Build Thread '85 CJ-7 Laredo Frame-Off; "The Black Whale"
ETXJeep
Jeeper
- Posts
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- Location
- Tyler, TX
- Vehicle(s)
- '81 CJ-7; 258, SR4, D300, D30, D20. Upgrades; MC 2100, HEI, 2.5" lift, Headlight relays, Blazer heater
'85 CJ-7; Going through frame-off ... 304, TF999, D300, D30, D20. Upgrades; 20gal tank, 2.5" lift, Blazer Heater, Headlight relays, MC 2100, HEI.
In the spirit of Melville's "Moby <-BAD WORD->" ....
Call me Scott. Some years ago - never mind how long precisely - having little or no money in my purse, & nothing particular to interest me on shore, I thought I would cruise about a little & see what Jeep parts Craigslist had to offer. It is a way I have of driving off the spleen & regulating the circulation. Whenever I find myself growing grim about the mouth; whenever it is a damp, drizzly November in my soul; whenever I find myself involuntarily pausing before coffin warehouses, & bringing up the rear of every funeral I meet; & especially whenever my hypos get such an upper hand of me, that it requires a strong moral principle to prevent me from deliberately stepping into the street, & methodically knocking people's hats off - then, I account it high time to get to shop & "Jeep" as soon as I can. This is my substitute for pistol & ball. With a philosophical flourish Cato throws himself upon his sword; I quietly take to the shop to work & wrench. There is nothing surprising in this. If they but knew it, almost all men in their degree, some time or other, cherish very nearly the same feelings towards the Jeep with me.
Because having one Jeep obviously just wouldn't do ... I found a project I just, again obviously, couldn't live without. Just looking through CL for no particular reason, I found my "Black Whale".
... Flashback to the backstory ... about a year ago, I spotted a black CJ7 Laredo , mostly original besides a 4" SOA lift and 33" tires. I had seen this particular CJ always parked & never seemed like it moved, so I was curious. I finally saw someone at the house, so I went to talk to them. Turns out they were a little interested to sell. In the end, they were just asking way too much for it. I was sore as I knew I shot them a more than fair offer, but after awhile I didn't think about it much/ However, it sparked an interest in me I didn't know I had in the black Laredo . It was dubbed "the Black Whale" ...
Fast forward to about Fe-March 2015, again searching through CL for no reason, I happen upon another "Black Whale". Dang near 99% OEM ... & looked to be in pretty decent shape for the age. I went to take a look, with cash in hand & trailer in tow. Fully expecting to pick it up, I was very disappointed when I arrived. The Jeep was not as listed & had numerous issues ... rust in the major body seams was the major one. The owner also wanted WAAAAY too much & wasn't budging ... Again, I was pretty sore about it after I left. Another "black whale" got away from me.
Then, another, back in April (2015), same story .... but I landed her this time! I ended up finding an '85 CJ7 Laredo (black), i6, T-176 , Dana 300 , & again, ~ 95% all original. The funny thing was the PO, with the intent of doing a frame off, had already torn the Jeep down to the frame ... where it sat for the better part of 7-8 years. Do to a move he was ready to move it cheap. I had no reason to think any of the major components were bad so I picked it up.
(Pics to follow after approval. Thank you!) ....
Call me Scott. Some years ago - never mind how long precisely - having little or no money in my purse, & nothing particular to interest me on shore, I thought I would cruise about a little & see what Jeep parts Craigslist had to offer. It is a way I have of driving off the spleen & regulating the circulation. Whenever I find myself growing grim about the mouth; whenever it is a damp, drizzly November in my soul; whenever I find myself involuntarily pausing before coffin warehouses, & bringing up the rear of every funeral I meet; & especially whenever my hypos get such an upper hand of me, that it requires a strong moral principle to prevent me from deliberately stepping into the street, & methodically knocking people's hats off - then, I account it high time to get to shop & "Jeep" as soon as I can. This is my substitute for pistol & ball. With a philosophical flourish Cato throws himself upon his sword; I quietly take to the shop to work & wrench. There is nothing surprising in this. If they but knew it, almost all men in their degree, some time or other, cherish very nearly the same feelings towards the Jeep with me.
Because having one Jeep obviously just wouldn't do ... I found a project I just, again obviously, couldn't live without. Just looking through CL for no particular reason, I found my "Black Whale".
... Flashback to the backstory ... about a year ago, I spotted a black CJ7 Laredo , mostly original besides a 4" SOA lift and 33" tires. I had seen this particular CJ always parked & never seemed like it moved, so I was curious. I finally saw someone at the house, so I went to talk to them. Turns out they were a little interested to sell. In the end, they were just asking way too much for it. I was sore as I knew I shot them a more than fair offer, but after awhile I didn't think about it much/ However, it sparked an interest in me I didn't know I had in the black Laredo . It was dubbed "the Black Whale" ...
Fast forward to about Fe-March 2015, again searching through CL for no reason, I happen upon another "Black Whale". Dang near 99% OEM ... & looked to be in pretty decent shape for the age. I went to take a look, with cash in hand & trailer in tow. Fully expecting to pick it up, I was very disappointed when I arrived. The Jeep was not as listed & had numerous issues ... rust in the major body seams was the major one. The owner also wanted WAAAAY too much & wasn't budging ... Again, I was pretty sore about it after I left. Another "black whale" got away from me.
Then, another, back in April (2015), same story .... but I landed her this time! I ended up finding an '85 CJ7 Laredo (black), i6, T-176 , Dana 300 , & again, ~ 95% all original. The funny thing was the PO, with the intent of doing a frame off, had already torn the Jeep down to the frame ... where it sat for the better part of 7-8 years. Do to a move he was ready to move it cheap. I had no reason to think any of the major components were bad so I picked it up.
(Pics to follow after approval. Thank you!) ....