Build Thread 1986 CJ-7 Laredo ALL NEW but the sheet metal...

[Longslyde]

Actually I did not cut the pan for the Transmission . Someone had molded the tub for an Auto i belive before I got it.
I did trim to make the Atlas twin Sticks fit though. I laid the engine assembly in at 4 Degrees, and there is a one inch body lift in place. Everything clears perfectly on the Transmission even if the floor pan was not cut. Without a 1" body lift, I'm not sure how much more angle would be needed to clear everything the same....
Also, the floor cover area was bent down in this pic yet from being transported. With it pulled back to original form, the Transmission just clears. This was an ealier pic. It will need a custom coverr though, I haven't made one yet.

 

[CJ]

That looks great and have good preparation.

 

[Longslyde]

Still have a wiring mess to clean up, but shes getting closer to speaking her first words! Hopefully she runs next week so I can get exhaust on before it snows up here.

 

[Longslyde]

Getting close on finishing the wiring... The Holley Retrobrights are great! Led Tails work better than I thought they would too.

 

[Longslyde]

FIRST START! She's alive at least! Not even close on a tune but she'll run good enough for me to trailer it and get exhaust on it...

View attachment First Start.mp4

 

[CJ]

FIRST START! She's alive at least! Not even close on a tune but she'll run good enough for me to trailer it and get exhaust on it...

View attachment 105588

Great, when I got my exhaust for my 401 I just decided Fit and @ 6 am woke up everyone. I took my chances and drove to the shop. So darn loud but so much fun. How I got to the shop without a ticket I'll never know.

 

[KRUPP]

It is very cool when you first start up a motor. The sound. The smell. The anxiety! Did I check everything? What about the... Especially those old motors that you tore into yourself. Right?

I'm not a GM guy. Not by a hundred miles (ask me later about working at Buick City and GM Proving Ground), but it's always cool to hear an engine breath it's first gasps. Awesome! Keep working on it!

 

[CJ]

It is very cool when you first start up a motor. The sound. The smell. The anxiety! Did I check everything? What about the... Especially those old motors that you tore into yourself. Right?

I'm not a GM guy. Not by a hundred miles (ask me later about working at Buick City and GM Proving Ground), but it's always cool to hear an engine breath it's first gasps. Awesome! Keep working on it!

That is almost poetic!

 

[Belizean]

That is almost poetic!

It was after 5 o’clock.

 

[CJ]

It was after 5 o’clock.

And how many beers?

 

[Longslyde]

Dash wiring just about wrapped up tonight....

 

[CJ]

Like the red backlight.

 

[Longslyde]

Well, I knew i was gonna be tight with wider seats, and I can't use the center console I wanted, but they are pretty comfy. Guess I got all winter to build a custom center console...

 

[TSB8C]

I too built my own center console. Wasn't happy with others made from plastic or with particle board tops, etc. Also needed to ensure custom size for the arm rest height, fit between the after market seats, cup holder size (Whataburger large cups), etc. Here's my all-welded steel locking console build: Console Build

 

[Longslyde]

I too built my own center console. Wasn't happy with others made from plastic or with particle board tops, etc. Also needed to ensure custom size for the arm rest height, fit between the after market seats, cup holder size (Whataburger large cups), etc. Here's my all-welded steel locking console build: Console Build

That turned out nice!

 

[Longslyde]

Test fitted the back seat tonight. Trying to make sure everything fits before carpet goes in. Amazing how small the CJ gets when all the stuff gets crammed in LOL!

 

[Belizean]

They really get small when you drive cross country with all your 4 wheeling and camping stuff packed in.

 

[Longslyde]

@Belizean I believe it!

 

[Longslyde]

Mounted the exhaust tonight. Could get an X-Pipe in and was worried it would be too loud, but this sounds perfect to me. Even got full a full approval on the sound from the wife!

View attachment 20251208_143733.mp4

 

[Belizean]

Sure looks clean. Going to be tough going out and getting it dirty.