Project Punisher: 1995 Jeep YJ Rio Grande

[YJeXtreme]

Firstly, am starting this post from my phone, will login after work tonight & edit/add more details.

In Jan 2007, I bought my Jeep from a goodfriend for a fair price, it was a typical bolt on build for most part. Had 38.5x16 TSLs (friend used to big into mud) Was running 4" Superlift susension & 3" bodylift, ford explorer 8.8 with factory 4.10 limited-slip. Everything else was stock. Once I aquired it, I swapped on a set of 35x12.50 Maxxis Buckshots & begin beating on it. First major weak link I found was the C.A.D. d30. Simple "junkyard" fix was done with cherokee 1pc axle.

During Mar 08 I repainted it to semi/flat black & it was born as Project Punisher. Wheeled it some more & had already been stocking up on parts for fullwidth conversion.

Move forward to Feb 09... the factory 2.5 died.... needed complete rebuild as held 0 oil pressure... scrapped that idea for several reasons. Insufficient power, and the many people I spoke to who state theirs only lasted about 170-190k miles. So... member of my club was parting out a rolled 96 cherokee with strong 4.0L & AX-15 with only 93k on it & was meticulously maintained. As of April the build up began.. (more to come later tonight)

 

[YJeXtreme]

Removed entire front clip & the 2.5L, AX-5 & NP231. Used sawzall to remove factory motor mount towers, ground them down best I could... Decided against using factory towers again & opted to build my own motor mounts. Used 1/4" plate for frame tabs & 1 3/4" D.O.M. with M.O.R.E. polybushings. reinforced tabs with 3/16" plate on bottom side. For trans, since it was removed from a 96 Cherokee & going into a stock 95 YJ bellypan, I had to make a adapter plate to mount the YJ trans mount to the XJ trans. Was made from 3/16" plate with countersunk allen-cap screws holding it to the AX15. I welded 2 studs in place to hold the rubbr mount to the adapter.

Engine/trans mated together with new clutch assembly & set between frame rails. I leveled the motor & set it dead center of frame, cut my DOM to length & notched it, welded in DOM sleeves for the poly bushings. This was very time consuming, as I'm very OCD & wanted it to be in as close to stock location as possible.

Meanwhile, I've bolted front clip back on, with plans of home-mde tube fenders using the factory inners. Just picked up a NP231-D from dodge has the beefier chain assembly. Also using radiator from 83 Wagoneer. Will detail axles later on & include some pics

 

[YJeXtreme]

Axle details, Ford 9" from a 1978/79 F150, 31 spline, BTF "Anti-wrap" perches, Full Spool, 5.13 gears. Will eventually swap over to disk-brake conversion. I have the caliper mounts just need time and extra $$ to get rest of the parts.
Front is a HP D44 removed from a 1976 F250, currently open, 5.13s(needs to be ordered) and stock shafts. Looking for detroit, and eventually chromo-shafts. Since driver's side perch is cast into housing, I made my own replacement for pass. side out of 1/4" plate.
Suspension: 1.5-2" Lift springs of unknown origin, picked 'em up used for $20... couldn't complain, and they flex like crazy. Shocks am looking for set of Bilsteins.
I figured when I was tearing the motor out, I might as well redo the entire jeep. Just picked up my new t-case from a 1/2ton dodge, which has the heavier duty chain. Will be doing SYE in next 2 weeks, and leave it at that. Next year plan on ordering an atlas case and calling it a day


Well just realized I don't have any pics uploaded to my photobucket acct, so will have to wait on those for another day... If you want more details, just post up, or checkout my build thread on my local site, Project Punsiher on SCC4x4

Other plans include onboard air conversion of an A/C pump removed from my lil bro's part's Commanche, Custom Cage, tied in 6points to frame, DIY beadlocks, Suspension seats tied into cage, and 5point harnesses. Sorry for such a throw-together thread, I'm again happy to answer anything anyone might ask.

 

[ncgamedog]

 

[YJeXtreme]

Impatient much? LOL

Pic when I bought it...

During Repaint...

Removing old Drivetrain

New Parts being prepped/getting installed

Still searching for the pics of the trans mount adapter I made, and the motor mount tabs.

 

[JDHolland]

nice man! you wouldnt wanna sale you upper skins?

 

[YJeXtreme]

Make me an offer.... drivers side slider glass busted along time ago.... has plexi section in it currently... I've got a hard-top from a CJ i'll be restoring soon & locating new uppers. Want more pics shoot me a pm with your email addy.

 

[YJeXtreme]

Additional Info & Updates:

Motor again is from 96 Cherokee, which is OBD II, so I found good workring ECM & complete harness frorm 93 YJ with 4.0, I did have to change out the crank sensor, which i just ordered. Fuel rail was found on ebay, cleaned the injectors up & installed. Prior to install in jeep, pulled oil pan, replaced rearmain seal, motor exceptional clean & no bearing wear at 93k. prev owners of the cherokee babied it & had OEM mopar parts used for tuneups.

 

[Caver Dave]

Nice driveway build!

Bet that stinger made it interesting when it came time to stab the engine!

 

[YJeXtreme]

Thanks, my garage is currently home to another project...62 Galaxie, so the jeep is banished to the driveway.... Will be hauling it to my buddies shop to finish up driveline angles & start on cage work after 1st of year & help him with his better half's commando build.

The stinger is a BTf bumper. so it was removed during motor swap.

 

[YJeXtreme]

Been awhile with no updates... Shortly after last post we got the lovely 1st of several snowstorms. I have collected some parts though. Set of new Wagoneer front springs, new fuel pump, crank sensor, radiator, and some used 38x14.50 R15 TSL/SX's and some beefy 3/8" ubolt plates. Will be ordering SYE, picking up some Poly-body bushings, driveshaft from an old F150 shortbed and 5/8" Ubolts

Plans are to cut down the F150 Double-cardan joint driveshaft to fit the wrangler, overall costs including new joins apprx $140 Will be mounting the tires this weekend hopefully, dropping fueltank to switch fuel pumps, and plumbing radiator, and trying to fire it up for the first time in over a year.

 

[YJeXtreme]

Since last post, I've gotten a 2nd set of Waggy springs for overall 4" stretch, SYE I just finished and installed yesterday, the D44 is at a buddy's shop for R&P install, I ordered my exhaust pipes yesterday, O2 Sensor, brake pads/shoes, wheel cylinders for rear. Brake Hoses are on order, waiting to show up... Also got my Heims in for the steering links, and D.O.M, is at my buddy's shop w/ the D44. Waiting for order to go in for 1.75 DOM for cage work to be done later this year. Should be rolling in about 2wks. Going to pickup an old F150 Driveshaft today/tomorrow and take it to get cut down on Thursday.

 

[YJeXtreme]

A few updates, Front axle is back, and setting under the jeep. Got to pick up a longside shaft this weekend, and get it put together. Dropped my driveshaft off today to be shortened (using one from a 78 F150) Plan is to get the body lift off and bodybushings replaced this weekend, front axle together, make rear brake lines from wheelcylinders to the T-fitting, reflare the front lines where the fittings broke off, get front driveshaft in. I should be on the ground and rolling by Wednesday or Saturday. Will get pics after I cut the rear quarters for the 2" stretch, and post 'em up early next weekend.

 

[YJeXtreme]

Been awhile since I posted, staying busy with projects.... Jeep is fully assembled, (for now) Haven't been wheeling yet, since I had some cooling issues that needed sorting out, and a trans-mount failure.

Basically spun tires in dirt, seperated the studs from a factory trans mount.... Upgraded with new poly-mount with interlock design to prevent seperation.

I ordered a Yukon Spartan locker for the front, and will be installing it next weekend. Still need to reseal the rear axles due to a major leak, and remove the body lift(soaking all the mounting bolts right now w/ PB Blaster) Will update pics soon

 

[YJeXtreme]

Found some pics for a couple months ago when I first got t rolling on it's own power.... I still need to rebuild front/rear spring backs... Rear are too stiff, they've got an add-a-leaf, and fronts are sagged to near negative arch. So Will remove leaf from rear and toss in front to try and level out. Will also be replacing bushings with poly bushings.

 

[hadfield4wd]

What no pictures of it broken down in my driveway?

Looking good JT

 

[YJeXtreme]

Haha, thanks Matt. I still have that tubing at your house... We need to get together sometime later in the few months about tube fenders.

 

[hadfield4wd]

I completely forgot about the tubing. One stick is yours right?