This jeep was a complete frame off restoration project. It was completely disassembled and rebuilt. Starting with the frame which was sandblasted free off rust, paint or other debris or corrosion. Then zinc primer was applied followed by 3 coats of emron high gloss black. All new frame and body bushings were installed. All attaching brackets were replaced with new ones or sandblasted and reconditioned. The amount of work involved with this project vehicle can not be conveyed properly but a tremendous amount of care time and money was invested into it to make this as nice and complete as it could be in my eyes.
NEW COMPONENTS USED IN CHASSIS
ENGINE
This engine assembly was completely rebuilt by RCR racing and machine work was performed by HEADS BY RICK. The rebuild was a performance build with fuel injection added to it. All the normal rebuilding procedures were adhered to but we went beyond that to achieve a very durable and long lasting motor. Everything is either reconditioned or replace with new components. Many items replace are not mentioned individually it would take to much time and space.
The 4.2 block was used with a 4.0 head on the top to give more flow. A factory fuel injection system does the fuel management and ignition system functions. While a borla stainless steel header ventilates the exhaust into a 3” flowmaster muffler and pipes. The accessories on the motor were all from a grand Cherokee application utilizing one 6-grove belt system. The cooling is done though a high flow 4 row radiator and an electric fan from a 98 grand Cherokee with a 5.9 engine. The custom intake was handmade with a reusable filter.
Many more items not listed
BODY AND ATTACHED ITEMS
The old body had too much rust to effectively repair so it was replaced with a body tub from a '94 jeep wrangler. The body tubs are almost the same between these years with a major advantage the ’94 body was e-coated with protects them from rusting. All the other difference between them was professionally done so that no differences could be noticed. The color used was a 2001 Dodge Viper yellow from spies heckler paints. The bottom was under coated with 3M under coating. The original windshield frame was reused along with the grill; the fenders and hood were replaced with new ones.
The interior seats are from a ‘94 jeep wrangler that are recovered in gray and black leather in the same pattern as the originals were done. The center console is a 10” tuffy lock box with matching leather armrest. The dash is a kitchen grade stainless steel reproduction of the original ’85 one except for the custom gauge layout. The floor was cover with molded rubber matting that is easily removable. The jeep has factory full steel doors that are painted to match with recovered interior panels to match the interior. Below is a list of most of the new parts used.
These are highlighted items and are not the only new parts
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
The electrical system is comprised of a ’85 and a ’94 wiring harnesses integrated into one. This allows the use of factory looking ’85 components which operate late model control systems such as the engine control module and air conditioning. A custom warning lamp display panel in dash. Instrumentation is performed by a set of VDO millenium series gauges, which has a programmable speedometer to accurately calibrate speed.
Engine control module
AIR CONDITIONING SYSTEM
The air conditioning system is comprised of a ’95 wrangler factory style unit that uses r-134. The evaporator is used assembly in perfect working order but the other components in the system are new. A mopar compressor from a grand Cherokee was used. This is a very reliable compressor and is required to utilize the brackets for the serpentine belt set up. The a/c lines were custom made to connect all of the components properly with proper function. Below is a list of new components used.
Compressor assembly with clutch ( Mopar )
DRIVETRAIN
The stock t-5 transmission and dana 300 transfercase was retained, but were completely overhauled to factory specifications. The driveshafts were rebuilt with new u-joints and rebalanced. The clutch and flywheel were replace with new ones. When using fuel injection a crankshaft position sensor is required to allow the computer to recognize engine rotation so we custom mounted one on the bellhousing in the factory location. The aluminum transmission case was polished to give a little extra touch. The front and rear differentials were disassembled and inspected, everything was in great shape so we just replaced the bearings and seals in those units. The factory gear ratio of 3.31:1 was left the same.
4 spicer u-joints
As overall description of this project and what was done and why to this ’85 jeep. My goal here was to take a CJ model jeep and incorporate into it different years of jeeps that had better or improved systems or parts. I did not want to make it look different from the original look just a cleaner more well polished appearance. We still used the original inline 6 engine, however it has significantly more power the stock. Almost all components used here are jeep with the exception being some aftermarket parts like the gauges and suspension. The overall project toke more than 2 years to complete however it really turned out great, it has allowed me the ability to apply my knowledge of different model jeeps to create the ideal CJ in my opinion.
ALL WORK PERFORMED BY CHRIS KADERABEK AND ALL THE STAFF FROM SPECIALIZED AUTOMOTIVE SERVICE