Need a sanity check - toss in the towel or rebuild it completely?
I need a sanity check even though I'm expecting that this might end up an even split. Here's my situation:
I've got a '77 CJ5 that has a really solid undercarriage, Dana 44 's, ARB lockers, T-18 Transmission and a AMC 304 V8. But I had always wished it was a CJ7 . So I started thinking I'd buy a CJ-7 that needed some upgrading, and swap all the good bits out of the 5 into the 7.
So I bought an '84 CJ-7 out of California a couple years ago. Didn't spend a ton on it initially, but when it arrived I realized I'd been the victim of some very strategic photography. The motor (I-6 AMC 258 i6 / 4.2l ) is spent. Transmission is a T-5 . Everything leaked oil. But to begin with, I was still optimistic - right up until I figured out the CJ-5 axles were narrower than the CJ-7. I know - I should have researched that before I got myself into this, but sometimes we learn that sort of stuff after it's too late to do any good. So anyway, I can't move my stout Dana 44's over to the CJ-7.
But what really screwed the pooch is that the CJ-7 appears to have taken a substantial hit on the passenger side frame rail in the front, basically shoving it back out of line with the drivers side by about an inch. Then some dude with a welder just relocated the spring hangers on the passenger side to get the axles roughly parallel. This put some pretty major twist into the body. Under the carpet in the rear by the tailgate, things are rumpled up, the passenger side is sort of flexed in out of square, etc. It's a real hack job of a repair.
So, the summary of what I have that is good right now is this:
CJ-5 Transmission and Axles are in fine shape. Chomolly axles in the Dana 44's, new ARB Air Locker in the rear and fresh seals. Engine probably could stand a rebuild but isn't horrible. Added a Holley Projection TBI system to that 304 a while back along with new headers. The Holley is a bit overly sensitive so when off road you have to be very gentle with the right foot, but it does keep it from every flooding when climbing something or getting on a tilt.
On the CJ-7, I have new seats, new Old Man Emu springs and shocks, and a Tuffy console. Oh, and the steering wheel is in good shape.
That's about the sum of everything I would consider to be "keepers" for a full restoration of either / both of these.
The CJ-5 could use a new tub. Needs new seats, paint and as I said, probably a rebuild on the 304.
The CJ-7 needs a frame, a new tub I think (not sure how to salvage the "unsquare" one), front fenders (might could salvage what's on there but they are a bit dinged up in front) windshield frame (has one wiper that looks like it had a washer spot welded into place to fix some problem) and heck, while we're at it, might as well put a new hood on. If I do this, I'd be getting a V-8 and Transmission conversion from Novak.
So basically, the CJ-7 is at the point where I'd basically be building a fully new Jeep from parts.
If I junked or parted out the 7, I could use the seats over in the CJ-5 but still have the tub to deal with. And at the end of the day, I still wouldn't have the CJ-7 I wanted.
So I sat down in front of ebay motors the other night and looked through all the restored CJ-5's and CJ-7's that are listed. Many are asking north of $30K for frame off restores. Running the tally of parts just roughly for the CJ-7, I came up with about $16K in parts.
I'm not afraid of the work to do this, what I'm worried about is the unknowns. Like the tubs. I see the Omix tubs out there but mostly hear you all talk of them with a certain amount of disdain. Are they any good? I trust most of the rest of the vendors I'm building the parts list with, seems like the guys at Novak know there stuff. I even found the project CJ-7 that they have a video of on their home page up for sale currently, and that guy is asking over $30K for that rig after putting 10-15K miles on the conversion.
So, anyone see any way out of this quagmire that I'm missing? Should I just parts the whole mess out and go lick my wounds? Should I roll my sleeves up and dig out the credit card?
If at the end I have two well restored Jeeps and I sell at least one to recoup some of my expenses, does that seem logical or pie in the sky dreaming?
Do I need therapy???
I've got a '77 CJ5 that has a really solid undercarriage, Dana 44 's, ARB lockers, T-18 Transmission and a AMC 304 V8. But I had always wished it was a CJ7 . So I started thinking I'd buy a CJ-7 that needed some upgrading, and swap all the good bits out of the 5 into the 7.
So I bought an '84 CJ-7 out of California a couple years ago. Didn't spend a ton on it initially, but when it arrived I realized I'd been the victim of some very strategic photography. The motor (I-6 AMC 258 i6 / 4.2l ) is spent. Transmission is a T-5 . Everything leaked oil. But to begin with, I was still optimistic - right up until I figured out the CJ-5 axles were narrower than the CJ-7. I know - I should have researched that before I got myself into this, but sometimes we learn that sort of stuff after it's too late to do any good. So anyway, I can't move my stout Dana 44's over to the CJ-7.
But what really screwed the pooch is that the CJ-7 appears to have taken a substantial hit on the passenger side frame rail in the front, basically shoving it back out of line with the drivers side by about an inch. Then some dude with a welder just relocated the spring hangers on the passenger side to get the axles roughly parallel. This put some pretty major twist into the body. Under the carpet in the rear by the tailgate, things are rumpled up, the passenger side is sort of flexed in out of square, etc. It's a real hack job of a repair.
So, the summary of what I have that is good right now is this:
CJ-5 Transmission and Axles are in fine shape. Chomolly axles in the Dana 44's, new ARB Air Locker in the rear and fresh seals. Engine probably could stand a rebuild but isn't horrible. Added a Holley Projection TBI system to that 304 a while back along with new headers. The Holley is a bit overly sensitive so when off road you have to be very gentle with the right foot, but it does keep it from every flooding when climbing something or getting on a tilt.
On the CJ-7, I have new seats, new Old Man Emu springs and shocks, and a Tuffy console. Oh, and the steering wheel is in good shape.
That's about the sum of everything I would consider to be "keepers" for a full restoration of either / both of these.
The CJ-5 could use a new tub. Needs new seats, paint and as I said, probably a rebuild on the 304.
The CJ-7 needs a frame, a new tub I think (not sure how to salvage the "unsquare" one), front fenders (might could salvage what's on there but they are a bit dinged up in front) windshield frame (has one wiper that looks like it had a washer spot welded into place to fix some problem) and heck, while we're at it, might as well put a new hood on. If I do this, I'd be getting a V-8 and Transmission conversion from Novak.
So basically, the CJ-7 is at the point where I'd basically be building a fully new Jeep from parts.
If I junked or parted out the 7, I could use the seats over in the CJ-5 but still have the tub to deal with. And at the end of the day, I still wouldn't have the CJ-7 I wanted.
So I sat down in front of ebay motors the other night and looked through all the restored CJ-5's and CJ-7's that are listed. Many are asking north of $30K for frame off restores. Running the tally of parts just roughly for the CJ-7, I came up with about $16K in parts.
I'm not afraid of the work to do this, what I'm worried about is the unknowns. Like the tubs. I see the Omix tubs out there but mostly hear you all talk of them with a certain amount of disdain. Are they any good? I trust most of the rest of the vendors I'm building the parts list with, seems like the guys at Novak know there stuff. I even found the project CJ-7 that they have a video of on their home page up for sale currently, and that guy is asking over $30K for that rig after putting 10-15K miles on the conversion.
So, anyone see any way out of this quagmire that I'm missing? Should I just parts the whole mess out and go lick my wounds? Should I roll my sleeves up and dig out the credit card?
If at the end I have two well restored Jeeps and I sell at least one to recoup some of my expenses, does that seem logical or pie in the sky dreaming?
Do I need therapy???
) you can use the current 7 for a parts rig, then sell off what you dont use. To keep the voices in my head to a quiet murmur, I try and start with what my planned end use/goal is with any vehicle before starting/buying stuff. Equally important questions:
In my defense the top cleaned up pretty nice. 
