Build Thread 85 CJ7 Rebuild, Labor of Love
Build Thread 85 CJ7 Rebuild, Labor of Love
- Thread starter Ultrunner
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- 1983 cj7, 1971 Dart, 1942 Willys slat grill
Look what I found in a pile of Jeep Scraps I’d written off as, “stuff to dump when I get around to it”
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Whoops that was a close one
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- 1986 CJ7, SBC 350, Dana 300, D30, AMC20
Good deal. Mine was complete junk, so I’ll be in the market for a new one. That looks in pretty decent shape too
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Ultrunner
Senior Jeeper
Yeah, I got lucky since this thing has been laying in a heap outside for a couple months. Nothing a little (or a lot) elbow grease and some paint can’t fix.
Good luck I couldn’t find this thing anywhere. You’ll have to scour e-bay and rummage others letting go of their builds they can’t finish.
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Ultrunner
Senior Jeeper
Body Tub Removal.
A little late with this post since the frame is already in the process of being rebuilt.
Removing every component to expose the frame and get it to a condition to cart off to be blasted and welded took what seemed to be forever. There are hundreds of components and i documented just about everything I didn't know what it was and bagged and labeled every bolt, nut, and screw that came off.
Each time I thought I was close to being finished I would find more rusted bolts to struggle with and remove. I recommend to anyone doing this to just get a couple of boxes, plastic bags and a sharpie and just label everything as it comes off. There is no, "best practice" for where to start, just label everything, because every time I assumed I would remember what something was, or got impatient to continue removal and put off labeling, I wouldn't remember to and later find piles of bolts etc... that I couldn't recall what they were.
At times it seemed daunting to think of all the things that had to go back on the Jeep as I was removing them. Also to think, "should I be careful removing this or this one of the things I am going to just replace?"
Here are a few photos of the removal. I have to cut a lot of bolts off with the sawzall.
A little late with this post since the frame is already in the process of being rebuilt.
Removing every component to expose the frame and get it to a condition to cart off to be blasted and welded took what seemed to be forever. There are hundreds of components and i documented just about everything I didn't know what it was and bagged and labeled every bolt, nut, and screw that came off.
Each time I thought I was close to being finished I would find more rusted bolts to struggle with and remove. I recommend to anyone doing this to just get a couple of boxes, plastic bags and a sharpie and just label everything as it comes off. There is no, "best practice" for where to start, just label everything, because every time I assumed I would remember what something was, or got impatient to continue removal and put off labeling, I wouldn't remember to and later find piles of bolts etc... that I couldn't recall what they were.
At times it seemed daunting to think of all the things that had to go back on the Jeep as I was removing them. Also to think, "should I be careful removing this or this one of the things I am going to just replace?"
Here are a few photos of the removal. I have to cut a lot of bolts off with the sawzall.
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- Posts
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- West Springfield, MA
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- 1986 CJ7, SBC 350, Dana 300, D30, AMC20
I 100% agree with document, document, document!! Now that I’m back in the reassemble phase, I find I didn’t take enough pics. And many things aren’t in the manual.
There were things that I was like, no way I won’t remember how to reinstall, ehh, year later, not so clear. Maybe we can bounce stuff off each other as we progress.
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There were things that I was like, no way I won’t remember how to reinstall, ehh, year later, not so clear. Maybe we can bounce stuff off each other as we progress.
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Ultrunner
Senior Jeeper
In began taking apart my doors today and had one last hinge hardware plate to remove and this happened.
I’ve never seen a torx socket break like this. Guess I’m running out to the hardware store tomorrow.
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I’ve never seen a torx socket break like this. Guess I’m running out to the hardware store tomorrow.
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Belizean
Always Off-Roading Jeeper
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- 84 CJ7 4 banger-owned since new in 1984 bought off truck at dealership - rebuilding 258, T176 with Sniper EFI D300 4:1 Lomax gears Twin Sticked 1 piece axels with locker
Heat from a torch and an impact punch on one I was having a problem with worked for me.
Ultrunner
Senior Jeeper
I was thinking some heat, never thought of getting a bit for the impact screwdriver. Thanks. I’ll give that a try.
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Ultrunner
Senior Jeeper
Started breaking down the doors today. The trim panel is easy to remove. A door panel remover tool was really helpful for a cheap tool. The plastic rivets just popped out.
I then removed the two rotted weather strips for the main window. They were held in with four small clips that insert into little slots in the door. A screwdriver easily popped them out. I just had to be careful not to damage the window.
My only concern removing the vent window is are there supposed to be four bolts here? I see three and the yellow circle is an open hole where I think should be a fourth. I’m letting these soak in PB Blaster so I don’t strip them.
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I then removed the two rotted weather strips for the main window. They were held in with four small clips that insert into little slots in the door. A screwdriver easily popped them out. I just had to be careful not to damage the window.
My only concern removing the vent window is are there supposed to be four bolts here? I see three and the yellow circle is an open hole where I think should be a fourth. I’m letting these soak in PB Blaster so I don’t strip them.
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- Posts
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- West Springfield, MA
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- 1986 CJ7, SBC 350, Dana 300, D30, AMC20
I can’t believe you got all the plastic panel rivets to release without breaking. Those usually on older vehicles are prime for exploding, even when using a proper tool. Nice save!
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Ultrunner
Senior Jeeper
To be honest, a few of them snapped in half when I pulled them out, but they came out pretty easily. Actually, everything with respect to disassembling the doors has gone relatively smoothly (fingers crossed)
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Ultrunner
Senior Jeeper
Got the doors disassembled. It took just over 30mins each.
The mechanisms were super gunked up.
What’s the best way to clean them and what should I do after? Oil them? What kind of oil?
I’m Replacing the paddle handles.
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The mechanisms were super gunked up.
What’s the best way to clean them and what should I do after? Oil them? What kind of oil?
I’m Replacing the paddle handles.
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Ultrunner
Senior Jeeper
I decided to take advantage of nicer weather and clean up and begin refurbishing my fresh air and heater boxes.
Does anyone know how to remove this flapper. It appears that the rod is attached to the panel plate. I’ve seen on some models it just slides out.
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Does anyone know how to remove this flapper. It appears that the rod is attached to the panel plate. I’ve seen on some models it just slides out.
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Ultrunner
Senior Jeeper
I’ve pulled everything on my fresh air and heater box apart. Does anyone know what this computer bracket is for and if I need it?
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caveman
Full Time Jeeper
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- 88 YJ with a CJ nose, 4.7 Stroker, AW4 transmission, Dana 35 HP front Ford 8.8 rear
It was for the anti smog that came originally on your rig. Apparently it has been discontinued. You don't need it unless you plan to refurbish to factory specs.
Ultrunner
Senior Jeeper
Thanks. Nope, it’s coming off in that case. I actually still have the computer if you know anyone who wants it.
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