Can You De-Modernize the JT?

[ShadowsPapa]

Anything can be done given enough time and money, but it begs the question if you should do it at all? As already mentioned, there is regulatory and emission issues you will run into if you want to make it street legal.

Of all the vehicles out there, the aftermarket will be supporting the Wrangler and by association, the JT for many decades into the future and I would not let the fear of technology support let one lose sleep over it.

No emissions issues here - and once a vehicle is over xx years old here - no worries.

You could put a 401, TF727 transmission and one of the NP transfer cases I have on my shelves into one, I'm sure. I have a few differentials and drive shafts around. We can easily fabricate cross members.
I'm hopefully going to re-body a rusted out SX4 - transfer all parts from one car to the body of another and if I use a Spirit I'll need to transfer the floor pan. Almost all things can be done.

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[ShadowsPapa]

People that swap motors in modern times do so with motors that can legally count as a same or newer model year engine, like a certified crate motor for example.

Maybe where you live - in much of the country- anything you want can be put in or built.
I removed all emissions equipment, put on headers, racing mufflers, dual quad intake, no worries. I put a 4.0 in my Eagle - ripped out the CAT, put in custom exhaust - no worries. Once these are over a few years old in most of the country, you can put in anything you wish.
We build street rods here - mix and match, put in whatever you want from an LS2 back to a straight 8

 

[Troybilt]

I love the responses from the folks living in the non free states What about permits, emissions regulations

 

[DreamedofaJeepSomeday]

Most don't ask permission, they ask for forgiveness (or try not to get caught)

Move to a state with no inspections/testing.

Here in Florida you can get special registrations for antique and custom vehicles (street rods).

 

[Orange01z28]

Then how do people who swap engines and such pass that requirement? By changing the engine and such you change the safety specifications. And what about the option to disable safety features (as options from the mfg)? Doesnt that change the safety standard? Interesting things to ask an attorney in government auto regulations. Something to keep in mind when the project starts

If you live in a smog state/county, you find yourself a "guy"

 

[jtimbrook]

If you're going the route of de-modernizing your Gladiator I'd suggest finding that 70's model vehicle that's running the same wheelbase as your gladiator and drop the Gladiator body onto that. You've already stated you don't want the technology and unfortunately that would include a stock front axle (FAD). You use the VIN off the older vehicle and viola! it gets registered as a classic... And when you talk about engine swaps normally the engine being dropped in can pass emissions (except in CA where they don't like these things) and not throw an OBDII code you're good to go. It varies by state so check with KY state regs for what requirements are needed for this process.

 

[ShadowsPapa]

If you're going the route of de-modernizing your Gladiator I'd suggest finding that 70's model vehicle that's running the same wheelbase as your gladiator and drop the Gladiator body onto that. You've already stated you don't want the technology and unfortunately that would include a stock front axle (FAD). You use the VIN off the older vehicle and viola! it gets registered as a classic... And when you talk about engine swaps normally the engine being dropped in can pass emissions (except in CA where they don't like these things)o and not throw an OBDII code you're good to go. It varies by state so check with KY state regs for what requirements are needed for this process.

Why would that include getting rid of the FAD? That''s existed for DECADES.
If you want to demodernize, the ENGINE must also be from the 70s or older, otherwise, what's the point?

Note the small shield behind the skid plate - that protects the FAD of this vehicle.......38 years old.

 

[jtimbrook]

Why would that include getting rid of the FAD? That''s existed for DECADES.
If you want to demodernize, the ENGINE must also be from the 70s or older, otherwise, what's the point?

Note the small shield behind the skid plate - that protects the FAD of this vehicle.......38 years old.

Yes, I know FAD's been around however the current iteration is tied into the computer, the OP wants to eliminate all the current tech.

 

[ShadowsPapa]

Yes, I know FAD's been around however the current iteration is tied into the computer, the OP wants to eliminate all the current tech.

Well, there's a 46 or so Willys pickup in my area........... (but no, sorry, I want to get MY hands on that one, I have a Jeep 4.0 sitting here waiting for a vehicle or a 401 sitting here in pieces)

The FAD under my car is vacuum control, all vacuum switches including the transfer case vacuum motor.
To give up all modern tech, that means taking it back at least 4 or even 5 decades at least.
The alternator on these is smart and regulation monitored by the PCM - so perhaps going at least as far back as the Delco 10si or is that too modern because the regulator is integrated (and frankly, not as reliable as others.)
How about setting the windshield with butyl and not urethane, or - a rubber seal.
It means getting rid of the EHPS and going to straight power or manual steering.

 

[FLUndertaker]

Knew a kid in VA years ago with a new TJ that had a V8 swap, Atlas, Rockwell’s with full hydro at both ends and 46’s. He had it registered and tagged as a late 50’s MB something or other. I’m don’t believe it was a body swap so it may have been done on the down low. It was sweet. Fuel injection And stand alone computer were about the only modern electronics

 

[LostWoods]

For the record, it doesn't matter if it's a 1970's car - modifying any factory-equipped or retrofitted certified emissions system is still against the law no matter what the jurisdiction or level of testing. There's also no real enforcement mechanism for it in free states so the odds of being caught are nil but that doesn't make it legal.

People have a tendency to disregard but even in a state that doesn't inspect now, that doesn't mean they won't inspect in the future. If you do all this work and in 10 years they decide to test, I guarantee the cutoff isn't going to be 10 years and you'll be in for a world of hurt going back to factory. 25 years is about as new as I'd go for crazy modifications as that's the usual cutoff in most states that have exemptions.

 

[bgenlvtex]

I love the responses from the folks living in the non free states What about permits, emissions regulations

That's what I was thinking.

I can't imagine why I would want to "low-tech" my JT, but if I wanted to, nobody would ever know the difference.

Nobody stole these peoples liberty, they gave it away with complacency

 

[ShadowsPapa]

For the record, it doesn't matter if it's a 1970's car - modifying any factory-equipped or retrofitted certified emissions system is still against the law no matter what the jurisdiction or level of testing. There's also no real enforcement mechanism for it in free states so the odds of being caught are nil but that doesn't make it legal.

People have a tendency to disregard but even in a state that doesn't inspect now, that doesn't mean they won't inspect in the future. If you do all this work and in 10 years they decide to test, I guarantee the cutoff isn't going to be 10 years and you'll be in for a world of hurt going back to factory. 25 years is about as new as I'd go for crazy modifications as that's the usual cutoff in most states that have exemptions.

All I'd have to do with my Eagle is add a cat to it as it's a 94 ZJ engine. Engine is likely going to run cleaner than it did from the factory (due to my mods) and it's a given it will run cleaner than the car would have ever run.
My 73 is safe - it was a 49 state car to begin with.

If you want to un-modernize why the hell buy a NEW vehicle anyway? Buy an older vehicle and build it up! It's backwards buying new and taking it backwards. Buy old and bring it forward.

Go by a classic Jeep and modernize it.

 

[ALVagabond]

OP is in Kentucky. Emissions inspections are non-existent. The only thing you have to do is get the VIN checked against the paperwork if you come want to register and out-of-state vehicle.

 

[jtimbrook]

I'll just stick to my '46 CJ2A where half the time the inspection station just stares at it for 15 minutes while someone tries to run the VIN and then just hands me my new sticker...

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