I need some ideas on what brake, clutch, and steering system to use...

I am using a 1947 cj2a body and putting it onto a 1953 M38A1 frame... Amazingly it all bolts up. I also plan to use the 4.3L chev v6 which I will hopefully pick up tomorrow. Now my question is what is a good brake swap to do... There is a huge 50% off sale at the local U-pull lot this weekend so I plan to yank as many parts that I can use... Is the system out of a cherokee any good? Fabrication is no worry to me.. all I need is something that can work and will suite my jeep. Also curious of what other people have done and what kind of problems they have come across.

 

there's probably a lot of brake swaps you can do from dirt cheap to really expensive kits. here's what I did on my 3A: put in a narrow track D30 that had discs, and 5.38's to match the rear 44 luckily. then I reworked the stock 44 by removing the drums, replacing them with cj7 rotors. calipers are mounted with weld on lou fegers brackets. i haven't put it in yet but i have a 67 vette mc to install under the floor. some mods have to go into that part....

you can go bigger drums but heck once your swapping discs are so much nicer

 

You can switch to a swinging style of pedals, that way you move the master cylinder up on the fire wall. Which will come in VERY handy when you start running your exhaust for the 4.3. As for steering you'll prob. be doing a saginaw swap and will need to find a steering shaft that will be the correct length. If you do a search on here for swinging pedals and one for a saggy swap I'm sure you'll find out what vehicles other guys have "stole" parts from.

 

Supraman,
What are you getting the 4.3L V6 from? Is it EFI?

 

I pulled it out of a chev s10 or s15... Its has throttle body FI. Its been sitting on a engine stand in my garage for a couple months now.. Havent had a chance to tear into it yet.

Right now I've pretty much finished all of the sheetmetal work done on the CJ2A tub. I fabricated new floor pans, and did some rust repair on the sides. I also built a new sub-frame to replace all of the wood filled C channel. Now I'm at the stage where I need to select some seats for it so I can plan out where all the seat mounts will go on my new subframe. Anyone have any ideas? I'm kinda thinking about going with some Mastercraft Rubicons, but havent been able to find anywhere with them instock locally so I can see if they will fit and not look stupid.


The other question I have in the back of my mind is what to do about the transmission. I have what a T90/dana18 combo in the frame right now... Whats the best replacement for the T90. I don't know much about the T90 but I believe it has no synchro's which will kind of be a pain....

 

Thats the plan I had in mind for the pedals. Should make things MUCH easier.

 

The T-90 is synchromesh in 2nd and 3rd gear. There's no synchro in 1st, but that's not so much of a disadvantage since you usually shift into 1st while you're standing still. A rolling downshift can also be made after some practice double clutching.

If you replaced the T-90, what style of transmission would you want? Fully synchro 3-speed, close ratio 4-speed, wide ratio 4-speed (granny gear), automatic? Novak is a good place to start: http://www.novak-adapt.com/knowledge/transmission_gateway.htm

hth!

 

Thats good to hear that it does have synchromesh between 2nd and 3rd... I didnt realize the kit to swap in a sm420 was over $450... Maybe I'll just stick with what I have.

How beneficial is the overdrive? I dont have one, but I know where I can buy one...

 

Simple brakes (which I have on Putt Putt): Wilwood universal <non power> MC (remote resevoir) mounted in stock position (minor drilling req) leave stock pedals and 11" drums all around from postal Jeep. It will put you through the winshield! 8) Mine is a single MC and Wilwood has duals now for more money.

Clutch I am not so sure. I am going to try a universal hydraulic type used by roundy round cars. A friend of mine has set several Jeeps up this way and used parts are available at swap meets

If there is a postal Jeep in that guy's yard, take the 11" brake hardware and steering system. You will need a different gearbox for LH drive. rear brake backing plates will not come off without pulling the axles. just torch it (flame wrench) and take the whole axle home

 

Yea the more I think about it, the more I think I need one... I know of a guy that has one so I think i might buy it up...

 

Herm carries the OD's.

www.hermtheoverdriveguy.com

 

I put a chevy 4.3 in a cj3a... steering is a major mod... I used a commando frame mount and a jeep j20 box... I also used a mid 80's chevy front brake conversion... easy mod... a little grinding on the closed knuckle to clear the caliper and done.... see this link

http://jonfund.com/ubb/ultimatebb.php?ubb=get_topic;f=8;t=001829;p=1

 

If you want a bullet proof clutch setup, check out advance adapters chain clutch linkage... Its pricey I think, like $100 or so, BUT.... you can adapt it to about anything, its infinitely adjustable, and its a super smooth pull. Check it out, i used one on a 225 conversion on a sncj5 and it worked great.

JM

 

Just read through your thread... great looking jeep. Once Im ready to start puting the steering together I'm sure I will have a few questions for you.