I guess I am most interested in how the front radiator mount was handled. I am thinking a later CJ crossmember welded in would solve this. Any other solutions?

I have a '71 CJ-6 that I am finally going to start. I am going to update it's steering and suspension. Comparible to my CJ-8.

I done that to a 53 m83a1 that belonged to a friend of mine when it got rebuilt. Used the crossmember to mount the steering box, fabed a short mount to support the orginal radiator support. We stayed with the short fenders on it also.

if you stayed with the short fenders and the stock radiator, what did you change?

OK, maybe changing the front grill is enough for a V-8.

My '63 CJ6 at one time had a small block Chevy in it which fit quite nicely. A newer grille was used and no modification to the firewall was necessary.