Project Cherokee Chief

Ridgerunner

Ridgerunner

Well-Known Member
Joined
Mar 21, 2005
Location
Fuquay Varina, NC
I just started to work on my 1978 Cherokee Chief. I the first thing we did was to remove the front end because it had alot of rust and it is getting anew model front clip. Next I started to work on replacing the rotton driver side floor pan. I cut one out of a 1990 grand wagoneer parts rig.

My current plans are to install a 2002 4.0 bolted up to the stock T400 and in the future do a SOA with a D60 and a 14 Bolt. Carolina Rock Shop will be doing the cage.
Here are some pics of todays progress. I will update this as my progress continues.

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Wolfpack OffRoad said:
Nice, I love a new project.

Where would the old front axle be headed to? :D
Click to expand...

If your asking about th d44 on the red cherokee, if and when I can afford a d60 and a 14 bolt I will be selling it. but it is a passenger drop. the one on the waggy is spoken for
 
I started today working on installing the engine.



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I found out that I can not use the stock flex plate, because the torque converter had 3 bolts and the flex plate was drilled for 4 bolts. I determined that I could just use the stock flex plate from a old 258 I6 since it had the same bolt pattern on the crank as the 4.0. I will have to use the starter from the 360, because the ring gear on the flex plate is offset in a differ place and the 4.0 starter gear will not reach out far enough.



I was going to use the stock 258 engine mounts on the engine to make things simpler but when I try to bolt the mounts to the block I found out that the 4.0 block was machined different than the older 258. So I decided to make my own using the TJ Mounts already on the engine.



I bolted the engine up to the tranny to see how everything was going to fit and so I could start making the engine mounts.



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After measuring a few things I determined that the engine needs to move back about 4", where it sits now the fan will be though the radiator. :(



You can see the radiator support mount hole in the frame is right where the radiator is.



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I checked to see if I had enough room to move the engine back far enough. I don't think that will be too much of a problem. I have plenty of room between the back of the engine and the fire wall. I think I will still clear the brake booster but it will be close.



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Everything else fits in there pretty well. Here are the rest of the pics. I will post my progress each step of the way



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Wolfpack OffRoad said:
Nice, I love a new project.

Where would the old front axle be headed to? :D
Click to expand...

Well this last weekend I Picked A D60 and a 14Bolt from a 85 CUCV. I will be starting to work on this soon. I will be selling the stock Dana 44's when I get the new axles installed so I will be open to offers on them.

I will post some pics later but I think by now most of us know what a D60 and 14bolt look like.
 
Lee said:
What are the plans for the crank posistion sensor with running the 258 flex plate and th400 tranny? Relocation kit to the front of the engine?
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yes I will have to relocate the CPS. I did not want to but that is my only choice.
any one got one of these kits?
 
hey i have a 77 chief that i am going to scrap so if you want anything from it pm me, no engine tranny or t-case but i got the full glass and some misc stuff
 
scarface said:
hey i have a 77 chief that i am going to scrap so if you want anything from it pm me, no engine tranny or t-case but i got the full glass and some misc stuff
Click to expand...

Thanks but I do not need anything I have lots of extra parts :d
 
I got the new bushings(from www.bjsoffroad.com ) installed in all of the Springs and shackles.
They are stock 90 Grand waggy springs. With th SOA I will get about 6" of lift but keep a real soft ride which should give me good flex. I got the D60 Bolted in today and the pics are below.
It is sitting about the correct height as it be will with the tires on it.

It sure was nice that the spring perch width was the same.

This week I hope to get the rear Shakle flip done so I can get the 14 Bolt mounted up.

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looks great man! What did that thing come with from the factory engine wise?
 
I have a Q. What is the width from outside framerail to outide frame rail in the frount and in the back. I'm gonna use a waggy frame/engine/drivetrain for my next project. I was just gonna compare width to the old frame. Thanks
 
NCJeepin said:
looks great man! What did that thing come with from the factory engine wise?
Click to expand...

The factory engine was a AMC 360 the engine that is in it is a 2002 4.0 I am using the stock TH400/q-trac
 
1stgenxxx said:
I have a Q. What is the width from outside framerail to outide frame rail in the frount and in the back. I'm gonna use a waggy frame/engine/drivetrain for my next project. I was just gonna compare width to the old frame. Thanks
Click to expand...

The front is 34 1/4 the rear is 38
 
HardTaco said:
that is a wide-trac front right? if so, will the passenger side wide-trac shafts fit a driver-side wide trac? If so let me know.

Josh
Click to expand...

I think so they are the same WMS. butI don't have the front axle any more
 
Ok, Well A while back I scrubed the 4.0 conversion because I got a complete engine and trans from a 2000 dodge Ram 5.9 magnum.

Last night I started to install the new power plant and I got the transmision mounted to the cross member. I need to set the front clip on to make sure the fan will clear the radiator. if not I will have to move the trans mount back some. Next I will fab up the engine mount cross member. I am hoping to have most if that done buy the end of the year.

pics comming soon
 
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