Build Thread 1979 CJ7 in remarkable condition!
Alec79CJ
Active Jeeper
Parts piled up after the frame stripped!
Build Thread 1979 CJ7 in remarkable condition!
- Thread starter Alec79CJ
- Start date
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- 156
- Location
- Roanoke, Va
- Vehicle(s)
- '80 CJ-7, AMC 304, T177, Dana 300, Widetrack axles (D30 & AMC20) w/ 3.73 gearing, MSD ignition,
Sorry for your loss, and ours as we are one hero short.....
Anxious to see the frame done!!
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Anxious to see the frame done!!
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- Posts
- 7,316
- Media
- 5
- Solutions
- 1
- Thanks
- 156
- Location
- Roanoke, Va
- Vehicle(s)
- '80 CJ-7, AMC 304, T177, Dana 300, Widetrack axles (D30 & AMC20) w/ 3.73 gearing, MSD ignition,
Where was the bed frame mounted????Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Alec79CJ
Active Jeeper
The frame all blasted and powder coated. It really came out better than expected!
Alec79CJ
Active Jeeper
First new parts bolted on!
Alec79CJ
Active Jeeper
I'm using 2.5 in Old Man EMU rear YJ springs on all four corners. With that, I'm using MORE spring hangars for a YJ and Currie Shackles on all four corners. For the main eye spring bushings, I picked up a kit from daystar with greaseable bolts.
I won't bore you all with the ton of small parts I've been blasting in my HF bench top cabinet. Things such as engine mounts, gas tank straps, and a lot of nuts and bolts.
With this build, since it's rust free, I've decided to blast what I can and replace where needed. I broke two small bolts during the entire disassembly.
Stay tuned!
I won't bore you all with the ton of small parts I've been blasting in my HF bench top cabinet. Things such as engine mounts, gas tank straps, and a lot of nuts and bolts.
With this build, since it's rust free, I've decided to blast what I can and replace where needed. I broke two small bolts during the entire disassembly.
Stay tuned!
Alec79CJ
Active Jeeper
Where was the bed frame mounted????
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That's one of those custom mods!!
Actually I save my scrap metal from this project (old springs, bumpers, etc) for an old guy who drives around my neighborhood picking up scrap metal.
Alec79CJ
Active Jeeper
Thank you! While my dad was taken too soon, only 59, it was the most remarkable military ceremony I've ever been a part of. As a Navy Officer myself, it was a truly distinct to honor to honor a man who spent 40 years serving our great Nation.
- Posts
- 7,316
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- 5
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- 1
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- 156
- Location
- Roanoke, Va
- Vehicle(s)
- '80 CJ-7, AMC 304, T177, Dana 300, Widetrack axles (D30 & AMC20) w/ 3.73 gearing, MSD ignition,
And thank you for your service, sir.
I think I mistakenly said I was anxious to see your frame done...... now that I see how bad it makes mine look, I think my level of anxiousness dropped just a tad.....
Seriously - looks VERY nice so far...Wow.... yep - pretty sure the anxiousness changed over to jealousy LOL
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I think I mistakenly said I was anxious to see your frame done...... now that I see how bad it makes mine look, I think my level of anxiousness dropped just a tad.....
Seriously - looks VERY nice so far...Wow.... yep - pretty sure the anxiousness changed over to jealousy LOL
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Alec79CJ
Active Jeeper
I just realized I didn't post a before picture!
This is a shot of it the day I got it off of the car carrier from California.
95yjman
Senior Jeeper
- Posts
- 541
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- 0
- Location
- Fort Wayne IN
- Vehicle(s)
- 1981 Jeep Cj-5, 258, t176, D300, D30 front, AMC 20 rear, 2.73 gears
Nice build so far! I love those wheels!
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Alec79CJ
Active Jeeper
Since the '79 is a narrow track, I've been searching for a set of widetrack axles in order to get a wider stance. I didn't want cut down axles and end up with custom units (at least not for this build).
I searched and searched. People either wanted an arm and leg or they were complete junk. That is until l found these...
Yes, that is a wide track set from a 1986 CJ7 with a Dana 44 rear. I paid $800 for the set. I'll be doing a rear gear to 4.10's. I'll also be using the outers from my current Dana 30 , and I believe the brakes on the AMC20 and Dana 44 for 86 are exactly the same. I hope so, the brakes are brand new on my current narrow AMC20 .
I searched and searched. People either wanted an arm and leg or they were complete junk. That is until l found these...
Yes, that is a wide track set from a 1986 CJ7 with a Dana 44 rear. I paid $800 for the set. I'll be doing a rear gear to 4.10's. I'll also be using the outers from my current Dana 30 , and I believe the brakes on the AMC20 and Dana 44 for 86 are exactly the same. I hope so, the brakes are brand new on my current narrow AMC20 .
Torxhead
Always Off-Roading Jeeper
Congrats on getting that Dana 44 there Alec79CJ, hope it did not break the bank. Anyway, I would suggest against going to those 4.10s as they seem to be just a bit steep for highway use, they have been for me anyway, even with a 33 inch tire. You can go to lower t/case gears for crawling through the rocks though. Best of luck on your project.
Edit: Btw, some of the '86 Jeep CJ D44s had the leaf spring mounting pin holes drilled a bit far apart as the tooling was worn out(I think), So you might want to check that. On mine, I moved them to a closer location plus added a bit of an angle so I would not have to use those shims that are needed with high lift springs along with shock absorber mounts in a different location as I have broken a few of them off.
Edit: Btw, some of the '86 Jeep CJ D44s had the leaf spring mounting pin holes drilled a bit far apart as the tooling was worn out(I think), So you might want to check that. On mine, I moved them to a closer location plus added a bit of an angle so I would not have to use those shims that are needed with high lift springs along with shock absorber mounts in a different location as I have broken a few of them off.
Last edited:
- Posts
- 14,787
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- 54
- Location
- Springfield, Missouri-U.S.A. Earth
- Vehicle(s)
- '85 CJ-7, 258/4.2L 6cyl. Bought new in 1985. Full cage, Warn 8274 winch, Ford 9" rear, front/rear Detroit Lockers w/4:88 R&P. T-5 tranny and 4:1 t'case. 33X12.50-15 BFG/AT, MSD ign, on board air---
Alec79CJ
Active Jeeper
Alec79CJ
Active Jeeper
I cleaned and painted the steering gear and gas tank yesterday, so it was dry today for the install. I was able to use most of the original hardware after blasting and painting it with the exception of the center gas tank strap. I did use new grade 8 bolts for the steering gear bracket mounting bolts.
- Posts
- 14,787
- Thanks
- 54
- Location
- Springfield, Missouri-U.S.A. Earth
- Vehicle(s)
- '85 CJ-7, 258/4.2L 6cyl. Bought new in 1985. Full cage, Warn 8274 winch, Ford 9" rear, front/rear Detroit Lockers w/4:88 R&P. T-5 tranny and 4:1 t'case. 33X12.50-15 BFG/AT, MSD ign, on board air---
Coat the bolts with anti-seize so they will come apart for you at a later time.
LG
LG
Alec79CJ
Active Jeeper
I've definitely been using it! However, I seem to get more on my hands than on the bolts! I'm not even sure how I get it on me!
- Posts
- 7,316
- Media
- 5
- Solutions
- 1
- Thanks
- 156
- Location
- Roanoke, Va
- Vehicle(s)
- '80 CJ-7, AMC 304, T177, Dana 300, Widetrack axles (D30 & AMC20) w/ 3.73 gearing, MSD ignition,
It's some creepy stuff. I swear all I have to do is take the cap off and it's behind my ears, between my toes, and I've even found it in my armpits...... a close second is dielectric grease.......
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Peanut Butter
Full Time Jeeper
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- 37
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- 1
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- 14
- Location
- Boerne, Texas
- Vehicle(s)
- 1979 Jeep CJ7 TH400 Automatic 258 I6 Quadratrac Amc 20 rear & Dana 30 front, 32 x 11.5 x 15 tires. Currently a Complete Custom Rebuild in progress.
Also I own a 2001 Jeep Cherokee, White, all stock with 4.0L. automatic, and police package. Best part of that is it came with leather seats! This package also has the NP242 Transfer Case, 8.25 rear end, and trailer towing package.
Kind of like sand.............