Members CJs Nice CJ
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Members CJs Nice CJ
- Thread starter CJ
- Start date Start date:
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- Posts
- 128
- Featured
- 1
- Solutions
- 1
- Thanks
- 33
- Location
- Sonoma, CA
- Vehicle(s)
- 83 CJ7 Renegade
258 w/Howell TBI
T5, D300, Stock 2.73 diffs.
It didn't always look like that picture above. About 7 years ago I took ownership it looked like this:
I flat towed it home and got to work. The body, paint and stickers survived all these years. Everything else is who-knows-what.
It's a Colorado Jeep. Somewhere between 1983 and 199x it made it's way to California and was sold to a friend at work. He used it and towed it all over CA. Around 2000 it was no-op'd (CA speak for still in the "system" but not registered for roadway use- good for not paying our outrageous registration fees) and put into use on a ranch for hunting. It would get a battery and a "tune up" each season and get parked under a carport the rest of the time.
I flat towed it home and got to work. The body, paint and stickers survived all these years. Everything else is who-knows-what.
It's a Colorado Jeep. Somewhere between 1983 and 199x it made it's way to California and was sold to a friend at work. He used it and towed it all over CA. Around 2000 it was no-op'd (CA speak for still in the "system" but not registered for roadway use- good for not paying our outrageous registration fees) and put into use on a ranch for hunting. It would get a battery and a "tune up" each season and get parked under a carport the rest of the time.
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- Posts
- 128
- Featured
- 1
- Solutions
- 1
- Thanks
- 33
- Location
- Sonoma, CA
- Vehicle(s)
- 83 CJ7 Renegade
258 w/Howell TBI
T5, D300, Stock 2.73 diffs.
- Posts
- 128
- Featured
- 1
- Solutions
- 1
- Thanks
- 33
- Location
- Sonoma, CA
- Vehicle(s)
- 83 CJ7 Renegade
258 w/Howell TBI
T5, D300, Stock 2.73 diffs.
Since it hadn't been started this season, I figured I'd rebuild the carb and get an assessment on it's needs.
After it proved to be a good runner I checked out the emissions equipment. I'm generally a "smog exempt" or modern car kinda guy, I didn't know how much of this 10 miles of vacuum line needed to work. Checking on parts online found a lot of "as is" promises for the servos, switches and valves.
I opted for the Howell TBI. Figured it would be cheaper and easier in the long run. How cow is that an understatement. This this has been amazingly reliable, starting every time and running well even when a sensor went bad.
Turns this:
Into this:
I took this off the car to never return:
After it proved to be a good runner I checked out the emissions equipment. I'm generally a "smog exempt" or modern car kinda guy, I didn't know how much of this 10 miles of vacuum line needed to work. Checking on parts online found a lot of "as is" promises for the servos, switches and valves.
I opted for the Howell TBI. Figured it would be cheaper and easier in the long run. How cow is that an understatement. This this has been amazingly reliable, starting every time and running well even when a sensor went bad.
Turns this:
Into this:
I took this off the car to never return:
- Posts
- 128
- Featured
- 1
- Solutions
- 1
- Thanks
- 33
- Location
- Sonoma, CA
- Vehicle(s)
- 83 CJ7 Renegade
258 w/Howell TBI
T5, D300, Stock 2.73 diffs.
With a set of new tires, fluids and some hand polishing it became this:
I'll add more details later. There's a lot more work to come.
I'll add more details later. There's a lot more work to come.
- Posts
- 128
- Featured
- 1
- Solutions
- 1
- Thanks
- 33
- Location
- Sonoma, CA
- Vehicle(s)
- 83 CJ7 Renegade
258 w/Howell TBI
T5, D300, Stock 2.73 diffs.
The old gauges... aren't they a hoot?
The new gauges aren't any better. Shame...
The old rock solid CJ lift kit was traded in for a Old Man Emu YJ conversion from Rocky-Road Outfitters.
Never seen a tank like this, but it's 23 gallons and made out of some heavy gauge steel. The pick-up tube didn't reach the bottom, and with the new TBI installed, it was giving me fits when the fuel was getting low. Every time the gas sloshed in a corner the car would buck from the loss of fuel pressure.
It wasn't too clean in there either.
Trading it for a 20 gallon poly tank was simple enough, and it solved most of the lower fuel bucking. For a while I had a modified pick up tube with in-tank pump, but I went back to a standard setup to try to get the fuel gauge working. (It stopped again- don't know if it's the float or gauge.)
Meanwhile:
(I'm not even going to discuss how these two relics climbed a rock garden that some guys in their 37" equipped Tacomas couldn't make.) Narrow track for the win.
The new gauges aren't any better. Shame...
The old rock solid CJ lift kit was traded in for a Old Man Emu YJ conversion from Rocky-Road Outfitters.
Never seen a tank like this, but it's 23 gallons and made out of some heavy gauge steel. The pick-up tube didn't reach the bottom, and with the new TBI installed, it was giving me fits when the fuel was getting low. Every time the gas sloshed in a corner the car would buck from the loss of fuel pressure.
It wasn't too clean in there either.
Trading it for a 20 gallon poly tank was simple enough, and it solved most of the lower fuel bucking. For a while I had a modified pick up tube with in-tank pump, but I went back to a standard setup to try to get the fuel gauge working. (It stopped again- don't know if it's the float or gauge.)
Meanwhile:
(I'm not even going to discuss how these two relics climbed a rock garden that some guys in their 37" equipped Tacomas couldn't make.) Narrow track for the win.
- Posts
- 128
- Featured
- 1
- Solutions
- 1
- Thanks
- 33
- Location
- Sonoma, CA
- Vehicle(s)
- 83 CJ7 Renegade
258 w/Howell TBI
T5, D300, Stock 2.73 diffs.
- Posts
- 128
- Featured
- 1
- Solutions
- 1
- Thanks
- 33
- Location
- Sonoma, CA
- Vehicle(s)
- 83 CJ7 Renegade
258 w/Howell TBI
T5, D300, Stock 2.73 diffs.
"Lost 80's weekend" has become a thing. And sometimes we let in newer or older cars as well. And often times it's a lot longer than a weekend.
And that 86 Laredo ? My friend picked it up for a song. Straightened the frame. Had the front clip painted and stickered it. Put an OME kit on it. TBI too. Seats, hard top, doors. He can't help himself with cars. And it's back on the road as well. He does good work if you want an almost factory fresh car. His VW's are something to behold.
So now I mostly just maintain it and add upgrades here and there. I think some digital gauges are in the future. And definitely some new seats. I should probably replace the rear main seal at some point.
I'll see you on the road!
And that 86 Laredo ? My friend picked it up for a song. Straightened the frame. Had the front clip painted and stickered it. Put an OME kit on it. TBI too. Seats, hard top, doors. He can't help himself with cars. And it's back on the road as well. He does good work if you want an almost factory fresh car. His VW's are something to behold.
So now I mostly just maintain it and add upgrades here and there. I think some digital gauges are in the future. And definitely some new seats. I should probably replace the rear main seal at some point.
I'll see you on the road!
Belizean
Always Off-Roading Jeeper
- Posts
- 6,970
- Featured
- 4
- Media
- 20
- Solutions
- 3
- Thanks
- 731
- Location
- New Orleans area
- Vehicle(s)
- 84 CJ7 4 banger-owned since new in 1984 bought off truck at dealership - rebuilding 258, T176 with Sniper EFI D300 4:1 Lomax gears Twin Sticked 1 piece axels with locker
That metal tank looks just like a 22 gallon tank I bought close to 33 - 35 years ago. I had a 15 gallon tank and wanted more range, but it came at the cost of dragging it over mud and rocks. I eventually went back to a 15 gallon Holley tank and in tank pump. Nice Jeeps and pictures ! Great videos also.
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- Posts
- 574
- Featured
- 4
- Media
- 135
- Resources
- 2
- Solutions
- 2
- Thanks
- 307
- Location
- Colorado
- Vehicle(s)
- 1986 CJ7 Laredo:
258 w/Howell TBI, HEI Ign., Dana 44 Front w/Detroit, Dana 44 Rear w/Discs & Detroit,
NP435 Trans, Dana 300 T-case w/twin stick
1969 Bronco:
351W, D44 high pinon front from full size, 9” full size rear, NP435 trans and Dana 20
Nice CJ, Boney! 
Tasty upgrades too. I went same route with Howell tbi and passed our strict CA-type emissions requirements. No way I was gonna get that factory carb rat’s nest working correctly!
I’ll be in the Bay Area next week for a quick work trip, btw.
Tasty upgrades too. I went same route with Howell tbi and passed our strict CA-type emissions requirements. No way I was gonna get that factory carb rat’s nest working correctly!
I’ll be in the Bay Area next week for a quick work trip, btw.
