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Here's my 33's on 15" rims - 2-1/2" springs (though I think they sag a bit because they're soft OME YJ springs) and 1" Body lift.
I rub body - mostly due to incorrect bump stop settings though...
I do some fairly difficult wheeling with this set up - but again it will need some trimming, possibly a different spring set up and correct bump stop set up to be where I consider "complete" - I do plan on keeping a 33" tire size though, until / unless I make the choice to redo my diff's models and gearing. etc.
1979 CJ7, no engine, unknown transmission, unknown transfer case. Inherited vehicle, not sure what all is in it yet. I will update this once I get to inspect it closer, and can identify its equipment.
I know this is more of a opinion gathering and planning thread, so just want to throw my 2c in on some of this.
Don't buy or decide for sure until you have the jeep in front of you. Tires is mostly what I'm talking about, but goes for most everything...
You need to know what diffs you have for sure (forgive me if you said you already know what they are) and if the axles or u-joints have been upgraded. Stock diffs and axles are pretty good until you hit the 33" + range (at least in my year CJ5 - I'm not as versed in the CJ7 's). Then stuff "can" start breaking. I know you said mild at most for trail type, so you'd probably be good, but if you jump on it too hard on the street with 35's, you can also start snapping stuff. However, if you're planning to re-gear and rebuild the diffs anyways, then you may consider upgrading them now vs throwing money into a maxed out unit...
You need to know what your gear ratios are. 35's are a lot of tire to move with high gearing. Even 33's are if the gearing is too high. This depends on the Transmission and engine choice too, but gearing is a big deciding factor. You can always re-gear - so if you plan to anyways, it's all good...
6" of lift is A LOT - if that (I assume it would be unless sprung over) is over 2" of body lift or shackles, you may end up (I would recommend) changing that and lifting the suspension "properly" to the point you want it.
Body lifts when too high, and shackle lifts for that matter "if not done correctly", will cause a far inferior ride quality. Some people have had good experiences with them so I say "if not done correctly" but My personal feelings are there is a lot that throwing them in causes issues wise. Steering geometry, stability issues, stress points etc. They're kind of the cheap and easy way to gain more height and clearance, kinda like my wheel spacers I know the 7 has a bit more wheel base for stability, but it's still a Jeep. Higher it is, easier it tips around a corner. Most of that is learning to drive a jeep correctly, and sway bars etc, but center of gravity is a real deal (That's what I tell my Son when he begs to drive it to school )
From this photo:
I'd say you have a bit in the shackle, and at least 3" body shims. Maybe a bit in the springs too - hard to tell for sure... I could be completely wrong, but when you say 6" of lift, again unless sprung over, I assume you
You said I think you plan to do this restore in a 5 year time period, so you'll have plenty of time to pick for sure on all of this. I was having a hard time until I sat down one night and listed all the things I wanted to do to mine in order of importance to me. Then I took the most important things, and decided what needed to be done with them for that "stage" to be completed.
For example - I knew the jeep needed a full re-wire job. So I knew I'd have the dash out - I did all new gauges, switches, column repairs at the same time so it would be done right. I also ran wiring and switches for future planned upgrades like electric fan with a kill switch for deeper water crossings, switches for air lockers, etc. Point is you don't have to do the fan and lockers at the same time, but knowing I would in the future makes it a lot easier and cleaner now when I do.
Also - Like to say I'm excited to see your work on this project! It will be a lot of work, but I love to see the process and completed project differences.
Check out the build thread section for some good ideas too and gathering of what occurs most often during these.
1979 CJ7, no engine, unknown transmission, unknown transfer case. Inherited vehicle, not sure what all is in it yet. I will update this once I get to inspect it closer, and can identify its equipment.
I'll do that once I get started. Its looking like I won't take delivery of the vehicle for at least a month though. Hopefully I can keep that time down to only a month.
1979 CJ7, no engine, unknown transmission, unknown transfer case. Inherited vehicle, not sure what all is in it yet. I will update this once I get to inspect it closer, and can identify its equipment.
1979 CJ7, no engine, unknown transmission, unknown transfer case. Inherited vehicle, not sure what all is in it yet. I will update this once I get to inspect it closer, and can identify its equipment.
1979 CJ7, no engine, unknown transmission, unknown transfer case. Inherited vehicle, not sure what all is in it yet. I will update this once I get to inspect it closer, and can identify its equipment.
1979 CJ7, no engine, unknown transmission, unknown transfer case. Inherited vehicle, not sure what all is in it yet. I will update this once I get to inspect it closer, and can identify its equipment.
I can barely post. Just about every time I try, I get an error message from the site, telling me that my message is too short. And that I need to type at least 3 characters. Can an admin please help?
1979 CJ7, no engine, unknown transmission, unknown transfer case. Inherited vehicle, not sure what all is in it yet. I will update this once I get to inspect it closer, and can identify its equipment.
1979 CJ7, no engine, unknown transmission, unknown transfer case. Inherited vehicle, not sure what all is in it yet. I will update this once I get to inspect it closer, and can identify its equipment.
1979 CJ7, no engine, unknown transmission, unknown transfer case. Inherited vehicle, not sure what all is in it yet. I will update this once I get to inspect it closer, and can identify its equipment.
1979 CJ7, no engine, unknown transmission, unknown transfer case. Inherited vehicle, not sure what all is in it yet. I will update this once I get to inspect it closer, and can identify its equipment.
Can you guys see all the pics in the posts right before this one?
If so, what are your thoughts? She's a basket case, I know. But, it was free. I've been looking around and the cheapest I can find one within range of me is about $2k for one in somewhat better condition. If you go down to the $1500 range, you're getting into the territory that I'm already in with this one.
Any thoughts or opinions? Where should I start first? I was thinking that I should take the body off of the frame, and soda blast everything. I have a soda blaster and an Industrial air compressor, so I can do all the blasting myself.
But then what? Straight to the body shop for a coat of epoxy primer? That's kind of where my knowledge of what to do next, comes to an end. Should I have anything fixed at the body shop, or should I just have them epoxy primer over everything, including the flaws? And then address those later? I have always heard that you want to paint the car last, so that you don't damage the paint in any way, when you're doing all that other work to it. But that's not how they show it on all these various TV shows. They blast it, do the body work, and paint it first. Then they add all the new stuff to it.
But for me this project is going to take years, so I'm kind of at a loss on how to proceed.
'85 CJ-7, 258/4.2L 6cyl. Bought new in 1985. Full cage, Warn 8274 winch, Ford 9" rear, front/rear Detroit Lockers w/4:88 R&P. T-5 tranny and 4:1 t'case. 33X12.50-15 BFG/AT, MSD ign, on board air---
I think you should start at the bottem and work up. Make sure the frame is good move on to the axles, motor, Transmission , Transfer Case untill you have a good drivetrain. then start on the body and wiring. IMO
You have a point about doing the paint last, but I'm of two minds on this.
If you are going to pull the body, why not clean it up and paint it? I don't see any holes, the floors look good, the bed looks good, the windshield needs work, can't tell about the body, but it looks good in the pictures. Painting the body when it's off the frame is the only way to do a great job in all places underneath and in the tight spots.
What mechanical work that needs to be done you are likely to do it with the body off the frame. It's easier that way. besides the frame needs to be painted as well. I think you have a jeep with real potential and it could be far worse.
You could clean it off and paint it a nice satin clear coat and call it a Rat Jeep. Its all the rage to leave paint "as found" I.E. a barn find or as it goes here a "Farm Find".
I know the 7 has a bit more wheel base for stability, but it's still a Jeep. Higher it is, easier it tips around a corner. Most of that is learning to drive a jeep correctly, and sway bars etc, but center of gravity is a real deal 
)
