New guy- straight tub swap on my '85 CJ-7???

[freedom]

It's that time for me: I can see the road through the floor of my daily driver, '85 CJ7 .
However, I think I've found a rust free, already primed '86 body.

I will have some help from family and a few cousins that restored a sweet Shelby Cobra.

Considering all of my body is rotted, what will I need to start this project?
Do i need a new "cross member"? Should I buy new body mounts and hardware now?

Lots of questions but if this gets off the ground I'll post many pics.
Since this is my daily driver, I'm hoping to finish this within a month and before it gets cold.

 

[Out of my mind CJ5]

i would go ahead and buy new body mounts now as the old ones never come off in good shape and they arent too expensive. if its the rear crossmember youre talking about only replace it if its rusted out if not leave it alone

 

[Cheepjeep85]

you can probably do the swap in a weekend with all of the help you got. and yeah i'd go ahead and buy a poly body bushing set while you got it apart maybe even a body lift if thats something your interested in.

 

[CJKrawler]

Only do the body lift if needed. If you go over 1 inch, there are a lor of changes to be done to do that correctly. You will need new rubber or poly mounts, your choice on that. You won't know how bad the crossmembers are until you get it apart. Which crossmember are you concerned about?

 

[freedom]

Which crossmember are you concerned about?

thanx for the quick replies...
I'd guess the rear one, but only if it was something I should order now?

Is this an acceptable replacement for my current body mounts:
1980-1986 Jeep CJ-5/CJ-7 1" Body Mount Lift Kit NEW!: eBay Motors (item 140455345398 end time Oct-18-10 08:59:59 PDT)


EDIT: or maybe there is a vendor on this forum that sells what I need?

 

[freedom]

this is/was the body i wanted:

Jeep CJ7 Body Tub: eBay Motors (item 160491060212 end time Oct-15-10 17:08:45 PDT)


but since he didn't post pics of the undercarriage and body mounts, i'm gonna pass.
i'd also be worried that the body was basically sitting on the ground.
so for right now, i'm back to waiting for a body.

 

[CJKrawler]

Do you have a pic of the crossmemeber? I have been searching for the one that the front of the fuel tank attaches to, and have come to the conclusion that I will probably have to fab my own. As for the body, that price was a little high for one you know nothing about. CJ has a thread on here, with a co out of Toledo(?) that he said was top notch. Otherwise, look into a YJ tub. There is work involved, but they are easier to find.

 

[Petescj]

Heres a lead on a tub for ya. Not too far away

BMJA Message Forums :: View topic - cj7 tub and frame

 

[Cheepjeep85]

yj tubs have alot of benefits to em the biggest one is its galvanized and won't rust no where near as bad as a cj tub will.

 

[1970 beepbeep]

In the case of steel or galvanized. That the time to spray with either "self etching primer or epoxy primer. Epoxy is still the only primer I use during all are restos from the ground up. Just my 2 cents

 

[freedom]

Heres a lead on a tub for ya.

hey, thanx!!! I sent him an e-mail.

Keep all the positive thoughts coming. I'm a little overwhelmed thinking about this project.

 

[freedom]

Do you have a pic of the crossmemeber? I have been searching for the one that the front of the fuel tank attaches to.

is this what you need:

Replacement NEW Rear Crossmember JEEP CJ5 CJ7 CJ8 76-86: eBay Motors (item 190450580472 end time Oct-29-10 10:09:38 PDT)

 

[CJKrawler]

is this what you need:

Replacement NEW Rear Crossmember JEEP CJ5 CJ7 CJ8 76-86: eBay Motors (item 190450580472 end time Oct-29-10 10:09:38 PDT)

No, that is the one that attaches to the ends of the framerails. I dont have my pictures on this computer, but it is the one that is just above the rear axle.

 

[freedom]

I spoke to my wife's uncle and he said I should reinforce the bad spots in the floor and that I can still drive it but not as my daily driver.

He mentioned PB Blaster is better than liquid wrench so I'm off to find some for removing the driver's seat.

Then the long wait to find the "right" tub for me...

it is the one that is just above the rear axle.

one more time:
Original Replacement Parts 8127711 - Replacement Steel Rear Frame Crossmember (Pre-Punched) for 76-86 Jeep® CJ-7 - Quadratec

 

[CJKrawler]

one more time:
Original Replacement Parts 8127711 - Replacement Steel Rear Frame Crossmember (Pre-Punched) for 76-86 Jeep® CJ-7 - Quadratec

That very well could be it. I had not been able to find that one in their catalogue. I would like to see that in the blow up of the parts. I will try to find the picture that I had taken before.

Here is the thread with the picture. http://www.jeep-cj.com/forums/f7/fuel-tank-support-help-4436/

 

[freedom]

I struggled for several hours to get the drivers side front seat out.
The two bolts closest to the side panels were rusted and the nuts seized and then stripped.
PB Blaster did help but I should have waited another day or two before going at these rusted nuts and bolts.
After getting all 4 bolts out I removed the front seat and sanded down the rough areas, then sprayed everything rustoleum red.
I went to Lowes and purchased a 2'x2' piece of 16 gauge sheet metal.
I then cut out a paper template.

I still have to cut and shape the sheet metal, pop rivet the edges, and bolt the seat back in place.
I figure this will get me through the winter.

First pic shows the hole in the floor near the seat belt anchor.
Second pic shows my paper template.

 

[CJKrawler]

looks good.

 

[freedom]

looks good.

not bad for a hack...





I still need to pop-rivet the edges.