New CJ3a build

[Skip44]

Thanks Chris, let me know if you come across the list.

Skip

[csutton7]

this is where I saw it--

http://farmjeep.com/

[imack606]

Originally Posted by VermontCJ3a

Really I had no idea there was a off road club any wheres around here. Sounds like fun. Yeah I'm just shooting for some 33 to 35 inch tires and something that I can cruse the streets and then go offroading also.

did ya survive the flood? i know it was nuts down in your area. our club is organizing this afternoon with the State police to wheel through the washed out roads to get supplies into the towns that are completely cut off. hope you made it ok down in Wilmington.

[VermontCJ3a]

Yeah its really bad down this way alot of roads are gone so you have to use alot of trails to get around. So the jeep project has been put on hold for a bit, until things get better.

[VermontCJ3a]

alright well I finally got some time off today to tear into my jeep and start the rebuild on my tranny. Well lets just say whoever owned this jeep before me was a serious hacker. First off the dogs in the syncros were hand made or something so they completely destroyed the brass syncro rings then the front main barring was completely shredded apart. Then the needle barring that are for the cluster shaft half were missing. So my question is on the front of the tranny case(t-90) the face where the brass shim rides had been chewed up a bit and I was wondering if that would ruin the entire case, or if it was salvageable. Oh and also the case was filled with a wonderful 50/50 mix of water and oil. Ill try to get some pics up asap.

[VermontCJ3a]

I dont know why i cant post pictures on here

[csutton7]

you need to buy a red star for $20---chris

[VermontCJ3a]

And how do I go about doing this????

[csutton7]

go to "User CP"---then click on paid subscriptions(this is to the left at the bottom)---chris

[VermontCJ3a]

Alright here are some pics of the tranny case and I'm wondering if its junk or still ok for a rebuild sorry the pictures aren't the best

[VermontCJ3a]

One picture of my 2.3 pinto on the stand while im doing some minor work on it

[VermontCJ3a]

So does anyone have any suggestions is this case junk or still usable???

[imack606]

feel like i'd really have to see it to confirm that answer.

other option is put the bearings into it and put her all back together and see? those are pretty simple to pull in and out trannies if you do have any issues...

[VermontCJ3a]

Well its been a while since I've gave an update on my jeeps status. So far my lift frame extension has all been done I used a 4" lift out of a cj7 and extended my frame to give me an 86" wheelbase and about 19" of clearance at the bottom of the transfer with 31's currently. I've rebuilt my T-90a so now its a T-90c with lower gear ratios. Got my adapter for my pinto swap but still working on a clutch fork issue. My next thing is to see what axle ratios I should go with, the 4.88 or 5.38s any ideas???

[VermontCJ3a]

I really want this jeep to be a good all round rig I dont do to my hardcore wheeling but enough where i want the low gears, but I also want it to be drivable on the streets seeing i've only got 3 gears to work with. Thats why I'm leaning towards 4.88 but I like the idea of have an good crawl ratio in the woods with the 5.38

[VermontCJ3a]

Heres what she looked like when I started and started to tare it apart

[euroford]

since your using a 2.3 motor, why not use the 2.3t from a turbocoupe, svo or xr4ti? everything would be exactly the same, except for more power and coolness factor goes up?

those are great little engines.

[VermontCJ3a]

Well trust me I've thought of it the problem is that anyone i've looked at the want a ridiculous amount of money for just the motor and computer no harness or anything else so it would cost me alot more to convert and i dont know how well the t-90 would handle the 250hp

[VermontCJ3a]

The turbo motor is what I'd like but still looking for a deal on one

[Hickeyjones]

Originally Posted by VermontCJ3a

I really want this jeep to be a good all round rig I dont do to my hardcore wheeling but enough where i want the low gears, but I also want it to be drivable on the streets seeing i've only got 3 gears to work with. Thats why I'm leaning towards 4.88 but I like the idea of have an good crawl ratio in the woods with the 5.38

I can tell you I had 4.88's in my CJ5 with 35" tires and NP435 (1:1 4th gear) and my RPM were about 3200-3300 at about 65 mph. Don't know what RPM your 2.3 is happy with, mine had a 289 v8 so it sounded a bit pissed off at 70 mph.

[imack606]

wow, youre CJ was in amazing shape when you started!!! nice progress!

Originally Posted by Hickeyjones

I can tell you I had 4.88's in my CJ5 with 35" tires and NP435 (1:1 4th gear) and my RPM were about 3200-3300 at about 65 mph. Don't know what RPM your 2.3 is happy with, mine had a 289 v8 so it sounded a bit pissed off at 70 mph.

if youre building your CJ to go 70+ on 35"s you really need some different parts and pieces. major props on the 289 v8. was it the HiPo? thats the one ford engine i'd build a sleeper CJ with...

[VermontCJ3a]

Among the other problems I've been trying to resolve what has some people used for a some what cheap alternative for a radiator in these jeeps, I'd like to find something that is pretty common to find and will cool this little jeep easily

[Peow130]

Some people use the stock rad. It'd keep your 2.3 cool i'm sure.
You could try and use a 60's mustang radiator..

[imack606]

what i've done and will end up doing with mine is just measure up what size radiator you think you'll want then do a search on summit and limit radiator options by heights or widths you want and then check what applications they have remaining as available...

[VermontCJ3a]

As you can see some progress now for making the motor mounts so they dont interfere with my steering