Theoretical Cj6 Build Ideas

Fred and Dave stretched a YJ frame to go under a Wagon a while back:

https://www.motortrend.com/how-to/1705-dropping-a-willys-on-wrangler/

This article shows what work went into the stretched frame and the episode even showed nearly a how-to on how they did it. Very informative episode!

As far as aftermarket support, there’s a ton! Bolt in axle options for YJs are anything from Dana 30s to one ton stuff. The front axles are about the same parts as the Cherokee’s and Comanches got, but the YJs all had a central axle disconnect. These can be gotten rid of with an aftermarket seal and one piece axle kit that replaces the long side. Otherwise, you’re right on the Dana 35 rears… they’re not great. Ford 8.8s are a common swap as are Chrysler 8.25s, and Wagoneer 44s front and rear.

 

Key thing to remember.... 8.8s are ford every year model and trim is different. A ranger axle is sort-of offset the explorer is centered but all of em are different spline count.

 

Go the Fireball route and get the TJ ...you know you want it.

 

Some more food for thought… you’re already a fan of Toyotas. How about a Toyota drivetrain with a marlin crawler?

You could keep it simple and run a carbureted 22R.

 

AX 15 and low geared 300 would be a reasonably priced setup. (NV4500s are e,pensive to buy and seems they are all beat, at least around here.)

Engine wise, while I really like my 225, a 4.3 or 350 makes more sense.

 

I forgot that's a thing now...

 

I really tried to fit a TR-4050 in my flat fender. The transmission is about 4” too long. On a CJ6, length shouldn’t be a problem.

BTW, my wife and I just got home from visiting Philadelphia.

 

The rest of us rural folks in PA wants to give Phila. to NJ. Lol Seriously though, I hope you had a good time.

 

Explorer 8.8s are typically 31 spline and have disk brakes.

I'm not a big fan of 8.8 because they are all crappy c-clip axles. At least with disk brakes the caliper can hold help hold the wheel in when you break a shaft.

Yes, you can get C-clip eliminators, but then you start compounding costs on what was supposed to be a cheap axle.

It's also rare to find an Explorer axle geared lower than 3.73 so re-gearing might be required too depending on tires and drivetrain gearing.

 

heres an idea - take the whole drivetrain from a chevy pickup. 350, sm465, np205, 12 bolt, dana 44. new driveshafts are the most you'd need, you could get a donor reasonably cheap, and parts support would be utterly fantastic. replace the long transfer case adapter with an aftermarket plate one and a 203 doubler, and you'd have a wicked setup that you could drive on or off the street easily. come to think of it, i might need to start looking for a cj6 to do that to myself, as ive already got 2 or 3 donors.

 

I know FinoCJ was hesitant to consider the TJ option because he wants to keep it old school but Ill throw another new school option out there for anyone else reading: use a JK frame.

Thats what they did for the Ultimate Adventure CJ6 build and it dint look all that much more work than the TJ frame option. JK are frames are actually pretty cheap, there is an abundance of them out there and the aftermarket support for suspension etc.. is insane.

This is the route I have been dreaming about for my 64 CJ6.

 

Here's a cheap YJ in Big Sky that would be a great starting point. Heck, maybe it's long enough already: https://missoula.craigslist.org/pts/d/corvallis-1987-jeep-wrangler/7679578895.html

 

I like your thought process on this, bit didn't they need to cut into the body a lot for the jk frame? Where, alternatively, the tj frame sits next to the wheel wells perfectly.

 

They did but that was because they wanted to sink the body down as far as possible. They even say they could have made the job much easier if they stayed on top of the frame rails.

https://www.motortrend.com/events/1...s-cj-6-tubs-meet-modified-jk-unlimited-frame/

 

A couple of thoughts-
You can swap the D18 low range into the D20. Not as low as Tera Lows but it gets you from 2.0 to 2.46 without spending huge $$. The special Bronco gear needed to do this used to be scarce as hen's teeth but is now being reproduced.
Also, I "think" I have a rear shift OD housing if you need that, I'll have to dig out my box of exploded overdrives.