Jeep LJ8 Stretch

[Stockish]

I have an LJ with way to many miles and was wondering, down the road, if a 9” stretch in the back would be reasonable. This would make the Jeep the same length as a CJ8. I’m talking about keeping the same wheelbase and extending the frame and body to look factory. I think this would look really good and be pretty practical. No longer driveshaft, fuel tank moving, or anything too hard.

If anyone has done this or seen anything like this I’d really appreciate it.

 

[EzPeezy]

How would you do this without extending the driveshaft?

 

[L0jik]

Usually when people do a tub&frame stretch they are doing it in order to stretch the wheelbase to run bigger tires. It would be a lot of work and expense for something that would just be for looks or simple utility. People have done it before, in fact theres some build threads floating around that go in depth.
A wheelbase stretch with longer driveshafts and a fuel tank relocation is VERY VERY simple compared to cutting and fabricating the tub and frame and having to have a custom soft or hard top made.
Perhaps @mrblaine might have some information to share on this, I think he has done tub stretches before.

 

[mrblaine]

How would you do this without extending the driveshaft?

Don't move the rear axle. It's apparent you don't understand the stupidity that is the CJ-8.

 

[mrblaine]

Usually when people do a tub&frame stretch they are doing it in order to stretch the wheelbase to run bigger tires. It would be a lot of work and expense for something that would just be for looks or simple utility. People have done it before, in fact theres some build threads floating around that go in depth.
A wheelbase stretch with longer driveshafts and a fuel tank relocation is VERY VERY simple compared to cutting and fabricating the tub and frame and having to have a custom soft or hard top made.
Perhaps @mrblaine might have some information to share on this, I think he has done tub stretches before.

Don't drag me into this mess, I leave tub stretching, cutting to the professionals.

 

[L0jik]

Don't drag me into this mess, I leave tub stretching, cutting to the professionals.

Ahhh so your more of a builder than a fabricator?

 

[JeepingNet]

I like the idea if it's a pavement only rig (like most CJ-8s). I'm thinking about extending the wheelbase of my LJ to shorten up my departure angle.

I think you could do it fairly easy depending on what you want to do with the rear section. If you want to get rid of the rear seat, top and roll bar then I think the project is simplified a lot. I think with a GR8 Top it could be a pretty neat project.

 

[Stockish]

I understand that an LJ is the ultimate bobbed CJ8 and is so much better in every single way off road, but I live in Florida and we down have any hill climbs, rocky trails, or even any real need for having good break over or departure angles. I just like going with the same length as a CJ8 because there are tops available. A good YJ tub cost like $100 here and also the ability to change the cowl and windshield for a CJ style dash, being 6’4”. A CJ front clip might make it look too ordinary. Having a large bed and smaller wheel wells does seem pretty nice, I know I’m going backwards. It’s almost like a YJL but a TJL.

 

[Zorba]

https://www.dieselworldmag.com/diesel-trucks/diesel-jeep-an-all-new-cj8-scrambler/

 

[mrblaine]

Ahhh so your more of a builder than a fabricator?

Bolter onner is my specialty.

 

[mrblaine]

I like the idea if it's a pavement only rig (like most CJ-8s). I'm thinking about extending the wheelbase of my LJ to shorten up my departure angle.

I think you could do it fairly easy depending on what you want to do with the rear section. If you want to get rid of the rear seat, top and roll bar then I think the project is simplified a lot. I think with a GR8 Top it could be a pretty neat project.

The problem with moving the axle to fix the departure angle is that kills the break over. Pick your poison. One is just annoying, the other is a deal breaker.

 

[JeepingNet]

The problem with moving the axle to fix the departure angle is that kills the break over. Pick your poison. One is just annoying, the other is a deal breaker.

Completely agree

I’m half thinking about going with a half back kit. To raise the rear frame but that is a few years out I think. A stubby bumper helped a lot.

I’m wheeling with guys that have almost a vertical departure angle.

orginal poster should also look at the half back kit as an option to extend.

 

[Chris]

I have an LJ with way to many miles and was wondering, down the road, if a 9” stretch in the back would be reasonable.

But why? Is this just for cosmetics, or are you trying to solve a particular problem by doing this? If so, what problem are you trying to solve?

Or are you just doing it because you have copious amounts of money and can.

There is no wrong answer, I'm just trying to further the discussion by prying more information out of you.

 

[04LJ_TX]

You're in Florida I see, the land of limos. I'm sure there's countless numbers of limousine builders down there you could contact that would stretch the tub for you.

The Tony Montanas of Miami need to get around in style after all.

 

[Turdworlder]

Aqualuindustries

 

[Wildman]

WOW That is a great lookin rig.

 

[Irun]

Aqualuindustries

View attachment 200451

View attachment 200452

Whenever I see any rig modified like this, I can't help but wonder, did they build it for a particular purpose? Or, did they simply build it because they had money to spend and wanted something unique? As much as I like the way it looks, it would never work for my kind of wheeling.