V-8 unlimited build

[V-8unlimited]

I started with a wrecked 2005 LJ unlimited with 8,500 miles on it. Here is a picture of what I started with.

[V-8unlimited]

My first step was to remove the body, and look at the damage. Frame was bent, so ordered a brand new frame from the local Dodge dealer. Then, promptly stripped all of the brackets and welded up some holes, then added a fresh coat of paint. I chose to use Rustoleum paint, nothing special, but looks nice, and seems to work fine on other vehicles I've used it on.

[TJRubicon06]

That looks like a cool project, good luck with it.

[V-8unlimited]

After trial fitting the engine, decided I like the position and nailed everything down.

[V-8unlimited]

fresh coat of paint, and fit the RE skid plate:

[V-8unlimited]

Now, it's time to mount up the rear suspension. It does make it nice to be working with new parts on this.

[Ronnie4283]

Nice, very nice.

[V-8unlimited]

Fitting the engine into the freshly painted chassis.

[V-8unlimited]

Got some more finished, although forgot to snap any pics of this process. Basically installed the front suspension, and gas tank with skid plate(although this would later have to be dropped)

[1966cj5]

Looks like a lot of fun!

[V-8unlimited]

Got the atlas in, and installed (Thanks Thein @ Advance Adapters), as you can see I'm not the only one excited!

[V-8unlimited]

I had to clearance the tranny pan to clear the skid plate. Made my tranny/transfer mount, figured out how to use the stock shifter cable, and buttoned it all up:

[V-8unlimited]

Got the tub sit back on, and used a 1" body lift, still ran into a small clearance issue on the firewall. A small dent in the firewall fixed it, and behind the valve cover, can hardly been seen:

[V-8unlimited]

Got the AEV hood and grill painted, and after posting on this site, decided to upgrade the headlights. It now looks like a jeep again:

[V-8unlimited]

I had just started on the bumper in the previous picture, but had to mount it to get it on the trailer for exhaust. Here is the finished bumper. I had planned to paint the winch body the same color as the jeep body, but ran out of time (hopefully will get to that later). I need to add a stinger or brush bar to the bumper also.