Gr8Dain’s 84Scrambler

[gr8dain 33]

Ok. So I did not see a “Rigs” or “Builds” section. So I will put some info here.

My 1984 Scrambler:

I had been dreaming of owning a Scrambler since 1986 when I learned to drive and first saw one. In college I had a chance to buy one but was a poor college student so.....

Marriage, kids and life got in the way for a while, until I thought about Jeeps again (I had an XJ in high school and college). Bought a cheap YJ to see if I really wanted to get back into a Jeep. YES. SO i started a search for a Scrambler. I found a bunch I could not afford. I had to be able to drive it immediately so no “projects”. I found this one for a decent price in OH. Honestly, I should have kept looking. But I bought it.



Fixed a few things and made it better in my opinion as I was driving it around.

A few years later, I discover the frame was rotting out from the inside. Major holes. So I had to do a complete frame swap in my garage and driveway. I got a frame and built a rolling chassis in my garage.



Had some friends over to move the drivetrain and then move the body

[gr8dain 33]

I have put on a 4 inch suspension lift and running 33” tires. I try to go wheeling a couple of times each year. Mainly at Rausch Creek in PA but I have been to Windrock in TN. That was a blast.



I am looking to add a Holley Sniper kit after the new year as I have problems with my carb off camber and really hate the cold starts in the mornings.

[YJeXtreme 31]

I've debated on adding the Holley Sniper to my CJ7, but not sure if the added cost is really worth it over going with a tried and true GM TBI style EFI.  Affordable Fuel Injection has same setup as Howell using GM TBI, for $770 to my door.

My other thoughts, were to go with a 4.0L head conversion and run the factory Multi-port EFI. They're not hard to pin out the harness and make them work, I got started by building an AMC, and alot of the AMC guys swap the 4.0 into their Ramblers in place of the old 196 and 232s.

[gr8dain 33]

Yeah. My friend who put this engine in after my first 258 died, wants me to pick up a donor XJ and use the 4.0 and swap it in. But cost of the donor and time to do it will be more than just the sniper kit. And I can have the sniper up and running in a weekend I am sure.

 

I do see a 360 or something in my future when this 258 craps the bed.

 

[YJeXtreme 31]

We've picked up donor XJ's early 90s ODB I for around $400 in Roanoke Area. I've debated swapping over an entire 4.0 and AX15 or NV3550 into mine, since I went with 4.56 gears. Not sure what my highway mileage is... but around town I'm averaging 16-17mpg. I'd love the OD gear for cruising. as I too currently use my CJ for mostly Daily Driving.

[gr8dain 33]

Here are a couple of mods I have done.

 

While doing the new chassis, I installed a 20 gallon poly tank to replace the 15

 

 

I also decided that I did not want to drop the tank to replace the fuel sending unite which I know will happen since it is from Omix. So O installed a boat hatch in the bed.

 

 

 

 

I also added some USB and 12v power for my phone.

 

 

And to make removal of the half cab easier/quicker, I got rid of the screws and added these latches from McMaster-Carr. 4 for the front and 3 for the rear connection to the bulkhead.

 

 

 

 

 

[YJeXtreme 31]

Here are a couple of mods I have done.
 
While doing the new chassis, I installed a 20 gallon poly tank to replace the 15
 

 
I also decided that I did not want to drop the tank to replace the fuel sending unite which I know will happen since it is from Omix. So O installed a boat hatch in the bed.
 

 
 

 
I also added some USB and 12v power for my phone.
 

 
And to make removal of the half cab easier/quicker, I got rid of the screws and added these latches from McMaster-Carr. 4 for the front and 3 for the rear connection to the bulkhead.
 

 
 
 
 

I love the hatch idea! I’ll be doing 20g tank swap soon. May snag this!

Also like your latch setup. How did you attach it to the top? Holding up well? Most of the original screw holes in my windshield frame are now oversized.

[gr8dain 33]

Most of the screws were stripped. So I got tired of getting bigger screws.

I put the latches into the top using rivets. Through the metal strip and into the fiberglass.

[YJeXtreme 31]

14 hours ago, gr8dain said:

Most of the screws were stripped. So I got tired of getting bigger screws.

I put the latches into the top using rivets. Through the metal strip and into the fiberglass.

Awesome. I just fixed the rivets in my metal strip as 2/3 of them broke off. Have a part# by chance on those latches? I love that idea better than going up a screw size.

[gr8dain 33]

Awesome. I just fixed the rivets in my metal strip as 2/3 of them broke off. Have a part# by chance on those latches? I love that idea better than going up a screw size.

 

 

 

Pic keeps failing to be seen (in tapatalk anyway) but I keep trying.

 

[gr8dain 33]

Can you see it?

[YJeXtreme 31]

Just now, gr8dain said:

Can you see it?

Yes Sir! Thanks!

[gr8dain 33]

Added the Holley Sniper EFI this weekend. It was a relatively easy installation.

Started with this carb set up



Then took the carb off



Installed the O2 sensor in the header

[gr8dain 33]

Put the EFI u it on and put the relay and fuse along the firewall


Installed the fuel pump and pre-filter along the crossbar in front of the tank and ran the wires through the frame





Cleaned up a lot of wiring in the engine compartment by getting rid of the electronic fan controller. The Sniper will control the fans now too.

[gr8dain 33]

And cleaned up


Put the display on the dash



Put the temp control sensor in the heater hose



Test drove it today. The system will be “learning” for a bit. But confirmed that the fans kick on at temp.

Throttle response is way different that before. I barely have to hit the pedal and it wants to spin the tires leaving from a stop. It will take a bit for me to get used to it.

[YJeXtreme 31]

Which Sniper Kit did you go with? I see that Holley is finally offering a Jeep 4.2L version. Trying to decide if it's worth the extra expense to go with Holley or the tried and true GM TBI style sold by Howell, or Affordable Fuel Injection.

[gr8dain 33]

Which Sniper Kit did you go with? I see that Holley is finally offering a Jeep 4.2L version. Trying to decide if it's worth the extra expense to go with Holley or the tried and true GM TBI style sold by Howell, or Affordable Fuel Injection.

Since I have the Offenhauser intake and had a Holley 4bbl carb on it, I went with kit 550-511k made to replace the 4bbl carbs. I looked at the 2bbl one for the CJs but would had to replace the intake. More than I wanted to deal with.

[YJeXtreme 31]

1 minute ago, gr8dain said:

 

Since I have the Offenhauser intake and had a Holley 4bbl carb on it, I went with kit 550-511k made to replace the 4bbl carbs. I looked at the 2bbl one for the CJs but would had to replace the intake. More than I wanted to deal with.

 

Awesome. let me know your thoughts on it as it learns. I want to put the Sniper on my Dad's 62 Galaxie and on my 78 F150. My 56 Vic is likely going to get a multiport EFI, but I have grand plans for that motor...

[gr8dain 33]

Sure. I am having an issue where the revs don’t drop to normal after warming up. But it is just one day. I am going to create a data log and see if Holley can help determine the cause.

[YJeXtreme 31]

9 hours ago, gr8dain said:

Sure. I am having an issue where the revs don’t drop to normal after warming up. But it is just one day. I am going to create a data log and see if Holley can help determine the cause.

Let me know how it goes, I've heard good things about their setup. I love how you can integrate it with other electronics too. For instance, my 78 F150 is getting a mild big block 460, and I'll be doing an E4OD transmission, which is electronically controlled. Like ability to tie everything together to get the most modern functions in a 41 yo ride. 

[gr8dain 33]

Turns out it was just a matter of adjusting the idle screw on the unit. Doh! I will see how it goes tomorrow on my way to work.

[gr8dain 33]

I did not even know it would control my fans. That was a bonus. And at some point after it does its learning, I will tie it into the timing.

[YJeXtreme 31]

Just now, gr8dain said:

I did not even know it would control my fans. That was a bonus. And at some point after it does its learning, I will tie it into the timing.

I haven't done much research on the 4.2, but what options are there to tie into the timing? I see you're running an HEI setup. 

[gr8dain 33]

The best is if you are using a captive discharge box. I have not researched much at this point. But they suggest letting it learn without timing for a while before you add the timing control.

[gr8dain 33]

Not as big of a project today. I took out my old (1996?) suction cup mount phone holder and installed a RAM mount using a screw in ball replacing one of the dash bolts. So far I like it a lot.