I want to build a "go fast" desert runner

[SCOOBYDANNN]

Well, since I can never be satisfied and my neighbors are getting comfortable with 6-8 vehicles in the drive at any given time I want to build something that goes fast. It's not going to be a 120 mph/20+travel monster baja pre-runner, just something built nice that can handle the whoops and jumps and 60+ mph down the desert.

I have two vehicle options to buy and I am pretty content with either.

One is an 89 Jeep XJ 4x4 4 door with a 4.0 that has electrical problems. $500. I like this idea cause I can fit more people and actually have a good time with more than 1 person. Parts are "relatively" cheap.

Option 2 is an 87 Toyota 4x4 ext cab. $250-300. No motor, well it has one but it is in pieces. I would sell the trans and T-case and front differential and make it a 2wd either make or save my beer can $$ and buy a Total Chaos type of front suspension and long leaves in a spring under fashion. I would get ~15" travel in the front and ~13 in the back from what I gather.

I am thinking 2 options for drivetrain. (I have acces to both right now.)

1 is 5.3 out of a 2000 chevy. I would have to figure out the computer and get a trans. I have a 400 but I thing that would take too much power and is too heavy for this type of application. so I would probably swap it for a 350.

2 is a 302/c6 combo out of a grand marquis or mustang or whatever out of a JY. swap it in and run it. beef it up later.

shocks would be the most expensive part, but i could just take the SAW's out of by blazer and put something more reasonable in it and just figure out a different set for the "desert runner"

both would be lifted to fit at biggest 33's and have mostly downtravel.

WHAT SAY YE?!

 

[supersize75k5]

the cherokee go fast crosses my mind a few times a month, I love the xj, my build thought was to use a 4.3 for weight and throw money at it till it screamed, stock tranny with some upgrades and no t-case..


or since you said you only want to go fast, go pick up a used 2 seater rail off craigslist, I see them for 1500 all the time, and swap in a suburu "sp" turbo motor.. the new subureu "sp again" is said to get 250 hp, but they are raising the torque up to that # as well , hell even a honda drivetrain would be fun and not to hard to get ahold of. and tons of parts on desert boards to be had for cheap or upgrades..then build you own a-arm long travel front and go to town!

the early toyotas with the newer gtacoma glass, a 4.3/t-350 set up, throw some deavers out back with some bilstiens and a home brew front.. check out gotpropane .com, he has a sick green one with newer trd go fast parts on propain injection, ive seen it zip around ..SWEEEEEEEEEEEEEEET


http://www.gotpropane.com/images/jeepinstallasylum029-r.jpg.JPG?s=1083977536

supercharged 00 tacoma motor..say there is a trd supercharger on craigslist in phoenix for 1400

 

[blowedupmotor87]

Seems to me the Toy might be a bit better choice for high speed as it is a bit longer and (I think) wider, so it might be a bit more stable at speed. Also, with that total Chaos long travel IFS you will have a more responsive front suspension setup. Saying that due to the fact that the wheels can move independently, it is (generally speaking) agreed that IFS is better for high speed offroad and solid axle is better for low speed offroad. The IFS may be a little more breakage prone due to more moving parts but, it will be a more responsive feeling setup, look at how most high speed trucks are built, IFS. Go with 33x10.5 up front to help with unsprung weight and 33x12.5 out back to help traction. Just my $.02.

 

[3 on the tree]

4.0 Jeep motor with 4.2 (258) crank=270 c.i. Tweak the FI a bit, and raise hell! Put some D44 axles out of a Scout II under it.

 

[bowtiepower00]

I would do the Toy, no question, but for drivetrain I'd go with a SBC/ TH350/ AA adapter/ Toy Geardrive T-case combo, which would be every bit as strog as a 241. 350 or 400, either would work, but I'd go with aluminum heads, intake, etc., to keep the weight down, and move the battery (and possibly radiator) to the bed. I would also go with a Q-jet/ HEI to keep things simple. Keep it light, and run the stock IFS to start, with trimmed bumpstops and multiple shocks. It will hold up surprisingly well with 33x12.5's and even better with 10.5's, both of which will fit perfectly under the 2-3" BL you'll have to run to clear the engine and trans. I would keep the 4WD. I would spend the money on glass body parts and shave weight, and mod the suspention later. I would design the rig to be easy to fix with a minimum of tools in case you get stranded in the middle of nowhere and to keep your tool kit as small as possible.

Keep it cheap and run it hard... You can always add the expensive stuff later. A V8 Toy 4x4 is an absolute blast to drive. It doesn't take a lot of power to make them quick.

A welded V6 3rd (Around 3.90 gears- stock) , or a built one, will hold up fine. You may need axleshafts if you add a bunch of power. The factory rear driveshaft will not hold up at all. You may want to brace the axle.

The majority of the parts you need are already available aftermarket.

Don't forget the safety gear. I would build it with the intention that it will probably end up totalled and transplanted/ rebuilt every once in awhile.

A XJ could be done, too, but bleh- I don't really get the whole Jeep thing, and those Toyota's are indestructable- and the extra wheelbase will help too. An old school Ivan Stewart style glassed out rig with a V8 would be pretty cool.

I've been wanting to build a similar rig for years.

 

[pauly383]

Wrecked late model TrailBlazer , pirate the inline 270 horse stock motor

Or hell SFA the Trailblazer if it was in a frontend collision , add fiberglass fenders , a cage and go

 

[supersize75k5]

Wrecked late model TrailBlazer , pirate the inline 270 horse stock motor

Or hell SFA the Trailblazer if it was in a frontend collision , add fiberglass fenders , a cage and go

different..i like it

but it would not take too much to get the jeep inline 6 to that level..and its cheaper and more available with aftermarket..hell it even comes in the jeep if you go that route