I have been trying to make a decision on my next trail Rig.
I've had a great desire for a flat fender for over 25 years. I'm at a point in my life with skills and resources to make a custom rig. The $$$ not so much(Poor man with 3 kids, one starting college in the fall). However, I know how to get things done on a tight budget.

This is the Idea. a JK suspended flat fender. Drivetrain will be based on what I can find, ideal will be new VM Motori Diesel. (we can all have dreams) but most likely a GM V-6 or small block V-8 a new Pentastar would make me happy too. I may find a totaled late model JK as a donor if I'm lucky. I have a buddy that can Mod any frame to what I need as-well as fab any parts needed. (as long as I keep the Rolling Rock and Moose Drool flowing)

I'm looking for your thoughts and comments. If anyone knows of someone running something like this. point them my way please.

I'm keeping it local because SoCal wheeling is unique.

P.S. why a 70 year old Jeep? its and I HATE California Smog Regs.

 

IMHO:

Stay away from the Pentastar power plant if you're talking a trail rig
The Pentastar 3.6 liter V6 engine

The Pentastar engines have an open deck design, the open deck makes manufacturing cheaper, at the cost of upper cylinder support, which in turn allows Block Harmonics, that high-pressure die cast aluminum design don't like, movement of aluminum no matter how small (equals fatigue).

Oil pressure and temperature sensors are on the oil filter housing assembly, which is mounted on top, between the heads; the oil cooler (a plate-style coolant to oil heat exchanger) is mounted to the oil filter housing. Three piston oil cooler jets are mounted to the engine block (each cools two pistons) and attached to the main oil gallery. Oil cooling is a necessity for the pentastar engine and Chrysler missed the mark by not understanding what the Jeep does when on the trail, it collects all sorts of debris, from dust to mud and what ever the engine compartment can collect, restricting or clogging the oil cooler and heads, creating heat build up ( heat build up equals fatigue )

The cylinder heads are made of aluminum, with unique left and right castings and integrated exhaust manifolds. The valves have pressed-in powdered metal guides, which are not serviceable. The integrated exhaust manifold doesn’t allow air cooling (external exhaust manifolds allows cooling by air flow cooling the manifold and head )

For me this doesn’t fit the Jeep application at all, unless your going to buy one every 4 to 6 years, which big business has lead this country into believing.

The Jeep owner mods the vehicle to their liking (at their expense) and who wants to do this every 4 or 6 years. Chrysler has missed the mark of understanding a jeepers personality, a Jeep is part of the their family something they don't trade in.

To alleviate some of the heat buildup for the Pentastar , Chrysler or aftermarket manufacture should come up with a external oil adapter to increase cooling volume for oil heat exchange,(oil cooler)

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To get around the smog regs you will need to use a drive train that is older (pre 1976 (i think) to avoid a Cat). If you title the car as a home built kit car then the engine ID determines the regulation year. If you drop a Flattie body on a wrecked JK then the VIN on the frame will dictate your smog rules. Check out some hot rod forums for more details, but that was the basics when I looked into a street leagal tube buggie.

 

In Cal you have to use an equivalent year or newer engine to the vehicle when putting an engine in something. You can build a specialty car, but must apply for the exception and there are only so many per year granted. There are a lot of modern engines to think about, an interesting one may be Ford's Eco Boost turbocharged V-6. Rugged enough to take on Baja - AFTER - towing a ton of miles and all the other testing it went through.

http://media.ford.com/article_displa...ticle_id=33603

Seems a pretty durable, light and powerful engine that meets all emissions requirements

 

Ford 3.5-liter EcoBoost engine has an open deck design

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Good to know, I figured if I did a project in the next couple years I was going to use one, not now. So what are the light weight but reasonable power options out there? (want to know but don't want to hijack)

 

I knew I'd get some good feedback here

O.K. no Pentastar. That was not high probability anyway.

I would not be using a JK frame, just Parts. I have a good 1946 Vin Plate, licence plates and clean and clear title. I'll most likely be modifying a CJ frame. No worries there. I can do what I want as long as it says Willys on the Body and looks Jeep like. Not worried about DMV.
Mainly using JK style suspension setup/Parts. Axles will be what is available for the right price. could be Unimog portals. still in the Brainstorming phase.

 

Don't worry about Hijack. this is meant to be a discussion post. I want some activity here.

 

If I were in your shoes I would give some thought to a light in weight engine with monster torque with no computer control, and has tons of aftermarket parts.

Which brings me to chevy small block 400 and with the right cam you can get big block torque in a light weight small block engine and thur adapter put any trans and transfer case combo.

For me I would stay with the autotrans instead of a standard because the pro buggy guys run auto's for a reason !

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Yep on the same page 33. past projects always seem to end up with a small bowtie. autotrans is highly desired (I'm feeling some age lately and have a bad ankle) keep the feedback coming.