build suggestions

[Cjackson3396]

Saved  2 1984 eagle wagons from a scrapyard..wondering any suggestions for build...I was going to try stay original except putting 4.0 head on it...wanna stay carb if possible...going to overhaul tranny and transfer... I have a very solid nice complete shell but motor is junk..and one parts car rotted frame...any surprises to look out for or areas to check...my biggest worry is the  vacuum system for the select drive... :-/

[Amc1320]

I locked the front axle on mine, procedure is in the eagle pedia,  it's pretty easy. Then I stuck it in 4wd with a piece of bailing wire. Been driving it like that for years!

Just sayin if you can't get the select thing to work out it doesn't hurt anything to just leave it 4x4, might cost me 1 mpg but I doubt it

Sounds like out of the two you can end up with one good one, good luck

[Cjackson3396]

hopefully....the shell car was last on the road in 2003...has 120,000...both engines are probably shot hoping to get at least a rebuildable core head has been off it for ten years cylinders full of water ever since    lol....but interior is complete and very clean all knobs and glass... really only lose 1mpg with it locked up?might be best bet...unless im a lucky inconsiderate person lol

[amcfool1]

what is it exactly  that you want in the end? a daily driver, a show car, a hopped up Eagle? a 4wd hot rod?. this will tell you which way to go. ALWAYS start with the basics, get the thing running and driving, and then modify as time, finances and skill allow. good luck, gz

[Cjackson3396]

Basically not going crazy with it...stock maybe a few bolt ons (4.0 head anyother suggestions) for engine...wanna try a minor lift will def have to do some research in the forums for that one..but thats about it

[vangremlin]

When you swap on the 4.0 head also consider swapping in a different cam.  I did a head and cam swap about 3 years ago, been very pleased with the results.

[Cjackson3396]

any suggestions for cam??I dont want to go too crazy...i built a 4.5 stroker for my xj a while ago but cant remember what i used then for cam.

[Cjackson3396]

Heres the 2 i have...the white one is the buildable shell the red one is parts

[Cjackson3396]

ok the big thing i have decided on is I want a 5 speed... I have been searching for a cj t5 for the easy bolt in but around here a cj's are like extinct.  What would I really need if I put the 5 speed out of the cherokee in it...whole drive line?

[vangremlin]

any suggestions for cam??I dont want to go too crazy...i built a 4.5 stroker for my xj a while ago but cant remember what i used then for cam.

Here is the thread from my 4.0 head and cam swap.  It includes the part # for the cam I used.  Good luck, the head and cam swap make a big difference!!

http://forums.amceaglesden.com/index.php?topic=42319.0;all

[Cjackson3396]

Thanks guys....got one another question...I found a t5 out of a cj...will this bolt right in? If not im staying with automatic...

[eaglefreek]

Thanks guys....got one another question...I found a t5 out of a cj...will this bolt right in? If not im staying with automatic...

Yes, as long as it was behind a 258 and not a 4 cyl. You will need a pedal set from an Eagle. I'm not sure if the CJ uses a hydraulic clutch and if the bellhousing is the same as what came in the Eagle, though. Your stock transfer case will bolt up to the T5.

[Cjackson3396]

and if I went with the drive line out of an XJ would i be better off...? i can find them dime a dozen

[eaglefreek]

XJ parts will require fabbing a new crossmember and lengthening rhe front shaft and shortening the rear. It will also require fabbing transfer case shifter linkage.

[Cjackson3396]

I figured on the driveshafts and having to make it floor shift 4x4..how much actually has to be done on the cross member...can i kinda cut and paste..

[eaglefreek]

I figured on the driveshafts and having to make it floor shift 4x4..how much actually has to be done on the cross member...can i kinda cut and paste..

With a manual trans, you might get a way with using the Eagle's crossmember. Someone did an AX15 swap some time ago and I recall him just having to make a new mount.

[Cjackson3396]

Thanks...and yes ax15 carbeurated prolly 4.5 stroker