5:52 am
Project Swaparooni
A deal of the century became available when Rob decided to sell his Jeep! The rusty cogs in my head started turning and I realized that I could buy this well built jeep swap the drive train over. I will then resell his Jeep with my old drive train under it. I’m hoping to sell for close to what I bought it for. Good deal….. I think so…. A week ago Dana 60’s, an Atlas, PSC steering, and many more extras were not even a figment of my imagination. But now it’s reality.
The work begins after the Rubicon Round up. I’m thinking that I’m going to start with the axles first and the suspension. That way I can have a roller. Then swap the Atlas and drive shafts. Then see if the gas tank switch can work.
I think the TJ will be a good reseller because it will be a highlined stretched tj on stock springs running 35 inch tires. It will have a dana 30 up front with a Dana 44 out back. Both have chromoly shafts, arb’s and 4.88’s. I’m also swapping in my np231 with the 4:1. I think this will be one stable wheeler. We shall see.
The swap is pretty straight forward. I think the front axle will almost be a straight bolt in. The steering system should transfer across. My biggest concerns are the rear axle, the drive shafts, and the atlas.
I will try to post updates as the swap progresses.
5:59 am
Club Member
September 3, 2008
Offline I was thinking about the swap, and I think you'll have a hard time swapping the tanks since the genright tank is required for the stretch. Unless you put the tank in the back of the jeep. Just a thought.
Um...what?
6:05 am
Yes, I was thinking the same thing. The tj has a stretch and the LJ doesn't. Does this require the Genrite tank to stay with the tj? We will see when we fit the axle and tanks.
12:53 pm
Club Member
July 10, 2003
Offline The tank should work, and don't forget to transplant the York air compressor.
I used to wheel a lot. . .
2:56 pm
Got a keg in mind during the rooni? 😀
Paint the LJ white too!
Hey, I look forward to picking up some hands on tech.
3:50 pm
Club President
April 2, 2003
Offline I don't think your current tank will fit in back of Robs stretch.
Both tanks are the same capacity since his is the stretch model and not the enduro model.
Aren't his rear shocks outboarded? You'll need to copy that design for your jeep too.
I think you have a worthwhile project that's fun too!
Let me know if you need help!
4:13 pm
Club Member
July 10, 2003
Offline "BKGM Jeepers" wrote: I don't think your current tank will fit in back of Robs stretch.
I didn't think of that, I was only thinking of fitting Rob's tank in Bill's Jeep 
I used to wheel a lot. . .
6:04 am
I need advice on which tires to get. I want the MTR, but should I get the 37/ 12.5 or the 38/ 14.5? Remember that I am going to drive this on the street. I have a hectic 1.5 mile commute. Not too much street driving but enough to be a concern. The 37 inch tires will require a two month wait and the 38 will be about 10 days. Thanks in advance
12:15 pm
Club Member
July 10, 2003
Offline The 38s are awesome but you'd have to do some rear fender trimming to get them to stuff. So, the 37s are as big as I'd go unless you aren't opposed to :hack:
I used to wheel a lot. . .
1:09 pm
Club Member
September 3, 2008
Offline With 60s, I'd go 38s. But that's just me. When you're aired down, the tires will fit in the fenders. 😉
Um...what?
4:04 pm
With my genrite corners I have some room to trim. I should be able to make them fit. How about the streetability?
4:38 pm
Club President
April 2, 2003
Offline "lj4x4" wrote: With my genrite corners I have some room to trim. I should be able to make them fit. How about the streetability?
I run those 38's on my JKU on the street with no problems. They're great. John and I are the only club members running the 38" MTR from my memory. I'll have mine at the meeting this week if you want to check them out. They are big tires, but great off road. Greg runs the 37's I believe. I think Scott and Rob are running the 40's.
5:28 pm
Club Member
September 3, 2008
Offline MTR kevlars are smooth. You will not have a problem with them.
Um...what?
8:14 pm
"BKGM Jeepers" wrote: [quote="lj4x4"]With my genrite corners I have some room to trim. I should be able to make them fit. How about the streetability?
I run those 38's on my JKU on the street with no problems. They're great. John and I are the only club members running the 38" MTR from my memory. I'll have mine at the meeting this week if you want to check them out. They are big tires, but great off road. Greg runs the 37's I believe. I think Scott and Rob are running the 40's.
Hey Brad,
What size wheel are you running? You didn't list that here. 😀
Thanks!
9:40 pm
Club President
April 2, 2003
Offline "Wh1t3Nukle" wrote: [quote="BKGM Jeepers"][quote="lj4x4"]With my genrite corners I have some room to trim. I should be able to make them fit. How about the streetability?
I run those 38's on my JKU on the street with no problems. They're great. John and I are the only club members running the 38" MTR from my memory. I'll have mine at the meeting this week if you want to check them out. They are big tires, but great off road. Greg runs the 37's I believe. I think Scott and Rob are running the 40's.
Hey Brad,
What size wheel are you running? You didn't list that here. 😀
Thanks!
"38" Goodyear MT/R Kevlars on Raceline Beadlocks" = 38x14.50x17
Good catch!
9:51 pm
Wheel width?
You're width is not 14.5" right? I know the tire is.
I'm guessing you're 17x9.
10:50 pm
Rob says my rims are 17x 9.5 and that the 38s would work great.
2:40 am
Club President
April 2, 2003
Offline Wheel width = 9.5".
3:41 pm
Rob came and picked up his 40s yesterday. The Jeep is now anchored on jack stands in the garage. I'm going with the 38s and they are scheduled to be in Reno on the 22. My Buddy will pick them up and deliver them on the 23. Of course, I have a date at Loon lake that day. My plan is to wheel Robs Jeep before the swap over. but if the tires don't show I will drive my LJ.
If I get the tires I will mount them and leave for Loon. I've heard that people run these tires un-balanced. OR should I get them balanced? I would imagine that finding a shop to balance 38x 14.5 tires is difficult.
6:31 pm
Preparing for the work party I am collecting all the little parts to make this work. The TJ is a triangulated rear 4 link and the LJ isn't. I have been wanting to triangulate my uppers for a long time. I have already purchased Ruffstuff adjustable frame mount brackets, 2"x.25" wall dom, and heims for the frame end, and today I got some Metalcloak joints for the axle end. I also went to C&C metals and got some 1/4 and 3/8 strap to plate and reinforce the brackets.
Later today, after I put Mason down for a nap, I'll work on fixing the dent on the TJ windshield frame. I am going to attempt to weld in a patch panel grind and re-paint. Sounds easy on paper...we'll see.
5:24 pm
Shot in the dark..... Anyone going to be in Reno on the 22nd? I need to pick up some 38 inch tires from tire rack and they won't be in until that day. I really want to run the white TJ and it's kida hard without tires. Suggestions and or help will be appreciated.
6:13 pm
Club Member
July 10, 2003
Offline Throw your 35s on the white Jeep.
I used to wheel a lot. . .
6:24 pm
Club President
April 2, 2003
Offline "JohnDF" wrote: Throw your 35s on the white Jeep.
Different bolt pattern?
6:28 pm
Club President
April 2, 2003
Offline "lj4x4" wrote: Rob came and picked up his 40s yesterday. The Jeep is now anchored on jack stands in the garage. I'm going with the 38s and they are scheduled to be in Reno on the 22. My Buddy will pick them up and deliver them on the 23. Of course, I have a date at Loon lake that day. My plan is to wheel Robs Jeep before the swap over. but if the tires don't show I will drive my LJ.
If I get the tires I will mount them and leave for Loon. I've heard that people run these tires un-balanced. OR should I get them balanced? I would imagine that finding a shop to balance 38x 14.5 tires is difficult.
Why are they hard to balance? I've had mine done at 4-wheel parts and at Big O. My set didn't take much weight on three tires, but one did. I wouldn't be happy driving them unbalanced if the bad one was up front.
Why not send the wife to Reno for your tires? She could stop by Cabellas for you too while she was up there! :nutkick:
1 Guest(s)
