Build Thread 83 cj7 rust bucket rebuild

[83power]

Ok, first jeep ever, just using it for a plow truck, but I am going to make it certifiable for the road.

Bringing it home:
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NEXT...........................TUB REMOVAL....

 

[mtnwhlr]

I don't think you know what a rust bucket is that doesn't look to bad unless all that primer is hiding it.

 

[83power]

Just wait I will show the underneath and rear frame, nothing is original on this thing. I have done some sand blasting and rust removal and have filled a 5 gal pail. Notice the split in the side of the body, bondo is the only thing holding this jeep together.
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[83power]

Rear frame: rotten to the core......
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[mtnwhlr]

wow I retrack my earlier post looks you have a lot of work ahead of you I wish you luck.

 

[gert]

wow I retrack my earlier post looks you have a lot of work ahead of you I wish you luck.

lol yep just a little rust

 

[jeepardy]

If that grill is original, you might have a "Limited " Whats the interior and dash look like like? Do those seats have contrast piping on them under those covers? Is there an inlay around the gauges?

 

[Petescj]

If that grill is original, you might have a "Limited" Whats the interior and dash look like like? Do those seats have contrast piping on them under those covers? Is there an inlay around the gauges?

Its a Laredo .

 

[83power]

My rust bucket is a Laredo:
It has the factory clock, Chrome rims and chrome bumpers,
that's all I know

Here's a couple of pics....

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[mtnwhlr]

My rust bucket is a Laredo:
It has the factory clock, Chrome rims and chrome bumpers,
that's all I know

Here's a couple of pics....

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And tach and leather wraped steering wheel and o' handle.

 

[Petescj]

And tach and leather wraped steering wheel and o' handle.

The seats , and the chrome grill cover with the black striping around it. The tilt column is a bonus. Its rusty but a nice one to save.

 

[83power]

Just wait I will show the underneath and rear frame, nothing is original on this thing. I have done some sand blasting and rust removal and have filled a 5 gal pail. Notice the split in the side of the body, bondo is the only thing holding this jeep together.

Ok, To take the body off I had to remove:

• E-Brake Cable from the pedal
• Speedo Cable from speedo
• Steering Shaft from under the hood
• Master Wiring Harness
• Heater hoses
• Windshield....so I could turn it upside down
• Hood
• Front Fenders
• Side Flares....so I could stand it on its side
• Gas Pedal wire
• Washer tube
• Gas Tank siphon tube
• Gas tank wire/sender wire
• Rear Light Harness

More pics coming, I am taking shots of anything that might be interesting or to help anyone else.

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More pics coming, I am taking shots of anything that might be interesting or to help anyone else.

 

[83power]

Welded 1 x 3" rectangular tubing for the body mounts.
Since I did that I also had to weld 1 x 3" under the rear seat, mid section.
I guess it will be a 1" lift....
Reinforced passenger rear floor and rear body section also
The whole floor behind the driver and passenger seat was swiss cheese, had to patch all of that.
But it was a good thing I was able to reinforce the roll bar mounting area with 3/16 plate, I feel better about that.
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[83power]

Ok made my own rear frame end rails.....

• 2.5" x 2.5" x 3/16" steel tubing
• shaved 2 sides about 6 inches up with the grinder to get it down to 2.25", so it would fit inside the frame rails.
• cut the top of it on an angle to fit further inside.
• made a partial cut on the bottom where the bend will be, then bent it level.
• I TEST FIT lots, very hard pulling the pieces in and out of the frame rail.
• Welded when I got the right angle.
• measured to make sure I am 32.5" between each frame rail and TEST FIT.
• I am going to pull them one more time to pre drill all the holes and weld in the shakles nuts

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[S76]

That's really nice work. Wish I had half your fabrication skills.

 

[dsrt4]

Looks great.

This is pretty much the same thing i am doing to my CJ7 frame i am using under my streched CJ5 to CJ6 length tub.

 

[brucefamily6]

got one like that myself

 

[83power]

FABING new REAR CROSS MEMBER
3.5" x 3.5" x 3/16"........50" long
cut one side out with 1/32" cutting disk (2 disks total) and a grinder.

Oh yah and a bit more frame welding
I still have to cut and clean up the small weld.
The big weld patch has vertical reinforcement plates inside.
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[dsrt4]

Looks great!

 

[83power]

Homemade Gas Tank Skid Plate

Ok, everything I use has been made from something else. My skid plate was a old emergency light panel box. good thick metal with vent holes for the rear, looks cool, I think, all I gotta do is the final coating of EZ-Liner spray.

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