Build Thread '81 CJ-7 Laredo build
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Build Thread '81 CJ-7 Laredo build
- Thread starter Petescj
- Start date
Well considering it's February already if I want the Laredo ready for camping season it's time to get on it. Now that I'm accustomed to being at work again it's time for some garage time. The ceiling in my garage isn't very high so I'm removing the front clip to make removal and installation easier. Things went a little slower but progress was made.
That's as far as I got today. I wanted to get the whole front clip done but I didn't have anything to put my antifreeze in. Having things go slower was an eye opener. I need to spend some time on the Jeep after work. A couple hours every other weekend when I'm off isn't gonna cut it. I'll be picking up the engine as soon as my tax refund gets here. It's an 87 AMC 258 i6 / 4.2l that I'm upgrading using a DUI distributer and a Mc2100 carb.
That's as far as I got today. I wanted to get the whole front clip done but I didn't have anything to put my antifreeze in. Having things go slower was an eye opener. I need to spend some time on the Jeep after work. A couple hours every other weekend when I'm off isn't gonna cut it. I'll be picking up the engine as soon as my tax refund gets here. It's an 87 AMC 258 i6 / 4.2l that I'm upgrading using a DUI distributer and a Mc2100 carb.
Peanut Butter
Full Time Jeeper
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- 1979 Jeep CJ7 TH400 Automatic 258 I6 Quadratrac Amc 20 rear & Dana 30 front, 32 x 11.5 x 15 tires. Currently a Complete Custom Rebuild in progress.
Also I own a 2001 Jeep Cherokee, White, all stock with 4.0L. automatic, and police package. Best part of that is it came with leather seats! This package also has the NP242 Transfer Case, 8.25 rear end, and trailer towing package.
Yea, you gotta take it easy on them knees for awhile. With my replacements, it took a full year to really feel normal again, so you should be back up and running before to long. 
I know you don't want to hear this, but weight is the hardest thing on knees. With me it's a catch 22. I need the exercise to lose weight, but I can't run or jog, so my weight has gone up, which is bad on my knees. I've found that my recumbent bike is the best exercise with the least amount of impact on my knees. 
Might consider getting one. Used ones available all the time. 
PS: Glad to see you back on the Jeep.
I know you don't want to hear this, but weight is the hardest thing on knees. With me it's a catch 22. I need the exercise to lose weight, but I can't run or jog, so my weight has gone up, which is bad on my knees. I've found that my recumbent bike is the best exercise with the least amount of impact on my knees. Might consider getting one. Used ones available all the time. PS: Glad to see you back on the Jeep.
Yea, you gotta take it easy on them knees for awhile. With my replacements, it took a full year to really feel normal again, so you should be back up and running before to long.
PS: Glad to see you back on the Jeep.
I hear you. I've been struggling with my weight since I quit smoking years ago. I have a treadmill I was trying to use but I needed to be on it for an hour a day to get any results. That bothers my knee like you mentioned. I had the best results when I was riding bike 1/2 HR to 3/4 HR a day. A recumbent bike may be the best for me along with a better diet again. It's not easy loving beer the way I do.
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- 1974 CJ5 ~ Fresh built AMC 360 - SM420 - D20 - D30F with upgraded 30 spline shafts and knuckles & D44R - 4.27 Gears - ARB Lockers F/R - All chrome molly axles - on 33's - YJ 4" Lift Spring Conversion
mriplaybass
Full Time Jeeper
Great to hear that you are back to work Pete! Recovery time means, No money, no Jeep project! Back to work: money,I hear you. I've been struggling with my weight since I quit smoking years ago. I have a treadmill I was trying to use but I needed to be on it for an hour a day to get any results. That bothers my knee like you mentioned. I had the best results when I was riding bike 1/2 HR to 3/4 HR a day. A recumbent bike may be the best for me along with a better diet again. It's not easy loving beer the way I do.
but no time . Vicious circle! Same problem here, need to loose the personal spare tire so I can move better. My surgery was in October. Knee never did come back. Doctors prognosis: learn to live with the pain until full knee replacement is necessary.
Too many hoops to jump through to get medically approved to return to work, so I am now a member of the retired community. Hope the Jeep projects start moving a bit faster now.
Great to hear that you are back to work Pete! Recovery time means, No money, no Jeep project! Back to work: money,
Same problem here, need to loose the personal spare tire so I can move better. My surgery was in October. Knee never did come back. Doctors prognosis: learn to live with the pain until full knee replacement is necessary.
Live with it? Jeez that's a heck of a resolution. Retirement? Now that idea I like, I just can't afford. It is a viscous circle but I'll have it back together for camping season. Staying out of the garage this weekend cause the high temperature is only in the teens. By mid week however we're supposed to be back in the 40s.
I got a little time after work today to wrench on the Jeep. Nothing huge but nice to get a little more done. Removed the winch while emptying the radiator. Next I removed the grill. Now I can work on disconnecting all the little stuff and maybe get the engine pulled this weekend or early next week. Here's a pic of how she sits.
Peanut Butter
Full Time Jeeper
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- Vehicle(s)
- 1979 Jeep CJ7 TH400 Automatic 258 I6 Quadratrac Amc 20 rear & Dana 30 front, 32 x 11.5 x 15 tires. Currently a Complete Custom Rebuild in progress.
Also I own a 2001 Jeep Cherokee, White, all stock with 4.0L. automatic, and police package. Best part of that is it came with leather seats! This package also has the NP242 Transfer Case, 8.25 rear end, and trailer towing package.
Damn Pete, I hope you don't plan on pulling the tub, or even change a tire .......................... There's no room!
There's no room!
Damn Pete, I hope you don't plan on pulling the tub, or even change a tire ..........................
My garage is a little strange. The area I have the Laredo in is all the way up against the back wall of my house. Any further back puts it through the wall and in my basement. Above that narrow area is the back porch in to my house. On the side is a small storage area and the door to the basement . That's why the rear is so narrow.
I knew I'd only need access to the front of the Laredo for this project so I pushed it all the way back. That leaves me plenty of room for the next Cj and the engine I'll be painting and changing all the gaskets on. It widens out a good 6ft. from where the Laredos windshield frame is. Theres a support pole on the driver side that narrows that rear area up as well. Just enough room to squeeze a Cj through.
Woolyworm
Old Time Jeeper
Wooly
Well it's been taking longer than I'd like but I got some solid work in today. The old engine on the right will donate a few parts. The 87 replacement engine has a better alternator and a much better aluminum valve cover. Tomorrow I need to clean , paint and swap the flywheel over. Sunday my brother is coming over to help swing the new engine in between the frame rails. Gonna be a busy weekend but it'll be great to see some progress.
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Woolyworm
Old Time Jeeper
Wooly
Well Like most Cj projects I've decided to go a little further than a quick clean and paint. I decided to strip the engine down a changing all the gaskets and get a little more serious with the paint job. I hope to have everything painted tomorrow. It's going to take more time of course but hopefully the results make up for it
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- '85 CJ-7, 258/4.2L 6cyl. Bought new in 1985. Full cage, Warn 8274 winch, Ford 9" rear, front/rear Detroit Lockers w/4:88 R&P. T-5 tranny and 4:1 t'case. 33X12.50-15 BFG/AT, MSD ign, on board air---
And make sure you put the correct sized oil filter on too.
Do you know who made that valve cover?
LG
Do you know who made that valve cover?
LG
And make sure you put the correct sized oil filter on too.
Do you know who made that valve cover?
LG
Oh gosh darn it your going to make me use those 2 letters aren't you? The AMC 258 i6 / 4.2l I got is an '87 version. That's the stock Yj cover. Its aluminum and the head is drilled and tapped all the way around unlike some of the 80s Cj ones with the plastic cover. Good eye on the filter. I wouldn't run the right size Fram filter more a less the pummeled short fatty that's on it now.
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- Springfield, Missouri-U.S.A. Earth
- Vehicle(s)
- '85 CJ-7, 258/4.2L 6cyl. Bought new in 1985. Full cage, Warn 8274 winch, Ford 9" rear, front/rear Detroit Lockers w/4:88 R&P. T-5 tranny and 4:1 t'case. 33X12.50-15 BFG/AT, MSD ign, on board air---
The correct size(smaller OD)filter has far less chance of get'n a hole punched in it from the motor mount and flex.
Seen it happen more than once on twisty/rocky trails. Just don't want it to happen to you is all.
The Fram P/N is PH 3675, WIX(AMC-OEM) is 33271.
THX for the v'cover info.
LG
Seen it happen more than once on twisty/rocky trails. Just don't want it to happen to you is all.
The Fram P/N is PH 3675, WIX(AMC-OEM) is 33271.
THX for the v'cover info.
LG
My distaste for the Frams in general was spawned from the early 90's when they had issues with the paper collapsing in the filter. I stop using them then and never looked back. I can hold a grudge. I usually use the Napa filters but may change that as well. I used to never get China or Mexico junk from there before but they slipped me some bad Ujoints last time I was there. I'll go with the Wix ones if the Napa ones changed. Good info on the diameter of the oil filter. I did get some new poly engine mounts since the stock rubber ones were wasted.
I usually use the Napa filters but may change that as well. I used to never get China or Mexico junk from there before but they slipped me some bad Ujoints last time I was there. I'll go with the Wix ones if the Napa ones changed. Good info on the diameter of the oil filter. I did get some new poly engine mounts since the stock rubber ones were wasted.
- Posts
- 14,787
- Thanks
- 54
- Location
- Springfield, Missouri-U.S.A. Earth
- Vehicle(s)
- '85 CJ-7, 258/4.2L 6cyl. Bought new in 1985. Full cage, Warn 8274 winch, Ford 9" rear, front/rear Detroit Lockers w/4:88 R&P. T-5 tranny and 4:1 t'case. 33X12.50-15 BFG/AT, MSD ign, on board air---
I'm also anti-Fram oil filters......
The NAPA Gold filters are mostly WIX.
I buy'em buy the case. Ck Amazon.
I have seen some WIX air filters with made in China labels. The last WIX AF I saw for my Jeep said China. The air filter I now use are either STP or Fram because they say 'Made in USA' on them.
LG
The NAPA Gold filters are mostly WIX.
I buy'em buy the case. Ck Amazon.
I have seen some WIX air filters with made in China labels.
The last WIX AF I saw for my Jeep said China. The air filter I now use are either STP or Fram because they say 'Made in USA' on them.LG