Build Thread 1979 CJ7 in remarkable condition!

[Alec79CJ]

Parts piled up after the frame stripped!

 

[shum8]

Sorry for your loss, and ours as we are one hero short.....

Anxious to see the frame done!!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[shum8]

[emoji15] Where was the bed frame mounted????


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Alec79CJ]

The frame all blasted and powder coated. It really came out better than expected!

 

[Alec79CJ]

First new parts bolted on!

 

[Alec79CJ]

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!

 

[Alec79CJ]

[emoji15] Where was the bed frame mounted????


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

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]

Sorry for your loss, and ours as we are one hero short.....

Anxious to see the frame done!!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

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.

 

[shum8]

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


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

 

[Alec79CJ]

I'm back into a CJ after 10 years in an 05 Rubicon Unlimited.

I picked up this 79 from Southern California. It has virtually no rust. There are two spots of rust. Yes, two. It's a base model with a T18 4 speed that's completely untouched. I even have the original window sticker.

It was delivered just a couple of weeks ago, and I've started the dismantle for a full restoration.

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]

Nice build so far! I love those wheels!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Alec79CJ]

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 .

 

[Torxhead]

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.

 

[Lumpy Grits]

What R&P ratio is in the axles now?
Look at 3:54 or 3:73 with your T-18 and 33" tires.
Lower geared t'case would be a serious bonus off-road'n.
LG

 

[Alec79CJ]

Thanks for the gearing recommendation. You are both right. I may take a look at 3.73. I did run 3.73 with my 78 years ago. It also had the T-18 , and that was definitely more of an off-road Jeep than this one will be!

 

[Alec79CJ]

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.

 

[Lumpy Grits]

Coat the bolts with anti-seize so they will come apart for you at a later time.

LG

 

[Alec79CJ]

Coat the bolts with anti-seize so they will come apart for you at a later time.

LG

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!

 

[shum8]

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.......


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Peanut Butter]

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.......

Kind of like sand.............