[JOKER4INK]

I want to show the rest of the YJ world my progress on my YJ now with an AMC 360 and a 5.5" Clayton long-arm coil conversion. Here's the break down. It is an 88 YJ...well, was. Originally it was a stock 2.5 liter 4 banger, manual tranny, and stock dana 30 and 35. I put a 4" lift on it and locked the front with 35's all around. After that wasnt enough, I knew I needed more. Since then, I chopped up the old frame and bought a 1990 frame and Clayton Off-Road built the suspension. I painted it with Bill Hirsch miracle paint to protect it, and I welded in the Advance Adapters AMC V8 motor mounts. For suspension, it is a 5.5" Clayton long-arm coil conversion. It has high-clearance lazer cut Clayton axle brackets, Currie Johnny-Joints, Clayton control arms, springs, etc.




Under the suspension is a TJ Dana 44 rear axle.It has 4.56 gears, Detroit Soft-Locker, Warn 5x5.5 full-float kit, Warn chromoly shafts, and Warn drive-flanges.

The front is a Grand Wagoneer Dana 44. It is still stock with the stock 2.72 gears that will be upgraded to match the rear. It is still 6 lug, but will be changed to 5x5.5 soon.

I have brand new Spicer small bearing Chevy spindles for the conversion. I also have a set of Warn Premium hubs I scored at a swap meet for $20. To complete the rest of the swap, I just need a set of Bronco hubs/rotors and some wheel bearings. I can still use the Grand Wag stub and outter knuckles. The outter knuckle is the same part number as a Chevy and it is stronger than the Ford. If I used Ford outters, I would need a Ford stub shaft too.



Anyway, on to the motor now. It is an AMC 360 I pulled from a 1988 Grand Wagoneer along with the front axle. This motor was skipping and whatnot when I drove it home. But it started right up and didnt smoke. I knew it was going to be a good running motor. Heres what I did to the motor: I painted it red. I know, its not an AMC color, but it looks decent. It matches the Jeep and at least its clean and doesnt look like some abandoned motor on the side of the road. I replaced the intake manifold gasket, carb base gasket, valve cover gaskets, exhaust manifold gaskets, rear main seal and oil pan gasket. I installed a starter, new fuel pump, rebuilt the oil pump, put new belts on it and new vacuum hoses. I also replaced the front CTO (ported vacuum) switch. I installed a Pro Form HEI distributor, Taylor 8mm wires and Bosch Platnium plugs.

As for the tranny and t-case: Im using a T-176 bellhousing on a Ford T-18 transmission. It has a brand new flywheel, flywheel-to-crank bolts, clutch cover bolts, clutch ball, clutch fork, inner clutch return spring. The clutch is a Luk replacement clutch. New disc, plate, throw out and pilot bearing. I have a brand new hydraulic slave cylinder, steel braided line and fittings to convert it to a YJ master cylinder. I need to purchase the outter return spring and inspection cover. I replaced tailshaft extention seal along with a new PTO cover seal. I still need to do the top cover. The t-case is a Ford NP205. Havent had to do anything to that. I am using a Bronco transfer case mount and have modified it to fit on a YJ frame. As you will see, I had to move the brake and fuel lines to the top of the frame rail instead of inside it. They wouldnt clear the rear control arm bracket and t-case mount. Still need to make a tranny mount.


I still have a ton of work to do, but that gives you the basic idea of what I have done. I started it up yesterday and today just to see if it runs. Man, that thing fired right up! That thing runs better than my car i think! I didnt have it running long, but it was really smooth. I wanted it to run before I put the body on just to make sure it was well. Well, if you guys have questions of comments, I'd love to hear them. Thanks for listening. -Steve

[JOKER4INK]

A couple more pics