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Chris' Jeep Page |
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I’M SELLING THE JEEP !!!
Contact me at chrisw@bc4x4.com if you’re interested.
Last updated: July 15, 2004
Specs
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Year/Model |
1989 Jeep YJ Laredo |
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Engine |
1990 Ford Mustang 302 (5.0L-HO) |
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Tranny |
NP435 4-speed, with 6.69:1 first gear |
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Transfer Cases |
First: Switchable 2.0:1 gear reduction box from an NP203 |
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Rear Axle |
Ford 9" from 1986 Ford E150 Van, 4.10:1, Detroit, shortened to match the front end, full-floater with Dana 44 spindles and brakes (same as the front end), 4340 alloy shafts, 30-spline Warn hubs |
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Front Axle |
Dana 44 from 1973 (Early) Bronco, 4.10:1, LockRight, Warn Premium hubs, and 1976 Chevy Blazer/1978 Ford Bronco disc brake swap, GM knuckle/BR Fabworks high steering |
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Wheels |
General Grabber 35" MTs on 15x8 white spoke wheels, 5x5.5" bolt pattern |
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Suspension |
Spring-over-axle (SOA) with 2" lift OME J1R springs all around, Rancho 5012s in the front, and F-series front shock towers |
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Other Stuff |
Front CV shaft (1997 TJ) and rear CV shaft (1985 Bronco) |
Background (Who am I?)
My name's Chris Waterman. I'm 29 (doh!) and I've owned my Jeep for
about 3 years. It's my first 4-wheel-
drive vehicle and the first non-car I've ever owned. For me the best part
of owning a Jeep is tinkering with it -
in fact it's safe to say that working on the Jeep is my first and best
hobby. The Jeep is a daily driver, so all mods
are done with that in mind!
I currently live, work, and 'wheel in beautiful Vancouver, BC, on the fantastic Canadian West Coast!
Projects
Follow these links for write-ups on some of the projects I've done:
In the bag:
- Early Bronco Axle Swap & SOA and check out this project's cost breakdown.
- Ford 5.0L-HO engine, NP435 tranny, and NP203/D20 dual transfer-cases, and the cost breakdown.
- F-series front shock tower conversion.
- Chevy heater motor swap.
- Home-made rear bumper / tire carrier, with locking-hub hinge - see the pictures.
- On-board air setup, with compressor, air tank, etc.
- High-clearance steering, using GM D44 knuckles and BR Fabworks steering arms.
- YJ frame swap, with rebuilt motor mounts,
rocker guards, mudflaps, a 3-row rad, and a custom anti-wrap
(traction) bar on the rear axle, to eliminate that pesky axle wrap. - Transfer-case mounted parking brake.
- Ford 9" rear end with Dana 44 outers: a full-floater rear with 1/2-ton disc brakes!
Soon to come:
- Upgraded Saginaw power steering pump.
As you may have gathered, a disconcertingly large percentage of the Jeep is
actually Ford these days. This isn't
deliberate; it just so happens that old Ford truck drivetrain parts are common,
cheap, and tough. The 5.0L
engine was cheaper and easier to find around here than the tried-and-true Chevy
350, and just too cool to pass up!
Fortunately, I have no problems using Ford, GM, Dodge, or even Hyundai parts -
if it's better than the part it's
replacing, in it goes! Brand loyalty is a real handicap, in my opinion…
Shaking your head at the money I've sunk into this crate? So am I... But I comfort myself with these simple facts:
- These projects would've cost easily two to three times as much if I'd gone the bolt-on aftermarket route
- I wouldn't have learned nearly as much or been anything like as satisfying
- To date, this unique,
high-performance Jeep still costs less than a brand-new stock TJ (not by a
whole lot,
but still...) - It's been so much FUN
tinkering with it!!! And I've learned an incredible amount in the process,
and met
some really great people, too. Hey, this is a hobby - it doesn't have to make sense!
Trail Rides
Been on lots, with a whole bunch of local offroaders:
- Whipsaw
- Lower and Upper Hut Lakes
- Starvation lake
- Blue Mountain
- Indian Arm, Brohm Ridge, and Black Tusk
- 1997 Old Oregon Territory Jamboree (OR)
- 1998 Apex Alpine Jamboree (BC)
- IRC '99 on Vancouver Island - see the Doh! picture
- Gold City Offroad Syndicate's 1st Annual Cariboo Adventure Rally
- Gold City Offroad Syndicate's 2nd Annual Cariboo Adventure Rally
- IRC '02 on Vancouver Island. Didn't break this time.
...but I haven't written any trip reports yet. They'll appear as soon as I get my ass in gear with this web page and start writing them.
Pictures
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Links
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