1983 Jeep Scrambler Rebuild

This project began nearly two decades ago…

Over the past three years, I’ve been “resto-modding” a 1983 Jeep CJ8 Scrambler in my garage.

This project has been a long time coming. Back in 2005, I noticed the Jeep sitting in a driveway, clearly untouched and undriven for years…

I upgraded my Scrambler’s powerplant from the factory AMC 258 inline six to a Chevy 6.0L LQ4 V8.

Engine

We rebuilt the “bulletproof” stock Dana 300 transfer case and added twin stick shifters.

My CJ8 came with a T5 five-speed manual transmission. Since I was putting far more horses under the hood, I decided to install an NV4500.

My NV4500 was a classic junkyard find from a 1992 GM 2500 pickup with 4WD — and unknown mileage.