Build Thread 83 CJ7 "The Turd" build
Mcdozendriver
Jeeper
So after having the jeep for a full week and a half, it's time to start a build thread.
This will be a very long process, to start I will be doing the maintenance that will get it safely on the road. After that I will be slowly building it to be a solid driver and to hold its own off road.
First thing was fix the loose steering. Ordered a HD steering shaft to get rid of the damaged coupler that was one cause of the loose steering. Then found that the P.O. only had 2 bolts holding the steering box on even though he has the steering brace and a HD bracket. Took a whole lot of persuasion to get the shaft off, ended up dropping the steering box to get the shaft out after nearly setting my garage, myself and the jeep on fire with the grinder cutting the old steering shaft. Using a hammer, punch, wrenches, wd40 and a colorful assortment of profanities, I got the new one installed.
After that I went to replace the valve cover gasket since I have an oil leak and it's either the valve cover or the rear main. I choose to handle the easier one first. In taking off the cover, I found that the rear bolt was completely loose and could be the culprit of the leak. The gasket I ordered was a rugged ridge supposedly OEM replacement. However, the gasket was twice the thickness of the old one and the new hardware in the package was to large in diameter. So a quick visit to the local parts store and got another gasket that was the proper thickness. Reused the old bolts and got the cover on. We shall see if it's still leaking tomorrow, if it is i will be pulling the pan and replacing the rear main.
Overall I was very happy with wrenching on the jeep. It is still filthy from being a farm vehicle and the leaks only made it worse. I was covered head to toe in oil and grease. I loved it, the wife not so much.
Next on the agenda is to source another bolt for the steering box and then install a rear seat that I will soon be ordering. I am still deciding if I will go for a factory replacement or an aftermarket.
This will be a very long process, to start I will be doing the maintenance that will get it safely on the road. After that I will be slowly building it to be a solid driver and to hold its own off road.
First thing was fix the loose steering. Ordered a HD steering shaft to get rid of the damaged coupler that was one cause of the loose steering. Then found that the P.O. only had 2 bolts holding the steering box on even though he has the steering brace and a HD bracket. Took a whole lot of persuasion to get the shaft off, ended up dropping the steering box to get the shaft out after nearly setting my garage, myself and the jeep on fire with the grinder cutting the old steering shaft. Using a hammer, punch, wrenches, wd40 and a colorful assortment of profanities, I got the new one installed.
After that I went to replace the valve cover gasket since I have an oil leak and it's either the valve cover or the rear main. I choose to handle the easier one first. In taking off the cover, I found that the rear bolt was completely loose and could be the culprit of the leak. The gasket I ordered was a rugged ridge supposedly OEM replacement. However, the gasket was twice the thickness of the old one and the new hardware in the package was to large in diameter. So a quick visit to the local parts store and got another gasket that was the proper thickness. Reused the old bolts and got the cover on. We shall see if it's still leaking tomorrow, if it is i will be pulling the pan and replacing the rear main.
Overall I was very happy with wrenching on the jeep. It is still filthy from being a farm vehicle and the leaks only made it worse. I was covered head to toe in oil and grease. I loved it, the wife not so much.
Next on the agenda is to source another bolt for the steering box and then install a rear seat that I will soon be ordering. I am still deciding if I will go for a factory replacement or an aftermarket.
