My Scrambler Project

slowTJ88 · 03-18-2008, 10:59 PM

Hey guys. I picked up an '81 Scrambler last fall on eBay. I had wanted one for a while, and this one looked like it would be a good base for a project. The guy selling it admitted that the body was shot and that it didn't run, but claimed that it had a good frame. And me being a moron, I believed him.

Well, he lied. So I paid $1500 for a rusty piece of garbage. But I haven't given up... yet.

I'm in the process of transferring schools right now, and I lucked out and ended up with a 3-week spring break. So the Scrambler is currently a bare frame on jackstands and a pile of crap on an old trailer. The rear half of the passenger side frame was swiss cheese when I started, and the area above both rear shackle hangers were toast. So far, I've cut out and replaced the majority of the rust with new steel, and I bought 2 new rear crossmembers. Ford shock towers should get here tomorrow.

I just thought I would share some pics for entertainment purposes.

Comanche_ · 03-18-2008, 11:05 PM

Sorry click free didnt work

Edit: DAMN thats bad. hope you can fix it

John N · 03-18-2008, 11:28 PM

You can find the specs on the mount holes over on www.cj-8.com. There's also someone over there that sells sets of frame reinforcement plates for the front and rear of the frame.

Good to see you bringing that one back to life.

JeepnBlake · 03-18-2008, 11:39 PM

i'm jealous always loved the cj8... part truck part jeep all cool can't go wrong

great job on the frame so far

79BlackPearl · 03-18-2008, 11:43 PM

Swiss cheese and toast....aaahhhh....great smelling to some, bad smelling to others.

To a jeep addict, it's the most wonderfull smell in the world. Grease, gas, sparks, etc.....

Looks like you got a great challenge on your hands. Good luck and keep the pics coming. Give that old girl new life and she'll return much happiness and delight back to ya!

Floridazed · 03-19-2008, 07:32 AM

Snag that IMG code from photobucket. When looking at your image in photobucket, there is a list of 4 codes under each image, snag the bottom one to make it cclick free.

Then we can see pics.

I commend you on your build. keep it up!

joemac421 · 03-19-2008, 07:40 AM

Click Free

This is how it looked when I quit today:

I also have a question: What is the distance between the body mount holes on the rear crossmember? I found this

diagram, and I measured out 43.5 in. but something just doesn't seem right. Can anybody confirm that number?

Click Free

slowTJ88 · 03-19-2008, 10:04 AM

Thanks for the encouragement, guys. I'm still not sure about the body mount holes on the rear crossmember. The only thing I could find on cj-8.com was the same diagram that I posted the link to in the first post. I assume the dimensions are the same as for a CJ-7. If somebody could verfiy that the distance should be 43.5" for me, that would be great.

Also, just so you guys know where I'm headed with this:
For right now I just want it to be drivable and safe.
Long term goals:
-33's
-4" lift
-4.3 or 350 TBI and SM465
-Locked front and rear
-The ability to throw a sleeping bag in the back and not wake up on the ground

John N · 03-19-2008, 04:40 PM

The rear crossmembers on a Scrambler and a CJ-7 are interchangeable...it just sits further back on a Scrambler.

Luckyduck · 03-19-2008, 04:46 PM

I am so jealous i was going to buy one the guy did not have pics then he told me it was an 88 so further investigation showed it was a wrangler

good luck i can not wait to find one

slowTJ88 · 03-21-2008, 06:00 PM

Today I finished up the new shock mounts and got the 1st coat of paint done.

These shock mounts are tall! I didn't actually measure, but I would guess they'll let me run a shock about 8" longer than with the stock mount. I added 2 gussets to each one, plus there will be a bolt through the middle of each all the way through the frame. For anybody who doesn't know, they are from a 86-88 Ford F250 4x4. Dealer part # is E5TZ-18183-A They cost me about $15 each, and one day to come in.

1st coat of paint:

It will get 1 or 2 more coats tomorrow. Then it gets a tarp thrown over it and I head back to school on Sunday...

slowTJ88 · 03-02-2009, 02:34 PM

It's been a while since I've updated this, but I haven't given up yet. I was home over the weekend so I took a few pics of the Scrambler how it sits. I also have a few older ones that I never put up. I've got a decent accumulation of parts waiting at home, now I just need some time and some warm weather.

I picked up another 8 for parts a while back. Also got the half hard-top with it.

I bought this 350 and the SM465 with it.

Here's the truck they came out of after I got done with it. Believe it or not, I actually drove the truck into the shop. No breaks though.

The owner wanted the truck back.

A couple pics as it sits today. It's in the cattle lot at my grandparents' farm so it's a little dusty, but at least out of the weather.

My parts collection. I need to make a trip to the scrap yard.

And a Duramax my cousin bought to part out. Anyone interested?

I've got shocks, Novak motor mounts, and a new clutch waiting at home. I also have the SM465 and the D300 mated up now with an AA adapter, but I forgot to get any pics of it. I can't wait til summer so I can actually start making some more progress.

Rollbar · 03-02-2009, 02:41 PM

Nice 8, what color R U going with.

slowTJ88 · 03-02-2009, 02:47 PM

Good question, I have no idea. I don't even have a body yet. haha
I think at the moment I'm leaning towards blue, but orange or black are also possibilities.

Modfather · 03-02-2009, 03:39 PM

Put the duramax in the 8. Now that would be a killer little truck right there.