Build Thread '81 CJ-7 Laredo build

[mtnwhlr]

Glad to hear you got it wiped, I have always thought a auto is easier to pull and and install.

 

[Old Dog]

Good work Pete.
It does help to read the manual every once in a while, even when we think we know what we are doing.

 

[Petescj]

I dont know. I like the 4 easy to get at bolts to drop the manual. Then when you go to remove the bellhousing you have more room to get at those bolts. I guess its really just what your used to. Either one can be complicated when you dont remove all the bolts.

Glad to hear you got it wiped, I have always thought a auto is easier to pull and and install.

This is true , but every once in awhile I like to be able to laugh at myself. I just wish it wouldnt happen so frequently. Im still kickin myself about those torque converter bolts.

Good work Pete.
It does help to read the manual every once in a while, even when we think we know what we are doing.

 

[Petescj]

Had a crappy day at work... trying to motivate myself enough to even go down and clean up the garage.

 

[Old Dog]

You only have 1 1/2 months left, get out there and get working.

 

[Petescj]

:rock:

You only have 1 1/2 months left, get out there and get working.

 

[Petescj]

So installing an automatic requires you to put the Transfer Case on beforehand.

You only have 1 1/2 months left, get out there and get working.

 

[Petescj]

Havent been able to get down to the garage since I tweaked my shoulder about a week ago. I plan on slapping the Transmission in this weekend though. That doesnt mean Vicki and I havent been planning things out.

I look at alot of Cjs just about daily. Once in a great while Im sick and miss a day. Ive noticed the older Ive been getting the more nostalgic Im becoming. I have a greater appreciation for factory options and colors than I ever did before. That was the main reason I got the Limited project for myself. This Laredo just kind of happened. Anyway I like a black Cj and Vicki likes purple.:barf: I metioned earlier we comprimised and decided to go back to the factory Copper Brown Metalic. Heres the best photo I could find. Its an 81 as well and has the correct graphics. I want to add them as well. It also has the Nutmeg Laredo seats that are pretty beat up. Finding a set I can afford is going to be challenging.

http://s39.photobucket.com/user/Cjpete85/media/81CJ72_zpsb86abe3e.jpg.html

 

[Airstrike]

Havent been able to get down to the garage since I tweaked my shoulder about a week ago. I plan on slapping the trans in this weekend though. That doesnt mean Vicki and I havent been planning things out.

I look at alot of Cjs just about daily. Once in a great while Im sick and miss a day. Ive noticed the older Ive been getting the more nostalgic Im becoming. I have a greater appreciation for factory options and colors than I ever did before. That was the main reason I got the Limited project for myself. This Laredo just kind of happened. Anyway I like a black Cj and Vicki likes purple.:barf: I metioned earlier we comprimised and decided to go back to the factory Copper Brown Metalic. Heres the best photo I could find. Its an 81 as well and has the correct graphics. I want to add them as well. It also has the Nutmeg Laredo seats that are pretty beat up. Finding a set I can afford is going to be challenging.

Well atleast you won't be doing the typical silver / blue or silver / black. be nice to see some of the other color combos on the road. I think it will be awesome

I put Best top seats in mine.. nice options and colors... but the price was painful. Think it was 1000 for all 3



PS... Short fat Bruce Lee.... hahahhaha awesome. That made for one hell of a picture in my mind!

 

[Petescj]

I will be doing a Silver / Blue later but it wont be typical. I have a "83 Limited that will be my Cj. I'll keep the Limited theme but it'll end up on 35s with an SM465 and other goodies. It came with some front black Bestop seats in good shape. They just dont fit my plans for either Jeep.



The Laredo has two panels Ive decided that should be replaced. The passenger side rocker panel is a little rusted in the seam and has a good wrinkle in it. The rear panel on the driver side has a less than acceptable patch job and will get some sheet metal from Classic Enterprises - Restoration, Reproduction Parts for Studebaker, Jeep & Ford as well. These panels, however will do just fine for my trip to Kentucky( http://www.jeep-cj.com/forums/f100/natural-bridge-ky-17430/ ) in June. Im also going to use the front fenders with the Tj flares that I have left over from the $600 Salvage CJ7 for that trip.



http://s39.photobucket.com/user/Cjpete85/media/81 CJ7/81CJ72_zpsb86abe3e.jpg.html

Well atleast you won't be doing the typical silver / blue or silver / black. be nice to see some of the other color combos on the road. I think it will be awesome

I put Best top seats in mine.. nice options and colors... but the price was painful. Think it was 1000 for all 3



PS... Short fat Bruce Lee.... hahahhaha awesome. That made for one hell of a picture in my mind!

 

[Petescj]

Spent a few minutes in the garage tonite and seperated the Transfer Case from the old Transmission . Tomorrow the real work will start. I do have to say that the guy at the junkyard with the yellow pen was quite wrong. This Transmission had no reverse. In my eyes that makes it Bad.

 

[Petescj]

While I really prefered the Scrambler as my parts runner the Transfer Case ,skid plate , Transmission and some small items fit right in the back of the station wagon. This morning I took a few parts to clean them up a bit.

 

[Petescj]

Then after things were semi clean I bolted everything back together and am getting ready to put the Transmission back in. I didnt do the usual clean and paint cause I know the Transfer Case will be coming back down for the 4 to 1 kit. Not enough time and money for that before headed to Natural Bridge. Grabbing some lunch and then back at it.

 

[Airstrike]

While I really prefered the Scrambler as my parts runner the T-case,skid plate , trans and some small items fit right in the back of the station wagon. This morning I took a few parts to clean them up a bit.

hahah my Jeep Liberty looked the same way bringing my new Transmission home the other day lol... awesome!

 

[Petescj]

Got everything bolted up and running today around 5:00. I'll post some of the "highlights" tomorrow.

 

[mtnwhlr]

Congrats

 

[Petescj]

It wasnt without any drama as usual for me. Things did go together unusually easy so I shouldve known. There I am having just finished buttoning everything up and adding the Transmission fluid. I get up on my milk crate and dump in quart #1 then slowly quart # 2 everything looks good ,start quart #3 and think I hear dog peeing in garage. I wish that was the case.

There goes tranny fluid leaking all over the garage floor. (Pan to fat bald guy scrambling for a clean oil pan) then settling for a dirty one to catch the last 3 drops. After two solid days of working on the Cj this is not the result I was looking for. I look at the back of the pan and see a small curve in the pan and believe its dented. I drop the skid and tear down the pan again. I go outside flip the old Transmission over and am greeted by the same curve in that pan as well.

Now Im a little upset but take off that pan as well since I know it didnt leak. Thought I was dead in the water being it was Sunday and I would need a gasket, but removed this rubber one intact. Awesome a bit of good luck. I even go as far as to get the torque wrench out and put 13 ft lbs on each bolt like the manual says. I forego putting the skid plate on in case I have to go through this again. Start adding fluid , same dog pee sound, curse up a storm then investigate.

This time around I get there before all the fluid is out cause Im not scrambling for a catch pan. Right above this mysterious curve in the oil pan is a hole in the Transmission to Transfer Case adapter. Not a bad hole mind you , a hole thats missing a bolt. A previous owner mustve needed a bolt and stole one out of there. Replace with a bolt from the bad Transmission and low and behold no more leak.

I post my mistakes in the hopes that others can learn from them. More Dumbassery to come.

Congrats

 

[Old Dog]

Slow down Pete, take it easy you've got plenty of time yet.
As a side note my power steering pump ate it's self this weekend.
It was a blast getting it out of the woods with no power steering, my arms still hurt.

 

[mtnwhlr]

Well I'm glad to hear the leak was a easy fix.

 

[Petescj]

Ha! This was supposed to be a slow overtime month for me with only 2 Saturdays scheduled. Now I find out Im working 7-7 the rest of this week. I have alot of little stuff to get done. Gonna have to squeeze it in somewhere. The Transmission was the biggie though. Glad to have that done.

Slow down Pete, take it easy you've got plenty of time yet.
As a side note my power steering pump ate it's self this weekend.
It was a blast getting it out of the woods with no power steering, my arms still hurt.