LongDong Fab
Active member
- Joined
- May 22, 2020
- Member Number
- 1182
- Messages
- 33
little back story,
I have been wheeling a 1999 jeep TJ for almost 10 years (shown in the first 3 photos ) . It has been through many iterations like many wheeling rigs, but has gotten a bit stale in my opinion. The tj does very well in the woods, however I enjoy driving it on the road also; because of sentimental value I have had an issue wheeling it harder. Ruining the Tub has always been a deal breaker..
Over the past year I have been developing plans to build a tube buggy, not super radical since some trails require road miles. I have been buying parts when good deals come by. In late July a friend of a friend mentioned that he had a willys DJ-2a He was looking to part with. The price was beer money, so I said "Ill take it " sight un seen
A few weeks later the willys was delivered in the driveway. This is my new wheeler ! (photo 4,5,6 are how it showed up )
This is where the purists cry. everyone has told me to restore it since it is fairly rare bla bla bla... the motor that came with the willys is not correct. at some point in its life the motor was switched to an F head. The willys has been in a barn since the mid 1970's, it only has 33000 miles. Im suspecting the willys was parked because the head gasket for the rear cylinder popped, and filled the cylinder with coolant. After not being able to turn the motor over, I pulled the engine within 2 hours of being dropped off.
The build plans
4.3 vortec V6
4L60E
Dana 300
high pinion dana 60 rear
High pinion dana 60 front
Scout steering box,
Full cage
37'' tires
Yj leafs in the front
cherokee leafs out back
Size is going to be key, The willys will retain almost factory length with narrow axles. This will not be a hill killer, due to the short wheel base. However it should do well on tight technical trails. The axles will be narrowed to 64'' with 5 '' back spacing rims
The rear axle will be all custom garage built. it will start with a dana 60 high pinion housing. the center will have new tubes installed, and then 14 bolt spindles
the front will get narrowed 4 inches on the long side,
This should get the project up to its current state,
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