Targhee: a Moab/Rubicon flatfender build

I think you will be happy on the trail and the highway with the drive train you have selected. The 4.3L is a reliable power plant and the some of fuel injected versions are also quite simple. The TBI versions (1985 – 1995) and also the 1992 to mid 1995 Vortec engines use an ECM which is basically encased in a thin aluminum box. In my experience these are the best EFI versions due to the simplicity of the wiring and the lack of theft detection in the ECM. Grabbing the wiring harness from the donor vehicle and reworking it yourself is straight forward on these early EFI engines. The TBI engines do not have quite the horsepower that the Vortec (Central Port Injection) engines have, but have an overall lower height which would help when squeezing them under a flattie hood.   Either way you are going to have plenty of power!

Pontiac's “Iron Duke” (GM 151 ci 4-cylinder) engine would also be a good candidate as the ones in the early 1980's CJ s had a small block Chevy bolt pattern on the back. The Jeep version never came with fuel injection, but the Fiero version did and can be retrofitted to the Jeep version. This is a little more complicated than just buying a factory fuel injected 4.3L.

IMO nothing beats a factory fuel injection engine for what we use our Jeeps for. Yeah, they are a little bit more complicated, but they are very reliable, will run on their side, and at any altitude. If something goes wrong you just go to the local auto parts store and tell them what vehicle it came out, pull the codes if needed, and they typically stock the part to get you back on the trail. We have been reworking the simple GM EFI versions for 20 years and nearly every issue we have had has been with the fuel pump.

I type this while as I am thinking about how to EFI a Dauntless V6 (odd-fire) for Elmo because that is what Dylan wants. Diversity amount rigs is neat and keeps it interesting though. The first EFI we are going to try is a reworked 4.3L EFI with a crank trigger to generate a smooth tach signal.

Bridog wrote: I think you will be happy on the trail and the highway with the drive train you have selected.

Busy weekend, but we made a little progress, put the front axles together. 

Out with the L Head, in with the Ecotec . . .

 

This arrived today. It’s a GM Ecotec LV3 4.3 V-6 out of 2016 Silverado.

 

I started out a couple months ago with virtually no knowledge of what it took to build a rock crawler.  I saw mine as a mostly stock flatty with bigger tires and a roll cage.

 

But, as my good friend and partner in this build, Eric, said to me last month, “you’re not in Kansas anymore”.

 

How true!

 

I’ve watched videos, read posts, and received a ton of great advice from you all.

 

So, once again, I’m going to take some time to consider some other options.

 

Two steps forward, one step back!  Or maybe one step forward, two steps back!

 

Stay tuned.

I'm trying to figure out what the orange car is in the ackground. I m an old volvo guy. I can do Jeeps, VWs and Corvettes as well.Thecomputer is screwing up sorry.


Edited by Unkamonkey - 19 Oct. 2018 at 1:10am

Unkamonkey wrote: I'm trying to figure out what the orange car is in the ackground. I m an old volvo guy. I can do Jeeps, VWs and Corvettes as well.Thecomputer is screwing up sorry.

Hey Jack

smfulle wrote: Hey Jack Here’s another bit of info about a possible front axle. I know you are well into the one you have, but just food for thought.  Brennan Netcalf has been looking into the D44 clone that Mahidra is putting into their Roxor flat fender reissue. Here’s some discussion on FaceBook. https://www.facebook.com/100003457372103/posts/1241655349293032/

Those are some nice looking tires Jack!  Definitely going to be all your Dana 30 wants even with the chromoly shafts. I am looking forward to hearing about your new ideas.