Build Thread '81 CJ-7 Laredo build

[Petescj]

Unfortunately I tweaked my back a bit which will probably keep me from completing the job for the next 2 days. Some good thing did happen though. A trip to Walcks 4wd is always fun. I got the spindle nut socket there along with the banjo bolts I needed instead of ordering on line.



But the best part of Walcks is taking a peak at what he has out front:

 

[Petescj]

Or on the side:



Wish I couldve got better pics of this Waggy:

 

[Petescj]

Back to the Laredo though. While the axle is apart Im replacing everything that has wear. The bonus was I already had these parts lying around. Time for new wheel bearing , race , stub shaft oil seal and the hub seal.



I did finish the exhaust as well :



Once I heal up a little I'll finish the axle work. Then a new water pump and clutch fan will have me ready for the upcoming Winter weather.

 

[elwood blues]

Looking good Pedro, sorry to hear about your back

 

[Petescj]

Thanks. It sucks but hopefully I can get back at it tomorrow. Im chomping at the bit to see if this was my problem. After not being able to remove that bearing cap Im 99% sure that universal was causing the bind in my steering.

Looking good Pedro, sorry to hear about your back

 

[PaRenegade]

After not being able to remove that bearing cap Im 99% sure that universal was causing the bind in my steering.

Did your steering want to throw you left, then right, then left, just out of the blue for no apparent reason? I had that issue one time years ago and couldn't figure it out. Then a mechanic (my cousin) found a frozen u-joint on the passenger side, replaced it and problem solved. Still makes no sense to me today because it happened without the hubs in or in 4wd.

 

[Petescj]

Thats pretty much whats happening to me. It started that it would jusst do it sporadically , usually after a hard turn. Now its all the time. Ive only gotten to the driver side and thats the fused one. I'll be doing the passenger side next. Thats why I decided on the greasable U joints. Im hoping that being able to grease them periodically will save me from pulling the axles to change fused U joints again. For what its worth I thought the same thing about it not being in 4wd. Thats why this is basically the last thing left to replace.

Did your steering want to throw you left, then right, then left, just out of the blue for no apparent reason? I had that issue one time years ago and couldn't figure it out. Then a mechanic (my cousin) found a frozen u-joint on the passenger side, replaced it and problem solved. Still makes no sense to me today because it happened without the hubs in or in 4wd.

 

[Petescj]

Well with Vicki breaking her leg its going to be tough to get any work done on the Cj. The next two days will be in the 60s here in Pa. Im betting that those will be the last warm days in Pa. for 2014. I'll get the new to me hard top painted then. Its up to me to make it look good in black.





The glass in it is very nice along with a very clean liftgate. Im sure it'll look good painted black and on the Cj.

 

[JR74CJ5]

Damn! That sucks about Vicki's Leg! That can't be easy for her...

Let me know when you're ready to pop it up there and I'll swing by on my way home from work and help ya...

 

[Petescj]

Got a base coat down on the hardtop but it needs a good finish coat. I have to work late tomorrow so itll probably be dark when I get home. Hopefully I can get the kid to help me move it in the garage and finish it. Heres how it looks now:

 

[jdulmer]

Got a base coat down on the hardtop but it needs a good finish coat. I have to work late tomorrow so itll probably be dark when I get home. Hopefully I can get the kid to help me move it in the garage and finish it. Heres how it looks now:

Looking good!

 

[JR74CJ5]

Yes it does!

 

[Petescj]

Looking good! ��

Yes it does!

Lucky enough to get 60 degree weather in November. Im still rockin the bikini top till I cant stand it anymore. The 30 degree mornings are wearing on me.

 

[jdulmer]

Lucky enough to get 60 degree weather in November. Im still rockin the bikini top till I cant stand it anymore. The 30 degree mornings are wearing on me.

Not me... First cold snap and...

 

[Petescj]

Not me... First cold snap and...

I really like your Cj. Looks solid and straight with that Yj tub.

 

[jdulmer]

I got lucky...

 

[Petescj]

Got lucky enough weather wise to put a bit more paint on the hardtop. Looks much better this time around. Tomorrow will be the finish coat.







It definitly looks better now. One more coat should make it look reall good. This weekends project is going to be a new water pump and clutch fan. Parts already ordered. Hopefully it all holds together till then.

 

[Petescj]

Well I finally got a chance to bring the Cj back in the garage again. Between work and my extra duties with Vickis broken leg finding time to spare is a struggle. Anyhow I knew my fan clutch and water pump were both on the way out. Here we go:

The new aluminum "painted" water pump.

 

[Petescj]

Photobucket failed me last night. Anyhow while I was in there I decided on a freshcoat of paint for some items that needed to be removed anyway.

 

[Petescj]

I'll also get it cleaned up enough so I can actually read the timing marks.