Hi All,
Where I will begin is with the Cummins R2.8. I have known about this engine for a few years, saw it used on Xtreme 4x4 when Ian Johnson put one in something or another.
I had been a fan of those shows for years (Powerblock on Sunday mornings in Canada). You could say I "learned" much of what I know from these shows.
Anyway, I just think diesel technology is cool, its something different and the idea of a Cummins crate engine, 2 year warranty, common rail technology, throttle by wire, etc etc is just awesome.
I looked at other diesel options but most of them are quite old technology (or else very difficult to adapt) and then they had a $1500 sale this month. I took the plunge and ordered one. Now, I know we get "free" health care in Canada but this cost me $11,577 with exchange and sales tax (OWWW).
While this engine thing was going on I was thinking about what to put it in. My wife loves old station wagons but to me a diesel doesn't fit right with those. I thought about Land Rovers (too exotic), old domestic pickups, jeeps, etc.
I have always liked the JF40 though, there was one rusting away near our house when I was a kid, I have known a few people that had them. They are a cool little truck, great offroad and they are a bit different these days.
I did some snooping around on the Google and found you guys. Seems like there is a really good aftermarket and a lot of knowledge out there.
I also (saw on Xtreme 4x4) had heard that there was a company that made new bodies for jeeps, I knew it had a funny name so I searched around and found Aqualu, then I discovered they did the same thing with FJs, this started to crystallize the idea. Then I saw they are in BC where I am!!! its a long drive but our kids really like going to Kelowna as a vacation spot (waterpark, restaurants we like, etc) so boxes are ticking off in my head.
I found ICON, and they were cool but wow, spendy. I also was put on to the Clean Cruiser guys by the people at Aqualu.
I found a set of old beat up TLCs at a dealer, who also happens to be a TV show "Rust Valley Restorers" on History channel, a show my wife and I like. They were sad looking but asking $3500 for the pair and one had a valid registration. So I went and got them last weekend. 7 hr drive each way. My wife was out of town so I brought 3 of the 4 daughters with me. They were great but it was a long haul. They found lots of critters at the yard.
I can't keep my hands off them, I have stripped the first one down almost completely now so it can go back outside. Turns out the other is a diesel and it was running 13 years ago when it got parked. I will pull it in next and see if I can get it running. I'm sure someone would love to have that oil burner!
So needless to say, I am enjoying myself immensely, researching, planning, learning. The buying is a bit painful, as I mentioned, our taxes are harsh, the exchange rate sux for buying things right now and shipping from the US is painful.
Teeny tiniest turbo!
Need the wife's help to decide if we want to stretch the FJ, once we decide that, I will order the frame.
Hoping to use the cowl and windshield from one of the donors, this is a $4000+ piece from Aqualu. I think I will do some patina work on this too, the green TLC has a great patina to it. Not sure I love green but looks cool and would save a lot of money/hassle. Just need to do GOOD rustproofing.
Despite what some say on this forum, yes, BC is cold but we don't use a lot of salt here. That is an Eastern thing. They do put salt (not NaCl) in the road gravel but not as a separate product. Rock chips and dings, definitely a thing!
Working on Transmission/tcase plan right now.
Been in touch with Manafre and I plan to get the parts I need to get to a roller over the next couple of months.
Anyway, thanks for the info so far and I will do my best to document things.
Where I will begin is with the Cummins R2.8. I have known about this engine for a few years, saw it used on Xtreme 4x4 when Ian Johnson put one in something or another.
I had been a fan of those shows for years (Powerblock on Sunday mornings in Canada). You could say I "learned" much of what I know from these shows.
Anyway, I just think diesel technology is cool, its something different and the idea of a Cummins crate engine, 2 year warranty, common rail technology, throttle by wire, etc etc is just awesome.
I looked at other diesel options but most of them are quite old technology (or else very difficult to adapt) and then they had a $1500 sale this month. I took the plunge and ordered one. Now, I know we get "free" health care in Canada but this cost me $11,577 with exchange and sales tax (OWWW).
While this engine thing was going on I was thinking about what to put it in. My wife loves old station wagons but to me a diesel doesn't fit right with those. I thought about Land Rovers (too exotic), old domestic pickups, jeeps, etc.
I have always liked the JF40 though, there was one rusting away near our house when I was a kid, I have known a few people that had them. They are a cool little truck, great offroad and they are a bit different these days.
I did some snooping around on the Google and found you guys. Seems like there is a really good aftermarket and a lot of knowledge out there.
I also (saw on Xtreme 4x4) had heard that there was a company that made new bodies for jeeps, I knew it had a funny name so I searched around and found Aqualu, then I discovered they did the same thing with FJs, this started to crystallize the idea. Then I saw they are in BC where I am!!! its a long drive but our kids really like going to Kelowna as a vacation spot (waterpark, restaurants we like, etc) so boxes are ticking off in my head.
I found ICON, and they were cool but wow, spendy. I also was put on to the Clean Cruiser guys by the people at Aqualu.
I found a set of old beat up TLCs at a dealer, who also happens to be a TV show "Rust Valley Restorers" on History channel, a show my wife and I like. They were sad looking but asking $3500 for the pair and one had a valid registration. So I went and got them last weekend. 7 hr drive each way. My wife was out of town so I brought 3 of the 4 daughters with me. They were great but it was a long haul. They found lots of critters at the yard.
I can't keep my hands off them, I have stripped the first one down almost completely now so it can go back outside. Turns out the other is a diesel and it was running 13 years ago when it got parked. I will pull it in next and see if I can get it running. I'm sure someone would love to have that oil burner!
So needless to say, I am enjoying myself immensely, researching, planning, learning. The buying is a bit painful, as I mentioned, our taxes are harsh, the exchange rate sux for buying things right now and shipping from the US is painful.
Teeny tiniest turbo!
Need the wife's help to decide if we want to stretch the FJ, once we decide that, I will order the frame.
Hoping to use the cowl and windshield from one of the donors, this is a $4000+ piece from Aqualu. I think I will do some patina work on this too, the green TLC has a great patina to it. Not sure I love green but looks cool and would save a lot of money/hassle. Just need to do GOOD rustproofing.
Despite what some say on this forum, yes, BC is cold but we don't use a lot of salt here. That is an Eastern thing. They do put salt (not NaCl) in the road gravel but not as a separate product. Rock chips and dings, definitely a thing!
Working on Transmission/tcase plan right now.
Been in touch with Manafre and I plan to get the parts I need to get to a roller over the next couple of months.
Anyway, thanks for the info so far and I will do my best to document things.
