1988 Jeep YJ build

[RamP]

Hello all. I’ve been a Wayalife member for 5 years. I had a 2013 JKUR on 35”s that was super capable. I’ve sold the Jeep. Got a Tacoma TRD PRO and recently purchased a YJ. My plan is make a great on road rig that is also great off road.
I’m starting with a stock 2.5l base model with 135k that I picked up for 2k. It’s got Factory half doors. The previous owner put on 30x9.5 tires, fixed the drivers floor pan and passenger frame.
I’ve also got an 03’ 5.3l from a Cenvy Avalanche. A rebuilt NP231 with SYE from Mountain Garage, and a Ford 8.8 rear with disc brakes. I’m looking now for an AX-15 tranny to replace the AX-5.
I’ll be working with Mike G. He’s the owner of Country Built LLC out of eastern PA. He’s been in the Offroad community through rock crawling competition, Jeep Jamborees, and camp Jeep since the 90’s and is s master builder and fabricator. Follow along as the build comes together and this little YJ becomes my dream build.

 

[wjtstudios]

Looks like it’s going to be an awesome build! Can’t wait to see it come together


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[WJCO]

That will be sweet!

 

[nbunga]

Sounds like fun! I'll definitely be following along.

 

[RamP]

Here’s my starting point. 1988 2.5l with 4 cylinders of fury. This engine when it’s running right really is not bad. Sure it’s a dog on the highway but it’s TBI fuel injected, which is better than the 4.2l carborated version of the same year, and paired with the right gearing makes a solid off road machine.
This one however is suffering from a blown head gasket, leaking clutch cylinder and a miriad of other woes.
The beauty part is that in the 4cyl trim came with 4.10 gears in the axles. Which is desirable for any tire upgrades. Yes I am swapping out the rear for a late model ford 8.8 but guess what, those are also available in 4.10. And offer rear disc brakes. Which is way better than the drums on the D35.

 

[cozdude]

Welcome back!!! Can’t wait to watch you build it!

 

[RamP]

Welcome back!!! Can’t wait to watch you build it!

Hey what up Coz! Yeah it’s been too long out of a Jeep for me. Maybe we’ll catch up in the woods this summer at Rausch.

 

[cozdude]

Hey what up Coz! Yeah it’s been too long out of a Jeep for me. Maybe we’ll catch up in the woods this summer at Rausch.

Absolutely!! Now you can put your money back into jeeps and leave your mountain bikes alone for a bit lol

 

[RamP]

Absolutely!! Now you can put your money back into jeeps and leave your mountain bikes alone for a bit lol

Ha ha!! You’ve got a great memory. It’s even worse now. I run a BMX race track here in CT!!

 

[cozdude]

Ha ha!! You’ve got a great memory. It’s even worse now. I run a BMX race track here in CT!!

Lol not a great memory, I still follow you on Instagram so I see it all [emoji51]

 

[RamP]

Big part came in the mail recently. NP231 with SYE and HD internals from Mountain Garage in VA.

 

[RamP]

Just picked up the power plant for the YJ. 2002 5.3l Vortec from a Silverado with 62k miles. All accessories and uncut harness. I’m setting my sights on the transmission next. Going with an AX-15.

 

[WJCO]

Just picked up the power plant for the YJ. 2002 5.3l Vortec from a Silverado with 62k miles. All accessories and uncut harness. I’m setting my sights on the transmission next. Going with an AX-15.

Beautiful. Post pics. Are you rebuilding it at all or just installing it?

 

[RamP]

Beautiful. Post pics. Are you rebuilding it at all or just installing it?

Thanks.
I’m just going to install it. It’s got low miles and the shop I got it from had already cleaned it and preserved it for install. I’m impressed with the shape it’s in. Solid doner.

 

[cozdude]

So jealous of you finding a 5.3 with such low miles!!

 

[JKbrick]

Thanks.
I’m just going to install it. It’s got low miles and the shop I got it from had already cleaned it and preserved it for install. I’m impressed with the shape it’s in. Solid doner.

Ya I agree, oh does that say doner, that’s a cross between donor and boner! Ha Ha


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[RamP]

So I’m keeping the front D30 for now. I know it’s not ideal but hear me out. My buddy upgraded to 44’s and tossed me his old D30. It came out of an 88 4.2. While I’ve got the time I decided this is the axle I’ll use for the build. I stripped it all down with the idea that I’ll use this housing, replace all the seals, get rid of the 2 piece passenger axle, and throw the 4,10’s from the axle that’s on the Jeep now. Here’s the progress so far.
Before.

After one session with an angle grinder and a 4” wire wheel.


For the steering knuckles, brake calipers, stuff like that, I’m going to try electrolysis and see how it goes.

 

[RamP]

This crazy spring we’re having here in the northeast is seriously messing with the build schedule. But it does afford me some time to get some front axle parts ready. The D30 I have is old and rusty so I went looking for a solution to do some rehab. Set up an electrolysis tubto eliminate the rust in all the hard to reach places. It’s so worth it, and after a day it practically wiped clean. Major parts of the build will be starting soon.

 

[RamP]

Big change of plans. Been a while but here’s the latest parts list.
5.3 vortec
Full width axles.
Dana 44 front
Ford 9” rear
Torque lockers in both
44044 springs for a 4” stretch
Spring under with a front shackle reversal
Keeping with the low center of gravity the fenders have been cut to accept flatties and clear 37” tires.
4.56 gears
Full cage and lots of extras that I’ll get to later.
Pics to come

 

[wjtstudios]

Looks like it’s going to be a sweet build


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