The J8 thread....

[Metcalf]

I would like to start a discussion on using the J8 as a technical terrain expedition vehicle.........

We got into this discussion a little bit in a G post in another part of the forum. I will post up a forward there.

What is everyone's opinion on the J8, modifications you would want to make, things the factory could have done better, or products and ideas you would like to see?

I have been looking at the J8 3-door pretty seriously for the past month or so. I think it has great potential, to be built, to fill a gap in vehicle choices I see between a full tube frame rock buggy and any other off the shelf off road vehicle.

Thoughts, opinions, venting, and all other forms of discussions welcome!

The J8.....

 

[Metcalf]

Reviews:

http://www.jeepolog.com/UserFiles/english_pages/jeep j8 road test.htm

http://news.pickuptrucks.com/2009/05/road-test-review-aev-j8-milspec.html

http://jalopnik.com/5248496/aev-j8-milspec-offroading-jeeps-forbidden-fruit

http://www.pangaea-expeditions.com/galleries/j8sarge/index.html

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5lRtvZKUBHI&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V6UlZwyuQmw

 

[logos]

I have 2 issues with the J8. First, I cannot afford it. It's way too much money for a vehicle without an engine/transmission. Second, gettting it titled and registered could be nearly impossible.

On the other hand, it is my dream vehicle. with a diesel engine, manual transmission, and heavy duty axles, I see nothing else that can compete.

 

[Metcalf]

Yes....expensive.....but other options in the same category are very limited.

I don't know if the manual is going to be an option in the J8. Last I heard AEV was going to look into it but removing the auto wiring was a big deal.

I don't think getting it licensed will be too bad. At least not in a lot of places I have lived over the years. My old Willys MB didn't have a VIN and it wasn't more than two trips to the DMV to get it licensed.

I do wish that the J8 would have came with locking diffs from the factory. ARB lockers are the only real choice I think. The semi-weird rear D60 with the c-clip 35 spline axles makes it an odd duck. The RD42 ARB should work though. In the front I would think the standard D44 ARB should work? Anyone?

I would like to see someone come up with a full floater rear conversion for the J8. Perhaps something with serviceable wheel bearings for the front too.

Does anyone know if the J8 has ABS?

Good hummer-style bead lock wheels would be on my modification wish list also. If I remember right Rockmonster/hutchinson makes a 4.63" BS, 17x8.5, 5 on 5.5 wheel that might work on the J8.

 

[Root Moose]

I'll reiterate a bit of what I said in the other thread.

I'm a huge fan of the J8/JK but attempting to be objective about them I'll say my bit anyway in the hopes that someone at ChryCo may read this and consider these things for the future.

First, I don't think the quality is there for the amount they are asking. I could drop the money on this truck if I wanted - it's not a finances thing.

I've never seen a J8 in the buff but the stuff I have issue with is endemic to the JK in general. The plastics used aren't that great. They are flimsy. The moldings around the windshield frame are kinda nasty for example. They look like they'd part ways with the frame quickly if you were the type to put your windshield down much.

I don't like how the entire side of the tub vibrates like a wet noodle when you close the door with any moderate force.

For the money they are asking and the target audience the rear end should be a full floater. Both axles should be locked.

You guys know I'm not that fussy about diesel engines and manual transmissions (in Jeeps). It's fine IMO. Maybe the 4.7 V8 as an option makes sense if it makes a difference in MPGs at cruise compared to the Hemi. I dunno, just throwing that out there. I'm not one for "hot rod" engines in a work horse so take that with a grain of salt.

I'm being overly critical because you asked. I like the vehicle immensely. I'd still take this vehicle over a used Defender 90 or Geländewagen of similar value. Just due to the economics of of maintaining the vehicle and "blending in". That's a North America perspective of course. If I was in Europe I may feel different.

$0.02

 

[Metcalf]

I've never seen a J8 in the buff but the stuff I have issue with is endemic to the JK in general. The plastics used aren't that great. They are flimsy. The moldings around the windshield frame are kinda nasty for example. They look like they'd part ways with the frame quickly if you were the type to put your windshield down much.

I agree. I think the JK is lacking in this area. Perhaps with the somewhat limited interior in the J8 it wouldn't be too much of an issue?

I don't like how the entire side of the tub vibrates like a wet noodle when you close the door with any moderate force.

I hope that the J8 body is significantly beefer than the JK. Can anyone confirm what is different? I'm digging on the 3-door version but I am sure everyone will have there different tastes....

For the money they are asking and the target audience the rear end should be a full floater. Both axles should be locked.

Ideally, in a perfect world, I would like to see a full-floater rear axle with stubby D60 sized hubs. 8-lug wheels would not be terrible also considering the payload and intended use. It should have come with lockers for sure! I would also liked to have seen serviceable front wheel bearings, but that is kinda going out of style these days.

You guys know I'm not that fussy about diesel engines and manual transmissions (in Jeeps). It's fine IMO. Maybe the 4.7 V8 as an option makes sense if it makes a difference in MPGs at cruise compared to the Hemi. I dunno, just throwing that out there. I'm not one for "hot rod" engines in a work horse so take that with a grain of salt.

I have to admit that its the turbo diesel that sells it for me....

 

[Root Moose]

I would also liked to have seen serviceable front wheel bearings, but that is kinda going out of style these days.

We kinda obliquely touched on this in the ChryCo 8.25 thread.

The nice thing about uni-bearings is that if you break a shaft it is almost a trivial trail side repair compared to a serviceable bearing.

The failing of uni-bearings is replacement cost. If my XJ is any indication, the OEM units are good for ~150k miles so I'm not too excited about the cost to replace (as in its not a big deal). Besides, they aren't that expensive.

Were you aware the XK used a full float rear axle? It's not like ChryCo couldn't have done something from the parts bin to get the full float parts onto the J8 (provided relative scale works) and/or that the design work is still kicking around and could have been scaled up.

Back to the price thing... what exactly is differenct between the J8 and the JK besides the engine options? Axles? Interior trim? Is that it? I really doubt the tub is any different other than the two door, long variant being available. Why wouldn't buying a JK Rubicon and doing a re-engine be a better value? It's not like the Rubi has crap axles. They are certainly strong enough for overland use IMO.

 

[Metcalf]

We kinda obliquely touched on this in the ChryCo 8.25 thread.

I will have to look....

The nice thing about uni-bearings is that if you break a shaft it is almost a trivial trail side repair compared to a serviceable bearing.

This is true, but with most uni-bearings you have to have the outer stub in place and torqued to allow the front axle to function. With serviceable bearings you can pull the axle all together if you need to.

If I remember right though the uni-bearings in the JK do not need the axle in them.....I can't remember the term....

I'm old school when it comes to bearings.....

The failing of uni-bearings is replacement cost. If my XJ is any indication, the OEM units are good for ~150k miles so I'm not too excited about the cost to replace (as in its not a big deal). Besides, they aren't that expensive.

They are not that expensive...true.

My favorite setup of all time is a full floating rear that has matching bearings as the front. This way you only have to carry one spare set and it fits all 4 corners....less spare parts, less weight, etc.

Were you aware the XK used a full float rear axle? It's not like ChryCo couldn't have done something from the parts bin to get the full float parts onto the J8 (provided relative scale works) and/or that the design work is still kicking around and could have been scaled up.

I think the rear axle they used is pulled from the srt10 truck? Or something very similar?

I would have liked to see the J8 use the uni-bearing from a 2500/2500 truck front and back. 8-lug is fine. the 33 spline is tough enough I think. This would make a great upgrade I think. This way it would use a common easy to find part front and back. It would also be pretty dang heavy duty.....

Back to the price thing... what exactly is differenct between the J8 and the JK besides the engine options? Axles? Interior trim? Is that it? I really doubt the tub is any different other than the two door, long variant being available. Why wouldn't buying a JK Rubicon and doing a re-engine be a better value? It's not like the Rubi has crap axles. They are certainly strong enough for overland use IMO.

As far as I have heard the J8 is in an entirely different class than the JK...

-Heavy duty frame
-Stiffened and beefed up body (from what I have heard is 'different')
-rear leaf springs
-D60 35 spline c-clip rear
-D44 front has bigger brakes and thicker axle tubes
-Turbo diesel comes with an upgraded 48C rated cooling system
-snorkel air cleaner thing rated for severe dust service XX hours
-Bumpers function as lifting points

????????

 

[Root Moose]

My favorite setup of all time is a full floating rear that has matching bearings as the front. This way you only have to carry one spare set and it fits all 4 corners....less spare parts, less weight, etc.

I like this as well. In the diagram that getlost4x4 posted it looks like the 8.25" FF in the XK uses uni-bearings too.

You know, I have the WARN hub kit and FF conversion on my XJ. I've never bothered to look if they use the same bearings. I'll check next time I'm out in the 'shop.

I think the rear axle they used is pulled from the srt10 truck? Or something very similar?

Yeah, I dunno. The only reason why I'm up on ChryCo anything is because of Jeep. Really don't know much about the rest of their products.

I would have liked to see the J8 use the uni-bearing from a 2500/2500 truck front and back. 8-lug is fine. the 33 spline is tough enough I think. This would make a great upgrade I think. This way it would use a common easy to find part front and back. It would also be pretty dang heavy duty.....

Yep, pillage the parts bin for profit. Works for me.

As far as I have heard the J8 is in an entirely different class than the JK...

-Heavy duty frame
-Stiffened and beefed up body (from what I have heard is 'different')
-rear leaf springs
-D60 35 spline c-clip rear
-D44 front has bigger brakes and thicker axle tubes
-Turbo diesel comes with an upgraded 48C rated cooling system
-snorkel air cleaner thing rated for severe dust service XX hours
-Bumpers function as lifting points

????????

Fan pf the frame, tub, leaves and bigger brakes. The D60 would be nice with FF but I guess I contradicted myself with the JK D44 reference a few posts up. If they are going to bother with it do it right I guess my point I was trying to make.

The rest I'm mostly ambivalent.

 

[4Rescue]

...I don't know if the manual is going to be an option in the J8. Last I heard AEV was going to look into it but removing the auto wiring was a big deal.

....

Game Over... no maual makes it "not the truck for me" so there's my opinion from my intrest point.

Now as for how well it'll fare. I like it. I think that losing the LJ body option was a big mistake they really were about the perfect all arou d wrangler for the trails. I've always LOVED CJ6,8 and LJ's so this J8 is right up my stylistic alley.

As for equipment:
-I'd like to see it come with F/R Lockers for that kind of coin.
-Obviously the I'm against the auto tranny, but it'll suit those who like them very well if it turns out to be a stout unit. I think some kind of TF727 Variant (like from a Dodge truck was it the 904 or something????) would be great but I'm not aware of what they're using so I'm just day dreaming here.
-I think really that for all the work they put into the idea of a snorkle I'd still prefer it to go up to the top of the A-Pillar like a traditional snorkle.
-Really, I'd like a matching d60 up front instead of the d44 that's there. But that's just the over builder in me...

Other then that I think it's a SWEET rig that's more akin to what I want in a truck then I've seen available here for a long time. Toyota had a hell of an oppertounity to do something with the FJ and while they are neat trucks that ARE Toyotas it's just not the same as the Wrangler and what they've done with it all these years... IF Jeep sold it at a stealership like this with a "Rubicon" package alog sode the opther 2 models but in a w/b between the 4/2 dr's it'd be worth a look for me... Add a diesel and a 5spd and I might be back in a Jeep wich is something I swore I wouldn't do awhile ago

Cheers

Dave

 

[The Swiss]

Good hummer-style bead lock wheels would be on my modification wish list also. If I remember right Rockmonster/hutchinson makes a 4.63" BS, 17x8.5, 5 on 5.5 wheel that might work on the J8.

The beige J8 AEV has parked in front of their building rolls on 255/80-17 BFG MT KM2, one size up from the stock 255/75-17 stock Rubi tires. So far, this tire dimension is just a prototype. Sure hope BFG starts making them; a taller tire without getting wider would be right down my alley.

 

[Outback]

I have yet to see a price tag on the vehicle. Does anyone have an idea of price?

 

[Layonnn]

I have yet to see a price tag on the vehicle. Does anyone have an idea of price?

i believe what i read was a base of about 43K and then they sell you the engine separately, at about 8K for either, then you have to install or have installed. It is sold as a kit car and i don't think can be sold as a turn key vehicle. I think this is close to accurate.

 

[Outback]

Nope not worth it. You can build something much better for your needs at a smaller price tag. No at that price it becomes someones bragging rights. These will be sold to people who have nothing better to do with there money and use stuff like this to make them feel better. Yes it has a better frame. better axles kinda but thats it. Not worth the extra money. .....In my opinion.

 

[Stumpalump]

This was my fun as a passenger in an JK rubicon.
All I will add is that the factory cage is junk. The first easy roll had the windsheild in my face instantly and the second crushed the main hoop down to the drivers seat back. It looks strong but is just tin sheetmetal so put a cage in a JK and don't be fooled by the factory roll bar.