'83 CJ7 Build Ideas

[jdulmer]

First off, let me say, I already know that the CJ purists on here will probably not like all my ideas. That is OK.

Here she is the day that I brought her home.

I have had to wait to really get going on this because Momma said, "buying the house comes first". Well, the house is pretty much bought, just waiting to close the deal.

Let's start with the Engine/Drivetrain. Here's the plan.
Rebuilt Jasper AMC 258 i6 / 4.2l , add a header. Keep the T-176 -Dana 300 combo, only I'm going to Twin-Stick the TC. Add one piece rear axles and a Lock-Right Locker. Add a K&N Cold air intake to my Weber carb. That's about it.

Now to the exterior. This is where some of you are going to moan. Paint will be AMC Sherwood Green Metallic. Keep the chrome grill and hardware (hinges, etc.)

Green Halo headlights w/Angry Eyes covers.

Metalcloak 4" fenders/flair and sliders

Marsh 15" beadlock wheels, green lock rings and 33x12.5 BFG Mud Terrain Tires

Chrome 4" Halo turn/brake/tail lights

Roll cage

Swing away spare carrier.

Interior and soft tops are spice. I am going to put all Autometer gauges. The Jeep cluster will be replaced with a 5" GPS speedometer, 2 green leds and a blue led.
Also, going to put bedliner on the floor boards.

That's pretty much it.
When finished, she will look similar to this.

Opinions are welcome and encouraged.

 

[PaRenegade]

I'm a purist, but it's not my Jeep. Do what you want. Just don't make it cheesy or we'll have to recall your Jeep card.

" Add a K&N Cold air intake to my Weber carb."
Use the stock air cleaner. It's the original "cold Air Intake" and probably better than any you can piece together (cause nobody offers one for a Jeep AMC 258 i6 / 4.2l ).

 

[Petescj]

Love the Sherwood green choice. The AMC 258 i6 / 4.2l /T-176 /300 combo is also a good choice. Like the halo lights as well but Ive never been a fan of the angry eye covers. The metal cloak fronts are pretty cool , not sure how I feel about the rears. Are you keeping a set of wheels and tires for street driving? Beadlocks arent going to be street legal. I call dibs on your current wheels if you sell them. Your list is pretty short...for now

 

[jdulmer]

Love the Sherwood green choice. The 258/T-176/300 combo is also a good choice. Like the halo lights as well but Ive never been a fan of the angry eye covers. The metal cloak fronts are pretty cool , not sure how I feel about the rears. Are you keeping a set of wheels and tires for street driving? Beadlocks arent going to be street legal. I call dibs on your current wheels if you sell them. Your list is pretty short...for now

I'm not totally sure about the angry eyes, either. I'll have to see them on.. The Fenders look sweet, I've seen them up close. They're super strong too. And yes I am keeping the Crager wheels. Although, the cops around here wouldn't have a clue. Half the pickup trucks around here get away with it... I'm anxious to see the taillights and turn signals hidden behind chrome. It ought to look pretty cool.

 

[jdulmer]

A lot of the small stuff was already done by the PO.

 

[elwood blues]

" Add a K&N Cold air intake to my Weber carb."Use the stock air cleaner. It's the original "cold Air Intake" and probably better than any you can piece together (cause nobody offers one for a Jeep 258).

I came to say this too. A "cold air intake" really isn't worth the amount of money just for the K&N logo that's on it. Save the money for something else.

I really like going all LED for the turn and marker lights, as well as the custom dash.

If you want my 2¢, save the money from the K&N intake and spend it on LED headlights :drool:

 

[jdulmer]

I came to say this too. A "cold air intake" really isn't worth the amount of money just for the K&N logo that's on it. Save the money for something else.

I really like going all LED for the turn and marker lights, as well as the custom dash.

If you want my 2¢, save the money from the K&N intake and spend it on LED headlights :drool:

The LED headlights are a definite possibility.

 

[GARGOYLEJEEPER]

Looks good, never been a fan of Webers, JB Fab for the twin stick. Weld up the rear housing, like the cage how they bolt to the dash so you have no problem with e-brake, get the tie into kit with.
Make it yours, real Jeeps are built not bought.

 

[Old Dog]

I agree with the other guy's, forget the cold air intake. I'm also not a fan of the Webber, but if yours is working good keep it for now.
The cops in your area might not look at your bead locks, but if you get in a wreck the insurance guy might notice them, and that could be worse than a ticket. Keep the real bead locks for off road and run fake ones on road if you like that look.

 

[jdulmer]

I agree with the other guy's, forget the cold air intake. I'm also not a fan of the Webber, but if yours is working good keep it for now.
The cops in your area might not look at your bead locks, but if you get in a wreck the insurance guy might notice them, and that could be worse than a ticket. Keep the real bead locks for off road and run fake ones on road if you like that look.

I wasn't really planning on running the beadlock wheels on the road. Good point about the insurance company. Weber is working great, once tuned correctly. What kind of carb would you recommend? Thanks for the advice.

 

[Posi]

Metalcloak 4" fenders/flair and sliders

You didn't mention how your Jeep will be used.
I would go with the 6" flairs if it will see more road use, and 4" for more trail use.

 

[jdulmer]

You didn't mention how your Jeep will be used.
I would go with the 6" flairs if it will see more road use, and 4" for more trail use.

It'll be both, on and off road. There are bugs in my plan, I am sure... But that's part of the fun, right?

 

[Posi]

Absolutely