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Need help spending $8000

Discussion in 'General Jeep Discussion' started by tupacisalive, Jan 9, 2017.

  1. Jan 9, 2017 at 10:06 AM
    #1
    tupacisalive

    #1
    tupacisalive [OP] Member

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    I'm about to plunge head first in my first jeep build with 8k to play with. I want to go with the 4bt cummins but by the time it's all said &I done idk if 8k will cut it.. any suggestions? I'm starting from scratch so I have to buy a jeep body probably a yj or a cj, then the whole drivetrain. I know I'll need full size axles to hold up the weight of the 4bt and I'm thinking a gm 4spd because they're so cheap and small. ??
     
    tupacisalive, Jan 9, 2017
    #1
    chris4x4, Bob and Rc Jeep like this.
  2. Jan 9, 2017 at 10:21 AM
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    Rc Jeep

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    Rc Jeep Well-Known Member

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    Evo mfg front coil overs Evo mfg rear coil overs Jks drag link flip Je reel 1310 front & rear driveshafts 37" Nitto trail grapplers 17x9 atx slabs Evo mfg quarter pounder w/stinger Evo mfg rear fascia w/ d ring mounts
    Welcome, I have no experience in a full build so no advice from me.

    Subed to see what you do!
     
    Rc Jeep, Jan 9, 2017
    #2
    Bob likes this.
  3. Jan 9, 2017 at 10:52 AM
    #3
    OFFGRID

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    OFFGRID Well-Known Member

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    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.
    I believe that the YJ would be a better starting platform. They tend to be cheaper than CJs, and I believe they have more durable frames and tubs. Also they have the same mounting width for their spring perches as the full size chevy axles at least in the front, not sure about the back, but I bet you could find a fully built YJ with 1ton axles, 350, 350/400/700r4 for under 7k. That will leave you a little left over to find a 4bt and adapter kit and drop it right in and go. I am really excited to watch your build progress. Please post in the build section. This is an engine swap I've been interested in for years. Just can't justify the cost over a 350 in my mind.
     
    Last edited: Jan 9, 2017
    OFFGRID, Jan 9, 2017
    #3
  4. Jan 9, 2017 at 11:52 AM
    #4
    chris4x4

    #4
    chris4x4 With sufficient thrust, pigs fly just fine Moderator

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    Welcome!
     
    chris4x4, Jan 9, 2017
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  5. Jan 9, 2017 at 12:45 PM
    #5
    tupacisalive

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    tupacisalive [OP] Member

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    I'll be sure to post pics when I start. Thanks for the info
     
    tupacisalive, Jan 9, 2017
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  6. Jan 9, 2017 at 6:18 PM
    #6
    C2T

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    C2T Well-Known Member

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    2.5" AEV Dual Sport lift, 35" Treadwright Guard Dogs, Black Rock Wheels, AEV Front & Rear Bumpers with Tire Carrier, Fuel Caddy 10 gal. Aux. fuel tank, Warn 9.5ti, 125' synthetic winch line, front axle skid, 20" LED light bar , Bilstein Shocks, steel steering skidplate,
    Welcome to the forum!!
     
    C2T, Jan 9, 2017
    #6
  7. Jan 16, 2017 at 10:49 AM
    #7
    tupacisalive

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    tupacisalive [OP] Member

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    So I found a 4bt for $2800 and after a 2 1/2 hour drive I got it for 2500, which I think is good, idk much about them except a new crate goes for around 7500. On the way home my buddy's wheel bearings basically EXPLODED in the front driver side. Fords.... So at about 20 mph the 2 1/2 hour trip back was extended to like 5 hours. The engine looks clean as far as I can tell. Was it a good buy?image.jpg
     
    tupacisalive, Jan 16, 2017
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    Rc Jeep and chris4x4 like this.
  8. Jan 16, 2017 at 10:57 AM
    #8
    tupacisalive

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    tupacisalive [OP] Member

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    image.jpg image.jpg Yesterday my buddy, (after fixing his wheel bearings) did me a solid while I was at work and drove across the entire state of WA to pick me up a 76 cj5 for another $2500. It's definitely got about a 4" lift or something like that, Dana 44s which I've been told will hold up to a stick 4bt. The body isn't perfect but nothing serious. We pulled to sbc 350 in about 10 minutes then went to bed at about 3:30.. What do y'all think? The short wheel base worries me every time I think of drive lines bc there's none on it.
     
    tupacisalive, Jan 16, 2017
    #8
    Rc Jeep and chris4x4 like this.
  9. Jan 16, 2017 at 7:32 PM
    #9
    OFFGRID

    #9
    OFFGRID Well-Known Member

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    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.
    Wow! You've been working hard. Looks more like a 6in lift or better. Are the springs sitting on top of the axle or under? I'll keep watching.
     
    OFFGRID, Jan 16, 2017
    #9
  10. Jan 16, 2017 at 9:34 PM
    #10
    tupacisalive

    #10
    tupacisalive [OP] Member

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    Thanks, & they're under axle. We just pulled the tub off the frame gonna fix what little rust it has
     
    tupacisalive, Jan 16, 2017
    #10
  11. Jan 17, 2017 at 6:41 AM
    #11
    OFFGRID

    #11
    OFFGRID Well-Known Member

    Joined:
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    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.
    Under the axle it is definitely not 6 in lift. It sure looks like it is sitting tall in your pics though. Let me (us) know where you get hard to parts like motor mounts (or if you build your own and how) for the 4BT etc. as you do the build. Thanks.
     
    OFFGRID, Jan 17, 2017
    #11
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