Build Thread '81 CJ-7 Laredo build

[Old Dog]

Free grease gun, cool. I hope it's better than the last one I bought, damn china junk.

 

[TroyaCantrell]

Wow, good to have friends like that. Some people get it, they are not just pets to a lot of us.

It does get easier though, with time.


Troy Cantrell
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Build thread - '66 CJ6 :
http://www.jeep-cj.com/forums/showthread.php?t=15075

 

[Petescj]

Free grease gun, cool. I hope it's better than the last one I bought, damn china junk.

Well the only thing I see on it is LINCOLN. Doesnt sound Chinese but you never know. It worked for this job so Im already ahead.

Wow, good to have friends like that. Some people get it, they are not just pets to a lot of us.

It does get easier though, with time.


Troy Cantrell
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Build thread - '66 CJ 6:
1966 CJ 6 build - Jeep-CJ Forums

Thanks. I had my moments this afternoon but its time to stop hiding from it.

 

[Petescj]

After selling and swapping a couple parts with another forum member I got down to work. I pulled off the drag link along with the tie rod and stabilizer. The sabilizer bracket wont work with the beefier tie rod so off it went.



The stock drag link looks so spindley compared to the new one.



Same with the tie rod. All the stock stuff is engineered for 28 in tires. 35s push alot of steering components beyond what they were designed for.

 

[Petescj]

Its a pretty straight forward installation for those of you who havent done it before. I pulled the Cj out of the garage and made sure I had the tires straight before I pulled in and started tearing it apart. Just pull the cotter pins on the 2 drag link ends and the same with the 2 tie rod ends. Then remove the castle nuts.

A pickle fork will make quick work of seperating all the ends. I got rid of my steering stabilizer as well. Its only one nut on the mount from the spring pack if you take it out as one piece with the tie rod like I did. Mine was rusty and broke right off.



After I greased all the ends I went to put it all together. I used my floor jack , a couple bricks and a rag to push the tie rod and later the drag link into place.



Heres the finished product after a test run. I dont see any difference without the stabilizer. I didnt have the cash to do the tie rod flip cause Im still working on tire money yet again. I'll get a stock pitman arm and the sleeves to do that conversion when I have a little more cash. I'll also add my beefy steering box mount and a brace at that time.

This Cj is getting really close for Vicki to take it off road. The tires are ordered and are going to really help this thing to perform off road. 35 x 12.5 x 15 Goodyear MTR's :drool: . After that we're just a power brake upgrade away from taking her out.

 

[Petescj]

Wow, good to have friends like that. Some people get it, they are not just pets to a lot of us.

It does get easier though, with time.


Troy Cantrell
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Build thread - '66 CJ 6:
1966 CJ 6 build - Jeep-CJ Forums

It was funny , I was pulling in the parking lot this morning and he was walking through. He came back to where I parked and looked under the front end then gave me a big thumbs up.

 

[Hitman1881]

Great thread! I have enjoyed reading it. Just got my first cj and you have given me some great motivation and ideas.

 

[Petescj]

Great thread! I have enjoyed reading it. Just got my first cj and you have given me some great motivation and ideas.

Thanks , but Im a little angry with mine right now. Took it up to the Mother in laws yesterday and started hearing some loud noises from the drivetrain. Anyhow after a look see I decided to try and get it home. Things got louder and luckily my brother lives close by so I ducked in there.

I went back up today and it seems like something let loose in the Transfer Case . Im working 3-3 through the Holidays so finding time is gonna be a pain. My brother took the Dana 300 from my Limited with him when he dropped me off. The whole Transmission is coming out so I can fix that Transmission leak as well.

 

[Hitman1881]

I feel ya Pete ..... Seems like every time I touch something it has the snowball effect. Not always the cj's fault, mostly mine I start on something and have a hard time stopping. but it sure is fun for me working on something when I want to... Not when I have to!

 

[Petescj]

I feel ya Pete ..... Seems like every time I touch something it has the snowball effect. Not always the cj's fault, mostly mine I start on something and have a hard time stopping. but it sure is fun for me working on something when I want to... Not when I have to!

Well this time is a "have" to for me. Thing that irks me a bit is we had our first snowfall and I didnt even get to play at all. The 3-3 shifts are kicking my for 13 days straight but Im going after it on Saturday.

My brother has been a god send as of late. Not only is he helping me with my welding needs but he sent me the below pic today as well. The Cj is in his warm garage and the whole job just got easier. The Transmission is out before I even get there.

I needed to change out the seal behind the tourque converter so thats why the whole Transmission is out. With the Transfer Case making the noises it did it only makes sense to do it all in one step. I'll crack open the Transfer Case and grab some pics of what went wrong later.

 

[gert]

Well this time is a "have" to for me. Thing that irks me a bit is we had our first snowfall and I didnt even get to play at all. The 3-3 shifts are kicking my for 13 days straight but Im going after it on Saturday.

My brother has been a god send as of late. Not only is he helping me with my welding needs but he sent me the below pic today as well. The Cj is in his warm garage and the whole job just got easier. The trans is out before I even get there.

I needed to change out the seal behind the tourque converter so thats why the whole trans is out. With the t-case making the noises it did it only makes sense to do it all in one step. I'll crack open the t-case and grab some pics of what went wrong later.

You owe your brother some serious for pulling a tranny and T case

 

[Petescj]

You owe your brother some serious for pulling a tranny and T case

Thats the truth for sure. It was the difference in spending the whole weekend or 1/2 the weekend working on the Cj. I headed over to his house and started working on getting it back together yesterday. First I cleaned up the tailshaft area and the Transfer Case I stole from the Limited . Then I used a thin coat of high temp RTV and mated them together.



This is the reason the whole Transmission came out. The bouncing marbles noise was coming from my Transfer Case but the Transmission leaked about 1 quart a week from the seal behind the torque converter. I got a new one from Napa for $12. If you have to pull your auto Transmission Id recomend changing this seal. I didnt the first time and now the Transmission is out again.



I forgot to get a shot of the seal installed but I did find a easy way to get it to seat. In the pic the seal is already removed. First I let it sit in some Atf for a 1/2 hour while I worked on other things. Then I gave the race a very thin coat of RTV. This seal is a press fit and not something you can just push or hammer in. I used a piece of 2 in. Pcv pipe to tap it in. The pipe goes over the shaft and matches with the outside of the bearing race for a nice clean striking surface. A few taps with a hammer and it was flush.

 

[Old Dog]

Pete, make sure the seal hasn't worn a grove in the converter. If it has it will never seal right.

 

[Petescj]

Pete, make sure the seal hasn't worn a grove in the converter. If it has it will never seal right.

I have more on this , just dont have time to write it up right now.

 

[profire]

Love the new tie rod and drag link setup. I plan on doing that too at some point but jeez the money goes quick these days. I am still working on mechanical reliability stuff. Since my steering components are still good they will have to wait. Keep up the good work!

 

[Petescj]

Love the new tie rod and drag link setup. I plan on doing that too at some point but jeez the money goes quick these days. I am still working on mechanical reliability stuff. Since my steering components are still good they will have to wait. Keep up the good work!

Thanks. After having them on awhile I love them as well. My stuff was pretty worn out so replacing it all was a no brainer. It feels great without the stabilizer.I also wanted to beef things up since Im running 35s. I still have to add the Heavy duty steering box mount and brace I have here. I'll do that all when I do the tie rod flip after the Holidays.

Speaking of the Holidays I finally have my appointment set up for my new 35 in Goodyear MTRs on the 28th. Talk about the money going quick , thats a good chunk of change but its money well spent. Pics as soon as I get them on.

Like alot of other people I go through dry periods where there isnt alot of cash to throw at the Cjs. Right now Im going through the other problem , no time to work on it. But I am making money so when things slow down a little Im gonna chuck a couple more mods at this one to make sure its 100% trail ready. Power brakes , a new winch cable , a little rock protection and finally installing my bumper / tire carrier are all around the corner. Then Vicki and I take it to Rausch Creek and try it out.

 

[profire]

Yeah, most of us are in the same boat, kids, family, other obligations. We all would love to be wrenching and spending money on our jeeps every week.

Tires are super expensive these days too, I just bought a set of 31's that are not big name brand tires and that was 625.00. Keep up the good work i love looking at everyone's build's.

 

[Petescj]

Sears tire center angered me. about a truck not getting there on time and my tires wont arrive till next week. Sorry guys I waited long enough. I opted to go elsewhere and New Years day Im headed to Jack Williams tire for my new 35s. I actually have a couple days off here so I'll catch up on a little sleep and hit the garage one of my days off..

 

[gert]

Yeah, most of us are in the same boat, kids, family, other obligations. We all would love to be wrenching and spending money on our jeeps every week.

Tires are super expensive these days too, I just bought a set of 31's that are not big name brand tires and that was 625.00. Keep up the good work i love looking at everyone's build's.

Man isnt that the truth, my build is dead in the water waiting on a tire and wheel fund Hope the tax law hasnt changed to much

 

[Petescj]

Man isnt that the truth, my build is dead in the water waiting on a tire and wheel fund Hope the tax law hasnt changed to much

Thats an exspensive one there. Im keeping my wheels and tires alone are about $1300. Im hoping tax time is good myself. Im hoping to atleast be able to grab these:


OMIX-ADA DMC8133338 - Passenger Side "Jeep" Logo Stamped Side Panel for 76-95 Jeep CJ-7 & Wrangler YJ - Quadratec

OMIX-ADA DMC8133339 - Driver Side "Jeep" Logo Stamped Side Panel for 76-95 Jeep CJ-7 & Wrangler YJ - Quadratec