I had a quick search and didn't find a whole lot. Obviously someone will come on and say look at all the topics I found in .00003 seconds you dick.

anyways....

I am wondering what the best base model jeep is preferred for a buildup into a competition rig? I currently have a TJ but am considering buying something a hell of a lot cheaper so I can really beat on it. Being in Australia the availability of jeeps is pretty crappy, but if I know what is a decent base then it would help.

For the future I would be thinking Dana60's, 38.5" or bigger tyres, 350 SB v8, atlas or dana300, TH700R4, 100" or loner wheelbase etc. etc.

Basically a nice big comp and trail rig that I can beat on lots and not worry too much about.

So the best jeep to start off with?
cj6, older and cheaper, nice stock wheelbase
cj7, dana300 from 80-86'

any help appreicated....just thinking things through.

cheers

bobbed scrambler would give u wheelbase and the d300 u want

samari w/ a super charger nitros, a low gear case, wagoneer pass side offset dana 44's, and 37" mtrs. light, fast, nible, strong.

don't what availability is like down there, but a Jeepster might be a good base for ya.

They're all good, just pick one and build it. I like YJ's personaly, and they're getting to be pretty cheap these days.

land rover 88"

shitty drivetrain and suspension to start with, but you get a hella strong fully boxed steel frame, a no-rust aluminum body, and awesome coolness factor. stock they weigh 2900lbs. very easy to modify.

here is a pic of a rover that belongs to a guy that is on the BB and from aus.

Dude you have an excellent base to begin with and with all the money your willing to put into another Jeep why not keep the one you have, build it up, and not give a crap about thrashing it. What's the point of getting a cheaper base model if your going to blow fat coin on building the new one anyhow. Some guys ride the older rigs because of familiarity, cost, and being able to pick and pull the parts. But you have a great Jeep now that a lot of guys want but don't have the cash. I say don't buy it if your afraid to break it. Your gonna do what you want to do though

thanks for the input...

due to availability of jeeps here it will be a loooong wait to find a CJ-8 scrambler but that would be the perfect base I think.

YJ's are virtually non-existent over here and if you can find them they are as expensive as a TJ.

I am basically worried about dumping so many $'s into the TJ as I am going to throw away the dana30/44, np231, probably the transmission as well and eventually the motor in favour of a v8.
So what is the point in paying all the moola for a TJ in the first place?

I want to find a cheap assed rig that I can replace driveline and axles, motor, etc and not be worrying about the cost. Just seems more logical to me anyways.

CJ6 long wheelbase any good? I know it doesn't have the dana300 tcase.

I need long wheelbase and the dana300 would be good. Sorry for the obvious questions but I am no jeep history expert.

Can't get a suzi as my brother is looking at one.

thanks again.

Well, I've been looking to do the same BUT.....I don't know about Australia, but I think the market has dropped out the bottom on TJs here in the states. I'm having a tough time moving a somewhat built TJ myself.

To find a decent condition, mechanically wise, 4.0 YJ I've been looking at $4-5K. Might opinion is to keep your TJ. You may be surprised that there are people who want to buy the mods that you've already made....

Good luck with your decision.

I think I have a line on a CJ8 scrambler: 305chev, TH350 auto, DANA 300, and the Dana 30 /AMC-20.

The dana30/AMC20 combo would have to go but apart from that it seems cool. Around US$4000 or AUS$8000 though so a bit steep.

Also a J10 which has DANA60/44 stock, a 351, factory power
steering. now that might have potential.

Anyone know much about j10's, a good website perhaps?

Originally posted by MOVEASIDE
Dude you have an excellent base to begin with and with all the money your willing to put into another Jeep why not keep the one you have, build it up, and not give a crap about thrashing it. What's the point of getting a cheaper base model if your going to blow fat coin on building the new one anyhow. Some guys ride the older rigs because of familiarity, cost, and being able to pick and pull the parts. But you have a great Jeep now that a lot of guys want but don't have the cash. I say don't buy it if your afraid to break it. Your gonna do what you want to do though


Because not everyone wants to spend 20 fawkin grand on a rig to then put 20 fawkin grand into it to then total it in one weekend :rolleyes:

Originally posted by aussietj
I think I have a line on a CJ8 scrambler: 305chev, TH350 auto, DANA 300, and the Dana 30 /AMC-20.

The dana30/AMC20 combo would have to go but apart from that it seems cool. Around US$4000 or AUS$8000 though so a bit steep.

Also a J10 which has DANA60/44 stock, a 351, factory power
steering. now that might have potential.

Anyone know much about j10's, a good website perhaps?

I dunno.....4K for that CJ8 doesnt sound TOO expensive to me.....depends on its condition.

IMO, J10 even built like that is overkill.......too much weight in my book ;)

Originally posted by Keith Strong


IMO, J10 even built like that is overkill.......too much weight in my book ;)

Damn, you mean I have to put 42" TSL's under it! :flipoff2:

Originally posted by aussietj


Damn, you mean I have to put 42" TSL's under it! :flipoff2:

No no no no no.......they would HAVE to be at least 44 boggz to be useable :p

Originally posted by aussietj

Anyone know much about j10's, a good website perhaps?

http://www.ifsja.org

Good luck!

Originally posted by Keith Strong



Because not everyone wants to spend 20 fawkin grand on a rig to then put 20 fawkin grand into it to then total it in one weekend :rolleyes: I hear you on that but the dude already owns the TJ now nothing cheaper than running what you got. If he didn't have a Jeep already my reply would be different

Maybe, but you can buy and build a different rig for MUCH less than building a TJ. If I had all the money in the world and owned a TJ, I still wouldnt build it. Its the parts that cost. And that CJ8 has a much better base to start off than a stock TJ that will need trans, t/c axles and tons of expensive lift parts.

if i was going to throw together a comp rig and wanted to do it cheap i would buy a samurai, throw a 16valve 1.6L sidekick motor in it, sumo 6to1 gears in teh t-case, wrangler springs, lengthen it to about 100", cut the back part of the tub off, tbe it out, throw a set of waggy dana44's with 5.38's or 5.89's, with a set of 37's and get it! i have seen similarly build samis run and they WILL get it!

Originally posted by MOVEASIDE
I hear you on that but the dude already owns the TJ now nothing cheaper than running what you got.

You couldn't be more wrong. When dealing with a true trail rig a TJ is not a cheap option. He could sell that TJ for say $15,000 and build a competition style buggy for less that would out wheel any TJ. Sh!t he could probably build a tube buggy for less than the cost of the TJ build-up alone (excluding initial TJ purchase cost). For example (since you obviously have no clue and need a good explanation) you could buy Ken Shupes competition buggy right now for ~$20,000. Add up your TJ and the cost to make it as dependable as that buggy (it never breaks) and see how much you get. I know from experience (because we did it with our competition TJ) it'll be easily $30-35K if you do the work YOURSELF.

moveaside is it your purpose to be wrong inyour posts:confused:

why not keep the one you have, build it up, and not give a crap about thrashing it. the insurance company should like that idea.:rolleyes:

Originally posted by MOVEASIDE
I hear you on that but the dude already owns the TJ now nothing cheaper than running what you got. If he didn't have a Jeep already my reply would be different

I know this is going to confuse you but heres some maths.
we will work in Aussie dollars just because it's easier for me.

TJ cost - $25,000
all the costs associated with getting it on 38.5's - $10-15,000 say....and that is erring on the cheap side.

Scrambler cost $8000
cost to get it on 38.5's $10-15,000
with a lot of change left over from the price of the TJ buildup that could be spent on more important things :beer: because the rig is already built and will take a beating.

Now which rig would you prefer to take in competitions, sawzall the crap out of and generally beat really hard?

So back to the questions:

what will it take to get a scrambler on 38's? spring over would be best? I am not too worried about some major fender trimming. Would like to be running rancho 9012's at all four corners....

What about a full size 1984 cherokee? It has a worked amc 360, TF727, NP208, 4" skyjacker lift, D44 & AMC20 have been stuffed with Detroit lockers and 3.54 gears...to get this on 38's would be almost the same story (fender trim)? I would be dumping the rear axle as a minimum and re-gearing. Can the detroits be re-used?

thanks for all the help!!