Build Thread Project CJ-242

[xj287]

Over the last couple years I've slowly been picking away at this project. I started with an '85 CJ7 that had been parked in the woods for close to 10 years. I was amazed to see that with only fresh gas and a new(ish) battery it actualy fired right up.



The tub and rear half of the frame where totaly shot and needed to be replaced. It took a while to gather up all the parts, but as the months and years pasted it slowly started to take shape.

 

[xj287]

Along the way I got a great deal on a running but rotten '95 XJ. The 242 HO and AW4 trany bolted right it. I kept the Dana 300 , and I was able to swap in all the relivent electronics for the motor and trany with no real issues.

 

[xj287]

About half way into the build, a friend of mine, and fellow CJ fanatic opened a new off-road (jeep) repair shop.....offered me a job....and best of all....sent me home with 3 truck and trailor loads of CJ parts! Tubs, frames, axles, semi complete jeeps. Long story short, the build went into hi-gear early this spring and I was able to get every thing together and running in about a month and a half.


Yah, that is an XJ gauge cluster.

 

[xj287]

For more pics and the complete build story, check out this link at the VT. Jeep Assoc. web site.
next project - Vermont Jeep Association

 

[xj287]

I realized this week I haven't been doing a good job keeping my CJ build pics updated, so here's how the CJ looked as of last summer.

 

[tinman]

Looks good!

Just got done reading about your build and was wondering about the belt set up. The 4 cyl brackets will bolt right up? Do you know why the 4 and 6 cyl ones are different?

 

[xj287]

the brackets are the same for the 4 and 6 cyl. I just simply had a 4cyl. set available to use already on the self.

 

[xj287]

This week the CJ got new wheels and tires. Since the CJ is pulling double duty as both trail rig and daily driver the swamper were a bit much for every day use so I bolted up a set of grabber AT2s which will be pleant enough tire for 90% of what the jeep is used for. I still have the swamper mounted up ready for more heavy duty off roading.



I also picked up a gallon of the Duplicolor truck bed coating and painted the inside of the tub with that. It's great stuff and goes on a lot thicker and heavier then either hurculiner or duraback. On the down side, it takes 2 gallons to get full coverage.

 

[xj287]

Lats week I ordered in a new smitybilt soft top and put that on.

I also added a cowl vent that I had kicking around the shop. I tried it pointing forward and back toward the windshield and found that facing it back brought in the most air.

I upgraded the sound system this week by adding a sound bar with 5 1/2" Polk speakers, and 2 4 1/2" speakers mounted in the center console along with a Dual USB/MP3 compatible stereo