Badazzz Jeep

[timberghost72]

AEV makes some nice stuff. I like their kits to make a Jeep pickup. 

Those are pretty cool rigs. As soon as I get a few bucks I want to buy an old Willys Pick up and put a mild build on it. Those are some classic looking trucks.

Rolled over 5 times in a buddies Jeep. I will never ride in another one again.

That thing WANTED to roll over. We weren't going fast, weren't on steep grade, it was a scary experience that made me realize how unsafe Jeeps really are.

That may be how it was built. Generally they are safe.

[jackelope]

AEV Brute Conversion...
These are way cool.

[Caseyd]

 

[Alchase]

AEV Brute Conversion...
These are way cool.

Saweat!
I always wanted to build a CJ8 Scrambler

[timberghost72]

That is a sweet looking truck. I like the color too. I would get rid of those tail lights though and put in some 6" flush mount ovals.

[JackOfAllTrades]

Ya know.. I love hp/torque, but 425hp in a short wheelbase like a Jeep is just asking to break stuff. If the 3.8 can be modded externally to give 250-275hp or so with that 6spd wonder box, then the money saved from NOT adding all that extra weight to the front end with the 5.7 would be better spent on differential gear upgrade, beadlock wheels, hubs for the rear diff/axles, winches front and rear, computer relocate, tougher bumpers and such.

It's cool lookin with that 5.7 shoe horned in there, but not what I'd do with a new Jeep. Dad ran a GM V6 in his old Jeep CJ5 and did quite well with it.  Ford 289's proved themselves well with less than 250hp in Jeeps of years past.

-Steve

[outdoorstoreys]

here is the original Brute

[Rick]

Ya know.. I love hp/torque, but 425hp in a short wheelbase like a Jeep is just asking to break stuff.

Burnsville Offroad does Hemi swaps as well.

You can do a 6.4 liter Hemi with 500HP

A 7.0 liter with 555HP

Or a 7.2 liter with 636HP.

Prices range from $27-35K.

[jackelope]

Ya know.. I love hp/torque, but 425hp in a short wheelbase like a Jeep is just asking to break stuff. If the 3.8 can be modded externally to give 250-275hp or so with that 6spd wonder box, then the money saved from NOT adding all that extra weight to the front end with the 5.7 would be better spent on differential gear upgrade, beadlock wheels, hubs for the rear diff/axles, winches front and rear, computer relocate, tougher bumpers and such.

It's cool lookin with that 5.7 shoe horned in there, but not what I'd do with a new Jeep. Dad ran a GM V6 in his old Jeep CJ5 and did quite well with it.  Ford 289's proved themselves well with less than 250hp in Jeeps of years past.

-Steve

The front end of this Jeep is built to handle the additional weight of the engine and it's got the good drivelines and good axles. Have you driven the Wrangler with the mini-van motor? No bueno...what a turd. The Pentastar engine'd Wranglers should be here come December, that ought to be an improvement.
This conversion is pushing $30k....no shortcuts have been taken. Sure you run the risk of breaking stuff, but anytime you mod something out like this you run that risk. That said, I drove this thing today.  . It's a fun ride.

[JackOfAllTrades]

I don't doubt that thing's a fun ride.. Just not an extra $30k of durability in my book.  I'm guessing a Dana 35ish front diff? That's a 7 1/2" ring gear, isn't it?  Weaker than a Dana44. That kind of hp/TQ with a locker is capable of twisting axles if not snapping that smaller pinion gear. And we won't discuss Chrystler rear diffs. Does that one have friggen axle  C clips? Now, the 3.8 may be anemic... OK, you got me there! Yes, I'm a fan of the 4.0 with some mods. And yes, any time you modify things you take a chance on breaking something way back in the middle of nowhere. That's why I'd go with a Curry or some such modded/locked up Ford 9" in the rear with hubs and a much stouter Dana 44 pumpkin/axles in the front. That would be better for a set of 4.11:1 or 4.89:1 gears and 35" tires. Not to say that there doesn't need to be a stronger mill making everything turn, I just can't justify that sort of money unless there's some serious upgrades elsewhere. I have no idea what the shaft hp/tq rating is for the transmission.  I'm guessing it is not rated for anywhere near 425hp. But! I bet that thing is fun as hell on a muddy hill climb. I wasn't refering to the additional weight up front having an impact on the suspension, but rather the driveability in rough terrain with a short wheelbase.

Hey, what transfer case is in the new Rubicon?

-Steve

[Magnum_Willys]

Gas tanks hold 50 gallons plus 20 more in GI cans.  Hmmm $280 fillup.  Its a good thing elk season is only 9 days !

[Alchase]

Hey, what transfer case is in the new Rubicon?

-Steve

 Rock-Trac® The Rock-Trac transfer case is the heart of Wrangler Rubicon's extreme rock crawling ability. Because of the 4:1 low-gear ratio, Rock-Trac's low crawl speed makes it easy to ascend or descend sharp inclines and to crawl over obstacles.
 
Like a NP241 Select trac on Steriods

[Rick]

I don't doubt that thing's a fun ride.. Just not an extra $30k of durability in my book.  I'm guessing a Dana 35ish front diff? That's a 7 1/2" ring gear, isn't it?  Weaker than a Dana44. That kind of hp/TQ with a locker is capable of twisting axles if not snapping that smaller pinion gear. And we won't discuss Chrystler rear diffs. Does that one have friggen axle  C clips? Now, the 3.8 may be anemic... OK, you got me there! Yes, I'm a fan of the 4.0 with some mods. And yes, any time you modify things you take a chance on breaking something way back in the middle of nowhere. That's why I'd go with a Curry or some such modded/locked up Ford 9" in the rear with hubs and a much stouter Dana 44 pumpkin/axles in the front. That would be better for a set of 4.11:1 or 4.89:1 gears and 35" tires. Not to say that there doesn't need to be a stronger mill making everything turn, I just can't justify that sort of money unless there's some serious upgrades elsewhere. I have no idea what the shaft hp/tq rating is for the transmission.  I'm guessing it is not rated for anywhere near 425hp. But! I bet that thing is fun as hell on a muddy hill climb. I wasn't refering to the additional weight up front having an impact on the suspension, but rather the driveability in rough terrain with a short wheelbase.

Hey, what transfer case is in the new Rubicon?

-Steve

The Rubicons have D44s front and rear. The "standard" Wranglers get D30s in the front.

IIRC AEV and Burnsville put the 5 spds out of the Hemi Rams behind their Hemi swaps. The Rams are pushing 400HP so the tranny should hold up fine.

[JackOfAllTrades]

Well I stand corrected on a couple things.. I guess I should research the Rubicon before I let my fingers type.    I'm just so surprised that this really seems to be a real off road rig. I knew they came with lockers and such but didn't know they had D44's.  Sorry, I haven't been impressed with the drivetrains of the past Jeeps. We're on our 2nd Cherokee and they've been great for 'sport utility' on pavement and a few excursions in some rough terrain.. But I've looked under newer Jeeps and have not been impressed with what I saw.  I'm not in the market for one. I'd rather build a 77 Bronco up. I'm sure that spiffy interior of the Rubi makes trail/highway rides nice, but I'll be happy with a set of padded race seats and a bikini top. I doubt I'll go more than 350hp.

-Steve

[CementFinisher]

I would love to take that thing on the trail 

Hey Charlie, why don't you come with us up to Rimrock on Labor day weekend and show us what that yote can do.....

I don't think that yote has been off road sence the "Bloody Run" was closed down 

a yote on rim rock that would be dirty, bad idea i see death in your future