Jeepster build

cheepin · Post by **cheepin** » Mon Jun 20, 2016 7:54 pm

Well we are back at it. Been 5 yrs since I finished the what was going to be a 1ton 70 Jeepster that turned CJ-7/ buggy thing to the dismay of most here. :flipoff2:

Still have the 70 Jeepster. The kid has been cruising it and we have done some upgrades.
We slapped the set of 1/2tons from under that 79 Suburban under it.

Mickey*B · Post by **Mickey*B** » Mon Jun 20, 2016 8:03 pm

SWEET, I love those rigs. They're getting scarce out on the trail now days. Good to see it alive.

cheepin · Post by **cheepin** » Mon Jun 20, 2016 8:06 pm

A friend in Idaho found us some hard to find pieces for the oddfire 225. Power steering brackets and factory HEI. The HEI made a huge difference in power and starting. It could sit for a couple weeks. Just pump the gas a couple of times and hit the key. The stock manual box was getting very sloppy. So we bolted up an XJ box and an early 70's chevy pump bolted to the factory buick brackets. Used the XJ lines just had to change the pressure side fitting at the pump. This setup works great! Seriously one finger turning.
Up above Powderhorn here. Think we did a 50 mile or so cruise in 100degree heat.

Random pic

cheepin · Post by **cheepin** » Mon Jun 20, 2016 8:11 pm

Did a simple cage in another Commando.

cheepin · Post by **cheepin** » Mon Jun 20, 2016 8:23 pm

The 1/2tons had 3:73 gears. It did alright but needed some gearing. I ended up with a rebuilt Chevy D44 with flattops and lockright and 4:10 gears. I am a 14bolt horder. So we grabbed a matching one and put it in the rear. Of course the front bolted in since we already had fullwidths in. For the rear he ordered a set of perches and U-bolts along with disk brake brackets from Barnes 4x4. The perches and U-bolts were perfect. The dick brackets took modifying to get to fit. Wouldn't fit on the axles without opening the hole up. And had to open them up so the calipers would fit. I never had these issues with RuffStuff's.

Shock brackets I burned on the table. I did had some plate to keep it from racking.

cheepin · Post by **cheepin** » Mon Jun 20, 2016 8:31 pm

He sold the 1/2tons and the 34" swampers. So here it is sitting on some well wore 35's in mid axle swap.

Then the little 225 started giving up the ghost. Terrible blowby. Well he wants a V8. So he picked this 87 3/4ton Suburban up for $500. Been sitting for a bit. Slapped some gas and battery in it and drove it on the trailer. It's was a 350/465/208.

So we stripped it.

cheepin · Post by **cheepin** » Mon Jun 20, 2016 8:41 pm

Well the 465/208 is way too long to fit. 48" long!So we traded the front axle from the Sub for a 465/203. Then picked up a 10spline 205 from behind a 465. This had the slip yoke rear output.
465/208

So he had givin to him a th350/205 with a fixed rear output. Trans need rebuild. This will be done when he gets to that point in school. We swapped the fixed output over and now we have the shortest combo. 38" long
465/205

And theres where we are at currently. Well we also stripped the current drivetrain from the Jeepster.

cheepin · Post by **cheepin** » Tue Jun 21, 2016 7:41 pm

Took a few minutes to cut on the t-case. The frame is narrow on these so we cut the extra side mount off. This case wasn't machined or tapped.Took just over an inch off. Will still probably have to offset the drivetrain a tad.

Piece that was cut off.

tjjared413 · Post by **tjjared413** » Wed Jun 22, 2016 6:47 am

nice to see some else is building something on this place!

Steven_Mc · Post by **Steven_Mc** » Wed Jun 22, 2016 2:12 pm

tjjared413 wrote:nice to see some else is building something on this place!

This x2! People just don't seem to post build threads on here anymore.

cheepin · Post by **cheepin** » Wed Jun 22, 2016 7:42 pm

Believe me this is nothing too exciting. Simple budget drivetrain swap. We did do the shift rail modification for twinsticking the 205 tonight.

tjjared413 · Post by **tjjared413** » Wed Jun 22, 2016 8:46 pm

Still glad your posting it!!

cheepin · Post by **cheepin** » Mon Jul 11, 2016 8:31 pm

So haven't really up dated this. We dropped the drivetrain in over the 4th. Used a set of new stock Chevy truck motor mounts. 2" tube welded to the frame which is plated to 1/4" plate the mount bolts to.

cheepin · Post by **cheepin** » Mon Jul 11, 2016 8:37 pm

The plating. 1/4"

Trans crossmember. Has to drop down below the frame. There is just no room above the frame in these things. Using a stock Chevy trans mount to match the motor mounts.

cheepin · Post by **cheepin** » Mon Jul 11, 2016 8:41 pm

Built the driveshafts. Rear is just the one we had already in it shortened 10" 1350 and 1310 joints.

Front is 2 stock front Chevy fronts spliced together with 1 3/4" tube inside the joint for alignment. Only like 2" longer then the stock Chevy's.
Sorry didn't get a pic before install.

Trans crossmember will run right under the front output flange. Letting us do a skid off it to protect the case. Plan is to wrap around the frame and bolt through the side. Welding the crossmember below it.

mines4x4 · Post by **mines4x4** » Tue Jul 12, 2016 7:27 am

Happy to see the build. I have thought about snagging a jeepster tub for my YJ to gain some family room, but they bring the $$ these days.

Also kudos on using a stock trans mount. So many people solid mount the middle and put bushings on the frame and wonder why things crack. Three point bushings is the way it should be. Keep it up.

Also, in your 14bolt hoarding, you should find me a true dually 14 bolt, perhaps we can horse trade for it.....

cheepin wrote:Built the driveshafts. Rear is just the one we had already in it shortened 10" 1350 and 1310 joints.

Front is 2 stock front Chevy fronts spliced together with 1 3/4" tube inside the joint for alignment. Only like 2" longer then the stock Chevy's.
Sorry didn't get a pic before install.

Trans crossmember will run right under the front output flange. Letting us do a skid off it to protect the case. Plan is to wrap around the frame and bolt through the side. Welding the crossmember below it.

cheepin · Post by **cheepin** » Tue Jul 12, 2016 7:44 pm

My crawler has a solid mount at the trans with bushings at the frame. The thing is you have to match the motor mounts and the frame needs to be stiff. Are you looking for cab and chassis width? The only real differences in width is in the hubs. So you can take a single wheel and put the cab chassis hubs on and narrow it. I saw a set of CC hubs for sale the other day. I'll see if I can find them. If my crawler sells I may have a dually Dana 80 for sale.

mines4x4 · Post by **mines4x4** » Tue Jul 12, 2016 9:38 pm

Agree on the matching the mounts, most people that have issues don't consider that, but you seem to have it covered.

I am actually the one selling the hubs. I have a srw I made c&c width back in the day, and just switched back to full width. looking for the wide housing Drw 14bolt to start piecing together a front. The drw housing gives you enough axle tube so you don't have to sleeve and lengthen. Sorry for the hijack, jeep looks great and I look forward to seeing where you go with out

cheepin · Post by **cheepin** » Wed Jul 13, 2016 8:25 pm

Knew I seen some for sale.lol What yrs did the wide dually 14's come out of? Both dually's I have had including my current 84 had 70's. I accidently put D80 in my previous post. How about a van 14bolt? I know they are wider then the SW. I have thought about doing a 14 front. But they don't seem to work that great in a passengerside set up. I am thinking my next rig will be a small tube chassis rear engine with flipped 14s.

cheepin · Post by **cheepin** » Sun Jul 17, 2016 8:51 pm

Got the trans/transfer case crossmember done and bolted up.

It runs! Open exhaust,no radiator and plenty of things to button up. But it runs.

Steven_Mc · Post by **Steven_Mc** » Tue Jul 19, 2016 6:34 am

Nice! That's always a huge milestone.

cheepin · Post by **cheepin** » Sun Jul 24, 2016 8:45 pm

Been slowing working on this. It's such a tight fit under the hood. That we decided to use an old Postal grille I got from a member yrs ago. I will be adding the ears and putting blinker there like the factory Jeepster grille.

Welded a piece of 1 1/2" tube from frame rail to frame rail. Drilled a couple of holes and mounted the grille with a bushing on each side. Just like the Postal was. Thanks Chris Overacker(MORE) for the bushings.

Fabbed a lower radiator tray that is bolted to the same tube. Sorry for the bad pic. I'll grab another when we pull the grille later.

Radiator is a Speedway motor item. We put that in when a motor mount let loose wheeling and took out the stock radiator. Stock radiators are NOT cheap! $600! Think he paid $115 shipped for this one. Fan is a push pull 16". That will be wired to a temp sensor.

Need to figure out a lower hose. Upper is from the Suburban just cut down a tad. Got the throttle cable figured out along with the hydro clutch. Just need to get to them. Need exhaust still. Which was all new on the v6. So should be able to use all except the crossover.

cheepin · Post by **cheepin** » Thu Oct 27, 2016 8:29 pm

Been awhile since update. It is pretty much finished for now. Fabbed up the exhaust. Dual 2 1/4" into the 2 1/2" single muffler tailpipe. The muffler back was new about a yr ago. It runs tight under the bellhousing from passenger to driverside.

Fabbed up the "ears". They bolt to the postal grille and fender. The kid picked up some used Goodyears for cheap. 35/12.50/15s

Ended up using the stock cable clutch. Just had to fab a new frame bracket and drill the clutch fork. Works great. Not much of a report but he's been driving it. Cruises 70 no problem. Few things left to finish for now. The tcase is twinsticked. Fabbed up the rear lever. Need to do the other and patch the floor.

Wulf · Post by **Wulf** » Thu Oct 27, 2016 9:09 pm

not sure how I've missed this thread for so long but

cheepin · Post by **cheepin** » Sat Oct 29, 2016 5:38 pm

Finished up the twinsticks.Need to patch up the floor still. Only cut a little on the driverside. But the stock transcover doesn't fit at all.

Here's a pic of the under carriage, you can see the new crossover exhaust.

tshields · Post by **tshields** » Tue Nov 08, 2016 11:34 am

Sweet, looking nice and it is good to see someone else working on a Jeepster. My buddy and I just picked one up last weekend for $200.

cheepin · Post by **cheepin** » Tue Nov 08, 2016 8:23 pm

Damn good buy! Looks solid in the pics. I guess I will update this since it was brought back up. Decided to run the rigs up the Battlement Mesa trail couple Sunday's ago.
Trailhead. It got a little warm running up the long steep road up. Aired down and headed up the trail.

Everything worked fine on the old Jeepster. But mine had a fitting on the powersteering pump loosen and spray fluid. Tighten it up and all was well. Need to bring a chainsaw up. Lots of dead fall. Bunch blocking the rock garden play area. We made it to the first meadow. 9500ft elevation.

So Cody is leading the way. And I come around the corner to find this.

No more pics the rest of the day. This is where everything starts going downhill. We hook up a strap and drag him out. Keep on going. The Jeepster slowly starts smoking. I have to jump start him a couple of times. Won't idle. I bump the idle up and alls good. Get up to the lakes the the throttle cable breaks. The crimp came off at the petal. We get lucky and find the crimp on the floor. Put it back together and take off. It's about 4pm now and the wind is kicking and clouds rolling in. Little chilli for me and my buddy in my rig.lol The Jeepster's smoking is getting worse as we head back out. Get back to the first clearing again and Cody says it sounds like its trying to knock. So we decide roll down the hill as much as he can. Only start it when needed.

Get down to almost the rock garden and he gets caught on a rock. I pull him off and try to get rolling. Dies and won't start. I jump start it again. He gets the passenger front tire stuck against a big rock. I am in front by this time. So I hook up and pull him sideways trying to get him off the rock. Then bam the steering box input shaft snaps. So now the real fun starts. It's about 5pm or so now. So I put m hilift in the back of my rig and wrap a tow strap from his bumper up and over and around my cage a few times then back to the hilift with a d ring. We lifted the front as high as the lift will go. Putting a couple of logs in between. And start back down the hill piggy backing the rest of the way. Took about 4hrs to get the mile or so back to the trailhead.

Managed to get a text to the wife and had her bring the towbar and Suburban up. But by the time we got almost to down the towbar tabs were bent. So my other kid ran down to the trailhead and the wife and he ran down the hill and grabbed my trailer. Ended up loaded up and heading off the mtn about 9:30. So glad it's only a few miles from home.

Back of mine took a beating. This is 16gauge cold rolled dented and ripped. You can see the dent in the gastank on the left even.

I have since cut the 16 gauge off and am replacing with some 16 gauge aluminum and removing the gastank. I am building a new tank and relocating it. In prep for linking the rear at some point and redoing the cage since it has been dropped down to a 2 seat now.

cheepin · Post by **cheepin** » Sun Jan 08, 2017 8:40 pm

So the kid drug it to school where they pulled and tore the motor down. Had oil in a couple of cylinders and good amount of carbon build up. They hot tanked everything. Brought everything home for break. We tore the heads down,lapped the valves and put new seals in.

While cleaning the pistons we found 5 of the 8 had cracked skirts. So we did the dingle ball thing with a 240 grit ball. Then through the top ring in each cylinder and found the end gap within spec. And the bores appear straight. Luckily for him,since he already bought a full rebuild kit. No need to bore it out. Ordered up a new set of pistons which just came in. So that's where we stand right now.

cheepin · Post by **cheepin** » Fri Mar 10, 2017 8:07 pm

Been getting some work done on this again,since the weather has been so nice. Engine going together.
Ended up getting a new crank,pistons,double chain timing set,mild camshaft.And of course all new bearings. Everything was hot tanked and rods were checked for straightness. Also stripped the heads bare and put new seals in and lapped the valves.

Cody tightening the rockers.

Engine it back together and painted now. Just need to prime it and install the dizzy.

cheepin · Post by **cheepin** » Wed Mar 15, 2017 7:00 pm

Engine is in and running. Fired up first turn on the key. Got the break in done. Having issues with the clutch,which is weird because it was fine when we pulled everything. It is the stock cable setup modified to work with the Chevy drivetrain. The bellhousing is a hydro one. So I think we are going to convert.

MDert · Post by **MDert** » Sun Mar 26, 2017 7:58 am

Nice dude, apparently I need to visit here more often for your updates over Faceplant..

cheepin · Post by **cheepin** » Mon Mar 27, 2017 7:07 pm

Thanks, Matty. Might as well update. So we installed a hydro clutch set up, using the stock Chevy slave cylinder and a Master for a 94 YJ. This set up works great. Been running the same in mine for yrs. You do need to have a custom line made. Some Napa's can do this.
Well no change in the clutch situation. So the kid decided to pull the trans and tcase. Ends up the boys put the clutch disk in backwards. Springs are ate up and broken. So he will have to grab a new clutch and put everything back together. That's where it stands.

cheepin · Post by **cheepin** » Sun Mar 05, 2023 9:46 am

So after running the 350/465/205 for a couple yrs or so. Cody picked up a low mileage 5.3 and th350. We tore a couple of 205's apart and built one that would work with the th350 and short output.

Cut and reangled the new dual pass radiator's lower output.

Finished intake.

cheepin · Post by **cheepin** » Sun Mar 05, 2023 9:51 am

Put the stock grille back on also and YJ Rubicon Express SOA front springs.

Flexes and rides better. This thing is one finger stable at well over 90mph.

Also put some new 37" Geolander mud tires on it.