Build Thread My 84 CJ7

[derf]

About 6 years after taking my CJ7 completely apart, I've finally gotten around to putting it back together. I'm keeping a build page here: My 1984 CJ7

Some highlights include:

The drivetrain. An AMC 401 V8, SM 465 Transmission , 2 speed Atlas Transfer Case , front Dana 44 , rear 9"








I'm stretching the wheelbase by using XJ springs in the rear. I've had to replace the entire rusted out rear crossmember and weld on a bracket from Blue Torch Fab for the springs. I've also added frame reinforcement plates from Mountain Off Road Enterprises. Many of the details so far are on the web page. I'll be adding details here as I make progress.

Right now, this is as far as I've gotten.

 

[derf]

I've build my Transmission crossmember and I'm in the process of getting the clutch and everything buttoned up so I can continue the build.



I did run into a minor snag getting the clutch in since I was an idiot and used bolts that were too long. So I'm in the process of getting that worked out and will have everything back together by next weekend. That is, once a new part or two arrives...

 

[dalefan88]

looking good so far cant wait to see more.

 

[mylittlecj5]

Man, when I start mine, you will on speed-dial for assistance! That CJ is looking GREAT! Can't wait to see the finished product!

 

[BusaDave9]

The drivetrain. An AMC 401 V8, SM 465 Transmission , 2 speed Atlas Transfer Case , front Dana 44 , rear 9"

Sounds like that will be one excellent CJ!
An AMC 401 and a drivetrain that will easily handle all the power of that big engine.
This will be a better Jeep than anything that came out of a factory.
:drool:

 

[CJKrawler]

Derf, did you narrow axles? what did the 44 come of? I am running the same set up and I am trying to decide how wide to go.

 

[derf]

I bought the axle already modified. It started life as a Ford high pinion axle out of a pickup. The tubes were cut and swapped at the same time to put the differential on the passenger side. I think it was narrowed at the same time.

 

[CJKrawler]

I see, thanks for that. Are they narrowed down to stock width?

 

[derf]

I don't know stock width off the top of my head. The rear 9" is out of a 60's era pickup. They measure out to about 61" WMS to WMS.

 

[Cheepjeep85]

nope they are a little bigger than stock widetrack. i think factory would have been 56 wms to wms

 

[Mattduran]

I have a 73cj5 with narrowed 44 axles front and rear. Allows for riding on many narrow trails like atv trails where wide jeeps can't go. I had a shop cut down the front 44 I got from a scout. They cut about 6" off and and changed the camber. Installed arbs and I love it!

 

[CJKrawler]

I don't want to stay stock, running the bigger rubber, that is a little to narrow for my taste, but I would like to shorten them a bit. I just haven't taken the time to do the measuring. Too much other stuff to do first.

 

[derf]

I haven't settled 100% on the tire size I want but I do want to have the room to run a bigger tire with enough room to be able to turn the wheel. I'll leave the ATV trails to the ATVs and go crawl some serious rocks.

 

[BusaDave9]

I know what Mattduran is talking about. I am often torn between having a small narrow jeep or a big wide stance. In the LaPlata mountains near my home there are lots of narrow, unmaintained trails that are better suited for ATVs. I like exploring those trials. I almost wish I had 2 jeeps: a tiny flat-fender with 31 or 32 inch tires and a big wide CJ with 37 inchers.

By the way those are legal jeep trails I am talking about.

 

[derf]

Yeah, I've thought once I get this CJ on the trails that I'll find an old XJ to keep mostly stock as a driver and trail rider. This CJ, while technically street legal, will be no fun to drive on the road. I'll be able to trailer it out to the trails and enjoy it. But there's something to be said for day tripping in a mild/moderate rig where you can drive out, drive the trails, and drive back.

 

[Mattduran]

Where you live and wheel is a strange but true factor to consider when going narrow or wide. (Northern maine pretty flat terrain, good mud lots of trail riding.) Narrow axles preferred!
When I brought my jeep to Phoenix az I was out of place with all the rock climing and steep angles. Sure wish I had those wide axles there. Another bonus to the wide axles you can go a lil higher on your lift and not feel so top TIPPY..

 

[derf]

I got back from my business trip so I decided to play in the garage a little yesterday. I fired up the new torpedo heater and brought the temp of the garage up enough to get some work done finishing the crossmember. I welded some plugs onto the tapered ends and put a coat of bed liner on it.





Even with the garage door cracked open, the fumes from spraying the crossmember were a bit much so I shut down for the day. And today I need the dryer plug for the dryer so no more welding today. I've got time off planned in the next couple of weeks so I should be getting a lot more done soon.

 

[derf]

Well, I finally got some time to get things together only to find out that my new flywheel is too thick.

So I have to take it off, take it down to the machine shop and have some material shaved off.

The guys at Advance Adapters were pretty good on the phone and they suggested I shave a little off the face where the pivot arm ball attaches to the bellhousing to move the arm away from the clutch a little too.

So rather than have a bunch of pictures of everything installed, I have a garage floor full of parts that can't go together for a while.

 

[CJim7]

Well, I finally got some time to get things together only to find out that my new flywheel is too thick.

So I have to take it off, take it down to the machine shop and have some material shaved off.

The guys at Advance Adapters were pretty good on the phone and they suggested I shave a little off the face where the pivot arm ball attaches to the bellhousing to move the arm away from the clutch a little too.

So rather than have a bunch of pictures of everything installed, I have a garage floor full of parts that can't go together for a while.

Wait...what? Your flywheel is to thick? The 401 flywheel is specifically balanced for that engine. That's why there is a different flywheel for each of the AMC V8's. I'd be real leery of taking anything off the flywheel.

 

[derf]

Wait...what? Your flywheel is to thick? The 401 flywheel is specifically balanced for that engine. That's why there is a different flywheel for each of the AMC V8's. I'd be real leery of taking anything off the flywheel.

The counter weights in a flywheel aren't near the face. They're made that way specifically so the flywheel can wear down and be resurfaced a few times. Doing that won't affect the balance.