Build Thread '83 CJ-7 Ground Up

[mmt]

New member here. I just did the introduction post, now to the good stuff. I've had many Jeeps over the years from mild to wild. Here is my latest, it's '83 CJ7 . I am performing a frame up rebuild. I plan on this one being a good mix of on and off road fun. I live in Indiana so at this point in my life that is the most practical for maximum enjoyment.
Please feel free to ask questions. Soooo without further delay.......

 

[Bowbender]

 

[PaRenegade]

 

[mmt]

I should add that this belonged to someone I know very well so I was extremely familiar with the Jeep. He has had it since about 1990. Its an '83 wide track.

 

[mmt]

 

[mmt]

A bit of info on the drivetrain: The AMC 258 i6 / 4.2l only has 20K on it. I have not decided yet on propane or TBI. Transmission is T-18 . It had a hacked up belly pan on it so I will be fabbing one from scratch. It came with a pretty fresh 4" lift installed. I will probably keep that for now but I really wish it was a 2.5". It came with 30/20 axles under it with 2.73 (yuck) would not accelerate in 4th gear with the 35s on the way home. It also came with a set of scout 44s open diffs with 3.73s. I have those for sale since I decided to stay with the 30//20 combo. Parts have been coming in all week for the axles. 4.10 gears locker for the front new tie rods ball joints and brakes. 4.10s for the rear detroit trutrac posi unit moser axles rear disk brake conversion, and the baddest diff covers I have ever seen for Jeep CJ's.

 

[mmt]

Frame painted and motor mounts and shock brackets reinstalled.

The rear frame horns had been repaired at some point in time. Wasn't great looking but was strong and drove square so I opted to leave it alone other than grinding and rewelding all of it. Looks pretty good now.

I welded on 1x1x1/4 angle for the Transmission belly pan that I will be fab-ing. No need to fix the broken and missing holes in the frame, now or in the future. Bolts with nuts.

 

[mmt]

Dana 30 gears and locker installed.

I have done them before but I live in the Fort Wayne, IN area. Dana plant here builds or has built Dana 25, 27, 30, 35, 44, 60, 70, and 80 axles. A good friend of mine worked in assembly for 20+ years before retiring. I usually let him set up my gears. He is much faster than I am. I have never seen him install gears more than twice. First time with generic shims to get a picture, remove and he says this much on pinion, this much left this much right reinstall and they are perfect every time. He says when they were running 30, 35, and 44s he would set-up 300+ sets of gears per shift.

 

[mmt]

In fact my Dana buddy bought my '47 CJ2a last fall. He just got the motor rebuilt and is installing a new body now. I might hit him up to join and throw some of his build pics on here.

 

[PaRenegade]

Ask your buddy if they have a "scratch and dent" or factory seconds outlet at Dana Corp!

Curious, why did you put the trutrac in the rear and the lunchbox in the front instead of the other way around?

 

[mmt]

I live in Indiana so 98% of my driving is on the road. I just didn't want to fight a locker every time I turn. I would love an Auburn Gear E-Locker but it wasn't in the budget right now. I do need to find a friend that works there now. I am only about 15 miles from Auburn.

I don't think Dana has a scratch and dent outlet, but I have, over the years, bought some "lunch box specials" from him.

 

[oldjeeplady]

Just thought I would check in on your build - it's looking really good so far!!

I would like to see a pic of the "baddest diff covers I have ever seen for Jeep CJ's." When you get a chance of course...

JoEllen in Wisconsin...

 

[mtnwhlr]

I would like to see a pic of the "baddest diff covers I have ever seen for Jeep CJ's." When you get a chance of course...

me to :drool:

 

[mmt]

Here you go. They are about 3/4" thick.....

 

[mmt]

 

[mmt]

I am waiting on my poly bushing kit to come from quadratec so i can get the axles and springs installed (they don't tell you its on backorder until after you pay). So to keep the progress going I slid the uncleaned powerplant Transmission and Transfer Case into the frame so I can begin fabricating my skid plate / tranny mount.

 

[Petescj]

Ok. Where and how much?

Here you go. They are about 3/4" thick.....

 

[mtnwhlr]

Ok. Where and how much?

:drool: yes where and how much

 

[mmt]

Ok. Where and how much?

American Rebel Mfg. I purchased them from BJ's Off Road. $140 for the 20 and $120 for the 30. They have black powdercoat and buffed aluminium too for a little more but I liked the blasted look. Clear powder coat would be nice though.

 

[mmt]

OK here is what it I got done last night. I don't really have a plan for the belly pan so it's just plasma, torch and tack weld as I go. It fits good so far and I think once the final gussets are on and the corners are all angled and radiused and welded it should look pretty descent.