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Build Thread Budget Build

Build Thread Budget Build
A

andreww97

Jeeper
Posts
45
Thanks
0
Location
akron, ohio
Vehicle(s)
1976 cj7
The year is 2014 I had just got my license and was looking for a car. My dad came home one day and said he found me a car, and it was a jeep. When i first saw it i fell in love, and I've never looked back. Even tho I've spent so much money on it. Its a 1976 CJ7 with fiberglass tub, fenders, and windshield (4wd hardware I believe). Its a AMC 258 i6 / 4.2l straight six with the AMC20 and Dana 30 and I've honestly never figured out what the Transmission and Transfer Case are.
I'm 18 and making minimum wage so here I am two years later rebuilding the jeep. Pictures to come.
 
You are at the right place to help you finding out what you have and give you advice as you go. There are some very smart people here that know these Jeeps inside out. I have been into cars and Jeeps for almost all my life and don't know anywhere near what alot of these guys know. So tap into all this knowledge and I would love to see what you have. Good luck.
 
So I drove her around all winter and then the fun started in the summer. The top came off! Near the end of the summer, brake lines started to leak and I parked her in my drive. Soon after I got a job and started saving up so I could make her happy again.
 
I purchased a new brake MC, lines, and fittings for the jeep. At this point, me and my dad saw an opportunity to pull the whole front axle. Things have basically snow balled ever since.
 
Thanks mtnwhlr. Everyone here knows so much. That's why I'm a frequent reader and don't do much posting, yet anyways. Posted some pics for ya.
 
andreww97 said:
Thanks mtnwhlr. Everyone here knows so much. That's why I'm a frequent reader and don't do much posting, yet anyways. Posted some pics for ya.
Click to expand...
:popcorn:
 
So after me and my dad finished the axle, I bought a whole bunch of goodies to put in with it like new tie rod and drag link, steering stabilizer etc. Put the axle in and it kinda sat for a while. Knowing nothing about jeeps I realised I bought a p.o.s. in all reality. The frame was SHOT. Rear wheel wells were destroyed meaning the frame was cracked on both sides. The only good thing about the was the 4wd hardware fiberglass tub, fenders, windshield frame, and hood. In the picture, you can see how ugly the frame is. It was previously used to plow here in Ohio and all the salt did it no good. :mad:
 
At this point it went from axle rebuild to frame swap. After searching around craigslist I found a late model CJ7 frame for $700 and picked it up. I figured it was a good deal because it was pretty darn clean. The little hole is the only bad spot, other than some frame to body tabs being bad, but I ordered all new metal for those. The last picture is from the old frame.
 
Started tearing it apart. Pulled the fenders, grill, roll bar, and the driver seat. Passenger side seat bolts are rusted into circles and are hard to reach with a grinder. It will most likely stay on until the body is pulled. Also got all the body mounts removed (or cut them off). Everything on the underside of this jeep is so rusty bolts are snapping off left and right. I can't wait for it to be all shiny and new :drool: Also, sorry about the sideways pics, can't get them upright.
 
Looks like you have some good help :popcorn:
 
andreww97 said:
At this point it went from axle rebuild to frame swap..
Click to expand...

LOL - I feel your pain. Welcome to the wonderful world of CJ rebuilding..... Not as fun as driving one, but no matter how frustrated you get, if you stand back and look at what you've accomplished, it's all worth it. When you get it all finished, you will know that Jeep inside and out. You said you didn't know anything about Jeeps - Can't say that now! Carry on and keep us posted!!

I bought one with the intent of painting and driving....... Yeah, right. Didn't see the frame rot like I should have. Here's the frame the last time I saw it.....

image.jpg1_zps4awwtekr.jpg

At first you will feel overwhelmed, but soon you will begin to see progress. Then you will start to feel anxious. Then the anticipation starts..... Finally full blown impatience sets in.... Keep your head down and in the imortal words of Chief Dan George, "Endeavor to persevere".......
 
Take a little time and read through some of the other builds on this forum. :) I think you'll get a lot of good ideas and you'll learn from others that have already been through this. :D
 
Looking good. I went through a frame swap this last winter after limping it along a few years too many. It was rough but rewarding. I learned so much and now know about every nut and bolt on this thing. My biggest learning experience was to get a full face shield for when grinding/cutting. Had a cutting wheel slice into my nose pretty good. Be safe.

Keep going! It will be worth it.
 
Quick update for everyone. The tub is now off the frame and I'm getting so excited :) Next step is to start putting new body mounts on the new frame. Pics to come
 
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