The driveshafts are the other thing that isn't finished! How are other guys running 44" tires?
I would at the VERY least lower the suspension several inches. You don't need that much wheel travel, especially not for mud. Mud is my A/O, and I can show you pics of rigs that you would never think would be able to literally fly through 18-24" of muck. The pic of your ideal rig wasn't on 44s, unless you're talking about the axles. That had 37" Super Swamper SSR's. That would look a little goofy on that much height and 37's.
If you would like to keep it on 44s, I'd do hydro assist at the very least. I've drilled and tapped my steering box for hydro assist, so I could at least take some pics to show locations of the ports if that would be any help. It's not a hard job to do, one must just keep everything clean.
What
Transfer Case does he have in the Jeep? That would make or break some of the sale price to me. Having a SBC 350 and whatever tranny (likely a TH350 -- Take a pic of the
Transmission pan and post it up and we'll tell you what it is) doesn't jack up the sale price IMHO. swap parts are cheap, and so are 350s for that matter. The only thing that jeep has "going" for it is having 44s bolted on. I'd look at it as what you have to do to it to get it moving and moving right. I would NOT look at it as what it has sitting there.
Down to dollars and sense (Yes, I meant to spell it that way
) -- Just for example, I bought my CJ 9 years ago from a friend in running, driving, tagged and inspected legal condition. All lights worked, I got both a bikini top and a hard top. It had an AMC 360 V8, a
T-176 4 speed
Transmission and
Dana 300 Transfer Case . Factory axles had 4.10 gears and an Eaton locker in the rear. 33" tires with excellent tread. Also had a 12,000 lb Mile Marker winch on the front. Bad things were it smoked (burned oil) and the carb needed rebuilt, so it ran a little rough. I bought it off of the guy for $2500, which would have been only $2000 if I didn't want the winch. I put only $200 into it, and I had it running like a top and burning clean exhaust. If it were me, I'd start off negotiating with him at $1700. Those Boggers aren't new. To be quite honest, they're down to less than half tread. 3/4 ton axles can be had for $200-$400 for a set. Running SBCs can be had for $4-500 and Chevy trannies can be had for $350 or less. I've seen CJ bodies/frames (potentially even rolling chassis less drivetrain) around me for $750ish. If you go see the Jeep again, and you like it, make sure you take a short stack of Bennies with you. Talk money with him, shoot him an offer (like I said, I'd suggest $1700). If he balks, flash the green. That works, almost every time. Not that I would know that one either.
Long story longer, the storal of my mory is this -- if you want this Jeep, go for it. The big matter here is if you have the time, money, and other resources to make it right. Just be prepared, it will be much, MUCH more work than you are currently anticipating. The learning curve will likely be very steep. Keep us updated, and if you have a chance to see it in person again, take some pics and post them up. Good luck.
im looking at buying a 1982 CJ7 , it has been lifted and put on 44's but the steering box they have on jeep rubs when turned to the right idk much about jeeps so trying to explore my options. i will put a picture up so you can see what im talking about the steering box is on the outside of the frame?im looking at buying a 1982 CJ7 , it has been lifted and put on 44's but the steering box they have on jeep rubs when turned to the right idk much about jeeps so trying to explore my options. i will put a picture up so you can see what im talking about the steering box is on the outside of the frame?
