Build Thread 1979 CJ7 in remarkable condition!

[Alec79CJ]

I picked up a harbor freight 12 ton press today for $90! HF may make some **** tools but this is worth it!

I pressed on new bearings onto the Dana 44 axle shafts. I also pressed out what has to be original axle shaft ujoints for the front. Those things were frozen solid and pretty much dust. They came out with a little bang when they finally broke loose.








I just have to assemble the rear brakes but not all the parts have arrived yet. Onto the front end now.

 

[Alec79CJ]

All the brake shoes and hardware arrived today along with new parking brake cables.

Looks too pretty to cover up with drums!

 

[gert]

Man that is sweet


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[shum8]

^^^ Need to hang that on a wall - Jeep art


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[Alec79CJ]

Spent sometime in the garage today.

I put in new axle seals into the front Dana 30 and I was able to get it cleaned and ready for paint. The seals in the photo seem to have been original!

On another note, I sand blasted the front axle shafts and painted the ujoints ends and took emory clothe to the seal area of the shaft. However, when I pressed out the old ujoints I believe I bent the ears of the axle shafts.

I'm going to try to bend them back with the press. Any ideas?

 

[gert]

I don't suppose I can get you to spend some time in my garage cleaning my stuff can I ?


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[gert]

However, when I pressed out the old ujoints I believe I bent the ears of the axle shafts.

I'm going to try to bend them back with the press. Any ideas?

put the ears in the press and give it a squeeze and see if it works, I would inspect them closely for any cracks tho. I have a whole wide track Dana 30 that I am about to toss if you want/need the outers I think they interchange

 

[gert]

new replacement shafts are pretty reasonably priced


Jeep CJ5, CJ7, & CJ8 Scrambler | Dana Model 30 Jeep Front Axle Parts

 

[Alec79CJ]

put the ears in the press and give it a squeeze and see if it works, I would inspect them closely for any cracks tho. I have a whole wide track D30 that I am about to toss if you want/need the outers I think they interchange

I'll take those axle shafts both inner and outer. I switched to a widetrack axle set.

The short side inner is cracked now after trying to give it a bit of a push in the press.

 

[Alec79CJ]

I got the front Dana 30 all button up after new seals and a complete cleaning. I sprayed two coats of Eastwoods chassis primer today and two coats of chassi black.

Now I just have to let it hang there for a few days to dry!

Onto the knuckles and outers from the big brake and 6 bolt narrow 30 that was pro gal to it.

 

[shum8]

Looks very nice! That satin finish rocks.


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[Alec79CJ]

Pulling the outers of the narrow track Dana 30 that came in my CJ. I'm keeping the larger six bolt hubs.











Also, I finished up installing the wide track Dana 30 . Fresh paint, ubolts, Bilstein shocks and warrior ubolt plates on the Old Man Emu YJ springs.

 

[Alec79CJ]

When I removed the axle shaft ujoints last week I believe I may have pushed the axle shaft ears onwards a bit.

Gert had offered up some free ones to replace them! Thanks!

However, I was able to work with them and ultimately get in the new joints.

Here's a shot of what I did to push the ears back a little. This Jeep won't be an off road Jeep so I'm not worried about the stress on those shafts. If this were to used off-road, I'd be a bit apprehensive.

 

[Alec79CJ]

Pressed in the new Moog ball joints into the freshly blasted and painted knuckles.



I also was able to get the tie rod cleaned up and painted along with new Moog tie rod ends and a new Moog drag link.

I'm waiting on the spanner socket to arrive from Amazon so I can torque down the ballpoint nuts.

I'm so close to rolling chassis!

 

[Alec79CJ]

Ordered wheels and tires today. Unfortunately I was not able to order Mickey Thompson Classics. The new Classic III's no longer fit a Jeep CJ so instead I ordered American Racing Baja Polished wheels and BFG KM2's 33x12.5.

Pictures to follow when I get them mounted and roll it out of the garage!

 

[gert]

Glad you were able to find a good looking set of wheels and tires, those BFGs are gonna be sweet


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[Alec79CJ]

Tires and wheels arrived today!

 

[Alec79CJ]

The brake calipers will need a bit of grinding since they run ever so slightly on the inside of the rim.

 

[gert]

Man that's sweetness


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[shum8]

Very nice! I especially like the "Stealth Clear" paint job..... Almost can't see the body at all!!


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