Flat Top
I know it isn't a Jeep, but I thought you could help. I bought a '62 IH Scout about six months ago and have been wrenching on it since. I'm not restoring it by any means, but rather building a capable off-road 4x4. So far I swapped out the front and rear Dana 27s. I put a full-float Ford Dana 60 with a Trac-Lok in the rear and a '77 GM Dana 44 up front. I then swapped out the tired four-cylinder for a '71 IH 304. From there power goes through the wimpy T-90 tranny, and a Dana 20 twin stick. The suspension is a spring-over-axle lift.
But to get to the point I was wondering if you would be able to give me some advice on custom steering setups. I really want to go over the springs with the draglink and track bar, but I am only 17 and cannot afford new high steer knuckles. Is there any other way to go over the springs without going to different knuckles? I really want to finish this Binder so I can start on my '61 Willys CJ-5.Jason Plemelvia e-mail
I take it your front and rear axles are 8-lug. Sorry, but you're going to have to swap knuckles to get a crossover steering setup on that axle unless your current Dana 44 passenger knuckle is a flat top.
If your knuckle does have the flat top, you can send it to Off Road Unlimited, Dynatrac, or any number of places to have it machined, drilled, and tapped for the high steer arm. If it isn't flat top, you'll have to hit the junkyard.
Look for a Dodge Dana 44 front from a '80-up 3/4-ton W250. They're not too hard to find. Nab the whole axle since it'll make life easier in the long run, but if you want, you can grab the knuckles-out. The Dodge axle has different brakes and a different spindle length than the GM/Ford D44s, so you can't just bolt your Chevy spindle, brakes, and the rest to the Dodge knuckle and go.
Master of Disaster
I'm doing Chevy engine and auto transmission conversion in a '54 CJ-3B. I need info on master cylinders and pedal assemblies. My old through-the-floor pedals are long gone. Could you suggest a donor or parts vehicle?Mike Barrettvia e-mail
Your best bet is going to be a pedal/master assembly from a '73-'75 Intermediate CJ-5 or CJ-6. If that's a no-go, try one from a later '76-up CJ. Collins Bros. (collinsbrosjeep.com) is sure to have some of the later model ones laying around.
Dawson's Dilemma
I own a '90 Comanche with the 4.0L, AX-15, and NP231. My exhaust manifold is cracked and I would like to upgrade. I am wondering if the systems for '91 and up will fit on my Jeep?John BoyerDawson Creek, BC Canada
Yes, the header for the '91-up HO engine will bolt to the earlier non HO head on an XJ, although certain manufacturers may have the header-to-downpipe flange in a slightly different location depending on for which model the header was designed.
Dodge LA LA land
Any idea how I can get a Chrysler 340 or 360 LA style Mopar small block in my '91 YJ? I am not too good at fabricating and I can not find a mount kit.Nick KillmerJackson, New Jersey
There are no bolt-in kits, but Novak (novak-adapt.com) has a nice pair of engine bracket/motor mounts that weld to the YJ's frame rails. You'll need to cut off the old mounts and weld the new ones on. You can also call Atomic 4x4 (atomic4x4.com) for more info on the swap. The company is in Texas, but specializes in Dodge engine retrofits in Wranglers and should be able to provide you with information and components necessary to make the conversion happen.
Don't forget, the Dodge 360s use a different passenger-side engine bracket than the 340/318/273 engines. The 360 has a narrower bracket on that side and the 340/318/273 engines have a wider bracket. There's info on measuring for the right bracket on Novak's site.
If it were me, I'd look for a good 360 from a late model pickup. Even if you don't plan on keeping the injection, you can run a carburetor with a Mopar Performance or Edelbrock Magnum bolt pattern manifold. The Magnum engines have much better cylinder heads that flow a lot more cfm and they come with factory roller cams. However, the older Mopar LA small block has a lot of power potential in its own right.
Mileage Monster
I've just bought a '92 Cherokee Laredo with a 4.0L HO and an automatic transmission. It has a 4-inch lift and 32x11.50 tires. I know it isn't going to get great gas mileage, but it seems like it should be doing better than it is. It is getting something like 12mpg. I was wondering if this is normal, or if it should be doing better? I need to know what to do because I am in high school and I work in a grocery store and this is my only transportation. I can't afford to drive it to work, much less to school, so I need to do something.Daniel Pelfreyvia e-mail
You should be in the 14mpg neighborhood. Check your plugs, cap, and rotor and run a can of fuel system cleaner through your tank. Check the throttle body for gunk and spray it with throttle body cleaner if it's nasty. A fresh air filter is going to be your biggest help. If you can afford it, a cold air intake will get you about 1-2mpg on a 4.0L XJ.
Don't forget also, your Jeep most likely has 3.55 gears and a speedometer calibrated for the factory 28- or 29-inch tires. Unless you're using a GPS or unless your speedometer has been recalibrated you're actually going more miles than your odometer is racking up. Those 32s are about 13% larger than the stock tires, so when you're doing your mileage calculations, add 13% more miles. If you've been coming up with 12mpg and you haven't been converting for the larger tires, you're really at around 13.6 mpg, which is pretty average for a lifted XJ.
Got a tech question you're just itching to get answered? Send it on in to Jp magazine, Your Jeep, 6420 Wilshire Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90048, or e-mail christian.hazel@jpmagazine.com.