1987 YJ with 5.2L V8

[tobyw]

Just testing the waters...

Picked this up last night, not sure if I want to jump in or just dump it and ultimately save myself a lot of time/money/grey hair

It's a 1987 YJ with a mint body and frame. Has an unknown brand of ~3" suspension lift, but they appear to be pretty high quality springs with double-wrapped eyes and bolted spring retainers. Stock HPD30 front and D35 rear, 4.10 gearing. Previous-previous owner started to swap in a 1995 ZJ 5.2L V8 and matching 46RH transmission, coupled to an NP231 (with SYE). The exhaust is hooked up through a nice 2-into-1 Flowmaster muffler, and the power steering is also plumbed in. The rear driveshaft has been built and is ready to install, but the front is missing. The wiring, PDC, and ECM from the donor ZJ is all there, but needs to be spliced into the existing YJ chassis harness to make it run. The guy I got it from had it running by simply running a hot wire to the fuel pump, but this obviously is not how it should be done... The transmission and transfer case shifter cables/mechanisms are currently in the back seat, but are all there. The interior is pretty much shot, but the steering column is not slopped out and the factory key switch functions just fine (blinkers, wipers, blower motor, etc all work). Has a soft top in good condition, including soft uppers for the factory half doors. Has LED tail lights. YJ tailgate is missing, but includes a BRAND NEW CJ tailgate, hinges, and the cables to convert to a CJ style drop-down tailgate.

Long story short, for someone with a couple afternoons and some wiring prowess, this thing is *that* close to being a road-ready V8 bobber. Other than a few wiring connections, all it really needs from a purchase standpoint is a radiator/hoses, and front driveshaft. Everything else is either done or is there ready to install. I've got literally hundreds of pictures, so let me know if you want to see anything specific, or we can setup a time to come look at it.

Asking $3500

[Jafo]

I'd love to have that project....

[tobyw]

I'd love to have that project....

Come get it, mama don't want it in the shop We'll work something out... Seriously...

[tobyw]

Just a quick update for anyone interested, it now starts up and runs properly... Spent an hour or so with the hose and some Simple Green to clean the engine compartment a bit, and then tore out all of the wiring to get a fresh start. Plowed through the wiring diagrams (big thanks to OG) and came up with my own schematic, and about 15 minutes of wiring work later it was running. Idles smooth and revs clean

[tobyw]

In a not-so-shocking turn of events, this thread is turning into more of a "build-up" than a For Sale ad

With the engine running, it was time to determine if it would move. As mentioned above, everything was there, strewn about the interior of the Jeep and in a 5-gallon bucket-o-goodness. After crawling under it to asses the transmission situation, I determined that all it needed was a shift cable and shifter mechanism, both of which were laying in the back seat. 15 minutes later, it was idling in Reverse with the transfercase output spinning accordingly. I shut it down to stop the spinning, then re-fired it and dropped it into Drive. Sure enough, we had rotation. So, time for a driveshaft... Scrounging through the bucket-o-parts left me missing one u-joint strap and one u-bolt, both of which I sourced from my personal collection Just as I was snugging up the last u-bolt, OG rolls into the shop. So I sez to him, I sez "Stand back, you are about to witness history..."

And with that, I hopped in, twisted the key, pulled it into Drive, and wheeled my back yard We both laughed uncontrollably and had a couple adult beverages to celebrate.

[Jafo]

[rednecktified]

how fast is she?!?!

[OldGreen]

It broke .5mph!!

[tobyw]

Yep, roughly 1mph right now... No accelerator cable hooked to the pedal. As with everything else thus far, it's there, just not installed

I pulled it out of the shop again today in an effort to thwart my ADD from forcing me into continuing to work on it. For now.

[tobyw]

Boss wants this gone... Anyone even remotely interested before I break the bad news to her and pull it into the shop for some TW lovin? Offers entertained (and likely accepted)

[Lurch]

Trade ya a brand new set of 37" toyos

[tobyw]

Not quite... However, if push comes to shove and I still have this and you still have those, well... Let's just say I'll be looking for bigger tires than what it's rockin right now

[Jafo]

Tic Toc Tic Toc Tic Toc, me hates to wait....lol

[Nukegumby]

I might trade you for a set (5 total) of 38.5 x 14.5 Maxxis Creepy Crawlers, mounted on steelies with an 8X6.5 lug pattern, with Staun internal bead locks on all. Tires have maybe 200 road miles and less than one mile offroad. No chunking and look new.

What'cha think?

[tobyw]

Sorry, I've got no need for that much tire power.

Get it, tire power? I kill me...

[OldGreen]

Tiyah powah. . . .

[tobyw]

SOLD

[OldGreen]

DAMNIT. . .but at least it went to a GREAT home.

Dear new owner. . .I have a radiator you can use if you want to see what's what. . .you have to wade through a small disaster area to get it, but it's all yours if it can help you.