Build Thread 79 Cj-7 crawler build

[Petescj]

Well the bones of my CJ7 project arrived here on Sunday. Let's start this off by saying it's going to be a slow process building this into the visions in my head. Here's a look at exactly what I'm starting with.



The ad said 79 CJ7 4spd granny gear Transmission $1200. Well I knew right off the bat I was pretty much hooked but got a couple pics before I set off to NJ to lay eyes on my next project for the first time. After rowing the Transmission through the gears I knew it would be mine.

 

[Petescj]

Now alot of guys are going to look at the next two pics and say wow what a pile of . Their not all together wrong but I saw alot of good in there and got nostalgic. Levi (Edition) 's Edition with a perfect dash pad but wasted seats for the most part. This has me thinking about trying to incorporate the Jeeps heritage into my build.



I'm not a big fan of low back seats in something I want to wheel pretty hard so keeping / restoring this interior just doesn't make sense. I ll help someone who needs this stuff for a real restoration. Besides not all things are quite like they appear. I loved that it had a tilt column even though it needed attention. But it's for an automatic.

 

[Petescj]

These next two pics are going to disturb anyone who doesn't live in the rust belt / East coast. The demise of two of my Cjs came from this area right here. I hammered away on this frame in alot of areas and it came up solid just scaly.



I'm sure there will be a repair needed somewhere or maybe a body mount replaced but it'll give you all something to watch. So you wanna talk about those shackles? The Jeep has a oversized tank in it with a decent skid plate. Once my new springs and shackles are on there I'll decide if the tank stays or goes. This was the previous owners solution.

 

[Petescj]

I was really happy that the engine turned freely. That's a great sign I can rebuild it. The previous owner told me the Cj has sat for around 13 years so this was a definite bonus.



Didn't notice this till it was here but it's not the original engine. 79 should have a metal valve cover with tapped holes in the head to mount the cover. This is a later plastic style mounted off a rocker bridge. No big deal but this Cj keeps getting less and less an original the more I dig.

 

[Petescj]

The seller had this laying around as well. For $200 I couldn't pass. A little 390 Holley and an Offy intake are easily worth double that.

 

[Petescj]

I'll stop for now with a pic of my rusted out grill. The windshield frame is shot as well. I have another grill but I'll have to get a new windshield frame.

 

[Belizean]

The wheels look like they are in great shape!

 

[gr8dain]

Looks like a fun project. Have you decided if you are going to use or sell the holley/offy combo?

 

[Petescj]

The wheels look like they are in great shape!

They definitely are. They were one of the things that attracted me to it. They are 82-86 15x7's though. While their not correct for a '79 I like them along with the center caps.

 

[Petescj]

Looks like a fun project. Have you decided if you are going to use or sell the holley/offy combo?

Plans are to rebuild the AMC 258 i6 / 4.2l and use the intake and carb. The only way this changes is if I run across a 360 or higher cubic inch AMC engine that's affordable before I start the AMC 258 i6 / 4.2l . Engine/Paint/Interior are the only pieces of this build that remain fluid right now. Everything else is already situated. I'll explain more on that tomorrow.

 

[Alec79CJ]

Now alot of guys are going to look at the next two pics and say wow what a pile of . Their not all together wrong but I saw alot of good in there and got nostalgic. Levi's Edition with a perfect dash pad but wanted seats for the most part. This has me thinking about trying to incorporate the Jeeps heritage into my build.



I'm not a big fan of low back seats in something I want to wheel pretty hard so keeping / restoring this interior just doesn't make sense. I ll help someone who needs this stuff for a real restoration. Besides not all things are quite like they appear. I loved that it had a tilt column even though it needed attention. But it's for an automatic.

Pete,

There's a great Facebook page for original resto guys. If you search for "project AMC surivor Jeep ". You should find it.

Give those guys a chance to buy up those seats.

Good luck! Looks like a lot work ahead of you!

 

[daddyusmaximus]

Looking forward to seeing how this goes.

 

[gert]

pretty cool Pete, looks like you have some good bones to work with

 

[Petescj]

Well I'm not sure how you guys are going to feel about what I discovered when I got it home. I had hammered on the frame pretty good before purchasing this Cj but never went all the way under cause my knee is giving me fits and one rear wheel was off when I saw it. I got down far enough to see the older style skid plate and that was about it.

Now I had it home and laid out some padding to allow me a better peak underneath. The tub still looks solid like it did from the top. I found out the Cj was originally automatic cause it has a factory hole for the low range shifter on the Transmission tunnel. It also has the off set AMC20 for that set up. No big deal I plan on swapping in a Dana 44 anyway.

Then I move a bit forward. At first Im excited to see a Dana 300 t case. Awesome score that someone adapted that to the T-18A for me. Unfortunately reality set in. There's no T-18A under there. It's a T-176 . I was crushed. I'm still licking my wounds on this one. It's 2 weeks later now and I'm still building this Cj. Just a little disappointed. I was so hyped getting a 79 with what the seller said was a Granny low gear that I totally overlooked the main reason I wanted the Jeep. Dumb *** of the year award right here.

 

[gert]

that seriously sux sorry to hear that


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[Belizean]

That really is a disappointment. Another learning experience. Life is full of them

 

[Petescj]

Yes it definitely bummed me out. Another forum member has offered me a great deal on a T-18A and if I wouldn't have needed 4 new tires for the '80 it would be mine by now. It did clean up rather nicely.

 

[Petescj]

I have had some time to look more at the Jeep and my parts pile and I was amused and pleasantly surprised as well. I needed a windshield frame and hinges , check. Just one small spot to repair:



Also needed a grill, check. This one is in great shape.

 

[Petescj]

Needed a battery tray and battery also. Had both battery not pictured.



Also needed a fan shroud and dug one of them up as well.

 

[Petescj]

I need to swap out a steering column and carb and I believe I'll be able to bring it to life for the first time in about 14 years. Here's why I need to find a carb:



For some reason there were 2 of the motor craft ignition boxes in it. The one bolted to the fender was totally fried. The other was dangling there hooked up by the wires but not bolted down.