83 CJ7 Teardown/Build Up - Military Style

[JBPage76]

I recently purchased an 83 CJ7 with the intentions of it being a family project vehicle. Its not in extremely bad shape but could use some attention that’s for sure. Right now I am working on a plan of attack, and trying to decide where to start. We had originally planned on throwing some paint on it and letting the boys learn how to drive it on the ranch, but after seeing them getting excited about the prospect of a teardown, I could not help but get excited myself. They want to do a Military style build-up, which I also think is a great idea.

So it begins.. I have come to you the reader, with this thread on what we are doing as we do it. We are always looking for advice and look forward to learning from some from some of the more experienced personnel here!

Hope to have some pictures up soon (once I can figure out how to upload them) of our starting point, progress and eventual completion. I know that this is going to be a lot of work at best but cant help feeling really excited at the chance to work on it with my boys. I know they are going to enjoy seeing it torn down and built back up, as we hope you all will too!

Keep in mind that this will be our first project of this size!! Wish us luck!!!!

 

[mtnwhlr]

I do wish you luck. All I can say is take your time. Bag and label everything and don't throw anything away untill you are done. Take lots of pics so you can go back and look at how it look before you took it apart. The problem with doing it with your boys is they will want to just start tearing things apart and then when it comes to putting it back together you don't know how it went. So have fun with it and it will be great bonding with you and your boys that they will never forget. And the best Jeep is one that was built not bought. So when people look at it and say wow you can proudly say my boys and I built that

 

[JBPage76]

Here are a few picture of her as she was when we got her. On my initial inspection there are quite a few things that I’ve noticed right off that are going to need attention, but since shes going to get a complete teardown, at this point there are more of just mental notes.

Here are a few pictures of what we are planning the final build up to look like, or as close to as possible with a few minor altercations/modifications. I would like to install inlayed military tail lights but may have some difficulty repositioning the gas tank filler. We will cross that bridge when it comes.

 

[JBPage76]

After quite a bit of thought and research I think we have a decent work plan to get us started on phase one. If we’ve overlook anything or if there is anyone with advice from their own experiences please feel free to let me know!! I don’t get butt hurt over corrections, advice or criticisms! So fire away!

Tentative Plan: LOTS of Pictures and notes!!
Phase I – Body Teardown
-Removal of smaller miscellaneous items (seats, spare tire rack, tail lights, wench, soft dash, roll bar cover/padding, ect)
-Removal of the steering wheel
-Unwire and remove dash panel, heater and whatever else may be lurking under there.
-Removal of Transmission shifters
-Removal of windshield, hood, fenders, grill.
-Removal of tub, thinking about leaving the roll bars until the tub is off. May be a good lifting point, assuming the rust under them isn’t too bad.

In the process of attempting to build a body rotisserie, but may break down and buy one if it doesn’t work out.

Side Note: My youngest son made “his own” tool box at his scout meeting today… said it’s the “Jeep tool box”. Gotta love their enthusiasm!

 

[0822]

:ww:from Missouri. It looks like it's going to be a great family project. Keep the pictures coming, we all like pictures.

 

[mtnwhlr]

When you are taking the wires out get a roll of tape and every plug you remove wright what it went to and put it on the wires by the plug. I am going to love watching how this goes.

 

[JBPage76]

Great advice guys! Received and much appreciated. keep 'em comming!
We are currently preparing the garage, lots of rubber made bins , Toe Tags and ziplock bags. Going to be taking a lot of photos too, just to be safe..
One modification idea we are having is using flush mounted military taillights. Like the photos below that I found on another thread.

This poses a few minor problems though. One being the fuel fill line is going to have to be moved in order to mount the lights… The other issue is finding the flush mounting brackets. The lights are easy enough to find, but the brackets are proving quite elusive.


I have found a great site for new and used military vehicle parts "Steel Soldiers" for anyone else who may be having a hard time sourcing military issue parts. This site also has links to other hardware dealers.

 

[Gunner Actual]

It looks really good, and I love your idea about the tail lights. I'm going to have to copy that idea if you don't mind, I think we're heading down the same path as far as project destinys go. Good luck!

 

[Petescj]

I love that look. Good luck with your build.

 

[Petescj]

Also when you find everything for the tailight conversion post the info up. They look sweet. Heck when you start getting down to it take plenty of pics and start a thread here:

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