Body swap

[Billman]

Has anyone tried to remove a jeep body down to the frame and put an Eagle body in its place? This is a thought I have been mulling over but would like to know if there is any threads on why it will or won't work.  I understand that I would have to cut the unibody frame down to remove the front rails and refashion them to use as mounts for the jeep frame. Ya I know its a bit unorthodox but with all the fabrication I would do any way it actually (in theory) seems easier.

[carnuck]

CJ, TJ and YJ are too short. XJ and ZJ have no frame. That leaves FSJs.

[Billman]

Doh! Thanx Caruck 

[eaglefreek]

http://forums.amceaglesden.com/index.php?topic=42923.0

[carnuck]

I put a '62 Chrysler Saratoga body on a IH pickup frame back in the early '80s and also a Javelin (frame rotted off in the rear) on a Chev Blazer frame.

[Billman]

Thank you that helps I was lookin for some threads

[rollguy]

I did a similar thing with my SX4 (<-------- Avatar photo), except I made a tubular frame for the body.  I actually turned the car upside-down in my garage (seats, suspension and drivetrain removed) and fabricated the frame on the underside of the body.  It was a lot easier than welding upside-down.  I since scrapped the thrashed Eagle body, and have the frame and diffs for use on another project (1984 Mercedes-Benz 300D sedan).  I actually have the bottom section of an M B sedan that I am going to use as a template to fab the frame to the underside of the car.  It is light enough for 2 people to lift.  That way I don't need a lift to hold the body over the frame to fab the mounts.  You could do something similar, in that you could find a wrecked or rusted out Eagle and cut off everything above the frame members and pan.  You could set it on the donor frame to fab the mounts.  Once it is done, just raise the body on a lift and roll the chassis underneath and bolt it on.  Simple, right?

[Billman]

I'm gonna look at the Jeep unibody and see if I can cut and weld it under the wagon. If it works I'll have a front frame rail set to use on my sx/4. I would love to find out that the Jeep front frame measures up close enough to make this a viable drivetrain swap. I imagine this could make a simple solid axle swap with a coil spring suspension.

[eaglefreek]

I'm gonna look at the Jeep unibody and see if I can cut and weld it under the wagon. If it works I'll have a front frame rail set to use on my sx/4. I would love to find out that the Jeep front frame measures up close enough to make this a viable drivetrain swap. I imagine this could make a simple solid axle swap with a coil spring suspension.

There was a guy a couple years ago attempting that. He said is was running into an issue with how far back the engine sits in a Cherokee compared to an Eagle.

[Billman]

These responses are exactly why I asked first. With all the information available here at the den I have already saved a boat load of time and effort without even grabbing any wrenches

[IowaEagle]

Since the wagon and XJ are virtually the same length and wheel base why not just move over to the wagon the bits that you want.  Several have done that with success.  That way you can pick and choose what you want.  IMHO I would not mess with the Eagle's front suspension.

[Billman]

I have to find a front differential that will accept the 3.55 gear set or swap the whole suspension if I want to change the rear axle. Having an od transmission with 2.35 gears seems counterproductive from what I've been reading. I do have a front axle that is a non disconnect but don't know if it is the correct casting. I will be digging into the motor/trans swap a little later in the year as I get a few more things off my to do list.

[1985amceagle]

I believe Mick was putting a solid axle swap in eagles for awhile. Sadly there isn't a writeup for how he did it, as he was selling the conversions.

[JMCwagon]

I am currently operating under the impression that the xj front axle can be swapped under my wagon by welding on the lower arm mounts, and just building a tube upper spring support and shock tower at the proper height, the eagle has a taller spring mount. Also considering a xj long arm kit

[Billman]

I have a couple of xj front axles laying around waiting for time to install under a wagon. Just got too many irons in the fire to get it done. As far as I remember, the frame rails are spaced out differently. Modifications to the lower control arms mounts will be necessary.
One of the front half assemblys I've got was cut out including the floor from a 95 XJ.