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74 Cj6 Aussie Rebuild.

Discussion in 'Builds and Fabricators Forum' started by browncoat, Dec 20, 2019.

  1. Oct 4, 2020
    fhoehle

    fhoehle Sponsor

    Harford Township, PA
    Joined:
    Apr 11, 2012
    Messages:
    1,427
    You are eliminating bugs one at a time, you'll get it done!
     
    browncoat likes this.
  2. Oct 18, 2020
    browncoat

    browncoat Member

    Maitland Australia
    Joined:
    Sep 1, 2016
    Messages:
    410
    So here it is virtually finished.

    Getting a windscreen installed on Monday.

    Apart from the jewelry items like the UHF radio, centre consoles and radio etc, it is pretty much ready to get registered and on the road.

    The goal is to get it ready for an event we have in 3 weeks time.

    I have not even started on the tyre and jerry can rack yet but the swing post is there on the rear bar ready to go when I do.


    Found an few things that needed work over the past couple of weeks.
    Steering was very scary at even a steady speed, lots of oversteer and darting left and right with only a small steering wheel movement.

    The caster angle was only 1 degree when I checked it, I think the shackle lift from previous owner had altered the original settings as well, so put in a shim of 5 Degrees, tested it, and then went with a 6 degree shim which seems to have helped the steering settle down.

    Toe in was between 1/8 and 3/16 of an inch. So that was ok.


    I also need to get a higher steering arm on the p/steer box to lift the steering rod up a bit.
    Not sure if that has any bearing on stability??
    Any expert opinions on that are appreciated.
    [​IMG]

    Got a weird problem when it is all warmed up and running smooth though.
    Give the vehicle a shake, like to test the roll bar is solid, and the engine starts to run rough and nearly stall.

    Thinking maybe the float level in the carby is off a little?

    Does not happen all the time either. While it is warming up it didn't do it.
    Have shaken the wiring harness and can't replicate the problem that way so I don't think it is electric.
    [​IMG]
    Sport steering wheel installed on a custom boss.
    Tried to get one and the one that is listed for this year and model is too small to fit the steering column shaft.

    Can use the original blinker unit with mine so that's a bonus.

    You may notice our weird little air intake in the left side above the jeep insignia.

    We had a different heater setup than the normal US models.
    I think because we changed the steering to the correct side. :lol:

    Top intake is blocked off and air comes in from the side.
    [​IMG]
    [​IMG]

    Got to wire up the trailer plug and rear plate illumination yet as well.
    [​IMG]

    A shot with the Beastie.

    [​IMG]

    Overcast day, so the paint is not popping like it does in the sunlight.
     
    fhoehle, dozerjim, 73 cj5 and 11 others like this.
  3. Oct 18, 2020
    fhoehle

    fhoehle Sponsor

    Harford Township, PA
    Joined:
    Apr 11, 2012
    Messages:
    1,427
    It looks really nice. It sounds like the float level is indeed off from the description. Carry on.
     
  4. Oct 18, 2020
    Oldriginal86

    Oldriginal86 Member

    Pasadena, Md.
    Joined:
    Nov 5, 2014
    Messages:
    589
    That’s a pair of jeeps to be proud of.
     
  5. Oct 18, 2020
    baldjosh

    baldjosh Member

    pacific north west
    Joined:
    Oct 24, 2017
    Messages:
    451
    That's a beautiful Jeep :clap:
     
  6. Oct 18, 2020
    Fireball

    Fireball Well-Known Member 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    Pullman, WA
    Joined:
    Feb 9, 2018
    Messages:
    5,625
    Looks fantastic!
     
  7. Nov 1, 2020
    tenarubicon

    tenarubicon New Member

    Australia
    Joined:
    Aug 18, 2018
    Messages:
    17
    Awesome job there. I actually looked at those old Jeeps years ago, they were in Morpeth, is that where you picked them up from? Had too much rust for my liking, I take my hat off to you
    Cheers Danny
     
  8. Nov 2, 2020
    masscj2a

    masscj2a Member 2023 Sponsor

    Ware, Mass
    Joined:
    Dec 27, 2013
    Messages:
    743
    This has been a great build to follow. Nice job.
     
  9. Nov 13, 2020
    browncoat

    browncoat Member

    Maitland Australia
    Joined:
    Sep 1, 2016
    Messages:
    410
    Yep they are the Morpeth ones.

    One was a lot worse than the other.
     
  10. Nov 16, 2020
    browncoat

    browncoat Member

    Maitland Australia
    Joined:
    Sep 1, 2016
    Messages:
    410
    Not happy with 2 major systems on the 6 at this point.

    The steering is still terrible.
    Nothing that I have tried has made difference, including trying a different pump.
    The power steering unit that I transplanted from an XJ cherokee appears to be not working as it should.
    So it is off to be checked out by a pro.

    Will hopefully solve the issues with the steering being hard and not returning to centre on its own.


    The other thing is the brakes.
    Going to put in a disc system similar to the CJ3B had.

    The drums and ford F100 master cylinder combo are not ideal.
    Thought it would be, but maybe the master cylinder would work better with a booster.


    So instead of trying to get a hard to find booster for that master cylinder, I will pull it all out and start from scratch.

    Got a set of cj7 discs and going with a GM holden commodore brake booster unit and calipers.
    Going to make my own caliper brackets.
     
    Fireball likes this.
  11. Jan 22, 2021
    browncoat

    browncoat Member

    Maitland Australia
    Joined:
    Sep 1, 2016
    Messages:
    410
    Solved the brake issue.
    Installed some modified CJ7 discs on the front and made up some brackets for GM calipers and added a GM brake booster and master cylinder up at the brake pedal.

    Steering was put on hold for a while.

    We went away early in November towing the camper trailer.
    Absolutely terrible performance from the original engine.

    Barely enough power to get along the road, so something is very wrong somewhere in the engine.


    Used 24 litres of fuel to go 75 Km's.
    Really really bad.

    So rather than throw money at the old engine it is going to get a modern 6 cylinder installed.

    Called a "barra" engine, it is a ford developed, 4 litre straight 6 that produces around 255 HP in its basic factory settings.
    Only available here in Australia.


    [​IMG]
    Ford Barra engine - Wikipedia

    We have an aftermarket bell housing for them available here that will mate the engine to a Nissan Patrol 5 peed box and transfer case.

    The mechanical side of the conversion does not worry me too much.
    I will probably need to mod the firewall.
    The electronics involved in the engine management system is my big concern.
     
    fhoehle, 47v6, ITLKSEZ and 1 other person like this.
  12. Jan 22, 2021
    homersdog

    homersdog Tulsa, Ok 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    Tulsa, OK
    Joined:
    Jan 8, 2012
    Messages:
    2,352
    We'll be expecting pictures of course! :watch:
     
  13. Jan 24, 2021
    browncoat

    browncoat Member

    Maitland Australia
    Joined:
    Sep 1, 2016
    Messages:
    410
    Jeep, meet "Barra".
    Barra engine, meet jeep.

    [​IMG]
    [​IMG]

    Getting the parts organised for the engine swap.

    So the plan is to take the Ford falcon engine and mate it to a Nissan patrol gearbox.
    It is a fairly common swap combination that the patrol guys to do.

    [​IMG]

    The bell housing to join them together is also on its way, along with the appropriate clutch and flywheel.

    Picked up the patrol gearbox today.

    Got the sump that needs to be swapped onto the motor to accommodate the front axle in a 4wd.
    [​IMG]

    Will need to manufacture the drive shafts to suit the different makers each end.


    Let the fun begin.
     
    Rich M., fhoehle, 47v6 and 1 other person like this.
  14. Jan 24, 2021
    Fireball

    Fireball Well-Known Member 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    Pullman, WA
    Joined:
    Feb 9, 2018
    Messages:
    5,625

    This is a cool swap. We never got the Barra in the US. Eveything I've read about says it's a great motor.
     
    Iandavidh, fhoehle and ITLKSEZ like this.
  15. Jan 31, 2021
    browncoat

    browncoat Member

    Maitland Australia
    Joined:
    Sep 1, 2016
    Messages:
    410
    Hopefully it will be worth the effort Fireball.


    Almost back to square 1 for the jeep.
    Maybe about square 4.
    Body off the CJ, and ready to pull out the old motor.

    Measuring and looking at the new bits, planning it all as much as possible this past weekend.
    Its going to take some dramatic chopping of the tunnel of the jeep body to make it all fit under there without the gearbox hanging too low.

    Has anyone actually done a barra engine into a CJ yet?
    Be nice to know some tips if they have. [​IMG]

    Got the jeeps old park brake cables and actuating levers removed, the exhaust removed, the Ford has had the radiator fan pulled off and some mocking up on the CJ radiator to see if it is doable.

    It should work , I estimate about 30 mm needs to be sunk into the firewall for it all to fit in front of the engine with a bit of clearance.

    Got the fuel pump assembly in the ford measured up, and will use that in the CJ so that the fuel pressure is all right.
    I think that is something that is a requirement for the engine computer to be happy.

    Might make a slightly larger tank to put the new pump assembly into if I need to modify the fuel tank for the new pump, might as well make it bigger as well.

    Test fitted the new bell housing, clutch and spigot bushing onto the gearbox to make sure they are correct.


    Need to find some GQ patrol drive shafts to be able to modify later on to get this all mobile.

    Patrol uni's on one end and Jeep uni joints on the other end.
    Or do I make an adaptor to bolt onto the gearbox ends to accept the jeep uni joints both ends?

    Still need to adjust the drive shaft lengths anyway so probably just as easy to do the first idea?

    I'm certain there are things I haven't even thought about yet.

    [​IMG]
     
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  16. Jan 31, 2021
    baldjosh

    baldjosh Member

    pacific north west
    Joined:
    Oct 24, 2017
    Messages:
    451
    no idea... but im pretty sure you will make it happen(y)
    nissan patrol...love them but... whats the GQ?
     
  17. Jan 31, 2021
    browncoat

    browncoat Member

    Maitland Australia
    Joined:
    Sep 1, 2016
    Messages:
    410
    GQ model patrol was from 1987 thru to 1997.
    Then changed to the GU model.
     
  18. Feb 13, 2021
    browncoat

    browncoat Member

    Maitland Australia
    Joined:
    Sep 1, 2016
    Messages:
    410
    Pulled the engine out of the CJ today.

    Comparing the 2 combinations shows the difference in the size of the pair.

    Makes me appreciate how compact the old drive train was.

    Gearbox is about where it will end up once the bell housing joins the two new bits together.

    [​IMG]

    Height is similar but the width is another big difference.

    Should be plenty of room in the engine bay though.

    [​IMG]
    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]
     
    Last edited: Feb 13, 2021
    Fireball, ITLKSEZ and 73 cj5 like this.
  19. Feb 13, 2021
    browncoat

    browncoat Member

    Maitland Australia
    Joined:
    Sep 1, 2016
    Messages:
    410
    Once the engine was out I pulled the engine mounts off the chassis and started to look at the fan arrangement that is needed for the jeep.

    I am using the original style of radiator and adapting the Ford fan that came out of the donor vehicle to fit.



    It is no thicker than an after market fan anyway so free parts are free parts.

    This is the first step because, until I know how far the engine needs to set back away from the radiator and fan, then I wouldn't be able to do anything else regarding the new engine mounts etc.

    Trimmed off the top and bottom lip of the plastic fan surround, and added some width to the mounting plates on the radiator.

    The original bolt slots that attach the radiator to the grille ended up directly under the edge of the fan shroud.

    So instead of notching out the plastic and making it weaker I thought it better to do this way.

    Copied the Ford style of slip in mount for the lower and made some brackets to bolt it on at the top and it should work fine.

    [​IMG]
    [​IMG]
    [​IMG]
     
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  20. Feb 13, 2021
    47v6

    47v6 junk wrecker! 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    USA
    Joined:
    Oct 25, 2006
    Messages:
    5,798
    Your front driveshaft is gonna be like 2 meters long!
     
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