New here with a new Jeep - advice welcome

[10Seconds]

Ok guys, just picked up a 1983 CJ7 Renagade a few days ago.

Test drove it and all was good, made the deal and drove it home. Or started to. Then it overheated - Bolt on accessory drive broke and water pump not spinning. Fixed that and then it started having a hard miss on #2. After lots of troubleshooting I think its a collapsed intake lifter so I'm going to pull the head today and see. Also ditched all the emissions stuff and did the nutter bypass yesterday to make it easier to work on for the time being.

Anyways, my plan for the Jeep is to build it into a fun toy for the weekends, go play at Disney Ok, on the rocks etc, but also still be happy taking it for evening drives around town. So streetable with some decent off-road capabilities.

I am open to all suggestions and dont get offended easily so critique all you want.

Right now my plan is to SOA it and swap the axles. I plan to run 37's. Heres where it gets a bit tricky - I can put a kingpin d60 and 14-bolt on it cheaper than I can buy and build Dana 44 's because I already have a buddy with them. I can shave the 14-bolt to get a bit of clearance. Also not sure on axle width yet either. Im thinking 63" wms to wms but am listing to others opinions if you have one. For now, going to keep the leafs either way. Down the road I plan to stretch it to get close to that 100" wheelbase.

Once I get the suspension set up I plan to swap in a 5.3 / 4l60e combo. I figure doing the suspension first I can at least drive it while I get the engine swap stuff ready to go.

Obviously, money is always a concern, so I am going to add a YJ family style cage until I can get a real one built.

Here's a pic of it as it sat when I got it:

 

[Reddrig]

Nice jeep and very ambitious list of mods. Keep us informed on its progress. Welcome..

 

[Petescj]

:ww: Wow looks like the original paint and decals. Id wheel it like it is.

 

[steve1973]

Be a shame to hack up that CJ. Why not do all the mods you want to a first gen wrangler.

 

[10Seconds]

It looks better in pics than in person. I am actually saving it not hacking it up. It might not be original but it will be clean and done right when I get finished with it.

 

[Old Dog]

Anyways, my plan for the Jeep is to build it into a fun toy for the weekends, go play at Disney Ok, on the rocks etc, but also still be happy taking it for evening drives around town. So streetable with some decent off-road capabilities.

I am open to all suggestions and dont get offended easily so critique all you want.

Right now my plan is to SOA it and swap the axles. I plan to run 37's. Heres where it gets a bit tricky - I can put a kingpin d60 and 14-bolt on it cheaper than I can buy and build Dana 44 's because I already have a buddy with them. I can shave the 14-bolt to get a bit of clearance. Also not sure on axle width yet either. Im thinking 63" wms to wms but am listing to others opinions if you have one. For now, going to keep the leafs either way. Down the road I plan to stretch it to get close to that 100" wheelbase.

With 37's don't even think about the 44's. Narrow the 60 and 14bolt.
I would stretch it now when you do the SOA no need in spending money twice.

 

[dabbrowne]

Jeep looks good why do a SOA, and what about steering stability??

 

[HackFabrication]

Go full width axles, because if you're thing about running 37" tires, you'll end up running 39" tires....

 

[ThisGuyUKnow]

Be a shame to hack up that CJ. Why not do all the mods you want to a first gen wrangler.

Im glad I am not the first to say this. Very clean jeep, it really would be a little bit of a shame to see such heavy modification.

 

[Hedgehog]

I am terrible about this, but this is my belief. If you want a jeep get a jeep, if you want a Bronco, get a Bronco you will be money ahead. Doing the things you'd like to do with your jeep will require modification to almost every system in your jeep.

Bigger suspension, different gearing, heavier axles, driveshafts, brakes, Transmission , heavier frame, cooling system, you'll want more HP, more charging capacity, body work and paint, ......... in the end you will ruin what makes a CJ a CJ

You have a nice CJ right now, run it for a while, wheel it some, remember it's not a race.

 

[jdcaples]

I am terrible about this, but this is my belief. If you want a jeep get a jeep, if you want a Bronco, get a Bronco you will be money ahead. <snip>

+1

It's a really nice looking Jeep and if I had the space, I'd probably offer you enough money to get a fully restored Bronco, just to save the Jeep.

No offense intended. I just think they're all worth preserving.

-Jon

 

[CJim7]

I am terrible about this, but this is my belief. If you want a jeep get a jeep, if you want a Bronco, get a Bronco you will be money ahead. Doing the things you'd like to do with your jeep will require modification to almost every system in your jeep.

Bigger suspension, different gearing, heavier axles, driveshafts, brakes, Transmission , heavier frame, cooling system, you'll want more HP, more charging capacity, body work and paint, ......... in the end you will ruin what makes a CJ a CJ

You have a nice CJ right now, run it for a while, wheel it some, remember it's not a race.

Naw.....I disagree (see his quote below).
I wish when I had done this, I had planned that far ahead. You are correct in that changing one aspect usually means changing several others...that is the nature of build-ups. Tire size leads to axle changes, HP leads to drivetrain upgrades, suspension modification often leads to frame fabrication.. etc

So I say "what makes a CJ a CJ"? By definition, you would have to leave it stock. And lets be real.....a stock CJ isn't that hot out of the box. Even the addition of 1-piece axles just to keep the M20 together is a deviation from 'stock CJ'...but it's damn near mandatory.

Now...you can build a helluva trail machine using JEEP parts From 401's, Cherokee axles, YJ springs....you can build a great CJ...and still call it a CJ.

Anyways, my plan for the Jeep is to build it into a fun toy for the weekends, go play at Disney Ok, on the rocks etc, but also still be happy taking it for evening drives around town. So streetable with some decent off-road capabilities.

 

[Hedgehog]

What makes a jeep a jeep? They are short, nimble, narrow, and reasonably simple

About the Bronco reference. I use a full size Bronco as an example, but it could be any number of vehicles. The Bronco is relatively short, but not very short. It is wider than a jeep, it's got very strong axles, strong Transmission /Transfer Case , it's tall enough, has a great suspension and fully boxed very strong frame. Take the top off, cut the fenders, put on really BIG tires, possibly a longer suspension, parts are easy to find and your there with a very decent off road rig for 1/2 the money, (people are dumping their Bronco's due to mileage issues).

 

[tarry99]

Ok guys, just picked up a 1983 CJ7 Renagade a few days ago.

Test drove it and all was good, made the deal and drove it home. Or started to. Then it overheated - Bolt on accessory drive broke and water pump not spinning. Fixed that and then it started having a hard miss on #2. After lots of troubleshooting I think its a collapsed intake lifter so I'm going to pull the head today and see. Also ditched all the emissions stuff and did the nutter bypass yesterday to make it easier to work on for the time being.

Anyways, my plan for the Jeep is to build it into a fun toy for the weekends, go play at Disney Ok, on the rocks etc, but also still be happy taking it for evening drives around town. So streetable with some decent off-road capabilities.

I am open to all suggestions and dont get offended easily so critique all you want.

Right now my plan is to SOA it and swap the axles. I plan to run 37's. Heres where it gets a bit tricky - I can put a kingpin d60 and 14-bolt on it cheaper than I can buy and build Dana 44 's because I already have a buddy with them. I can shave the 14-bolt to get a bit of clearance. Also not sure on axle width yet either. Im thinking 63" wms to wms but am listing to others opinions if you have one. For now, going to keep the leafs either way. Down the road I plan to stretch it to get close to that 100" wheelbase.

Once I get the suspension set up I plan to swap in a 5.3 / 4l60e combo. I figure doing the suspension first I can at least drive it while I get the engine swap stuff ready to go.

Obviously, money is always a concern, so I am going to add a YJ family style cage until I can get a real one built.

Here's a pic of it as it sat when I got it:

Lots of modification's and then you finished up the presentation with "Obviously, money is always a concern," .....Right now I hope you have the skills , a shop. the time and of course the Money to do that correctly and timely.

SOA and wide axles not only require out boarding suspension but also a host of steering changes. 60's and 14 bolts also require axle upgrades to take the strain of the larger tires......in there stock form they are but just a foundation to get bigger.

As Old Dog mentioned if your going to stretch it to 100" now is the time! Which brings me to a roll bar or cage.........do it right the first time!

If this is your first Jeep or project wheel what you have for a while and then gather your parts.

 

[Neuner]

What makes a jeep a jeep? They are short, nimble, narrow, and reasonably simple

About the Bronco reference. I use a full size Bronco as an example, but it could be any number of vehicles. The Bronco is relatively short, but not very short. It is wider than a jeep, it's got very strong axles, strong Transmission /Transfer Case , it's tall enough, has a great suspension and fully boxed very strong frame. Take the top off, cut the fenders, put on really BIG tires, possibly a longer suspension, parts are easy to find and your there with a very decent off road rig for 1/2 the money, (people are dumping their Bronco's due to mileage issues).

Good post. A lady down the street from me has a sweet '74 Blazer with no top, 37s and an engine and drive train to go with it and uses it for her daily driver. Except for the suspension (kick-***, no blocks), most is original.

All the neighborhood guys drool over it and the ladies are pissed when she heads through the car pool lane of the elementary school. I know there are plenty who put 37s and larger on their CJs but when I pull up next to hers, it's hard for me to imagine all that I'd have to do to my nimble CJ to accommodate.

 

[Old Dog]

Lots of modification's and then you finished up the presentation with "Obviously, money is always a concern," .....Right now I hope you have the skills , a shop. the time and of course the Money to do that correctly and timely.

SOA and wide axles not only require out boarding suspension but also a host of steering changes. 60's and 14 bolts also require axle upgrades to take the strain of the larger tires......in there stock form they are but just a foundation to get bigger.

As Old Dog mentioned if your going to stretch it to 100" now is the time! Which brings me to a roll bar or cage.........do it right the first time!

If this is your first Jeep or project wheel what you have for a while and then gather your parts.

Terry's right, this isn't going to be a cheep build. I would buy what I could till you get everything needed and enjoy the cj as is for now.
You will need the stretch (longer springs with offset center pins)to run those 37's, so best to do the build all at once. Even the new motor will change things.
It costs a lot more money to keep adding instead of doing it all the first time. Ask me how I know.

 

[Old Dog]

About the Bronco reference. I use a full size Bronco as an example, but it could be any number of vehicles. The Bronco is relatively short, but not very short. It is wider than a jeep, it's got very strong axles, strong Transmission /Transfer Case , it's tall enough, has a great suspension and fully boxed very strong frame. Take the top off, cut the fenders, put on really BIG tires, possibly a longer suspension, parts are easy to find and your there with a very decent off road rig for 1/2 the money, (people are dumping their Bronco's due to mileage issues).

But than I would have to drive a Bronco around.
I'd much rather have a hot rod cj.

 

[Hedgehog]

I need to take one thing back, the Bronco frame is not fully boxed. I remember replacing the fuel filter in mine, it was in the frame channel. That doesn't take way from the fact that the Bronco frame is very strong, much strongr than a CJ frame.

 

[CJim7]

Fully boxed frame on the OP's '83 CJ.....70's and early are not.

But my point is a person can heavily modify a CJ and still call it a CJ. I did it...why can't anybody else?
I just wish I had done it all at once instead of over a course of several years. It would have been cheaper in the long run with a lot fewer lessons learned (ie. broken parts that I should have known would break)

And let me tell you, a highly agile, heavily mobile, extremely modified CJ is a wonderful ride offroad

 

[mtnwhlr]

I need to take one thing back, the Bronco frame is not fully boxed. I remember replacing the fuel filter in mine, it was in the frame channel. That doesn't take way from the fact that the Bronco frame is very strong, much strongr than a CJ frame.

The more I read your posts I really wonder why you have a CJ and not a Bronco?