Big angry eagle. Lift, stroker, aw4

[eaglefreek]

if the trans shifter is between the seats what are you going to do with the factory shifter??

The factory shifter is needed to use Park, Reverse, Neutral and Drive. The one between the seats take place of the computer for the AW4 transmission so that he will have to manually shift through the gears while taking off and decelerating. http://www.radesignsproducts.com/Rail.html

[mazdaman222]

ok i get it now, good idea

[anrkii]

Alright folks I havent updated the thread in months, Not because Ive quit but because my camera broke.

where to start... Engine is done and runs, weber 38 , gm hei, and a whopping total of three vaccum lines:




the lower radiator hose was huge pain, no factory made hose or flex hose would work with the 2" body lift + cj radiator, so I used a 1.5" to 1.75" adapter from jagsthatrun.com ($12) and a 90 degree hose for both sizes.works great, no pinching, binding or rubbing:
 

got a 3.08 front diff non lockup from a local yard surprisignly enough and had the 3.55 gears fitted with new seals and bearings. I tried to explain the car to the old feller at the bone yard but I could tell that he had no idea. 


I also peeled all lower panels and bumpers off. underneath I found not one spot of rust of any kind! What are the odds, I know! I then taped of and bedlined the rockers and fenders where the flared and rocker covers go, sanded them down and did them as well.:

Notice the new tires?
thems some  definity dakota 30x9.5 MT , fit perfectly, and they look business on the car:




Also I managed to rebend and modify the original tcase skidplate to fit this rig, it fits well:

and also a front skidplate has been fitted:


now lets talk bumpers, I am using leftover peterbilt frame crossmembers as material, they are "D" shaped and are 7/16" t6 aluminum, I have done the mockup and I intend to use the stock endcaps to finish the look" notice the front bumper is pointed in the center to match the front of the car!

thats the cardboard mockup, the real deal will be finished shortly.

I started and ran the car a bit, but the header blows a foot long blue flame upon the front driveline, so Ill need an exhaust before I can tune and drive the thing!  

You know originally I only planned to replace the carb and MAYBE do a coil spring booster kit. So much for all of that now, oh well.

My kids will be like "Daddy drives a monster car WOOO!!" , and the wife. will be all like" my husband drives a monster car (facepalm)" .  
Its very close now,
alll thats left is exhaust and the bumpers.
Also I need lighting and plan to install a night vision system , comms,  whole buncha foglights, fancy headlights, and a full roof rack.

Stay tuned.

[eaglefreek]

Looking good! So 3.55 gears fit in a 3.07 axle without any issues? Were they 3.55's or 3.54's?

[jonb8]

All right, I love it... Glad you didn't find any rust, with unibody's it seems like that's the most important thing when starting a build.... Mine is far from rust free...

[anrkii]

Looking good! So 3.55 gears fit in a 3.07 axle without any issues? Were they 3.55's or 3.54's?

you betcha. All of the carriers are the exact same, its the housing thats different.
the diff shop tried every combination of parts they could think of to swap my 2.35 gears out, nothing will fit it period.
with the 3.07 unit, they just popped the gears in there and its a done deal.
any front diff that is NOT the 2.35 will take jeep CJ d30 3.54 gears

I also have the 3.07 front gears if anyone needs them

[anrkii]

Car is pretty much done, waiting for a trip to the exhaust shop.
After running it for a bit for engine break - in and carb tuning , I found that both the heater valve and core were leaking!

This guide : http://www.skidmore.edu/~pdwyer/amc/eagle/heater.htm made the heater core swap a breeze, and I found a NOS valve for $50 on a popular auction site.
Now literally every part of the cooling system is brand new.

I built and installed the bumpers, and they turned out great!



They are made from cut and welded 3/8" aluminum peterbilt truck frame crossmembers bolted to a steel core, definitely the toughest parts of the whole rig!

Once I get the exhaust put on and liscenced Ill start daily driving the thing.
I still need to add a roof rack, brushguard, and lights but those are weekend projects I can do in my driveway later on.

[eaglefreek]

 

[vangremlin]

Looks great!  Excellent work and congrats!!!   

[eaglefreek]

Roll it outside and take some good pics and enter it in this months Eagle of the Month.

[shanebo]

That thing looks plain wicked!...Egg cellent  build

[Amc1320]

Wow, very nice work, love it!

[Baskinator]

Can't wait to see some full car pics, this thing looks sick dude!

[greymarooneightytwo]

Wow, nice to see another IFS body lift, how did I miss this one?!

It makes me wonder if it's not as hard as I feared... I really do love the way this thing handles, and I'm afraid the solid axle might just make it less... agile.

People are always surprised how well these things corner, and as much as I like to drive up hills and through mud once in awhile, it's going to spend far more time on the road.

Beautiful.

[Prafeston]

Hoping you are still out there. Would love to see an update.