4bt Cummins pretty easy.

Still thinking about this one....

 

[gloriavoxdei]

Why not just start with a CJ6? Looks like it's exactly what you want and for tops you don't have to do any body mods.

 

[Metcalf]

The CJ6 was my first thought, the CJ8 is longer in the body giving a bit more room inside. With the Aqualu tub they will make the wheel tubs in whatever location. As long as the factory reproduction CJ8 tops fit, it doesn't really matter where the rear tire ends up.

The CJ8 also has a few more top options than the CJ6. You can get a replacement factory hard top still for the CJ8, I couldn't find anything similar for the CJ6. There is also the 'postal' top option for the CJ8 which could be kinda interesting, that would give a large storage area!

 

[Brigitta]

We have owned a CJ6, a Commando, 2 CJ8's, a stretched TJ and a JK Unlimited.

All had their strengths and weaknesses but the best bang for the buck is by far the JK. Although the extra width of the JK is not needed for technical rock crawling, it's wonderful for the overlander to have the extra interior room.

On the unlimited JK's you can remove the rear seat and add a false floor for oodles of interior storage and sleeping area, or still have a ton of space with the rear seat in place.

The CJ6's tend to crack frames and are very narrow (not too comfortable if you are seating more than 2), CJ8's have way too much rear overhang, Commando's don't have enough storage, and stretched TJ's are very nice but pricey and still don't have a lot of storage.

Have you considered a diesel IH? They come in some nice sizes with factory diesel options. The Scout II with a diesel has a ton of storage and quite indestructable. We used to wheel with a buddy with one and it was awesome!!

Doing an engine swap in a JK would be pricey but the Euro JKs already have the 2.8l diesel option--grey market?

 

[Metcalf]

If I could get the J8 3-door with the diesel I would sell my extra kidney and buy one...

This concept would use a new frame no matter what, fully mandrel bend boxed steel.

I agree that the factory cj8 has too much overhang. That is why the concept showed the rear axle back. I think around a 110" wheelbase would work well on the CJ8. The CJ8 tub is 24" longer than the standard YJ/CJ7 tub. For a pure 'stretch' of the YJ/CJ7 you would be at about a 118" wheelbase which might be a little too long I think....

While I don't mind the JK, I really don't like the 4-door much at all. The V6 drives me nuts in that model, the new one isn't going to be much better in the larger 4-door. Personally I think it needs the 5.7VVT or the diesel. The grey market for the diesel is almost non-existent. I do like the 2011 JK interior though.....very nice!

The other idea I have tossed around for years is swapping the CRD powertrain out of a Liberty into an LJ. I think this would be about perfect, but its still not anywhere near easy. There have only been a handful of conversions. AEV was the only one to pull it off in what I would call a 'clean' conversion. Its a complicated swap for sure.

MMMMMmmmmm

 

[pajeepman]

Ok, that was weird. I clicked on this post and saw my 2 CJ-8's, one with a phota shop modified body! Where did you get that picture? It's an old one. The OD was sold in 2009 and the last time it had a plow mounted on it was 8 years ago or so. I still have the "modded" one. It's probably gonna get my arb'ed 4.56'ed 30 and detroit locked 44 rear. I ALSO have '73 CJ-6 that I want to mount on my spare CJ-8 rolling chassis. Through my Dynatrac 60 under the front and get a 60 built for the rear.
The 8 has much more space inside and like posted, many more tops available(I have 3 full hard, 1 1/2 hard, and 2 Kayline fastracs for it. I only have 1 full metal top for the CJ-6 and it's a heavy SOB.

 

[Metcalf]

It was one of the largest side profile cj8 pictures I could find. Hope the rendering gets the mind going

 

[FreeManDan]

I've been kicking around the same idea, I downloaded all the episodes of xtrem 4x4 where they build one for off high way use. But my ideas for the engine have been going back and forth in my head like crazy. I thought about propane, diesel, ecotec crate engine, a bunch...so if you build it make a good build thread.
http://www.overlandvans.com/0104_diesel.html
Here is a site that list the dimensions of the cummins 4bt, it says 30 inches tall, and I've read on other sites you need 3 inches of lift minimum for the axle to be clear the oil pan. You could try moving the front axle forward, genright has a 3 link kit that jeep guys use to get big tires and still stay low, and you could have TDK put in the mounts for you. Also a body lift could give you room to raise the engine up. Just some ideas for you...:drool:
I was thinking the XJ suspension kit would be what I would put under it, that way I could run leaf springs in the rear (just a preference of my for the rear) and maybe a dynatrac dana 44 in the front with TJ/XJ suspension, just bolt on off the shelf. Or maybe a spider tracks 9 welded up by a local shop...
All and all, money, the time, and garage space it would take to build have been holding me back...and I still cant settle on an engine cause I don't think I know enough about engines to get one to run all by myself.

 

[Metcalf]

I think the 4bt would be about the best diesel....noise and vibration aside. With proper motor mounts its not suppose to be that bad.

The 4bt might be able to be reduced in height by changing the intake horn to something like a side draft and eliminating the chrage tube crossover over the top of the motor. Basically set the valve covers just barely under the hood.

The Aqualu body could be modified to allow the drivetrain to sit in a higher position than stock easy enough, but this might cascade down into the stuff like the heater, a/c, etc.

I would be a fun project for sure. Currently I am leaning toward taking the 'easy' way out and swapping a 2.8 CRD from a liberty into an LJ.....

 

[Metcalf]

Motor availability and transmission choices?

 

[FreeManDan]

Is the dream still alive? I saw on Aqualu's web site that they offer custom bed boxes, the longest one they make will put the wheelbase at 111 inches, throttle down kustoms might even make a frame to fit it:costumed-smiley-007