Build Thread 85 Laredo Build

[profire]

It has been quiet some time since I posted here. When I first posted I did so in the introduction thread and explained how I had found a great jeep from a little old lady in Arkansas. Well after many tries I finally got the ole gal to sell it to me.

I am now the third owner of this jeep. Nelda, the lady I bought it from purchased the jeep in 1987 in Ft. Smith. The jeep had 40k on the odometer at that time. She delivered mail in this jeep for a little while before she retired. The jeep now has 85k original miles. It had been sitting for a year and a half before I rescued it. Last inspection was in 1997, they had been using it around the far I guess.

The jeep is in really great shape with only a little rust in the driver and passenger floor pans. The plan is a full restoration, anyway here are some pictures of what I have done so far.

What it looked like when I picked it up.

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Engine Bay:


Rust in the floor pan:
http://jeepbum3473.smugmug.com/Other-1/CJ7 -Project/i-jZt3B82
/0/M/CJ7 %20Project%20007-M.jpg

Back seat area looks great:


Chucked the Carter and got a Weber:


Dropped the fuel tank, drained, cleaned and then painted:


Cut this crazy contraption off the steering wheel... it was welded on:


Cleaned and repacked all the bearing, and new rotors:


Ugly wheels:


All clean and perty now:


Seat needs repair... getting an estimate next week:


Nutter Bypass:

http://jeepbum3473.smugmug.com/Other-1/CJ-7-Project/i-LM4DcVr/0/M/005-M.jpg

As she sits right now:


I just bought some new mud terrains today but didn't get pictures because it was nasty outside today. I will upload some of my other progress in a day or so. I think I have a keeper.

thanks

 

[Petescj]

I remember this one. Didnt we have you marrying her just for this Cj? Glad your persistence worked out.

 

[profire]

LOL, yes you guys sure did. Luckily I didn't have to take those extreme measures. I think she just finally realized that she would never get it fixed and she knew I would fix her up and take good care of it. I still have much to do but it will be worth it. I am having fun working on it and the guys in my local jeep club said I found a gem.

 

[wm69]

Very pretty Laredo ! I see an Arkansas tag too! Where did you find that?

 

[Petescj]

Very pretty Laredo! I see an Arkansas tag too! Where did you find that?

He posted this one awhile back in the intro forum. Pretty sweet. I had a feeling youd sniff this one out. Wish my Laredo was this clean. I'll get there though.

 

[profire]

Very pretty Laredo! I see an Arkansas tag too! Where did you find that?

Read more: http://www.jeep-cj.com/forums/f98/85-laredo-build-20750/#ixzz2loay3QAz
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Thanks for the compliment, I found it in Dardanelle Arkansas, from the 80 year old sister of a good friend of mine. It was originally purchased in Ft. Smith. Been after that woman for 8 months before she finally gave in and sold it. I looked at a lot of CJ's but I knew I wanted this one. It was in fantastic condition.

 

[bullseye]

By chance, did you keep that stock air filter cover? And if so, was it badly rusted or flaking on the inside?

 

[profire]

Yes I kept the stock air cleaner, I actually have it on the jeep now. The Weber cleaner was just temporary, I set mine up like Kieth460 on jeepforum. I will be using this jeep for light wheeling and camping, and trips to the forest service roads of Arkansas, lot of dusty roads when it's dry so I wanted more surface area to filter the dirt.

Here it is now

 

[profire]

Update: Did a few minor things over the last few days. Removed the vinyl and glue on the upper portion of the doors and it was a pain, that adhesive is on there good.


I used some adhesive remover from kleenstrip, it worked but it was rather slow to come off. But it's much better now. I still have a little bit to remove but it was cold and late so I decided to call it a night and get the rest off later.


Removed all the computer wiring from the nutter bypass, but still need to remove the computer and a little wiring still protruding from the firewall. I will do this when I replace the heater core and do the blazer fan upgrade.




Then bought a set of new 31x10.50's


It will be slow going until after the holidays but hopefully I will be able to spend a little time on the jeep.

 

[wm69]

Update: Did a few minor things over the last few days. Removed the vinyl and glue on the upper portion of the doors and it was a pain, that adhesive is on there good.


I used some adhesive remover from kleenstrip, it worked but it was rather slow to come off. But it's much better now. I still have a little bit to remove but it was cold and late so I decided to call it a night and get the rest off later.


Removed all the computer wiring from the nutter bypass, but still need to remove the computer and a little wiring still protruding from the firewall. I will do this when I replace the heater core and do the blazer fan upgrade.




Then bought a set of new 31x10.50's


It will be slow going until after the holidays but hopefully I will be able to spend a little time on the jeep.

Looks great! What kinda tires are those? I like the look of the tread.

 

[profire]

WM69 wrote:

Looks great! What kinda tires are those? I like the look of the tread.




Read more: http://www.jeep-cj.com/forums/f98/85-laredo-build-20750/#ixzz2mQNtDXBT

Thanks WM69, they are Mud Claw Radial tire made by Cooper tires. They are a private label tire hence you don't see them in magazines or any other advertisements. Makes them cheaper to buy. I paid 625 for the set mounted and balanced. So far I like them.

 

[gert]

Did you have your stock wheels re chromed? If so care to share who?

 

[profire]

Gert wrote:

Did you have your stock wheels re chromed? If so care to share who? __________________

Read more: http://www.jeep-cj.com/forums/f98/85-laredo-build-20750/index2.html#ixzz2mQwOHTuR

Actually those are the original wheels. They had a clear coat on them from the factory. The clear coat faded and was coming off so I bought some paint stripper to remove the clear coat. They only needed a little steel wool to clean them up and make them look like new again. 12 bucks and some elbow grease.

 

[gert]

Gert wrote:

Actually those are the original wheels. They had a clear coat on them from the factory. The clear coat faded and was coming off so I bought some paint stripper to remove the clear coat. They only needed a little steel wool to clean them up and make them look like new again. 12 bucks and some elbow grease.

cool they shinned up real nice

 

[profire]

Thanks, they cleaned up way better than I thought they would.

 

[wm69]

Yep, get some Aircraft stripper from autozone or Walmart and spray it on, let sit for a few mins, then hit it with a powerwasher and some OOO steel wool and they'll normally clean up really nice as long as you don't have pitting or flaking chrome.

 

[profire]

Well it has been a couple of weeks since I posted any updates. I have been sick with a dang cold so I have not felt like working on the jeep as much as I would like.<br><br> I have made some progress on some little things that needed to be fixed.

First up is the side mirrors, the glass had come loose from the adhesive and they were rattling around like crazy to the point you could not see out of them. Tore them down, cleaned them up and used RTV to glue the glass back in and then painted the brackets.




Next up, I cleaned up the heater box and replaced the leaking heater core. I was lucky that all the foam was intact and in good shape.



Old core next to China made aluminum core. I was not happy about the China made part but it was all that was available. I may have the old one repaired if possible.



While I had everything apart I did the Blazer fan motor upgrade. Wow what a difference. It blows considerably more air!



Cleaned, painted and back together for install.



I had noticed a slight vibration at highway speeds so I decided to replace the front and rear U joints on the drive shafts. I cleaned them up and painted them while they were out.





Now I need to replace the leaking master cylinder, put on new brake caliper pistons, do the rear brakes and bleed the entire brake system and put in new brake fluid.

I'm working on a 2.5 inch lift at the moment so I will post that up later. Plus I just installed a new bumper and the winch off my old JK. More pics to come.

 

[profire]

It has been slow going lately with holidays spending time with family and all.

I did manage to get a new front bumper and get my old winch off my JK installed. I didn't take any pictures but will get some up later.

Next on my list was the leaking master cylinder, got a new one and was going to do the install yesterday and discovered that I need a new brake booster as well. Ordered that and hope to get it installed tomorrow unless the boss has other plans.

 

[profire]

Pictures of front bumper and winch.


And here is what Mrs. Santa Clause got me for Christmas


I am gathering parts for the lift so it will be a while before I can put it all on. I ordered Crabtree shackles, and will need to get shocks, shackles and Currie leaf spring skid plates, plus I think I am going to need extended brake lines. Jeez it is a never ending drain on the pocketbook.

 

[74G8R2]

Nice progress. Mines not moving nearly as fast. Curious...does it have a lift on it now that you are replacing or is the 2.5" lift a new addition?