Building for the future

[Kiwi_Jeeper]

Gidday all!
So I'm sure more then some of you here like to plan well ahead when doing a build, for reasons like, budgeting, finding parts as they come up at good prices etc..
So I'm always on Google, forums and Facebook pages researching all things weird and wonderful, trying to find answers.
This is where you pros can maybe help me out. I have had a good chat with Russ the engine man, and he has been a huge help and will help when I start with the motor build part of it. But I still need more info...
My tj will be getting built in stages, as so I can minimize down time of driving it. But the end goal is to be a winch comp truck. If you are unfamiliar of what that is, YouTube winch competition New Zealand, this will show ya what I'm building towards.
In a nutshell, its heaps of tire spinning and hitting things hard lol
So this is what I'm looking to build.
-Hp30 front with truss and chromoly axles
-beef up the stock rear Dana 44
-4.6 or 4.7 stroker + turbo
- full exo cage
-35" tires

And that's all I've got so far..
Yet to figure the lift out, but that wont be hard. The big issue I think im going to have is running about 400 plus hp and having the stock ax15 and np231. I really don't think they will handle the bumps and jumps with 35s spinning up.

So what are people thoughts on this chicken scratching build?
Please pick holes and call me an idiot.. I might learn something then

 

[Kiwi_Jeeper]

Here's a look into winch comps

 

[4speedhandler]

gotta place a serious suggestion on a hp44 at least for the front instead of the hp30. stroker torque counted for it may be a smart call

 

[Squatch]

Looks like you Kiwis really know how to have a good time! Thanks for sharing the video, and welcome to the zoo!

 

[toximus]

Can you swap engines or are you looking to get 400hp out of the 4.0?

 

[Mike_H]

That looks fun! Build it big, build it STRONG. Good Luck!

 

[Kiwi_Jeeper]

gotta place a serious suggestion on a hp44 at least for the front instead of the hp30. stroker torque counted for it may be a smart call

Thanks for that point. I did think that could be the case. Wheres a good place to look into the hp44?
What other options are there? Over in New Zealand we don't have the junkyard swapability as you guys do.. unless I run Japanese axles and parts.

Looks like you Kiwis really know how to have a good time! Thanks for sharing the video, and welcome to the zoo!

Lol yeah it does aye, we have no rocks over here, so its really only foot down stuff.

Can you swap engines or are you looking to get 400hp out of the 4.0?

I did look into a 5.3 ls swap. But love the AMC motor. Would like to retain as much OJ as possible. 400-450 hp should be plenty, but the ax15 wont like that, I'm not to sure about the transfer case though..

That looks fun! Build it big, build it STRONG. Good Luck!

Haha that kind of what I wanna do.. BUT although there aren't a huge amount of jeeps over here, the ones that are, do VERY well in comps. They are light, very nimble and have decent power.
I am needing to keep as much light, as much nimble as possible to hold the horses.

 

[Kiwi_Jeeper]

Just FYI, I'm In New Zealand and we don't have the Ford f250s or chevs or blaa blaa's over here stacked up in scrap yards to tear parts off...

 

[Mike_H]

I think international scouts and old Ford broncos used Dana 44 front axles... Not sure about high pinion though. Do you have those?

 

[Kiwi_Jeeper]

I think international scouts and old Ford broncos used Dana 44 front axles... Not sure about high pinion though. Do you have those?

We have Nissan patrols and Toyota Landcrusers and fuck all American trucks here.
Sometimes you can find ruby d44s.
But is a Dana 44 really going to be enough?