My Jeep Wrangler, better known as Halfbreed's, rebuild

   I will be posting the beginning of this rebuild at a later date, after I transfer it from my old web site. To quickly bring you up to date, I undertook the task of rebuilding my Jeep YJ. This included full width 3/4 ton axles, a T-18 transmission, Dana 20 t-case with Spicer 18 gears, and the finishing touch- a 6 cyl. Volvo Turbo Diesel.

    The installation is going well so far, and I should be ready to start the engine very soon. I just need to install my gas tank, put the flywheel on the engine, then hook up the starter. For now, I'm putting up some pictures of the installation.

    8/31/00

    The day finally came- I started Halfbreed tonight! After bleeding the injection pump, the diesel finally started! I sure love the sound of a turbo diesel. My $200 engine runs like a champ! There is plenty left to do, but at least I know there is hope for the future. I'm WAY behind schedule, and I don't know if I'll get my Jeep done for school next week, but at least there is life under the hood. Well, actually the hood isn't on it, but you get the idea.

    9/3/00

    Things have been progressing slowly. Although the engine is installed, and in running order, there is still plenty left to do. In the past few days, my friend Don and I have managed to get some of the underhood wiring completed. This consisted of:

• removing the original computer and all associated sensors

• hooking up the glow plug timer circuit and wiring up the "Check Engine" light to work as a glow plug indicator

• modifying my old grand Wagoneer 96 amp Delco alternator and attaching it to the engine

• installing the 78 Jeep CJ-7 V-8 radiator

• installing the lower radiator hose

• attaching most of the heater and other coolant lines

• removing the clutch lever to modify it to work with a cable

• swapping t-case output shafts and bolting on the CV style driveshaft yoke

• planned exhaust routing, and put on front pipe

    There is still quite a bit left to do before having the Jeep roadworthy, but it is almost drivable to test around the yard. Things I have left to do are:

• install front and rear driveshafts

• finish transmission crossmember

• fabricate rear disk brake conversion

• install front brakes

• find an upper radiator hose which will work

• finish hooking up heater hoses

• finish wiring the alternator

• hook up power steering pressure hose

• install fuel tank

• fabricate new seat mounts, and install passenger seat

• put on fenders and hood

• fabricate fender flares

• finish exhaust

Sweeeet. I love Diesel's...	...especially with turbos!	I had to heat and bend all 3 shifters a little.
	My transmission mount. Ignore the stacked nuts...I don't have the right bolt yet.
Volvo engine, Volvo bellhousing, and T-18. No adapters.
	The motor mounts should be plenty strong. I plan to add another brace for strength.
		There's my Dana 60
	Nice solid pads	Poor thing, just sitting there...
More shots of my transmission mount	Note the brace I made to strengthen the stock mount.	Plenty of welding to finish.
Here is a better shot of my brace.		My half ton pickup rotors.
	I had to torch off the caliper bolt, then heat it to remove what was left.
		Here is the 3/4 ton rotor. Luckily, it went right onto my half ton spindles, and uses the same calipers as the half ton axle.
Hub parts fresh from the parts washer.	My Dana 20 shift pattern. This label is on the original Scout glove box door.	Notice that by removing the shift interlock pin, I have access to combinations such as front wheel drive high or low. I will have to be careful, because I could also mix the ratios; such as front-low, rear-high.
I wish I could get an original label like this.