Build Thread Finishing Another Fella's CJ7 Build

[PaRenegade]

I was wondering why the thread ended, I hadn't come across this before. Jeep looks good (love the EGA decal on the side). Now we need some pics with it's new shoes on.

 

[gaspipe]

Thanks, guys. I'll get some pics up as soon as I can to illustrate where I am with respect to the build.

As Sasquatch pointed out a while back, the exhaust on this vehicle didn't have enough clearance for the trussed AMC20 . I cut the exhaust off, including the tiny muffler, right at the back of the skidplate. I installed a Flowmaster 2 1/4" muffler, and it surely runs a bunch better. I think the muffler that was on it was partially obstructed or more sized for a lawnmower. Anyway, I need to think about how I want to run the new exhaust.

Next, I found a crack in the front passenger side of the frame while I was installing a front swaybar and disconnects. That's going to slow me down a bit, but I'll power through it.

 

[gaspipe]

I'm embarrassed to say, my CJ's been sitting so long waiting for me to get home and give it some love, that a nest of uppity wasps moved into the front passenger side of the frame rail. Negotiations were short lived, and war was declared soon after. Gaspipe eventually won the skirmish, but not after getting hit twice. Little bastage got me right on the back. I cut him down with a shot of PB Blaster.

I put in for a purple heart.

Anyway, I straightened a severely deformed rear leaf spring hanger, and re-bushed the leaf eye, and straightened and re-bushed the rear shackles.





While I was under there, I think my rear driveshaft is too long. Although the PO lifted the CJ, he also re-angled the rear axle. I need to look closer at it tomorrow. Additionally, I think my front driveshaft is too short.

The rear shocks were done. New gas shocks went in.





Flowmaster muffler....



Almost forgot, new alternator, too! The old one was dying a slow death, and sounded like a bone saw.



Time for a few beers now.

 

[Petescj]

Bee stings wouldnt be good for me , Im allergic. If you do find yourself in need of a driveshaft let me know via pm. I have a few laying around the garage.

I'm embarrassed to say, my CJ's been sitting so long waiting for me to get home and give it some love, that a nest of uppity wasps moved into the front passenger side of the frame rail. Negotiations were short lived, and war was declared soon after. Gaspipe eventually won the skirmish, but not after getting hit twice. Little bastage got me right on the back. I cut him down with a shot of PB Blaster.

I put in for a purple heart.

Anyway, I straightened a severely deformed rear leaf spring hanger, and re-bushed the leaf eye, and straightened and re-bushed the rear shackles.

While I was under there, I think my rear driveshaft is too long. Although the PO lifted the CJ, he also re-angled the rear axle. I need to look closer at it tomorrow. Additionally, I think my front driveshaft is too short.

Time for a few beers now.

 

[gaspipe]

Thanks Pete. I have to measure them up and see what I think I need.

Meanwhile, a question for the masses - would you do a rear disc swap, or a power brake upgrade?

 

[PaRenegade]

Your rear driveshaft does look like it's inline with the rear axle yoke. This is how it would be if using a cv jointed shaft. Is yours? If not you'd want to go that direction rather than cut the perches off and relocate. I would think that'd be cheaper and def. less work.

 

[Petescj]

Your rear driveshaft does look like it's inline with the rear axle yoke. This is how it would be if using a cv jointed shaft. Is yours? If not you'd want to go that direction rather than cut the perches off and relocate. I would think that'd be cheaper and def. less work.

I definately agree here. As far as the rear disc power brake question Id go with power brakes. Your AMC20 is built up pretty good with the one piece axles,trussed and welded tubes. Youve got time to take to slowly build up a Ford 8.8 if youd like to go disc and decide you need more beef.

 

[gaspipe]

I definately agree here. As far as the rear disc power brake question Id go with power brakes.

Then power brakes it will be. Thanks again. Also am looking into a CV rear driveshaft. The PO worked hard to get the angle right on the axle, and the CV joint would be a nice thing.

I spent the evening getting rid of the accumulation of sand and muck in side the frame. First, I wanted to get that crud out of there to see what I still have, and secondly, the frame rails packed with makes it very hard to section and repair.

So out comes the garden hose. That crud got in there via water, now it's coming out via water. It takes time and some patience, but I washed a beach full of sand out of the frame rails today.

The good thing is the frame is in better shape than I thought it was, but needs a couple places repaired. I have some 3/16" plate on hand, so it shouldn't be a major item. The other thing I discovered tonight was the PO installed a new steel fuel tank. The bad thing was he didn't vent it. I remedied that tonight while the hose was washing the sand away.

Last thing was checking out the right rear drum. The adjuster felt funny, so I pulled the drum, and as I suspected, the internal brake cable on the adjuster had come off the guide, and the barrel adjuster was not doing it's thing. Stuff was all new inside the drum.

 

[PaRenegade]

Sorry, I missed your question but yes, I'd probably go the power brake direction as well.
A suggestion on your tank. Give it a good coat of a quality paint before putting back in place. Dirt gets trapped between it's bottom and the plastic liner and acts as a sponge to hold moisture and it will rust the tank from the outside. I went thru 2 metal tanks before I switched to a poly one and haven't looked back since.

 

[gaspipe]

Thanks, PA.

I have a power brake booster on the way.

I finally set the CJ back on the ground tonight. Didn't get to test drive it, chose to have a few beers instead to ward off the heat. I think I will get some shorter shackles, as the ones I have, although beefy as heck, are too long for what I am doing right now.



Cheers. PS....I have enough room for 13" front rotors. Just musing...

 

[gaspipe]

I got a chance to finally drive the CJ after doing everything I've done to it yet...

-welded frame uglies
-re-bushed the leaf spring eyes and shackle pivots with new urethane
-new rugged ridge gas shocks
-new u-joints
-new Borgeson steering shaft
-replaced 15x8 Cragar soft 8's and 35x12.50's with Eagle 16x8's and BFG KM2 MT's
-replaced the exhaust with a 2.25"
-new alternator
-and a million other things I've already forgotten....





Note the two old '95 Powerstrokes....those two old workhorses have been getting most of the modifications lately, since they've been hauling me and my tools back and forth to AZ for work the last two years. Great old trucks.

Anyway, the CJ7 is much, much happier than it was. It's much easier to drive, and quite a bit more stable (if that's possible for a CJ).

Next up is power brakes, and little magic for the clutch linkage.

Thanks to all of you guys for the motivation and advice.

 

[Petescj]

Did you see the rod end clutch linkage? If not I'll send you a link after work

 

[PaRenegade]

Is that Chesty on the hood?

 

[Petescj]

Links:

http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=...3oG4BA&usg=AFQjCNFFDGFyLii7sAtTbrZ-8okcGaDPdQ

http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=...3oG4BA&usg=AFQjCNHN063pBVoFMEj3u5d_yg5Q3iNzHg

 

[gaspipe]

Is that Chesty on the hood?

 

[gaspipe]

Thank you, sir! Rod end clutch linkage kit is on it's way. I like that arrangement much better than the OEM style.

Links:

http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=...3oG4BA&usg=AFQjCNFFDGFyLii7sAtTbrZ-8okcGaDPdQ

http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=...3oG4BA&usg=AFQjCNHN063pBVoFMEj3u5d_yg5Q3iNzHg

 

[gaspipe]

I got myself a dual 8" diaphragm GM style power booster, bracket and new master cylinder today via brown santa. I'll be installing that tomorrow. I'm not selling off the 35" MTR rubber just yet.....

Additionally, I ordered some 2.25" mandrel bends to finish the exhaust - two 45's and a 90. That should do the job of getting over the axle.

What I did get around to doing this evening was procuring an antique automobile registration for the CJ. It's a one time tag fee rather than renewing and paying more fees every year.

With luck, I'll be driving the CJ regularly rather soon.

 

[Petescj]

With luck, I'll be driving the CJ regularly rather soon.

I have to admit I love driving Vickis Laredo back and forth to work. Even in todays thunderstorms with just the bikini top.

 

[gaspipe]

Hopefully, the last rust repair I will have to do for a while....

 

[gaspipe]

I have to admit I love driving Vickis Laredo back and forth to work. Even in todays thunderstorms with just the bikini top.

I enjoy the simplicity of the Jeep. It's crude and somewhat archaic, but I enjoy that quality.

I still have my locomotive license, and really enjoy the old locomotives, too. It's not uncommon to be running a switcher that is sixty years old. I like the simplicity of the machine, the old style air brake, etc. - much more visceral.