Bluegill
06-10-2010, 03:35 PM
Well, as much as I hate to part with it - its time to let my old FSJ go. I don't have the funds to continue my plans for it, and all the spare parts are taking up too much space in my garage. This offer is for EVERYTHING, you will need a trailer just to haul all the spare parts. Pics and vids will follow the text.
1979 Jeep SJ Cherokee Sport (full size)
Located in Russellville, TN
Over $4,000 invested - will take $1,500 for everything
Drivetrain:
AMC 360 V8 (2bbl carb), TH400, Quadratrac
Dana 44 front & rear axles, 3.54 gears, open front, welded rear
Suspension:
Stock FSJ springs (soft & flexy), 7” spring-over & shackle flip lift kit (TT Fabworks), 1” lift shackles in rear (BJ’s Offroad), PORC long travel shocks
Wheels/Tires:
36x13.50 bias Iroks (85% tread with some trail rash), 15x10 black ProComp steel rims. Spare is a bald 38x12.50 bias Swamper TSL on 15x8 modular steel rim
Steering:
’98 Chevy S-10 gearbox with frame brace (TT Fabworks), early 80’s Chevy K10 outer knuckles – both have high steer arms installed but need spacers & longer studs installed for proper function (to clear leaf springs when suspension is fully flexed), dropped pitman arm (BJ’s Offroad), Skyjacker stabilizer
Body modifications:
NO body lift, front bucket seats from a ’93 Caravan, chopped off steel fender flares (to prevent tire cuts when flexed), replaced steering column, overhauled electric rear tailgate (new window weatherstrip, window channel, etc), horizontally installed CB antenna on roof, installed (welded on) ¼” thick rear bumper from an old J-10 pickup, custom built front winch bumper; ¼” thick except that winch plate and frame mounts are 3/8” thick – originally built by MartyG but modified by me (installed LED turn signals, relocated winch mount & fairlead holes, installed clevis tabs, added additional frame mount)
Other modifications:
Cobra 25LTD CB, Powermaster 160amp polished alternator, braided stainless brake hoses (BJ’s Offroad), Motorcraft TFI ignition conversion with MSD coil, rewired entire charging system (bypassed the original system), electric fuel pump, supplemental electric radiator fan from a ’89 LeBaron, added secondary fuse block and relays from 12voltguy.com under hood, Toyota 1” billet wheel spacers on rear (to make rear track width match the front), 900amp glass mat gel battery from O’Reillys
SPARE PARTS INCLUDED:
AMC 360 V8 (complete minus front accessories – needs rebuild), Motorcraft 2150 carb (rebuilt but never installed), TH400 tranny (needs rebuild), Quadratrac t-case (ran great when pulled), complete rear Dana 44 axle w/ 3.54 gears (from ’78 J-10 pickup – never opened or disassembled), rear axle shafts, complete front axle shafts, complete front doors w/ electric windows, lug nuts, glovebox door, tie rod (with ends) for high steer arms, rear main seal, oil pan gasket, anti-wrap rear spring perches (M.O.R.E.), 4 spare small (less than 30”) old “roller” tires on cheap steel rims – 2 are already on the spare rear axle
Condition:
It does run, but I won’t go as far as saying that it runs “great”. Its last big trip, it did take me to Uwharrie and back (6hrs drive each way), and it took me to Harlan a few times (2hrs drive each way). I wouldn’t put much faith in the tranny – it leaks a lot and always seems to be from a different area each time. As long as I kept the ATF topped off, it usually took me wherever I wanted to go. The engine does leak a lot of oil around the pan area too, I bought new pan gasket & rear main seal – just never have gotten around to installing them. Body has a few dents & dings from trail rides. Other than the front floor pans, it has general rust to be expected of a vehicle its age. The original front floor pans are rusted through, but flat galvanized steel has been screwed down on top of it - with commercial loop carpet covering the floorboard. I haven't gotten around to adjusting the shift linkage with the new steering column, the tranny won't go into L1 without manually shifting it underneath (L1 in the TH400 works fine, but the new column came from a Waggy that had a 727 tranny).
Summary:
This is a good base to build a crawler from, although its called a “Full Size Jeep”, technically its body isn’t that big – 6’ wide at the wheel wells, but only 5’ wide at the glass (a Wrangler body is 5’ wide) – and a 102” wheelbase. The body is relatively short height wise from rocker panel to roof, which allows for more suspension lift without being too top-heavy. For example, my TJ has a 3” lift and 33” tires – its frame is 16” off the ground. This Cherokee’s frame is 22” off the ground, and its roof is only 3” taller than the TJ’s top – AND the FSJ will currently fit under a 7’ tall garage door. Its curb weight is about 4,500lbs – which is only 900lbs more than my TJ. The stock FSJ springs give it a cushy ride & awesome flex. My long-term plan for it was to replace the drivetrain with either a small Chevy or Ford fuel injected V8, 205/203 doubled t-cases, replace the stock D44 shafts with 4340 chrome-moly front & rear, spool the rear diff and ez-locker the front, install a full roll cage, build bulletproof rocker armor, revamp the bumpers for better approach & departure angles, and convert the steering to a hydro-assist cylinder.
Here are some recent pics (a few days ago), followed by some older video links. I have LOTS of older pics if you'd like to see them.
http://i81.photobucket.com/albums/j226/shepherdskeep/Chief/fsj002w.jpg
http://i81.photobucket.com/albums/j226/shepherdskeep/Chief/fsj003w.jpg
http://i81.photobucket.com/albums/j226/shepherdskeep/Chief/fsj001w.jpg
http://i81.photobucket.com/albums/j226/shepherdskeep/Chief/fsj004w.jpg
http://i81.photobucket.com/albums/j226/shepherdskeep/Chief/fsj005w.jpg
Most of these videos were back when it had 35x12.50 Baja Claws on the factory rims:
Lil Stoney 9-3-07 :: Bluegill-through the creek video by babyjeepwoman - Photobucket@@AMEPARAM@@http://vid236.photobucket.com/player.swf?file=http://vid236.photobucket.com/albums/ff309/babyjeepwoman/Lil%20Stoney%209-3-07/CLIP0017.flv@@AMEPARAM@@vid236@@AMEPARAM@@236@@AME PARAM@@ff309/babyjeepwoman/Lil%20Stoney%209-3-07/CLIP0017
Lil Stoney 9-3-07 :: Bluegill video by babyjeepwoman - Photobucket@@AMEPARAM@@http://vid236.photobucket.com/player.swf?file=http://vid236.photobucket.com/albums/ff309/babyjeepwoman/Lil%20Stoney%209-3-07/CLIP0044.flv@@AMEPARAM@@vid236@@AMEPARAM@@236@@AME PARAM@@ff309/babyjeepwoman/Lil%20Stoney%209-3-07/CLIP0044
Videos :: bluegill on Fish fossel video by want2wheel - Photobucket@@AMEPARAM@@http://vid130.photobucket.com/player.swf?file=http://vid130.photobucket.com/albums/p259/want2wheel/Videos/bluegillonfishfossel.flv@@AMEPARAM@@vid130@@AMEPAR AM@@130@@AMEPARAM@@p259/want2wheel/Videos/bluegillonfishfossel
1979 Jeep SJ Cherokee Sport (full size)
Located in Russellville, TN
Over $4,000 invested - will take $1,500 for everything
Drivetrain:
AMC 360 V8 (2bbl carb), TH400, Quadratrac
Dana 44 front & rear axles, 3.54 gears, open front, welded rear
Suspension:
Stock FSJ springs (soft & flexy), 7” spring-over & shackle flip lift kit (TT Fabworks), 1” lift shackles in rear (BJ’s Offroad), PORC long travel shocks
Wheels/Tires:
36x13.50 bias Iroks (85% tread with some trail rash), 15x10 black ProComp steel rims. Spare is a bald 38x12.50 bias Swamper TSL on 15x8 modular steel rim
Steering:
’98 Chevy S-10 gearbox with frame brace (TT Fabworks), early 80’s Chevy K10 outer knuckles – both have high steer arms installed but need spacers & longer studs installed for proper function (to clear leaf springs when suspension is fully flexed), dropped pitman arm (BJ’s Offroad), Skyjacker stabilizer
Body modifications:
NO body lift, front bucket seats from a ’93 Caravan, chopped off steel fender flares (to prevent tire cuts when flexed), replaced steering column, overhauled electric rear tailgate (new window weatherstrip, window channel, etc), horizontally installed CB antenna on roof, installed (welded on) ¼” thick rear bumper from an old J-10 pickup, custom built front winch bumper; ¼” thick except that winch plate and frame mounts are 3/8” thick – originally built by MartyG but modified by me (installed LED turn signals, relocated winch mount & fairlead holes, installed clevis tabs, added additional frame mount)
Other modifications:
Cobra 25LTD CB, Powermaster 160amp polished alternator, braided stainless brake hoses (BJ’s Offroad), Motorcraft TFI ignition conversion with MSD coil, rewired entire charging system (bypassed the original system), electric fuel pump, supplemental electric radiator fan from a ’89 LeBaron, added secondary fuse block and relays from 12voltguy.com under hood, Toyota 1” billet wheel spacers on rear (to make rear track width match the front), 900amp glass mat gel battery from O’Reillys
SPARE PARTS INCLUDED:
AMC 360 V8 (complete minus front accessories – needs rebuild), Motorcraft 2150 carb (rebuilt but never installed), TH400 tranny (needs rebuild), Quadratrac t-case (ran great when pulled), complete rear Dana 44 axle w/ 3.54 gears (from ’78 J-10 pickup – never opened or disassembled), rear axle shafts, complete front axle shafts, complete front doors w/ electric windows, lug nuts, glovebox door, tie rod (with ends) for high steer arms, rear main seal, oil pan gasket, anti-wrap rear spring perches (M.O.R.E.), 4 spare small (less than 30”) old “roller” tires on cheap steel rims – 2 are already on the spare rear axle
Condition:
It does run, but I won’t go as far as saying that it runs “great”. Its last big trip, it did take me to Uwharrie and back (6hrs drive each way), and it took me to Harlan a few times (2hrs drive each way). I wouldn’t put much faith in the tranny – it leaks a lot and always seems to be from a different area each time. As long as I kept the ATF topped off, it usually took me wherever I wanted to go. The engine does leak a lot of oil around the pan area too, I bought new pan gasket & rear main seal – just never have gotten around to installing them. Body has a few dents & dings from trail rides. Other than the front floor pans, it has general rust to be expected of a vehicle its age. The original front floor pans are rusted through, but flat galvanized steel has been screwed down on top of it - with commercial loop carpet covering the floorboard. I haven't gotten around to adjusting the shift linkage with the new steering column, the tranny won't go into L1 without manually shifting it underneath (L1 in the TH400 works fine, but the new column came from a Waggy that had a 727 tranny).
Summary:
This is a good base to build a crawler from, although its called a “Full Size Jeep”, technically its body isn’t that big – 6’ wide at the wheel wells, but only 5’ wide at the glass (a Wrangler body is 5’ wide) – and a 102” wheelbase. The body is relatively short height wise from rocker panel to roof, which allows for more suspension lift without being too top-heavy. For example, my TJ has a 3” lift and 33” tires – its frame is 16” off the ground. This Cherokee’s frame is 22” off the ground, and its roof is only 3” taller than the TJ’s top – AND the FSJ will currently fit under a 7’ tall garage door. Its curb weight is about 4,500lbs – which is only 900lbs more than my TJ. The stock FSJ springs give it a cushy ride & awesome flex. My long-term plan for it was to replace the drivetrain with either a small Chevy or Ford fuel injected V8, 205/203 doubled t-cases, replace the stock D44 shafts with 4340 chrome-moly front & rear, spool the rear diff and ez-locker the front, install a full roll cage, build bulletproof rocker armor, revamp the bumpers for better approach & departure angles, and convert the steering to a hydro-assist cylinder.
Here are some recent pics (a few days ago), followed by some older video links. I have LOTS of older pics if you'd like to see them.
http://i81.photobucket.com/albums/j226/shepherdskeep/Chief/fsj002w.jpg
http://i81.photobucket.com/albums/j226/shepherdskeep/Chief/fsj003w.jpg
http://i81.photobucket.com/albums/j226/shepherdskeep/Chief/fsj001w.jpg
http://i81.photobucket.com/albums/j226/shepherdskeep/Chief/fsj004w.jpg
http://i81.photobucket.com/albums/j226/shepherdskeep/Chief/fsj005w.jpg
Most of these videos were back when it had 35x12.50 Baja Claws on the factory rims:
Lil Stoney 9-3-07 :: Bluegill-through the creek video by babyjeepwoman - Photobucket@@AMEPARAM@@http://vid236.photobucket.com/player.swf?file=http://vid236.photobucket.com/albums/ff309/babyjeepwoman/Lil%20Stoney%209-3-07/CLIP0017.flv@@AMEPARAM@@vid236@@AMEPARAM@@236@@AME PARAM@@ff309/babyjeepwoman/Lil%20Stoney%209-3-07/CLIP0017
Lil Stoney 9-3-07 :: Bluegill video by babyjeepwoman - Photobucket@@AMEPARAM@@http://vid236.photobucket.com/player.swf?file=http://vid236.photobucket.com/albums/ff309/babyjeepwoman/Lil%20Stoney%209-3-07/CLIP0044.flv@@AMEPARAM@@vid236@@AMEPARAM@@236@@AME PARAM@@ff309/babyjeepwoman/Lil%20Stoney%209-3-07/CLIP0044
Videos :: bluegill on Fish fossel video by want2wheel - Photobucket@@AMEPARAM@@http://vid130.photobucket.com/player.swf?file=http://vid130.photobucket.com/albums/p259/want2wheel/Videos/bluegillonfishfossel.flv@@AMEPARAM@@vid130@@AMEPAR AM@@130@@AMEPARAM@@p259/want2wheel/Videos/bluegillonfishfossel