Ok, here is the deal. I am going to redo my 90 YJ. Currently it has the 4.2 ax-15 and d-30 and D-35 with 35's tsl sx on it. As far as the lift, 4.5 RE lift and 2' body lift.
Right now I have a t-18 mated to a D-20 with the granny 1st gear waiting to be installed. For sure I am getting rid of the 4.2 and the ax-15 and adding a TBI 350 bolted up to the t-18 and possibly an atlas or may use the Dana 20 that I already have. I found a tbi 350 from a 92 Burb with 62k on the motor. $1,400 for everything I need i.e. computer and anything else under the hood I need with a 1-year warranty. So here are my questions. What would you do with 5k to finish up the rest of the rig? I Want to run 38's as well. I have a good idea what I want to do, but wanted to see what you guys/gals would do as far as axles/ lift/tires/cages ect. anything to make a super flexy rock crawler with a budget of 5k. Remember that I already have the tranny and t-case so don’t factor that in. I have not purchased the motor yet, but I think the 1,400 is good as stated above.

Springover on 2" lift Alcan springs, wagoneer axles with Chromaly axle shafts and CTM U-joints in the front, long slip driveshafts, airlockers, bilstein shocks. Use the tranny/transfer case you have and get the motor, seems like you would have enough left over to finish up all the little stuff

Well, that's about what I spent on my axle upgrade:

87 Waggy D44s F&R - $450

All the misc. shiat to re-build them (U-joints, bearings throughout, ball joints tie rod ends, brake pads and drums, lockout hubs, paint, other crap) ~ $800

4.27 gears, overhaul kits, and Ox Lockers F &R ~ $2000

Installation of gears and lockers into axle housings ~ $500

5 New wheels with 6x5.5 pattern ~ $750

High-clearance mounting shit for SUA axles (JKS B-3 U-bolt plates up front and Dynatrac U-bolt reversal kit with Lou-Feger clamp-on spring perches in back) ~ $300


And that still leaves you with 500 bucks for gas! ;)


HTH,
Jake Harsha

Do you need to keep it CA smog legal?

I haven't kept up with smog restrictions for the past couple of years, but I think you need an engine from same or later year from a vehicle with same GVW and the same tranny. (auto or manual)

The burb is around 8500 GVW, and the YJ is around 4500. I think you have to find a car that uses the same motor as the burb. ** I think ** if you can show the same engine was available in something else with the same GVW, you will be OK.

Isn't the Computer also expecting an Auto (I'm assuming the burb was auto) Prolly a way to change this, but I don't know much about chebby mills or computers.

Fuel and exhaust should be OK, but If the engine is from a later year, I remember you have to update everything emission related to the later year. This prolly isn't an issue if you get the cat from the burb and keep a stock fuel tank on the YJ with all the evaporative shiat intact.

I'm not trying to sound like an expert on this, cuz I'm not and its been a couple of years since I looked into doing an engine swaps, and I decided not to go there, but it was crap like this that got in my way.

I'm sure someone will correct me :flipoff2: but my .02 is to do your smog homework before you buy the motor.

- Dan

Fly myself out to the Moonlight Bunny Ranch for a weekend of fun. :)

cm "mmm, neopolitans" k

Upgrade the drivetrain, like the above posts mention

buy a certian tow rig....http://home.att.net/~marc.marnie.bryson/77GMC.jpg.....
...and keep the YJ the same until later on.

:D

You ladies run 38's on waggy axles? :rolleyes: COME AWNNNN!

350, t18, GET THE FAWKIN ATLAS! :flipoff2:

PNP a 60, have sean build a 60 front

SOA on the RE 4.5's Lock it, load it, roll it :flipoff2:

Only thing that'll take you over budget is the 60 front :eek:

Thanks for the suggestions all. As far as the smog thing goes, I have this worked out. I am doing the same TBI 350 as Loppy did and he is all dialed in and legal. Yes I will need a engine light and I will need to make changes regards to the automatic trannny motor but Loppy knows what's up. Strong, good point on the 4.5 RE springs, I will probably try to run them but they may be to big. A post like this gives me a good idea on what I need to think about. Keep the ideas coming.
Nice Truck UT91XJ96ZJ
I like bunnies CMK

how about 60 rear 44 front chromoly shafts and ctm u-joints 350, 38X12.50 or 37 boggers, and a full cage, and some bead locks, try to do as much as possible yourself! and you can make 5k go along way!
:D :D

i had $5,000 and it was gone like that.
60&44 $250
Brakes calipers$200
gear axels new seals, bearings, the works, and lockers with high steer all rebult$3000
Tires$1100
Rims$250
Misc$300
Boom!!! just like that its gone!!! IT SUCKS!!!

Front 60!!!