Hey all new to the forum. Hope im accepted my project is a jeep in rambler clothing. I have a 2000 xj with a 1965 amc rambler classic 660 body. I started off with the 65 I tried reviving the old driveline but after many attempts and the realization that the underbody was completely rotted out I started the search for a retrofit to keep it on the road. Enter the amazing donor the 2000 xj came across and so the journey began. I started off by disassembling the jeep selling off the uneeded parts for Super cheap to jeepers in need. After the tear down I started cutting. Two angle grinders and a sawzall later I freed the jeep of it's body. I left the floors and part of the firewall so I had an unbodied xj chasis. I then started tearing down and cutting out the whole underside of the Rambler after lots of sketchy backyard mechanjc techniques I raised and lowered the rambler body onto its new chasis. Suprisingly everything fit almost dead nuts on. Only issues I ran into is having to relocate the rear axle back 7in. And to relocate the fuel tank. All else has worked out great. I retained the stock steering column with the half shaft style the xj has I can cut and connect the old shaft at the joint of the jeep shaft. Another plus was the xj ironically shares the same lug pattern as the rambler so I was able to retain the stock 14in. Rims and hubcaps from the rambler. I love the xj which is why I chose it so that being said dont hate me for chopping up a perfectly good jeep as it was put to good use. I plan on setting up the car to where it appears stock height etc but with having to relocate the rear axle I plan on trying to can up some adjustable leaf spring mounts so I can raise and lower the rear of the car if I ever want to do any trailing haha. I'll post pictures soon so I can put an image to the madness. If you dig it stay tuned if not hate as you shall but think of it this way. The original motor wAS THE 232 inline 6 so really im just doing a major upgrade with a great starting platform. Jeep on!

 

Here the one photo i have at the moment this is how it sits now. Got a little muddy getting it outof the backyard after the snow melt.

 

Welcome to the site!

Interesting so the rambler body already has the jeep drive train under it in the pic. need more pics.

 

Yup the body's already on it. I just got a new phone I have to retreive all my pictures I'll post some soon.

 

Here's some pictures.

 

 

 

Does the "chassis" have reinforcements? Unibodies get rigidity from the entire structure, not just the frame rails and floorpans, you might consider welding on some stiffeners before the thing rips itself apart.

 

the rambler body was uni body as well. I'll be welding the jeep chasis to the rambler body and Welding in supports as well.

 

it's not currently drivable. I had to move the axle back about 7in. going to have to fab new leaf mounts as well as get the driveshaft lengthened. it moves aroand the yard in (fwd) I just set the body down on the chassis to see what all I had to do to combine the two. everything lined up suprisingly well.