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Build Thread 1977 CJ-7 Resto Project

Build Thread 1977 CJ-7 Resto Project
ZaCJ7

ZaCJ7

Jeeper
Posts
59
Thanks
0
Location
Austin, Texas
Vehicle(s)
1977 CJ-7, 258, T-18, Dana 20, Dana 30
Hello all - I just found the forum and glad to see there are so many other CJ devotees out there. I started documenting my just-started Resto on another forum but haven't gotten any feedback at all, and then realized it might have something to do with the fact that most of the folks on that site are not CJers.

Anyway, I've owned the my baby since 1997. Was the first car I ever bought and can't bear to part ways with it. It's really getting to a point where it needs a top to bottom make over. It has some surface rust here and there, but by and large all the metal is solid.

My conundrum at this point is whether or not to swap out the numbers matching drivetrain and swap in a 350 set up. I always wanted to do it when I was younger but couldn't afford to. But I've become a little more nostalgic in my old age and now wonder if maybe I should just keep it as-is.... In hind sight, I kind of regret ditching the original wagon wheel rims and stock bumpers. Ah we'll.

Anyway, as you can see I have the front clip off. Getting to a point of no return. The body is definitely getting a rotisserie tear down and paint job... Guess I should do the frame while I'm at it, eh?

Anyway, thanks in advance for any and all input. Looking forward to sharing my progress with everyone.
 
Glad you stopped by here. I vote for you keeping that nostalgic feeling. Not just for the fact of keeping your Jeep Jeep but because it has probably the best drivetrain the factory ever put in a Cj. That looks like a great restoration project you have there. Im stepping out now but I'll keep an eye on this one for sure. You may want to document it in our build forum.

CJ Forums - CJ Build Forum at Jeep-CJ.com
 
Petescj said:
Glad you stopped by here. I vote for you keeping that nostalgic feeling. Not just for the fact of keeping your Jeep Jeep but because it has probably the best drivetrain the factory ever put in a Cj. That looks like a great restoration project you have there. Im stepping out now but I'll keep an eye on this one for sure. You may want to document it in our build forum.

CJ Forums - CJ Build Forum at Jeep-CJ.com
Click to expand...

Oops! I actually meant to post in the Build forum! I'll move over there once I make some more progress I guess.

Thanks for the feedback... Keeping it original is certainly a more cost effective route, too... Decisions, decisions.
 
Made a little more progress today. Getting the instrument cluster off was a tad more difficult than expected. It would have been easier if I had an extra set of hands so I could have just pulled it out and had room to get my hands in there and disconnect all the gauge wires. And it took me a minute to figure out how to get the heat, def, vent pulleys loose.

Probably would have also been easier had I pulled the steering column first, but I but I got stuck there: Can anyone tell me how to get the steering column out?

I've got everything loose, but don't know what comes off next. Is it that bolt I have the vise grips clamped to in the picture? If so, I'm afraid that sucker is rusted on there.I'm looking in my Haynes and CJ Rebuilders Manual, but not finding anything that explains how to get it out, which means it's probably something really simple.

Thanks!
 
Here's a few pics of it in running condition. The pre-lift pics are from around 1998, about a year after I bought it.

The pic of it in the garage is how it was sitting for the majority of the last 5 years. It's always been drivable - and has always run like a top at that - but I bought a 69 Camaro a few years ago, got side tracked with that, and have since sold it so as to make some room in the garage and finally get the Jeep restored.
 
ZaCJ7 said:
Probably would have also been easier had I pulled the steering column first, but I but I got stuck there: Can anyone tell me how to get the steering column out?

I've got everything loose, but don't know what comes off next. Is it that bolt I have the vise grips clamped to in the picture? If so, I'm afraid that sucker is rusted on there.
Click to expand...

That bolt you have there has to come all the way out. The bolt is a carridge bolt and should hold itself. You just have to get the nut off of it and then pull the whole bolt out. Then, it is just a wiggle and beat and it will come apart!:chug:
 
ZaCJ7 said:
Made a little more progress today. Getting the instrument cluster off was a tad more difficult than expected. It would have been easier if I had an extra set of hands so I could have just pulled it out and had room to get my hands in there and disconnect all the gauge wires. And it took me a minute to figure out how to get the heat, def, vent pulleys loose.

Probably would have also been easier had I pulled the steering column first, but I but I got stuck there: Can anyone tell me how to get the steering column out?

I've got everything loose, but don't know what comes off next. Is it that bolt I have the vise grips clamped to in the picture? If so, I'm afraid that sucker is rusted on there.I'm looking in my Haynes and CJ Rebuilders Manual, but not finding anything that explains how to get it out, which means it's probably something really simple.

Thanks!
Click to expand...

Yes he is correct you need to pull the bolt out first. Be sure not to mess up the splines when you pull it. It should come out pretty easy after you remove the shaft.

Good Luck it looks like a great body to start with, I will be watching this one.
 
Thanks, guys -- you called it. I sprayed it down with some lube, torqued the vice grips around the nut, gave it a whack with the BFH and off it came. I had to use the vice grips b/c ut was a weird size for some reason - between a 5/8 and 3/4. I thought maybe at some point someone had snuck a metric nut on there, but it's bigger than a 17mm and smaller than an 18mm. Weird.

Got the wiring harness out, too. It looks to be in good shape, so will clean it up and reuse it for certain.
 
Good to hear!

Thats an 11/16ths wrench you were searching for. 7/16ths bolt I think, but sometimes I've been accused of drinking too much...:chug:
 
You mean your Jeeps don't have the psychedelic mind swirl option? Hmm. I thought it came with all the base models. :)
 
Petescj said:
That 3rd pic in post #6 is really playing with my mind. :D
Click to expand...

I thought maybe it was just me.... a little flash back from the late 70's ;):D
 
Bowbender said:
I thought maybe it was just me.... a little flash back from the late 70's ;):D
Click to expand...

Fear not! It's a group hallucination! :D

Can anyone tell me what's going on with the rust in this seam along my fender? Both sides look like this. I'm guessing these are two pieces of sheet metal spot welded together??

As you can see, the rust is pushing the seam apart so it doesn't lay flush any more. Am I going to have to buy new fenders or is there a good way to get that rust out?

Thanks!
 
Your fender is another CJ design that makes you go :confused: It is two peices of metal spot welded together and they rust inbetween I saw someone on another forum drill out the spot welds and seperate the two and fix the rust and then weld them back togeather. It looked like way to much work to me, I would just replace them.
 
I'm going to pick mine apart and fix them, just'cuz I can :D and I'm trying to do it with minimum cash outlay (I'm being cheap ;))
 
Bowbender said:
I'm going to pick mine apart and fix them, just'cuz I can :D and I'm trying to do it with minimum cash outlay (I'm being cheap ;))
Click to expand...

If you're inclined to document/photograph the process while you do it, I'd be much obliged! :D Or, at the very least, let us know how it turns out. :chug:
 
I'll do that, I'll put it in my build thread (Project '67 Tux) when I get to the front. I need to update with some pics.
MtnWhlr described what I plan on doing, mine are pretty rotten behind the overlay.
 
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mtnwhlr said:
Your fender is another CJ design that makes you go :confused: It is two peices of metal spot welded together and they rust inbetween I saw someone on another forum drill out the spot welds and seperate the two and fix the rust and then weld them back togeather. It looked like way to much work to me, I would just replace them.
Click to expand...

I just saw what new fenders go for -- ouch! I'm gonna have to give repairing mine a try. Will report back on how that goes... Guess I'm gonna have to buy a welder.
 
You guys are still better off then me. I don't have a hood or front fenders. Gonna have to find ( if possible) or make sime
 
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