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- Newsgroups: rec.autos.tech
- Path: sparky!uunet!haven.umd.edu!darwin.sura.net!wupost!sdd.hp.com!ux1.cso.uiuc.edu!news.cso.uiuc.edu!geta!mrmike
- From: mrmike@geta.life.uiuc.edu (Mike McCaughey)
- Subject: 4WD Complete Rebuild
- Message-ID: <mrmike.713825524@geta>
- Sender: usenet@news.cso.uiuc.edu (Net Noise owner)
- Organization: University of Illinois at Urbana
- Date: Fri, 14 Aug 1992 20:52:04 GMT
- Keywords: Engine rebuild, drivetrain, bodywork, 4WD
- Lines: 64
-
-
- Well, I'm thinking of taking the plunge...
-
- I have a 1979 Jeep Wagoneer which I bought very cheaply a few weeks ago. It has
- a rebuilt AMC 360 V8 in it, and the rebuild was apparently not very well
- done - poor performance, burns oil...it even blows oil into the distributor
- cap. The necessary repairs to the engine/drivetrain, creeping
- body rust, and the desire to have a semi-trick Jeep has caused me to
- contemplate a complete rebuild. I have access to most tools and some skilled
- labor (that will work for homebrew) to help cut costs. My contemplated work is
-
- 1) Engine swap. Anyone know if a long block Chevy will fit in a Wagoneer? I prefer
- not to move the firewall. Otherwise a smallblock. Performance/HD internals,
- blower or turbo, headers etc. Although there is no inspection where I live,
- I'd like to try to meet legal emissions in IL.
-
- 2) Transmission. Swap out the TH400 for a 4 spd auto with overdrive.
-
- 3) Transfer case. Swap out or rebuild QuadraTrac unit for a part time system.
-
- 4) Suspension. 4" lift, dual shocks all around, 3" body lift; sandblast and paint
- frame.
-
- 5) Interior. New front buckets, full roll cage, custom dash and console, custom
- tool boxes/storage built into areas around wheel wells; stereo.
-
- 6) Exterior. Replace rusted lower rear quarter, full paint. Tube bumpers
- w/ storage, winch mounts; swing-away spare and can carrier; lights.
-
- Although I've never rebuilt a 4WD before, I realize that this is a major undertaking
- and have budgeted about $8k and 2 years for the project. This is, of course,
- insane...but there is something appealing about the hapless ugliness of the old
- Wagoneer.
-
- My questions for the 4WD gurus on the list are:
-
- 1) Anybody have any experience with engine swaps they'd like to share?
- Ever deal with the aftermarket adaptor mfgs? Will a big-block fit?
-
- 2) Do you have recommended suppliers of aftermarket parts?
-
- 3) Will the increased torque of a larger, supercharged engine turn my stock
- drivetrain into scrap metal?
-
- 4) Should I sandblast the entire body before painting (new paint will be
- different color) or just hand sand to prep it?
-
- In short, any comments, advice or ideas are welcome. Suggestions that I
- should spend my money on analysis instead of the Jeep will be ignored,
- even if correct.
-
- Thanks!
- mrmike
-
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