My Very Weird Dream Project

Posted by wpmason@reddit | projectcar | View on Reddit | 32 comments

I want to put a Dodge Caliber on the chassis of a long wheel base Jeep Wrangler TJ to make a 21st century homage to the AMC Eagle wagon… But a bit more Morrvair than stock Eagle. I had the idea when I say that those two vehicles, made around the same time, had wheelbases within half-an-inch of each other. Then factor in that the Caliber actually looked pretty cool and was undeniably practical, they just gave it a shitty powertrain that made it unappealing. Combined with all the amazing customization you can do with a TJ chassis… As ludicrous as it all sounds, I actually think it could be pretty capable, comfortable, and economical overland wagon that would scare the piss out of any Subaru out there.

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32 Comments

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uberBored@reddit

Dig around and see how much the Caliber chassis shares with the Evo X chassis. Getting that car in an AWD might be as simple as finding a good SRT-4, a crashed Evo X, and putting the Mitsu AWD system in.

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wpmason@reddit (OP)

That’s entirely too sane for me. I don’t want AWD, I want a Caliber monster truck. lol For some damn reason…

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cat_of_danzig@reddit

I applaud your vision (even if not to my taste), but considering the ridiculous amount of work that will go into this project, shortening the frame of a LK is nothing at the end of the day. I try not to be too precious with classics, but there were fewer than 50K LJs made out of almost a million TJs and they are worth not mauling too much since you are going to be doing a massive amount of fabrication as it is. You are going to try to fuse a FWD unibody car onto a RWD body on frame that's almost 5 inches wider. Adding a little length while you are widening the body is nothing, or chopping the length of the frame if that's your choice.

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wpmason@reddit (OP)

Also, just to clarify, the Caliber and the TJ’s were very nearly the same overall width. It’s the JK generation of Wranglers that got stupidly wide. Yet another reason I prefer TJ’s, they’re the last generation of Wrangler that respected that idea that being skinny was good for off-roading. The caliber and the TJ Unlimited fit together perfectly. Later Wranglers don’t. Shorter Wrangler’s don’t. And as I said, I can buy a frame instead of sacrificing an actual LJ.

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cat_of_danzig@reddit

The Caliber is still a fwd monocoque you'll be trying to mount onto a ladder frame. This is several levels beyond engine swap and suspension beefing territory.

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wpmason@reddit (OP)

Yeah, some bolt holes will have to be drilled. I understand the difficulty level perfectly fine.

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wpmason@reddit (OP)

I do get that… With respect to the rarity of the LJ, If I were to ever even attempt this, it’s be easier to just buy a replacement frame for $6k and build off of it (with new TJ suspension components in the form of lifts kits) than to actually source a quite rare LJ. Then just gobble a drivetrain together. And drop a stripped out Caliber on top of it.

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Softpretzelsandrose@reddit

This is exactly my kind of thing. Miata’s are cool. Sure. But this!? This is the oddball thing I love. Who cares if it turned out just okay? Just the fact that it even exists is cooler than 80% of other peoples rides. Make it happen!

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AVgreencup@reddit

The Caliber and the JK were around at the same time, not really the TJ

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wpmason@reddit (OP)

They were 1 model year apart.

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AVgreencup@reddit

Wouldn't it be easier to find a JK though? People seem to want way to much for even clapped out TJs

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wpmason@reddit (OP)

They changed the dimensions. LJ’s (long wheel-base TJ’s, were only stretched 10 inches. With the JK, the wheelbase difference between 2 and 4 door model is 20 inches. The 2-door is too short for the Caliber, and the 4-door is long enough to cause other issues. The LJ is the cleanest.

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Notrab133@reddit

I had a similar idea but using a Jeep Patriot body instead. Kind of a more modern looking XJ. Could be pretty cool

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mortalcrawad66@reddit

If you do it, PLEASE keep us updated. I absolutely love this

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geoff1036@reddit

Seconded

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geoff1036@reddit

Dude blocked me, coward.

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tyvanwie@reddit

"As ludicrous as it all sounds, I actually think it could be pretty capable, comfortable, and economical overland wagon that would scare the piss out of any Subaru out there." So is a normal LJ wrangler. Looks better too.

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geoff1036@reddit

Yeah but that takes the fun out of the idea

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tyvanwie@reddit

Not much fun in just a post about your idea either lol. Do it.

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geoff1036@reddit

Yeah but encouraging the fun is what actually gets it done. You being a fuddy duddy is the kind of shit that stops people cause now they think "maybe he's right, maybe it is stupid."

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tyvanwie@reddit

If someone online stops you from doing a dream project, that's on you. I just want people to actually do shit not just post a wild idea online and never do anything about it.

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geoff1036@reddit

Your negativity will never get someone to do it.

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tyvanwie@reddit

Again, if someone is that affected by a comment online it's their problem. Me giving my input is also free. Beauty of forums.

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geoff1036@reddit

Free, but not necessarily harmless, which makes it a net negative in my eyes. Keep encouraging negativity though. Sure.

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tyvanwie@reddit

I literally told him to do it. Did you miss that?

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geoff1036@reddit

No you didn't, you told him it would be a waste of time because a regular wrangler would do all of that and look better. You told him to do it after I called you a negative ass, aka backtracking.

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tyvanwie@reddit

I most certainly did not. I said to do it right after you said it takes the fun out of it. Before you started with negative nonsense. I also never said it was a waste of time. I simply said a regular LJ does everything he wants and looks better. Which is true. I get that you feel like going to bat for OP, but putting words in my mouth is not a good look. If you want to quote me, directly quote me.

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geoff1036@reddit

You made that comment with the assumption that he isn't going to do it. You sound jaded as hell my dude. "Do it" is more of a "you won't" than a "I think it would be a cool idea" and throwing your unasked for opinions about the LJ was just unecessary. Me saying "that takes the fun out of it" was trying to get you to lighten the fuck up and stop... being so negative! Shocker. Just didn't say it outright till later.

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tyvanwie@reddit

More assumptions. Lol. Do it means...do it. Maybe English isn't your first language? Posting on a public forum asking for opinions I think justifies an opinion.

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geoff1036@reddit

Man, you and I both know english is NEVER that fucking simple lol. It's a language of connotation and the words preceding that connoted that you don't think he will. Sure, maybe you had the utmost best intentions, but in that case seriously rethink how you encourage people. Can split hairs all day but that shit did NOT come off as encouraging until I got involved and you backtracked.

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tyvanwie@reddit

You mean you thinking you made me backtrack.

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tyvanwie@reddit

Reread what I said. I told him to do it before you piped up. And I never said it was a waste of time. I gave my opinion that an LJ does the same thing and looks better. Which is true.