Build Thread 79 Cj-7 crawler build

[Petescj]

Ok so while I'm on the 12 hour shifts I decided I should at least spend an hour a day getting this project moving forward. Day 1 was pretty much wasted cleaning up my basement area and getting lighting issues worked out.

So I'm about 40 minutes into my first day actually working on the Jeep when Vicki comes down and asks what I'm working on. I tell her well I tore down the rest of the grill and now I'm cleaning up the battery tray.



She gives me a less than impressed look and at this point I admit lm a bit pissed about it. Then she comes out and says You used most of your time on a battery tray? At this rate you'll never be done. This is your off road Jeep. Don't be so picky. This one needs scars , is supposed to have scars. Fix the rust and get it done. She's totally right. I took my remaining 20 min and hung and painted some parts:



Yesterday I got the grill done. This is gonna take more paint than I originally thought:





The grill alone took 2 cans.



Tomorrow may be a day of rest for me. If not I'll be getting started on the tailgate:

 

[Belizean]

It's a jeep = love. You got to show it ! That's your baby. Fix it right

 

[Petescj]

It's a jeep = love. You got to show it ! That's your baby. Fix it right

We had already decided the '80 is going to be the pretty Jeep lol. Bodywork and paint aren't my specialty by a mile. Hoping to get the rust fixed and have that one painted professionally with my income tax return. I'll clean this up nice enough , I just don't want another Jeep im afraid to abuse a bit.

 

[Belizean]

I know what you are talking about. At times I wish I had a beater jeep that I wasn't afraid to bash in some. That's the problem with buying new and trying to take the best care of it as possible over the years.

 

[Petescj]

A little more progress but now I'm out of white paint.

 

[gert]

Looking great, I have the same problem I want it perfect and never get it done from trying to ache I've perfection, so I decided this year whatever it takes get it moving then deal with the pretty stuff later


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[Scooter402]

I've been lurking in the shadows watching this one for a while. Looking good, and keep it up! I'll also have to admit that I'm just a tad (okay, a whole lot) jealous. Have barely had time to look at mine since last summer. Anyway... keep up the good work. Some of us are living vicariously through you!

 

[Petescj]

I've been lurking in the shadows watching this one for a while. Looking good, and keep it up! I'll also have to admit that I'm just a tad (okay, a whole lot) jealous. Have barely had time to look at mine since last summer. Anyway... keep up the good work. Some of us are living vicariously through you!

Good to see your still around. I wouldn't recommend living vicariously through me, you could end up being on life support lol. You'll get to it sooner or later.

 

[daddyusmaximus]

Inspiring to read about these builds. My not so great CJ5 is still sitting in the garage waiting to be fixed, and I just picked up a 1980 CJ7 the other day. Not running, and needs a tub, but it's complete and was $120.

 

[gert]

Inspiring to read about these builds. My not so great CJ5 is still sitting in the garage waiting to be fixed, and I just picked up a 1980 CJ7 the other day. Not running, and needs a tub, but it's complete and was $120.

WHAT holy that's cheap


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[Petescj]

WHAT holy that's cheap


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I figured he missed a "0" on that price and it was still a good deal. Nothing to report on the Cj. That OT kicked my butt. Vicki and I are getting ready for our biggest camping trip of the year this week. Once I get back next week I'll dive back in.

 

[gert]

I figured he missed a "0" on that price and it was still a good deal. Nothing to report on the Cj. That OT kicked my butt. Vicki and I are getting ready for our biggest camping trip of the year this week. Once I get back next week I'll dive back in.

Man I'm so busy getting our house ready to sell I haven't even looked at mine


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[Belizean]

I figured he missed a "0" on that price and it was still a good deal. Nothing to report on the Cj. That OT kicked my butt. Vicki and I are getting ready for our biggest camping trip of the year this week. Once I get back next week I'll dive back in.

I can't even remember the last time I went camping in the summer. To dam hot and miserable around here. I guess I would have to fly or drive a 1000 miles north. We only go camping between November through March or April.

 

[gert]

I can't even remember the last time I went camping in the summer. To dam hot and miserable around here. I guess I would have to fly or drive a 1000 miles north. We only go camping between November through March or April.

Sounds like us.... to freaking hot to do anything that doesn't include a large body of water and awim suits lol


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[daddyusmaximus]

I figured he missed a "0" on that price and it was still a good deal. Nothing to report on the Cj. That OT kicked my butt. Vicki and I are getting ready for our biggest camping trip of the year this week. Once I get back next week I'll dive back in.

OK, here's the deal. I didn't miss a zero. I got an entire complete 1980 Jeep CJ7 for $120. Fellow combat veteran trying to help a brother out.

My "slower than " CJ5 build https://www.jeep-cj.com/forums/f98/slower-than-:dung:-1979-CJ5 -build-27377/ has been just that... "slower than " because we are always poor in the summer. My wife is a teacher's aid. No school (or paycheck) all summer. I just get my VA disability. (got blowed up in Iraq) Well, school started back up, the kids are back off to college, and I'm back to getting my "allowance" So I got a whole other Jeep... Gonna build it instead of the CJ5 .

 

[gert]

OK, here's the deal. I didn't miss a zero. I got an entire complete 1980 Jeep CJ7 for $120. Fellow combat veteran trying to help a brother out.

My "slower than " CJ5 build https://www.jeep-cj.com/forums/f98/slower-than-:dung:-1979-cj5-build-27377/ has been just that... "slower than " because we are always poor in the summer. My wife is a teacher's aid. No school (or paycheck) all summer. I just get my VA disability. (got blowed up in Iraq) Well, school started back up, the kids are back off to college, and I'm back to getting my "allowance" So I got a whole other Jeep... Gonna build it instead of the CJ5.

Wow dude thats crazy congrats

 

[Petescj]

Wow dude thats crazy congrats

Just approved his build thread , check it out.

 

[Petescj]

Sounds like us.... to freaking hot to do anything that doesn't include a large body of water and awim suits lol


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No Jeep progress since coming home. The weather just isn't cooperating. Plenty of water on this trip. See here:

https://www.jeep-cj.com/forums/f72/summer-entertainment-5588-new/

 

[Petescj]

Not much to report on this one. Stole the hood off of it and brought it inside. Supposed to be a really rainy week so the hood and fenders should keep me busy.

The hood and fenders both need a bit more TLC. Going to try and make it look semi straight. Already somewhat happy with the outer hood. Moving to the underside which is worse than I thought.

 

[Petescj]

Well I did manage to get some work done on the Jeep the last few days. I'm not worrying too much about dents and dings , I'm just leaving them there. It just doesn't make sense to worry about it on a trail rig. That said the fenders need Plenty of work just make her look acceptable at 25 feet.

Started with this:



In process:



Fished product :



I have a new found hate for decals. They were a pain in the butt to remove. Spot welds really stick out but oh well.

Next fender in process :




Got it all painted but it didn't pass my quality assurance guys standards so redo:





A little more time with it and it should be repainted tomorrow. Also got the outside of the hood done.



Once I get my painting finished I'll remove the rotted grill and fenders and replace them with my freshly painted ones. Hopefully it should be a big improvement.once I remove the old rotted sheet metal I'll be able to fix and paint the firewall and the front section of the frame.