Sensible daily driven TJ

[bigg]

Hello all! Figgured I'd put up my build. As far as Pirate standards go, mine is pretty cookie cutter... but I don't thing there's anything like it here in the maritimes. I'm just wraping up what started as an engine swap. I made the mistake of telling a buddy how cool it would be to stick a 6.0L chevy in my TJ. Next thing you know he's telling me about one in a salvage yard he knows about. So, the plan started as addapting the 6.0 to my NV3550 and leaving it at that. Then, I remebered a buddy that had a C&C 14 bolt.... well, my little rubie 44 wouldn't hold up to the torque of a V8, so off I go to get that. I was going to run 8 bolt 15" wheels on the back and keep my 35s. Two different bolt patterns, but no biggie. All the while thinking; "man, a Dana 60 for the front would be nice" Next thing you know, one comes up. Narrowed, locked and geared. (I think you can see where this is going, LOL) Got that, and somewhere along the way I decided that to help the MRS. absorb some of this I'd convert it to an auto so that she'd be a little more understanding, as she's be able to drive. Oh, and you can't fit 15' wheels on a Dana 60, so I picked up a set of 38X15.5/16.5 TSL Radials on American Racing Outlaw IIs. Anyway, enough talk. He's the build;

Started as an 03 TJ Rubicon, 4" suspension lift, 1" body lift, tube fenders, 35" KM2s



The teardown;






New engine;




14 bolt next to old tranny/ t-case;



New tranny next to old;



Front 60;



Fuel cell;



Shaving the 14 bolt ring gear;

before


after




Dana 30 ring gear next to 14 bolt;



My very skilled friend shaving the housing for me;

















Old rad;



New rad;



Making room for the new heart, and new mounts in;



ready to go in;



in;



Starting on rear;





front;







Fender extensions;







Lokar shifter;





Home made cold air intake;



New line for the front ARB;





Stickers;





Outdoor completed pics;













Shakedown run;









So that's it to this point. We're waiting on back ordered Autometer gages. Got some crappy Princess Autos in there for now to monitor the vitals. My front locker isn't operational as there's some O rings that are shot, so she doesn't hold air...and as I was going to change the inners, I decided to wait on them. That, and lack of an oil pan skid are the only things holding me back from some serious wheeling. Otherwise, I'm driving it around with no issues. Even had the wife driving it for the first time today.

Let me tell you; it sure is fun to drive! Sounds amazing, and is silly powerful. I'm looking forward to longarming the rear. That'll solve some antisquating issues, as well as smooth out the ride. I'll post some vid as soon as I get some.

Couple more details;

The front axle's been narrowed to 65" WMS to WMS, taken off the long side. Had an ARB,4.56s, and came with long arms and a 3 link setup.

The rear axle came stock with a WMS to WMS of 63". It's the cab and chassis version. We added a Detroit, and 4.56s. A single triangulated, long arm, 4 link is in the near future.

The fuel cell was home made with the inset portion able to accomodate 9" of stretch with a dana 60... no solid plans to stretch, but comp cut, and 6" stretch would probably suit it quite nicely.

The engine's a 2005 out of a 2500 Silverado. Somewhere in the range of 315Hp, and 360ft/lbs. The best part is if you look up a dyno chart of this engine, it's pretty much got 300ft/lbs right off idle and has a flat curve to a max of 360.

Tranny's out of a 2001 Suburban. They only made the 4L65E for it between 2001 and 2003. It's been beefed up... however I'm not up on tranny talk. Corvette something, and manual something else. LOL Truth be told, I'm not sure I made the right choice going to an auto. So far most of the driving I've done has been street, and I'd rather a stick there... but we'll see offroad.

Stayed with the Rubicon t-case because I couldn't afford a Stak. I'd love the 3 speed 1:1, 3:1 and 5:1. Some day. It's on the list. LOL My driveshafts are both 1410 axle, and 1350 CVs other then the front t-case output. Couldn't fit 1350 so had to go to 1330 due to t-case clearance. Another reason to get the Stak. I hate having a weak link. My buddy thinks my t-case will be the first thing to go.

Anyway, that's enough rambling. Should get some vid this weekend. Stay tuned!

[Chevypower]

looks good lots of work done there no shortage of power with them engines good luck with her

[mitch green]

nice build looks good.

[Charles]

Very nice build there!!! I'd give it more credit than cookie cutter. Thats a bad ass jeep. Bet the 6.0L woke er up quite a bit. The D60/14 bolt with 38.5's and a 6.0L sounds like a very nice combo!... and all narrowed up and daily driven... very nice man!

[bigg]

Thanks guys. As far as power, yup, there's no lack of it. LOL Just really got after it for the first time the other day. Rolling along 30km, and really stomped it. Fawkin' near pooped myself. ;D

Before that I'd just take off and not let it upshift, and that's impressive.

Just think; this engine belongs in something that's probably 1-2000lbs heavier and ment to tow on top of that. It's upped the fun factor big time. ;D ;D ;D

Watch for it this May two four!... on the mainland that is. I realize most of you are on the island.

[Charles]

... would love to see it bouncing off the rev limiter in 3 or 4 feet of mud!!!