That is the name of my new project. I was going to keep it a secret until the Fear Me Challenge (kinda like Carnage on the 'con but in the NW) but since my surgery has thrown a rope into it's successful completion by that date I am going to change direction.

The original plan was a 1947 Willys CJ2A ( the "W CJ2A") powered by a '94 Thunderbird Supercoupe supercharged 3.8L V6 w/4R70W (the "underbird SC" ) mated to a B-W 13-56, all mounted on a cut down '75 F350 frame with full width axles, coils front, leafs rear and about a 105" wheelbase.

Now I have decided to go all out and build my own frame with four link coilover front and three link coilover rear. Naturally this will take much longer to complete and cost a great deal more than the original plan. In the long run I think this is a better plan.

I'll be bouncing ideas off you guys from time to time. Here is the web page that I will be keeping track of the progress with.
http://www.geocities.com/pg4x4/wunderbird/wunderbird.html

The 3.8 is a good engine but won't the torque peak be a little high in the RPM range?

Sounds like a cool concept. Not sure about the SC 3.8, but the normally aspirated 3.8s are crap. My family has had 3 or 4 of them in various cars, and they all blew head gaskets about every 30K miles. The supercharged ones must be better though, I would think they would be even harder on head gaskets.

I had a '90 superchicken, I never was that impressed with the low end... top end however was another story:eek::eek::eek:

I think the 3.8 is a good choice. better than what I was thinking: 428 Super Cobra Jet. that would be a silly motor in a flatty.

I think that would be a SAWEET set up!

But like it's been said, the trq will be higher up the RPM's.

There's a guy over at http://board.rrorc.com/ubbcgi/ultimatebb.cgi that has swapped in a SC 3.8 from a thunderchicken into his Ranger. His board name is Chasetruck754. By his name, you can see it's mostly a prerunner!

Either way, good luck! Should be a killer project!

Originally posted by Gordon
I think the 3.8 is a good choice. better than what I was thinking: 428 Super Cobra Jet. that would be a silly motor in a flatty.

I know a guy with a 427 FE in a flatty - stock wheelbase (but full width) & on NOS :D

TEX

The 94-95 SC 3.8L’s made 230HP @ 4500rpm and 330ft-lbs of torque at 2500rpm. I think it will do fine. :)

why the F-350 it would be easier and better to make your own frame out of square tube. The F-350 is gonna need a whole new suspension setup on the fron plus cutting the front back and middle of the frame. I woulde seriously think about tube frame

Originally posted by NE-RokToy
why the F-350 it would be easier and better to make your own frame out of square tube. The F-350 is gonna need a whole new suspension setup on the fron plus cutting the front back and middle of the frame. I woulde seriously think about tube frame

:smack: go back and read that again... LOL :D

And the original reason for choosing the F350 frame is because it was available and free.

Originally posted by Paul Gagnon


:smack: go back and read that again... LOL :D

And the original reason for choosing the F350 frame is because it was available and free.

Am i seeing things or .......

Originally posted by NE-RokToy


Am i seeing things or .......

LOL... in the third paragraph I said I am going to make my own frame. :)

Hey Paul. looks like you are starting wth even less than I did!!

I totally agree with the whole V6 in a flattie concept.

you will likely have an easy time fitting it in.if the 3.8 is front distrubutor

I started with a YJ frame and narrowed it.
the only thing I found with flatties is that with a lower hoodline I just couldn't bring the engine and drivetrain up high enough to have the ---flat--- bellypan......
With the plan being full link front and rear. the best compromise in my estimation would be something like 2x3 straight rails.(basically as wide as the grille and straight back.)
then use full length cage tie-ins to stiffen up the chassis.
You basically would only need a true frame to support the engine+ trannys/t-case
the force from the links will be reacting towards the vehicle center as well'
If you are planning to go all out tube chassis. then having an actual flatfender to work around is probably more of a hindrance.
you would be better off just ponying up for a Shannon Campbell tube chassis then.... tack on the Flattie in the form of removeable body panels.

Originally posted by CRO
Hey Paul. looks like you are starting wth even less than I did!!


you will likely have an easy time fitting it in.if the 3.8 is front distrubutor

With the plan being full link front and rear. the best compromise in my estimation would be something like 2x3 straight rails.(basically as wide as the grille and straight back.)
then use full length cage tie-ins to stiffen up the chassis.
You basically would only need a true frame to support the engine+ trannys/t-case
the force from the links will be reacting towards the vehicle center as well'.

Chris,

I've got the grille(with headlights) and hood too. Actually the complete stock drivetrain is still at Russ's Dad's but I don't need any of that.

My 3.8L has distributorless ignition so no clearance issues there. :)

I was thinking about straight rails. I'm not a big fan of the look of a tube frame or of tube buggies. I think they work awsome but visually they don't appeal to me.

I'd like to take a look at your flatty I'm sure you've got a ton of ideas I could steal. :cool2: