Inherited CJ7

[JR74CJ5]

Take the body off and blast it now to clean off all the surface rust you can. Then use few rattle cans of primer (rustolium or whatever) and put a good coat over it and store it. You can always blast it again later to fix like the finder ding the power steering pump made in the internal fender I assume during the tow to you etc. This way you get rid of and stop further rusting while you sort out the rest.

From there, if it were me and I had put years timeline on this, I'd strip it down to bare frame taking photos at every step of how things are / look.

And start back from the frame with 1 project at a time pretty much. Get the frame all fixed up, painted or replaced. Then start with suspension and any changes or upgrades / rebuilds on the front and rear diffs.

Then engine and tranny / transfer cases etc etc.

Some steps may require you to know what your end game is first, so planning the whole build out helps, but be prepared that things change. What if you pull the cover off the rear end and the ring and pinion and spiders are rusted to heck and back or broken. You may have to rebuild is, which means you'll be 50% of the way there for a re-gearing job that may really improve your end game.

There are some really good build threads here too that may help you see the processes others took and what they ran into along the way.

One of my favorites was Bill's:

https://www.jeep-cj.com/forums/f98/bills-75-cj5-ground-up-rebuild-9190/

From start to finish total ground up rebuild... little different year wise and 5 not a 7, but it's a good build and guideline all the same...

And as always, we'll all be here for a question or opinion

 

[Hedgehog]

I was originally thinking along the same lines as JR74CJ5, except primer is porous and doesn't really stop rust. If you can keep the body under cover you'd be golden, but if you need to keep it outside until you are ready to finish it leaving it in primer is not really a good plan.

 

[007]

I think I agree Hedge... If there's a good chance of it getting wet often, you could hit it with some Krylon paint that has primer in it. I'd prime if I knew without a doubt it would stay dry 90% of the time.

 

[JR74CJ5]

I was originally thinking along the same lines as JR74CJ5, except primer is porous and doesn't really stop rust. If you can keep the body under cover you'd be golden, but if you need to keep it outside until you are ready to finish it leaving it in primer is not really a good plan.

I think I agree Hedge... If there's a good chance of it getting wet often, you could hit it with some Krylon paint that has primer in it. I'd prime if I knew without a doubt it would stay dry 90% of the time.

Good points fellas -

 

[Photonfanatic]

I suppose I can get a cover for it. It will be sitting in my backyard for long stints of time. What I'm doing immediately is getting rid of the surface rust and making some kind of attempt at getting the body all bodyworked (body filler'd) and straightened up. After that it will probably sit in the backyard for 3 months to a year. I'll put the hardtop and doors on, to help keep unwanted detritus out.


Then in about 8 months, I'll buy some more parts and put those on. Soon as those are on, back to the backyard it goes. I'll do that several times before its time to wrap it up and start parking it somewhere better as a running and driving vehicle. Or, I may just not do anything for 4 or 5 years, and just stockpile all the parts and do it all at once. That may be the best plan.


I can say this: I don't really like the leaf springs. I want to go with the coil over setups that you see on so many of them. Any recommendations on a set of those?

 

[Lumpy Grits]

Covers trap moisture and with blowing sand/dust become 'sandpaper' where they contact the body.
LG

 

[Hedgehog]

Coil springs .... hmmmmm, are you sure yo really want a CJ. In the long run one of the newer jeep like vehicles might be a less expensive way to go. Fiat makes a pretty decent copy these days.

 

[JR74CJ5]

Coil springs .... hmmmmm, are you sure yo really want a CJ. In the long run one of the newer jeep like vehicles might be a less expensive way to go. Fiat makes a pretty decent copy these days.

Although bluntness aside, you do have a point.

I can say this: I don't really like the leaf springs. I want to go with the coil over setups that you see on so many of them. Any recommendations on a set of those?

Do you mean a link suspension system with coil over shocks?

I don't have much experience with the coil overs, but what's the reason for going away from the leaf? You can do a lot with a new set of springs. Softer ride, more flex off road, height changes, etc. I think most of us would highly suggest staying with leafs and researching great road manners and soft ride options. Swapping to YJ leafs helps a lot off the bat with the thicker (wider) spring itself.

If you're really set on coil overs though, and again I'm assuming you're talking link suspension 4 link rear and 3 link front with coil over shocks, Based on what you said your jeep will be for before, it's a big job to get them right for road manners. There are a lot of threads and questions and builds with google search to read up on them a bit.

I've seen a few CJ's with Link suspension on the trails, they don't drive them to and from, they've become low speed buggys for the most part. They're awesome at trails though - so much flex it's crazy! Not saying you can't do it by any means, but it's a huge undertaking.

 

[Hedgehog]

Wasn't trying to be harsh, was having a little fun. The second day the post looks more aggressive than intended. ..... I'm having trouble posting today. I'd post more but can't do it without troubles.

 

[daddyusmaximus]

Coil springs .... hmmmmm, are you sure yo really want a CJ. In the long run one of the newer jeep like vehicles might be a less expensive way to go. Fiat makes a pretty decent copy these days.

Ha, ha "jeep like vehicles".

I would love to soften up the ride in mine too, and thought of coils, but it's really too expensive for me to do unless I work on it over a period of years. I don't want to finish a vehicle when I'm too old to enjoy it. Besides, I remember when the YJs came out with square headlights there were a lot of people doing the "Real Jeeps have round headlights." thing. Then when they started coming out with coil springs, I was all like "Real Jeeps have leaf springs." I'm staying with leaf springs, but will probably go to the newer YJ ones.

 

[Hedgehog]

Notice the small "j" in jeep as in model, not the capital "J" as in Jeep Corporation. Than has been a hot issue over the years so we shouldn't argue it here anymore.

 

[JR74CJ5]

lol - was just poking you Hedge...

OP - Let us know what you don't like about the leaf spring setup and let us give you some options that may work better for you if you're interested.

 

[Lumpy Grits]

Ha, ha "jeep like vehicles".
"Real Jeeps have round headlights." thing. Then when they started coming out with coil springs, I was all like "Real Jeeps have leaf springs." I'm staying with leaf springs, but will probably go to the newer YJ ones.

The last real Jeep, was made by AMC-
It was a CJ7 . Take THAT, HH.
LG

 

[Hedgehog]

Well Lumpy - There is room for a Scrambler Short or two in this world.

 

[Lumpy Grits]

Well Lumpy - There is room for a Scrambler Short or two in this world.

Well-The '7' was the last of the kind, and best version for adults.


LG

 

[Hedgehog]

Oh I see how it is, we are in the mood to dance. It would be fun, but we shouldn't. No winners in the debate. If an extra 7" is what you need well okay.

 

[Lumpy Grits]

Oh I see how it is, we are in the mood to dance. It would be fun, but we shouldn't. No winners in the debate. If an extra 7" is what you need well okay.

I was just state'n facts is all.....
There's '79 CJ5 in the family, with a built 401 Intercdeptor in it. It belongs to my son who likes to play in the sand dunes.
LG

 

[Hedgehog]

Agreed. facts is facts!

 

[mtnwhlr]

I think you guys have hijacked his thread.

 

[Lumpy Grits]

I think you guys have hijacked his thread.

NAW-Just a short 'detour'. :dunno:

Anyways, it's HH's fault.

LG