Build Thread 79 CJ-7 Renagade

[jeepboy45]

It is looking GREAT...
congrats on build so far....
From our point of view, it is moving very quickly..
One Q: what shock towers did you use, and why? I have the same ones you took off. Noticed last year I had a broken shock, turns out two. Now I took them all off... Is there not enough travel in the stock tower?

 

[Niedhogg]

It is looking GREAT...
congrats on build so far....
From our point of view, it is moving very quickly..
One Q: what shock towers did you use, and why? I have the same ones you took off. Noticed last year I had a broken shock, turns out two. Now I took them all off... Is there not enough travel in the stock tower?

Thanks Jeepboy,

I'm no expert on this subject, but I have put my fair share of shocks on various vehicles throughout my life, and it always seemed like the shock was about 50% extended in a normal state. When I put these shocks on my Jeep, they were nearly compressed all the way which didn't seem right to me. My jeep has a 4" superlift, with shocks, that was purchased by the PO, so I am unsure if the shocks were ordered right to begin with, but I'm pretty sure they are correct.

This really all started when I test fit my fender to see if I had clearance to re-route my tranny lines, and came across this little detail in the pic.. do you see how the cutout for the shock tower is off? This raised the red flag..
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So I brought it up in another thread and Mylittlecj5 (TexomaJeeps), thought I might have an earlier frame than 79, and suggested the towers you've seen in the earlier post. They bolt to the frame with 3 bolts and were a piece of cake to install, and my shocks are now about 50% extended as I feel they should be so the suspension can move fully up or down. They may be from a newer model, like maybe a wide track, but they are perfect for my Jeep, and could be exactly what you need as well..

 

[jeepboy45]

Thanks Jeepboy,

So I brought it up in another thread and Mylittlecj5 (TexomaJeeps), thought I might have an earlier frame than 79, and suggested the towers you've seen in the earlier post. They bolt to the frame with 3 bolts and were a piece of cake to install, and my shocks are now about 50% extended as I feel they should be so the suspension can move fully up or down. They may be from a newer model, like maybe a wide track, but they are perfect for my Jeep, and could be exactly what you need as well..

@Niedhogg....
I looked at you posts and couldnt find the thread you mentioned. I have the short towers as you did. Mine is the exact same model you have, AMC 304 , GM Turbo 400 , Quadra trac, right down to the color/decals. So I think you have the correct frame for the year you claim...a 1979 same as mine.

Question: what towers did you end up using... I might do the same mod. I had two broken shocks and threw all 4 away last month in disgust... They were Ranchos that came with my lift... Only have 30K on them, and have no idea how long the one shock was broken. One day a friend noticed it and told me... So I knew one was broken, and didnt realize the other was too until I was removing them... DONE... all 4 in the trash!!
Since it rarely leaves the pavement, I was kinda pissed that they broke at all !! But maybe the problem lies in the towers...

 

[Niedhogg]

@Niedhogg....
I looked at you posts and couldnt find the thread you mentioned. I have the short towers as you did. Mine is the exact same model you have, 304 , TH400, Quadra trac, right down to the color/decals. So I think you have the correct frame for the year you claim...a 1979 same as mine.

Question: what towers did you end up using... I might do the same mod. I had two broken shocks and threw all 4 away last month in disgust... They were Ranchos that came with my lift... Only have 30K on them, and have no idea how long the one shock was broken. One day a friend noticed it and told me... So I knew one was broken, and didnt realize the other was too until I was removing them... DONE... all 4 in the trash!!
Since it rarely leaves the pavement, I was kinda pissed that they broke at all !! But maybe the problem lies in the towers...

Here's the link to the thread, http://www.jeep-cj.com/forums/f19/right-11508/, and what usually happens, from what I've found out, is when the lift is ordered the shocks are usually miss-ordered. Your's and my frames are correct with the right shock towers, it's just that our shocks were ordered too long. Mylittlecj5 (texomajeeps) suggested these shock towers and I believe they are off a wide-track CJ. I highly recomend these towers, because I personally like the longer shocks, I think they work better off-road and let the suspension work like it should. You should contact Mike at Texoma Jeeps and get a set for yours. If he's out of them, I think I seen a pair on ebay the other day as well..

Still makes me wonder about my fenders though..

 

[Petescj]

I believe they are off a wide-track CJ.

They are.

 

[Niedhogg]

They are.

Thank you sir

And this pic also sheds some light on where my fenders came from...

 

[Niedhogg]

So, getting back to my dash, defrost and windshield install.. If you're just tuning in, I am converting a YJ tub for my CJ7 , and one of the major differences is the way the defrost air get to the windshield. CJ tubs blow through the windshield frame, the air coming up through the body, while YJ tubs have the air ducted through the dash panel and onto the windshield..

So, in the pics you can see how the YJ tub differs in shape across the top of the dash, CJ tubs are flat and square. I have made the cutouts and attached the defroster duct to the body. I had originally thought I would need to fill this area in with metal, and will do this after I get the Jeep back home to my shop eventually, but for now after the dash has been installed and with the windshield up, you can't even see the difference. The best part is, it's functional! I also did the blazer blower upgrade, so there should be plenty of air..
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My dash is also installed now and is the original dash. I need a new set of dash instrument lights, and the cables work but have the mounting tabs broke on a couple so they sit cockeyed in the dash. One other thing to note about these conversions, is the the bolts that hold the windshield upright in the dash, are about a half inch off on a YJ tub.. going to be tough to weld in the nuts for this, but if you never plan on dropping your windshield then re-drill the holes and add a couple nuts on the backside and you're good to go.

Tomorrow is the dash pad, steering column, roll bar, seats, hard top and doors... then I need to change the oil, spark plugs, install my new radiator, fan belts, fan.. and then the front fenders, the ignition relay for the HEI conversion I did, and THEN THE HOOD!!! Gonna be a big day!

 

[Niedhogg]

Well we got a few more things done today, it was extremely nice (50+) here in northern Pa., today.. considering my wife got 8" of snow back home in Iowa, this weekend, HAHA!!
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So the windshield had to come down again for an adjustment, then back up.. then down and up... finally for good , then the roll bar, and then the top! Finally! But then for some reason (probably a YJ tub thing) my bolts are too short to hold it down, but nothing another trip to the hardware store won't fix.. P.S. if someone wants, they can donate a rear hatch to this cause...
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I also installed my new (near new) radiator, strange thing though, the tranny cooler fittings are much smaller than my hose fittings, so I had to install a new external cooler, probably better anyways, and I got the biggest one they had.

So anyway, it's really starting to look like something!!

 

[GoldenEagle36]

that little CJ5 came a long way! love the chrome valve covers on the AMC 304 , ive got the same drivetrain. i got an original hard top from 79 on mine and i dont like it, if ur interested you can PM me. its in real good shape. anyway, she looks great

 

[Petescj]

that little cj5 came a long way!

Sure did. It morphed into a CJ7 .

Those liftgates are like gold. Once in a great while you'll come up with a deal. I bought one from a guy that rolled his Cj and busted the hardtop. It cost me $10 with the struts. It didnt fit the Yj hardtop I had at the time.

I sold it for $200 to someone in Colorado. The hardtop I asked for with my parts Jeep for an extra $AMC 150 ? Came with a pretty pristine liftgate as well.

I can put out some feelers in the Pa area if you want. Pm me.

 

[GoldenEagle36]

darn it, my bad my bad CJ7 !! but anyway your Cj-7 did come a long way!! what color is going on it??

 

[Niedhogg]

darn it, my bad my bad Cj-7!! but anyway your Cj-7 did come a long way!! what color is going on it??

LOL, that's ok.. I was thinking of going back to the original color and decal kit, but with something to brighten it up or make it pop a little more, as it's a pretty dark color.. here's what it used to look like..
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I don't know why, but I love this color combo!

 

[GoldenEagle36]

LOL, that's ok.. I was thinking of going back to the original color and decal kit, but with something to brighten it up or make it pop a little more, as it's a pretty dark color.. here's what it used to look like..
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I don't know why, but I love this color combo!

i really like that someone is atleast going back to the original decal kit and color, which is a good thing because people sometimes dont appreciate the old 80s decals. i like the old decal kits on the old cjs. i like originality as well as functionality. (Lifts, custom bumpers, ETC....) i plan to blast the old cj and take it back to its original color and put the Golden Eagle decals back on it. cant wait to see your 7 with it all done

 

[rr41mag]

You just reminded me that while I have my tub on the frame replacing the sides, I need to makr the body mount holes. Thanks dude

 

[BajaEdition]

that color sticker combo is one of my favorites

 

[Darren9975]

Personally this is my favorite color combo

 

[Niedhogg]

Thanks everyone, the night I bought this thing it was so dark in this guy's shop, and it was just packed full of stuff.. I was really only able to see the chassis and just trust the list of parts he had to go with it. It was 3 weeks before I could pick it up, and when i seen that hood, I was excited!! I knew right then, that it was going to stay that color! I love it...

 

[Petescj]

Hmm. Only lead I have as of now is right here:

For Sale - Jeep Cj7 Hardtop - Jeep-CJ Forums

 

[Niedhogg]

Hmm. Only lead I have as of now is right here:

For Sale - Jeep Cj7 Hardtop - Jeep-CJ Forums

Thanks Pete, I just PMed him, I hope in time!

 

[Petescj]

Thanks Pete, I just PMed him, I hope in time!

Got your pm. Congrats on the new top.