Build Thread '81 CJ-7 Laredo build

[gaspipe]

Is it ever really a good thing when you buy a Cj and the transmission is in the back seat? Ok sure there was one where it was supposed to be but it has no reverse. That could be a problem at some point.

I bought an old Ford Powerstroke 4x4 with a bad ZF5, and put 20k on it before I got around to rebuilding the Transmission . I did get quite good at parking in places where gravity was my reverse.

 

[Petescj]

Well thanks to this thread http://www.jeep-cj.com/forums/f49/cj-thief-caught-act-19684/ I have found out that two Cj-7s can coexist in my garage. I had to take the hardtop out but thats fine. I dont think I'll even use it on the Laredo anyway.








I also found that if I get the Yj tub out of there I can have both Cjs inside for the winter with room to work on one or the other. You cant really see in these pics but I can close the door with the tailgate down on the Laredo . Thats what Im using to fake the space the bumper and tire carrier will take up. The garage is pretty narrow where the Limited is parked and it just squeezes in with the wide track axles. The Laredo is narrow track ( luckily in this case) and still squeezes in the same spot with 35s and 10 in wide wheels. Moving a cabinet and a shelf along with the tub means the Laredo can stay totally out of the elements this winter.

 

[Petescj]

Just dropped the Laredo of at my local shop. Im having them do the brakes , front end alighnment and install my rear bumper/tire carrier. The week of vacation was great but Im in it this week for 73.5 hrs of welcome back. I just dont have the time to work on it right now. Once I get the 4 new Goodyear MTR's it'll be ready for Vicki to enjoy a good ride.

 

[Petescj]

Not a good day. The shop calls me at work early this morning and says that they cant get to it till tomorrow. Not a major big deal but dam I made an appt. for a reason.

Next I find out that the 2nd shift guy cancelled his vacation. Now I have to wait till I get a little more cash to get my tires. Son of a !! Oh well. It better be done tomorrow so atleast I can drive it. I went a long time without a Cj and I dont like it at all anymore.

 

[Scooter402]

Sorry to hear your luck...but hopefully you'll be driving the CJ again soon!

I'm hoping the same for mine, too.

 

[Petescj]

Thanks. I wont be sending a Cj to the shop anytime soon again thats for sure. Things I couldve done myself got pretty pricey. The rear brakes were totally shot. Drums , shoes , wheel cylinders , hardware , adjusters and one brake line. To top it off the master cylinder took a dump as well.



I got the front end alighnment also but this whole episode took a good chunk of change. It is nice to see the tires positioned right though...




and the steering wheel true.



Im gonna hold off a bit now till I recoup some of my tire money. Atleast I know they will wear even now. I'll be doing the bumper myself now as well but I want to spend a little time on the Limited while its in the garage already.

Sorry to hear your luck...but hopefully you'll be driving the CJ again soon!

I'm hoping the same for mine, too.

 

[Petescj]

And of course , right after I get my front end alighned what do I run into? A steering box brace along with a nice sturdy mount. Had to grab them at $25.

 

[JR74CJ5]

And of course , right after I get my front end alighned what do I run into? A steering box brace along with a nice sturdy mount. Had to grab them at $25.

Thats a lot better price then I paid for mine, but mine pretty heavy duty... I see a lot of "BIG" rocks...

bought this one:

Power Steering Gearbox Support Bracket Jeep CJ5 CJ6 72-75 CJ5 1972-1975 CJ

Its pretty bad ...

I kept breaking my "custom made" one out of rod and muffler clamp... lol


~ Jr

 

[Petescj]

Wow that is nice. I just couldnt see leaving the brace and the heavy duty mount behind for that price.

Thats a lot better price then I paid for mine, but mine pretty heavy duty... I see a lot of "BIG" rocks...

bought this one:

Power Steering Gearbox Support Bracket Jeep CJ5 CJ6 72-75 CJ5 1972-1975 CJ

Its pretty bad ...

I kept breaking my "custom made" one out of rod and muffler clamp... lol


~ Jr

 

[tarry99]

Thats a lot better price then I paid for mine, but mine pretty heavy duty... I see a lot of "BIG" rocks...

bought this one:

Power Steering Gearbox Support Bracket Jeep CJ5 CJ6 72-75 CJ5 1972-1975 CJ

Its pretty bad ...

I kept breaking my "custom made" one out of rod and muffler clamp... lol


~ Jr

Wow its about time these aftermarket people figured it out how to build a proper steering gear brace!

I have been building my version for several years now that grabs the steering box up high enough to catch the Sector shaft internal bearing.........and apply force near there at the outside of the housing.........
If you look at there's they slotted the one side of the brace so it could be pushed up far enough past the casting gusset as I did on mine..............most previous examples from the aftermarket World had braces attached at the low point of the housing where it is hollow and only the seal exists...........and since there is no strength there , most people end up with a cracked housing and a leaky seal.
I also use a piece of 1-1/4" 4310 chromoly tube with Right & Left threaded bungs.

On extreme cases I also stack an additional bearing back to back in the internal sector shaft bore .........makes it pretty much bullet proof!

 

[Petescj]

After my front end alighnment I still had a little of that floating feel once in awhile. Not as much but still there. I went to investigate and it looks to me like the drag link is bent. Im sure that is should be straight as an arrow but mine looks like it has a bit of a curve. Looks like upgrade time.

 

[Old Dog]

Seems there's always a reason to up-grade.
Might as well do the flip while your at it.

 

[Petescj]

Seems there's always a reason to up-grade.
Might as well do the flip while your at it.

I'll have to search and see what all it entails. I havent read up on that in awhile. I know I'll want more beef out of the tie rod and drag link. I think the flip will require a standard pitman arm as well.

I have to be a little cautious now cause I need new tires and the overtime at work has seemed to dry up. I commited to some parts for the Limited like the windshield and a few detail parts Im waiting on. After the Steelers game I have to go down in the garage and start seeing whats going on Craigslist.

Lastly Im not ignoring your pm , its just something I really have to contemplate.

 

[Old Dog]

I think the flip will require a standard pitman arm as well.

Lastly Im not ignoring your pm , its just something I really have to contemplate.

Yes the flip goes well with a stock arm and 4" lift.

As for the PM, as I said I "almost" have Ginger talked into, but it's a long time off and a lot can happen between than and now. I'm hopefull at best.

 

[JR74CJ5]

I ordered these bad boys:

Rugged Ridge 18050.80 Complete Heavy-Duty Tie Rod and Drag Link Kit : Amazon.com : Automotive

Couldn't be happier. They're beefy...

You'll obviously want your year / model kit, but it came with everything you needed from knuckle to knuckle & pitman to knuckle. All joints, boots etc.

You can use stock holes, or like me they work with the Go-fer-it tie rod flip kits.

I love the way they look. Don't think I'll have much problems from them in the future


~ Jr

 

[Petescj]

That'll work. Thanks for the link. I'll save up a couple bucks and do both.

I ordered these bad boys:

Rugged Ridge 18050.80 Complete Heavy-Duty Tie Rod and Drag Link Kit : Amazon.com : Automotive

Couldn't be happier. They're beefy...

You'll obviously want your year / model kit, but it came with everything you needed from knuckle to knuckle & pitman to knuckle. All joints, boots etc.

You can use stock holes, or like me they work with the Go-fer-it tie rod flip kits.

I love the way they look. Don't think I'll have much problems from them in the future


~ Jr

 

[JR74CJ5]

Picture shows only the one, but they are both there with all 4 ends. (i was worried until i got it...) Says this kit fits:

Fits 72-83 CJ5 , 72-77 CJ6 , 76-81 CJ7 , CJ8 Narrow Track

so this would work for you right?

They are very nice looking and quality seems awesome. I haven't beat them against any rocks yet though


~ Jr

 

[Petescj]

Picture shows only the one, but they are both there with all 4 ends. (i was worried until i got it...) Says this kit fits:

Fits 72-83 CJ5, 72-77 CJ6, 76-81 CJ7, CJ8 Narrow Track

so this would work for you right?

They are very nice looking and quality seems awesome. I haven't beat them against any rocks yet though


~ Jr

Yup thats the right ones for this Cj. By doing both I meant the flip right away. May as well do it all while Im there.

 

[gaspipe]

I ordered these bad boys:

Rugged Ridge 18050.80 Complete Heavy-Duty Tie Rod and Drag Link Kit : Amazon.com : Automotive
~ Jr

Fantastic! I need to do this on my narrow track front end too. Thanks!

 

[Petescj]

Picture shows only the one, but they are both there with all 4 ends. (i was worried until i got it...) Says this kit fits:

Fits 72-83 CJ5, 72-77 CJ6, 76-81 CJ7, CJ8 Narrow Track

so this would work for you right?

They are very nice looking and quality seems awesome. I haven't beat them against any rocks yet though


~ Jr

Well I threw a bunch of stuff on Craigslist to make the $100 Im short. Hopefully I sell some stuff quick and can remedy this.