Build Thread Project " Un " Limited

[Petescj]

Im very happy to announce I have a new Cj project to share with everyone here. Im sure it will not only frustrate me at points , but amuse you all as well. This will be my first frame -off rebuild. Ive taken them apart that far , its that whole re assembly thing that may get interesting.

Id like to add that without the group of guys here sharing their builds and technical advice I wouldnt be attempting this at all. While Im at it I need to thank CJ for giving us this venue and my fellow Moderators for all their behind the scenes contributions as well. :rock:


That said you guys arent interested in that correct? You want pictures , yes? Im going to dedicate one photobucket album just for this project.



Heres a pic my dear Vicki sent me a few days ago of "This Jeep I might like."

 

[Petescj]

Now I give Vicki alot of credit. Shes no rookie at looking at Cjs for me. This one was about 20 minutes away from the house but in an area I rarely venture. Im at work and she starts firing off pics to me like its a swimsuit calendar shoot.



The pics are coming in fast and furious and I work a production job. Im trying to keep up with throwing can lids on a line that uses 1800 of them a minute when she sends this pic:



Now that pic may not mean a whole lot to many Cj owners. Some will say "whoopie a hard top." Some will say " nice sunroof ". When I saw that blue headliner in there I almost .

 

[Petescj]

Now that hard top pic has peaked my interest for sure and Im still trying to rummage through pics and stay employed as well. These next two shots make me feel bi-polar for sure. Im happy and sad all at once.



Thats a really nice uncut dash , all the stock gauges and factory leather wrapped grab bar. The shifter handles can be easily replaced.

The disappointment comes here in this pic. Now usually a decent set of Bestop buckets is a good thing. Im bummed though cause the Limited had some nice special edition seats. They were a fabric style called Western weave and had leather backs with carpeted sides on bottom seat area. The stock steering wheel is still there though as well as pretty clean Slate Blue accents from that pic.

 

[CJ]

Your fired!

 

[Petescj]

Severence Package?

 

[Petescj]

Now Vicki also knows me well enough that I have strict rule of no 4 cylinders. I replaced the AMC 304 in my 78 CJ5 with a 360 years ago cause the little 8 cylinder didnt make me happy.

After having a few 258s since then Ive warmed up to the 6 cylinder. Thats as far I'll go. Vicki trudges up to the guys door but noone is home. Later we find out that Bill drives truck and is only around on the weekend. Being the good Jeep scout she is she heads back down and fires off a couple shots of the AMC 258 i6 / 4.2l .

 

[Petescj]

She tells me the Cj has a price in the window of $1500. From what I see it looks fairly solid. Before this I was already thinking about a 83 Cj -7 I had seen that was in worse shape for $800. I had to go see this one right after work.





I went over the frame and while it is scaley in spots it held up to the 3lb hammer screwdriver test. I had an idea I found my project then. Later on I offer Bill $1200. He shows me a bunch of other stuff he has including the original front buckets and I cave like a house of cards. Bill is an old school guy so we shake hands and call it a deal.

 

[Petescj]

That leads us up today. Here she is sittin in the driveway till I get off my butt and situate the garage. Shes not perfect by any means but I think I have a pretty solid foundation to build on.



Im going to try and use as much of the "Limited " parts as I can to pay tribute to its factory origin. The Limited was probably one of the most "cushy" Cjs ever made. This one isnt cut out for an original restoration. The Northeast climate has taken its toll on it. My goal is to blend the heritage of this Cj with the true off road prowess it deserves. No hacking of the body or rattle can paint for this one. I hope you all enjoy it as much as I know I will.

 

[mtnwhlr]

I know I'll be watching

 

[Tin Medic]

Alright, lets get started.

 

[alpha6]

Nice...two questions...are the mirrors attached to the door a Limited special? and are those the original wheels that came with them? I like the tach installed on top of the steering wheel instead of them cutting the dash. Very cool...how many cans of food do you think got boxed up with out lids?

 

[Petescj]

I know I'll be watching

Thanks. I really do enjoy working on these Cjs. If the prior pieces of havent deterred me this one wont.

Alright, lets get started.

Putting her in the garage will happen tomorrow. I had to unload all the extra seats it came with and the garage is a bit cluttered right now. I need to move the Yj tub around and various parts that are all over.

As far as getting started goes Im already in process of that. Ive diagnosed what I have and a few key issues. I'll start sharing those sometime tonite.

 

[Petescj]

Nice...two questions...are the mirrors attached to the door a Limited special? and are those the original wheels that came with them? I like the tach installed on top of the steering wheel instead of them cutting the dash. Very cool...how many cans of food do you think got boxed up with out lids?

The mirors on it arent a Limited special. I wish they were never attached. Thats a bunch of holes I never needed. That said the Limited did have different mirrors than the standard Cj. They are almost a Yj style only a bit sleeker. Once I find some I'll post them.

The wheels are original just repainted. The trim rings are all there and are all in good shape suprisingly enough. I noticed in the pics the centercaps werent on the rear wheels. When he went to take them off to paint the wheels he spapped some bolts off in them. Luckily he sourced another set and sent them with me. I'll be sanblasting and repainting the original wheels then re installing these:

 

[JAG811]

SHAAWEEEEET !!
This build is going to ROCK !!

 

[alpha6]

Well, I will be watching this...looks like it is going to be fun...in a weird jeep sadistic sort of way.

 

[Petescj]

SHAAWEEEEET !!
This build is going to ROCK !!

Thanks! I hope your right.

Well, I will be watching this...looks like it is going to be fun...in a weird jeep sadistic sort of way.

Ha! Your most likely right. Im still thinking about the cans with no lids. I hope not too many went by, need a job to support the build.

Speaking of I made my first $160 toward the build tonite. Sold a set of wide trac axles Ive had laying around forever.

 

[Petescj]

Well lets start with identifying what the Cj has. Its pretty easy to see it has a AMC 258 i6 / 4.2l . Bill told me on trips over 50 miles or so the oil pressure drops off pretty low. Im going to try dropping in an oil pump and see where that leads.

The Transmission is a T-176 . I was pretty happy it had this Transmission since its the best of the 80s era Cj transmissions. The bad part is it hums in 1st thru 3rd. 1st thru 3rd in this Transmission are all on the mainshaft and the noise Im hearing usually means the mainshaft bearings are worn. Looks like a rebuild will be in order. 1 thing I want to find out is if I can use the 1st gear from a T-177. The 176 has a 3.52 first while the 177 is 3.82

I only engaged the 4wd enough to know that high and low range both work. This is probably the one piece of the drivetrain that wont need a rebuild. Fortunately for me I will be installing a Tera low 4 to 1 kit so I get to take it apart anyway.

The axles are stock Dana 30 and Corprate 20 wide trac axles. I'll determine the gear ratios once shes in the garage. It would be nice if it has the larger carriers but not terrible if it doesnt. If it has has the small carriers with 2.72s I'll grab the large carriers out of the narrow tracs I have. Im looking at 4.56s or possibly 4.88s

With the combination of the T-177s 1st gear , 4 to 1 in the Dana 300 and 4.88s my crawl ratio will be right about 75. I could deal with that set up until I ultimately grab a T-18 .

 

[tarry99]

Pete..............Very Nice, looks like a good ride to rekindle your off road needs..............and at a resonable price , Runs and close to home..........that's a Winner!

 

[Old Dog]

Looks like a great start, I like the build idea.

 

[Petescj]

Pete..............Very Nice, looks like a good ride to rekindle your off road needs..............and at a resonable price , Runs and close to home..........that's a Winner!

Yeah its a builder. It has a strange quirk as well. The gas gauge works. I thought they came broke from Toledo?

Looks like a great start, I like the build idea.

Yeah kinda subtle but strong. Not something thats gonna be real flashy, just look good and serve its purpose. You know , a Jeep.