  "I have a 1980 CJ7, with a 258 I6 / T176 4-speed. My frame is getting bad and I would like to know if there are any aftermarket frame manufacturers. Or do I have to fabricate my own? And would c-channel work as well as square tube." Put your welder away, there's already a company making new CJ 5/7 and YJ frames. Contact Matkins Fabrication at 406-248-3797. "I have a 1986 Cherokee, with a 2.5 / 3-spd.. Is it possible to replace the front end (fenders, grill and flares) on my '86 with one from a newer model. They seem like they are the same and probably would share some common holes. I think that I would have to change the radiator support because of the bumpers. In the long run I will probably try and get the 4.0L in there also or hell, why not the 4.7L with heavy massaging. Any comments would greatly be appreciated." Any of the XJ front sheetmetal should be an easy bolt on. If you plan to install a 4.0L, you'll need a new radiator support anyway, so plan on purchasing an entire front clip from a 4.0L powered XJ. At this point, the 4.7L doesn't lend itself to an easy swap by any means. It is heavily integrated with the rest of the Grand Cherokee and their new automatic transmissions, but who knows what swap kits the aftermarket manufacturers may come up with in the future. "I have a 79 CJ7, with a 258, T-150. I've heard about people who swapped a YJ tub onto their CJ - is this possible? How? I know the doors will swap in and out from YJ to CJ, but not TJ, what about tops? Also, in the new 4Wheel & Off Road there is a pic of a sweet yellow CJ7 (this is almost EXACTLY how I want mine to look), but it says the fenders are YJ pieces. Did the guy have to cut and paste 'em in? He has the stock CJ hood and grill. I was thinking about swappin in a new glass tub, but if I can put on a clean YJ tub....makes me drool!" I believe the YJ tub and fenders are easy bolt ons for CJ-7's, with little or no modification required. Any aftermarket CJ-7 top that comes with the mounting hardware should work with the new body configuration. "I have a 1993 jeep ZJ, with a 4.0/Auto. I have a 93 Jeep ZJ and would like to put larger tires on it. I heard you need a 4 to 4.5 inch lift and wheels with 3 inches of backspacing to run 33 inch tires. I was wondering if there is any way to put a 3 inch suspension lift on, in conjunction with a 2 or 3 inch body lift. I was also wondering if I would be possible to swap in a larger V8 engine. Any input you have will be greatly appreciated." Unless you have really, really deep pockets and can't bear the thought of parting with your Jeep, I wouldn't recommend a V8 swap for your ZJ. Granted, they were built with both 5.2L and 5.9L V8's, but obtaining either of these engines, the transmissions, wiring harnesses, computers, exhaust, radiator, etc. would be grossly expensive. If you must have a V8, sell your ZJ now before you pour any more money in it and pay an extra grand or so for a comparable V8 model. Selling the Jeep would be much cheaper and easier than a V8 swap. As for the suspension lift, you will need 4 inches or more to clear 33's. There are no body lifts available for the ZJ or XJ since they are unibody vehicles, meaning the frame and body are integral and cannot be separated to achieve a body lift. "I have a 1997 Jeep TJ, with a 4.0/manual. Grant, recently bought this Jeep with only 5k miles on it. Looked to be like new. After a couple months, I first noticed the rubber gasket on top of my windshield lifting at the center. Took it to the dealer for warranty work. They pointed out a couple subtle dimples on the metal portion of the windshield frame at the center. Apparently, something happened to the Jeep and some body work has been done. NOW the kicker - my windshield cracked vertically on the driver's side about 7" long from the top. What can you say to that?" I'd wager that either your windshield is a poorly fitting aftermarket piece or your windshield frame is slightly tweaked, either way it was putting stress on the glass and eventually cracked it. A competent automotive glass shop should be able to solve the problem. "First of all I would like to commend you on a great online magazine. I currently drive a 1990 Jeep YJ, I love the look of the CJ round headlights and wanted to know if I could replace my grill, fenders, and hood for a CJ? Could I still use my YJ radiator, fan, etc? Are there any other modifications involved in this project. Your advice is greatly appreciated." I believe I heard some time ago that YJ fenders were interchangeable with late CJ-7 fenders. IF that's the case, then you could just swap your hood and grill. Take a lot of measurements on both vehicles before you buy any parts. I don't see any reason why you couldn't use the YJ radiator, though you may have to fabricate the mounts. With that said, it seems like it'd be a whole lot easier to have a custom body shop rework your front grill to hold round headlights. That should be much cheaper than replacing all those body parts then painting them to match. "I cannot locate through the dealer OEM door decals and fender striping. The Jeep has the Laredo package and is black w/two-tone gold striping. Is there an aftermarket supplier for these?" Check with Leon Rosser Jeep (www.thinkjeep.com). They are a Jeep dealer and aftermarket parts vendor and should have your decals. "Recently bought a 1976 CJ-7 and it has a one-piece grille-hood-fender. Is this a mongrel or should I be satisfled with it and go on and recondition/put it in A-1 shape. It runs good except for a very noisy transmission under acceleration, foot off the gas, the transmission quiets down. What have I got! I paid $1,600 for it and the body is in good shape. It looks good to me. Any help you can give an old-timer would be appreciated, thanks." The only one piece front ends I know of are made from fiberglass. They are readily available from aftermarket companies. Your transmission is probably a T-150 3-speed, but a much desired T-18 four speed was an option in your year model. "Where might I look or find hard top full doors for my 1994 Jeep Wrangler. I am located in Florida. Please respond via e-mail." You can always check the local salvage yards. If you want a new top, call your Jeep dealer for a factory replacement or virtually any 4x4 shop for an aftermarket hardtop. " I'm going to be replacing the body on my jeep with either a 4wd or an A.J. fibreglass body. The body itself doesn't look too complicated to do but the under dash wiring looks like it could be a nightmare to redo after a body swap. That's about the only part of the swap that I'm really concerned about. Is paint oxidization on these fibreglass bodies a problem? Any tips would greatly appreciated!" The wiring won't be that difficult as long as you label EVERYTHING. The only wiring you'll have to change are the ones that ground to the body. Since the new body is fiberglass, obviously it's not going to work as a ground. You could purchase a terminal block and use one heavy gauge wiring attaching it to the frame, then attach all the smaller ground wires to the terminal block. Ask the body manufacturer what they recommend to address this problem. With proper care the paint shouldn't oxidize any more than a normal paint job applied to sheet metal. "Body is rusting badly, should I replace with fibre-glass, or should I return to a steel tub?" If you live in an area that eats car bodies, go for fiberglass. Keep in mind the electrical wiring will be a little more difficult, you won't be able to use the body as a ground. "Do you know where I can find a tub and fenders for a 1974 CJ-5? What year CJ-5's will fit on a 1974 frame?" For steel or fiberglass contact Leon Rosser Jeep (www.thinkjeep.com). Any CJ-5 body 1955-75 will work on your '74 frame. I'm not sure what modifications (if any) would be required to use a 76-83 body. 
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