My ride has seen good times and BAD!! Check out the pics and you'll see my original CJ8 with modest upgrades. Then back in October 2003, I found out nobody was flashing their high beams at me when a major flame rolled up my window while I was gawking at the rear view. I still get the willies thinking of that night.
Anyways, after a bereavement period and a LOT of planning, the rebuild commenced. A buddy wrecked his '88 IROC-Z so I scored a sweet TPI 350 and 700R4 tranny. Next I saved my coins for a new aluminum tub and hand built some matching front fenders. Went with TJ flares to clear the 35s. To prevent vapors from getting in the house, I built a paint booth from plastic sheeting, exhaust fan and house filters. That was a real piece of work... shrink wrapped me a couple of times. Went back with black to keep something original.
Drivetrain has the 700R4 pushing my twin sticked Dana 300 transfer thru an Advance Adapter. Since I reversed the front shackles, I went with a long stroke Woods driveshaft for spinning the Dana 30 Tru Trac in front. The rear power is thru an AMC 20 with a Detroit Locker and WARN full floated axle sitting on FSJ leafs for an inch offset of center. Just had to go with the disk brake option and hubs on the rear for flat towing too. Didn't start out with all that in mind. It just kinda evolved.
A bit of tinkering and schooling on fuel injection and got that IROC motor going good enough for white knuckles and a BIG smile. Been back wheelin' for about a year now and still enjoy tweaking the little things. It has certainly been an eventful ride.
4-08-09 Finally sprung for a Bestop Supertop for Scramblers!! Install was easier than expected AND it's quiet while driving. I gotta finish my full doors and tailgate when the weather is a bit warmer.
