1. Welcome to Jeeps.net!

    You are currently viewing as a guest! To get full-access, you need to register for a FREE account.

    As a registered member, you’ll be able to:
    • Participate in all Jeep discussion topics
    • Transfer over your build thread from a different forum to this one
    • Communicate privately with other Jeep owners from around the world
    • Post your own photos in our Members Gallery
    • Access all special features of the site

DJ 4x4 conversion dream

Discussion in 'General Jeep Discussion' started by STEVEO65DJ, Sep 17, 2018.

  1. Sep 17, 2018 at 8:36 AM
    #1
    STEVEO65DJ

    #1
    STEVEO65DJ [OP] Member

    Joined:
    Sep 17, 2018
    Member:
    #2584
    Messages:
    7
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Steven
    Vehicle:
    1965 DJ-3A
    None yet, I'm wanting to convert it to 4x4.
    I have a 1965 DJ-3A. My great grandfather bought it new off the lot and my family has had it ever since. I'm going to convert it to 4x4 and I've gotten some negative feedback. I understand it won't be easy, however is sentimental value and family history that I want to preserve. So without the normal "you'd be better off going a different route" does anyone have any suggestions on the best way to do the conversion? A good friend had suggested finding an XJ donor and that's been the plan for now. I'm well aware that it well include welding etc to swap things over. Anyways any input that's helpful would be appreciated!
     
    STEVEO65DJ, Sep 17, 2018
    #1
  2. Sep 17, 2018 at 8:52 AM
    #2
    chris4x4

    #2
    chris4x4 With sufficient thrust, pigs fly just fine Moderator

    Joined:
    Jul 19, 2016
    Member:
    #2
    Messages:
    4,068
    Gender:
    Male
    Welcome to the site!! Do you have some pictures to share with us?
     
    chris4x4, Sep 17, 2018
    #2
    JKBob 25 likes this.
  3. Sep 17, 2018 at 8:54 AM
    #3
    aggrex

    #3
    aggrex Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Sep 12, 2016
    Member:
    #203
    Messages:
    4,912
    DE
    Vehicle:
    Backcountry '16
    Tuffy>AEV>TTO>JW>STech>EVOcage>MagnaFlow>SpiderTrax>RockHard>TF>SpringTail>67design>Bolt>GPCA>Curt>
    Welcome! Ambitious project for the Willys>KJ "Dispatcher". As others have already mentioned it may retain more heritage and value as an original Jeep DJ. But the conversion should be achievable.
     
    aggrex, Sep 17, 2018
    #3
    STEVEO65DJ[OP] likes this.
  4. Sep 17, 2018 at 8:56 AM
    #4
    STEVEO65DJ

    #4
    STEVEO65DJ [OP] Member

    Joined:
    Sep 17, 2018
    Member:
    #2584
    Messages:
    7
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Steven
    Vehicle:
    1965 DJ-3A
    None yet, I'm wanting to convert it to 4x4.
    I have a ton just gotta figure out how to upload more than one at a time. I've taken it down to the frame and I'm cleaning everything and prepping it for the build when I have the funds.

    20180714_131002.jpg
     
    STEVEO65DJ, Sep 17, 2018
    #4
    chris4x4 likes this.
  5. Sep 17, 2018 at 9:03 AM
    #5
    STEVEO65DJ

    #5
    STEVEO65DJ [OP] Member

    Joined:
    Sep 17, 2018
    Member:
    #2584
    Messages:
    7
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Steven
    Vehicle:
    1965 DJ-3A
    None yet, I'm wanting to convert it to 4x4.
    20180903_180914.jpg 20180903_180912.jpg 20180903_180907.jpg
     
    STEVEO65DJ, Sep 17, 2018
    #5
    JKBob 25 and chris4x4 like this.
  6. Sep 17, 2018 at 9:04 AM
    #6
    STEVEO65DJ

    #6
    STEVEO65DJ [OP] Member

    Joined:
    Sep 17, 2018
    Member:
    #2584
    Messages:
    7
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Steven
    Vehicle:
    1965 DJ-3A
    None yet, I'm wanting to convert it to 4x4.
    The best part about it has been doing the work with my 9 year old daughter. She's been loving it and is hopeful that it might be drivable when she turns 16.
     
    STEVEO65DJ, Sep 17, 2018
    #6
    JKBob 25, chris4x4, aggrex and 1 other person like this.
  7. Sep 17, 2018 at 9:07 AM
    #7
    STEVEO65DJ

    #7
    STEVEO65DJ [OP] Member

    Joined:
    Sep 17, 2018
    Member:
    #2584
    Messages:
    7
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Steven
    Vehicle:
    1965 DJ-3A
    None yet, I'm wanting to convert it to 4x4.
    Screenshot_20180909-211210_Gallery.jpg Screenshot_20180722-215616.jpg Attach1329_20180714_125840.jpg
     
    STEVEO65DJ, Sep 17, 2018
    #7
    boondoc89, JKBob 25, chris4x4 and 2 others like this.
  8. Sep 17, 2018 at 9:19 AM
    #8
    Blue Baby Sound

    #8
    Blue Baby Sound Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Nov 24, 2017
    Member:
    #2005
    Messages:
    301
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Jeff
    Vehicle:
    All the world's indeed a stage And we are merely players Performers and portrayers Each another's audience Outside the gilded cage
    Build threads in sig
    Man this sounds like it's going to be a lot of fun!!!
    Here's a few of my thoughts:
    XJ are unibody, not sure how any parts would be an easy fit for a DJ
    We have a couple of DJs in our club, they've done custom 4 link onto custom axles. If you don't want to go that crazy then I'd look on craigslist for a set of JK axles (D30/D44) and coils/shocks/control arms. You could then order the control arm mounts, mock them up and weld them in. Then you would have a modern suspension and braking system with plenty of stock and aftermarket choices.
     
    Blue Baby Sound, Sep 17, 2018
    #8
    JKBob 25, STEVEO65DJ[OP], chris4x4 and 1 other person like this.
  9. Sep 20, 2018 at 8:10 AM
    #9
    STEVEO65DJ

    #9
    STEVEO65DJ [OP] Member

    Joined:
    Sep 17, 2018
    Member:
    #2584
    Messages:
    7
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Steven
    Vehicle:
    1965 DJ-3A
    None yet, I'm wanting to convert it to 4x4.
    Sorry if the question is dumb but what's a custom 4 link? Is that what makes the jeep look like they are skate boards riding on massive wheels and a lift? Just curious. I really have no budget currently so I'm trying to dream up exactly what I want to do and start saving for it.
     
    STEVEO65DJ, Sep 20, 2018
    #9
  10. Sep 20, 2018 at 9:33 AM
    #10
    OFFGRID

    #10
    OFFGRID Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Oct 3, 2016
    Member:
    #317
    Messages:
    2,018
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Peter
    Houston
    Vehicle:
    1979 Jeep CJ7, 258, TH350, NP208
    Howell fuel injection, header, HEI distributor, TH350, NP208, SOA lift with YJ springs in the front & GW springs in the Rear. AMC20 with G2 1 piece chromos trussed, Dana 30 with G2 chromos and 760x ujoints and MM Stainless Hubs, Geared 4.56. Tom Woods shafts, Metal cloaks, Caged, 37" Toyo MTs.
    Looking at your pictures, I bet you could find a rusted out donor CJ 3a to use for a parts jeep pretty cheap and rob the front axle and springs from as well as the transmission and transfercase and axles and anything else you may need. It might bolt right in. Jeep tends to use the same frame and mountings for 2wd and 4wd of same year vehicles when it comes to these solid front steering units like on yours.
     
    OFFGRID, Sep 20, 2018
    #10
    STEVEO65DJ[OP] likes this.
  11. Sep 20, 2018 at 11:17 AM
    #11
    STEVEO65DJ

    #11
    STEVEO65DJ [OP] Member

    Joined:
    Sep 17, 2018
    Member:
    #2584
    Messages:
    7
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Steven
    Vehicle:
    1965 DJ-3A
    None yet, I'm wanting to convert it to 4x4.
    I've had a hard time finding a cj3a for cheap but I'll keep my eye out. Thanks for the info!
     
    STEVEO65DJ, Sep 20, 2018
    #11
  12. Sep 24, 2018 at 7:05 PM
    #12
    OFFGRID

    #12
    OFFGRID Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Oct 3, 2016
    Member:
    #317
    Messages:
    2,018
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Peter
    Houston
    Vehicle:
    1979 Jeep CJ7, 258, TH350, NP208
    Howell fuel injection, header, HEI distributor, TH350, NP208, SOA lift with YJ springs in the front & GW springs in the Rear. AMC20 with G2 1 piece chromos trussed, Dana 30 with G2 chromos and 760x ujoints and MM Stainless Hubs, Geared 4.56. Tom Woods shafts, Metal cloaks, Caged, 37" Toyo MTs.
    OFFGRID, Sep 24, 2018
    #12
    STEVEO65DJ[OP] likes this.
Register FREE to Reply!
To Top