1998 tj build

[hamhawk]

We picked up this tj a while back for dirt cheap. Started off as a SE with no axles. It was supposed to be a coil spring front/leaf rear and kind of snowballed into the monstrosity it is now.

Don't get into jeeps. Just do drugs. It'll be cheaper in the long run.

Picked up a set of 1 ton axles for cheap. Sold the 2.5/ax5 and swapped in a 4.0/ax15. A buddy had a backhalf kit for sale, so the plans changed. And then the plans changed again. And again. And again.

I'll do a photo dump and list some specs soon.

 

[hamhawk]

Determined the 2.5 wasn't gonna have enough ass to turn 40"+ tires, so we opted for a freshly rolled 99 sahara drivetrain. A handful of wrenches and about 45 minutes later, it was hanging from the hoist.

 

[MeanGreen86]

That thing looks like alot of fun.

 

[hamhawk]

A few pics from the early stages of the build

 

[NashvilleTJ]

That’s gnarly. Great work.

 

[hamhawk]

That’s gnarly. Great work.

Thanks. I'll have to go through my phone and dig more pictures out. Im ready to have this thing on the trails. Front arb and compressor should be here friday.

 

[Wildman]

Do you have the 4:1 gears in the D300? And 2.72 in the Eco Box correct?

Looks like a nice build, but being a former SE owner I'd have done a V-8 swap especially with the tire size planned.. And it's about the same amount of work to do it as it is to swap in the 4.0.

 

[hamhawk]

Do you have the 4:1 gears in the D300? And 2.72 in the Eco Box correct?

Looks like a nice build, but being a former SE owner I'd have done a V-8 swap especially with the tire size planned.. And it's about the same amount of work to do it as it is to swap in the 4.0.

Yeah 4:1 dana 300 and the planetary from the broken 231 that came with the engine/trans

I had considered a 5.2 or 5.9, but i came across the entire drivetrain and wiring for $600. Sold the 2.5 drivetrain for $800, and it was almost a plug and play swap.

 

[Wildman]

Yeah 4:1 dana 300 and the planetary from the broken 231 that came with the engine/trans

Kewl.... That gives you some nice gearing options..

I had considered a 5.2 or 5.9, but i came across the entire drivetrain and wiring for $600. Sold the 2.5 drivetrain for $800, and it was almost a plug and play swap.

For that price I would have done the 4.0 too. But as the saying goes "Ya Could of Had a V-8".... And the 4.0 wire is pretty much plug & play. Doing the magnum swap is a little more but isn't that hard.

 

[hamhawk]

Kewl.... That gives you some nice gearing options..



For that price I would have done the 4.0 too. But as the saying goes "Ya Could of Had a V-8".... And the 4.0 wire is pretty much plug & play. Doing the magnum swap is a little more but isn't that hard.

Theres a good chance a 6.0 LS will end up in it in the future. The price for the 4.0 was right, and being able to use off the shelf parts and the overall simplicity of the swap sealed the deal. Theres only a few minor wiring differences between the 98 body and 99 engine harnesses. A couple friends are running 43s with 5.38s and 4.0s, and it seems to have plenty of power. That transfer case gearing should give it a little more pep that theirs have

 

[Wildman]

Theres a good chance a 6.0 LS will end up in it in the future. The price for the 4.0 was right, and being able to use off the shelf parts and the overall simplicity of the swap sealed the deal. Theres only a few minor wiring differences between the 98 body and 99 engine harnesses. A couple friends are running 43s with 5.38s and 4.0s, and it seems to have plenty of power. That transfer case gearing should give it a little more pep that theirs have

I'll try not to dislike you for mentioning a LS swap... It's a joke around here for some.

Be interesting to see how you like the 4.0 with those tires. And yes you have some good gearing options.

 

[hamhawk]

I'll try not to dislike you for mentioning a LS swap... It's a joke around here for some.

Be interesting to see how you like the 4.0 with those tires. And yes you have some good gearing options.

Ive been wheeling a LS/solid axle swapped 2 door tahoe for years, and the power from the 6.0 is awesome. Another friend has a SE that is 5.3 swapped on superdutys and 40s, and she wheels the hell out of it. I figured having less power with the 4.0 would add a little bit of challenge also, having to actually pick lines and be more technical instead of just powering over everything.

 

[Wildman]

Ive been wheeling a LS/solid axle swapped 2 door tahoe for years, and the power from the 6.0 is awesome. Another friend has a SE that is 5.3 swapped on superdutys and 40s, and she wheels the hell out of it. I figured having less power with the 4.0 would add a little bit of challenge also, having to actually pick lines and be more technical instead of just powering over everything.

I'm still a purist so I have a Magnum... Not as much power (maybe) as an LS but it's a Mopar engine. I used to wheel the snot out of my 4 angry squirrels too. Hopefully I'll finally get mine running correctly soon and will get to see how it does.

 

[NashvilleTJ]

I'll try not to dislike you for mentioning a LS swap... It's a joke around here for some.

...

Who makes jokes about LS's?

 

[sab]

Great build, and welcome to the forum! I see you've picked the appropriate beverage for a vehicle that's transitioning :

 

[hamhawk]

Great build, and welcome to the forum! I see you've picked the appropriate beverage for a vehicle that's transitioning :

View attachment 485816

Big oof. In my defense, that pic was taken in 2021

 

[sab]

Big oof. In my defense, that pic was taken in 2021

No worries - you said the pictures were old. Just bustin' the new guy's chops!

 

[hamhawk]

Heres some more recent photos.

Specs:
1998 tj
1999 4.0/ax15
1995 f350 dana 60 and 10.25 sterling
4340 35 spline axles with superjoints and drive slugs
Northwest fab ecobox-i and dana 300 with 4:1 gears and 32 spline outputs
Artec trusses and 4 link brackets
2" .250 wall dom links and 1.25" heims
Psc double ended ram
BKOR ball joint eliminators
BKOR 1350/1410 carrier bearing
Tom woods 1410 driveshaft
Barnes 4wd rear disc brake conversion brackets
2000 ram 2500 van master cylinder
Motobilt fuel cell
Motobilt front and back half
Motobilt highline front and rear fenders and armor
genright transmission crossmember
TMR transfer case support crossmember and ring
16" remote reservior radflo 2.0 coilovers front and rear
Arb front locker front, spool rear
Posion spyder cage with some extra tubework and tied to frame
Artec 1.25" lift boatside body mounts
Corbeau seats and harnesses
PRP steering wheel with genright quick release
Superwinch 9500 winch
Raceline monster beadlocks and 43" swamper sx stickies
Griffin radiator

 

[Wildman]

WOW nice set of spec's on it. Looks GREAT.

 

[hamhawk]

WOW nice set of spec's on it. Looks GREAT.

Thanks. We're nearing the final stages of the build, then it all gets to come apart for paint. The only major things left to do are replace the torque boxes, repair 2 small parts of the floor pan at the cage, and install the arb in the front. A few more parts like the other 4 coilover springs and dana 300 shifter are needed, but its just about complete at this point. Might need to trim the inner fenders on the front a little for coilover clearance, but i feel like theyre pretty close where they are now.