Build Thread Renegade Resurrection!

[Petescj]

Im thinking I know what the orange look like. I know the blue , as Ive seen them here on this site already. I do like the blue but your choice of those silver ones really fit well with the theme. Your persistence paid off big. Thats a nice combo for sure.

Thank You, the Renegade Decals are the design for an 83-84 CJ7 . I wanted them to be like the old 83 I rolled back in college. My family did not like the orange like I did, and I didn't want the blue, no offense. I saw these on a Jeep that sold on Ebay about a month ago and emailed him 4 times before he sent me a reply. These are a custom color made by Austin Jeeps. I really like the way they look!

 

[CJ BRIAN NJ]

Got her home today! Starting to put things back together!

once again your body shop is amazing! make sure to send them a thank you note and pics to hang in their office ! the guys near me have a wall of fame and your baby will look great up there!

fan-fricken-tastic!!!

 

[tonkatrucksryan]

Wow!!! It is a work of art!!!! Now drive the heck out of it. Awesome job!!!!1

 

[CJ BRIAN NJ]

Wow!!! It is a work of art!!!! Now drive the heck out of it. Awesome job!!!!1

yeah its almost too nice to get it muddy im sure you will get over that soon though! did you apply the decals or have he body shop do them? im afraid i will screw them up and they are way to expensive for me to fudge one up

 

[Blk04Snake]

Just read thru this whole thread. You really tore that tub apart! What's left orignal there? The firewall and tranny hump is all I can see. Just curious as to what you ended up doing at the rear tailgate area for the cross brace and body mounts? I know Classic sells that piece all fabbed up now.

 

[Renegade]

Just read thru this whole thread. You really tore that tub apart! What's left orignal there? The firewall and tranny hump is all I can see. Just curious as to what you ended up doing at the rear tailgate area for the cross brace and body mounts? I know Classic sells that piece all fabbed up now.

You are correct, there wasn't much of the old body left, really the tranny hump was in great shape and I would say the firewall and cowling were in ok shape. I also used the original hood and one of the fenders, I did get a doaner grill off CL and sold my old one for the same price so I would call it a trade off.

The rear tailgate area--- I did purchase the rear replacement metal from Quadratec, it was a good replacement part but I did find it a little thin so I actually fabbed another piece of metal to cover the replacement one and welded them together, to add a little thickness to support the tailgate, plus I was looking for a cleaner transition from the corners. I have attached a couple of pics how I reassembled the rear body mounts. The body mounts I purchased off Quadratec where extremely difficult to weld to the bottom of the tub. I am not sure but I don't think it was the best metal, but they were good replica's of the originals.

Good Luck I hope this helps.

 

[Blk04Snake]

Guess we are thinking about different places. what I'm referring to is the very rear piece that the tailgate mounts to and also has the rear body mounts that attach to the very end crossmember that's welded across the rear of the frame.

 

[Renegade]

I am not sure, my Jeep never had any on the rear. Maybe the PO left them off or the pictures I posted show that the rear is supported with those two brackets? The last 2 body mounts I have on the Jeep are near the front of the gas tank. It could be possible mine were missing, the PO had put a new frame on the Jeep, and I have found many more shortcut he had made. If you have any pictures of how yours may differ please post pics. Thank You!

 

[Renegade]

Here are a few pictures I took today. I wanted to update it since I got most everything in this week including the seats. I have a few more things to go over before the Jeep is road worthy, I have to get my plates renewed before the end of the month, so I want to double check everything. Good news it started right up and I have been able to get a smooth idle, I really think that pinch in the gas line was really restricting the fuel-I got really lucky finding that when the tub was off!

Thank You all for your support through this build, many of you have been a great help with advise and support!!! Thank You

 

[sponge]

Againyour Jeep looks incredible, very well done man! I am very jealous...

If you dont mind, when you get a chance it would be great to see a recap of the parts and such...you stance is perfect I am sure others would like to know the combo to get it

 

[CJ BRIAN NJ]

it doesnt get much nicer than that its an inspiration to all of us ! now your going to have to buy another rust bucket so you dont get bored!


congrats!

Here are a few pictures I took today. I wanted to update it since I got most everything in this week including the seats. I have a few more things to go over before the Jeep is road worthy, I have to get my plates renewed before the end of the month, so I want to double check everything. Good news it started right up and I have been able to get a smooth idle, I really think that pinch in the gas line was really restricting the fuel-I got really lucky finding that when the tub was off!

Thank You all for your support through this build, many of you have been a great help with advise and support!!! Thank You

 

[Rescue Diver]

Looks awesome!


That's a really big spare for the factory spare tire carrier. Does it rattle a lot? The carrier on my old CJ back in the 90's drove me nuts with a 33" on it. I tried everything, but was never able to get rid of the rattles. Fortunately without having a tailgate on my current CJ's fiberglass tub, I was free to build a solid carrier that bolts directly to the frame, and through the rear of the body where the tailgate would be, using a 3" thick rubber bushing. I hate rattles!

 

[Renegade]

Honestly it did rattle a bunch, but last fall I couldn't stand it anymore and I pulled it all apart and found that the stock bolts were rubbed to where they where about 75% from the original thickness---so lots of rattle. I went to the store and replaced them with new ones that completely filled the hole. I also bought some rubber washers and put them in between the metal brackets. The ones I bought are a little too thin, I am going to replace them with some hard plastic ones in the next week or so. You were dead on with the rattle, it did drive me nuts! I hope to save up for some new bumpers and tire carrier, but it will take a little while.

 

[Rescue Diver]

Honestly it did rattle a bunch, but last fall I couldn't stand it anymore and I pulled it all apart and found that the stock bolts were rubbed to where they where about 75% from the original thickness---so lots of rattle. I went to the store and replaced them with new ones that completely filled the hole. I also bought some rubber washers and put them in between the metal brackets. The ones I bought are a little too thin, I am going to replace them with some hard plastic ones in the next week or so. You were dead on with the rattle, it did drive me nuts! I hope to save up for some new bumpers and tire carrier, but it will take a little while.

Yep, I did the plastic washers, and I replaced the bolts with a larger diameter and re-drilled the holes. I even made a rubber pad for the latch, but I never was able to completely get rid of the rattle. They're just not made for a larger, heavier spare tire. It's really scary how much they charge for aftermarket bumper carriers! Makes me really glad to own an arc welder.

 

[Renegade]

Againyour Jeep looks incredible, very well done man! I am very jealous...

If you dont mind, when you get a chance it would be great to see a recap of the parts and such...you stance is perfect I am sure others would like to know the combo to get it

Sorry for the delay! Had a busy week. Here are some of the parts I used

2.5 inch Pro-Comp Lift, it included both the leaf springs and shocks from 4wd.com
2.5" Lift Kit with ES3000 Shocks
By Pro Comp Suspension
Part Number: EXPK3063

33x12.50x15 BFG KM2 Mud Terrain Tires From Raben Tire St Louis on Mickey Thompson Classic Lock Rims from Raben Tire-Wheel City in Evansville Ind.

Raben Tire/Wheel City
400 NW 4th Street
Evansville, IN 47708
800.322.6247 (Phone)
812.465.5554 (Fax)
Raben Tire/Wheel City


I also used the 1 inch Daystar Body Lift item number 16053 211 from Quadratec


Hope that helps!

 

[sponge]

Thanks, it must be the 1 inch BL giving it that extra touch that I like vs mine.

 

[Renegade]

Off to the parts store for its first trip since I put it back together! Made it and didn't even need to call for a tow truck! The only major thing was the brake cable was hanging down below the tub! PO never put the cotter pins in it. So it is fixed now.

I took it to get it inspected tonight so I guess we will see how we did putting it all back together. fingers crossed!

My wife had to put a funny quote on Facebook :Looking good. How many nuts and bolts left over?? Lol

My reply:Not many, just a couple under your seat!!! Lol

 

[Renegade]

Pretty much complete, I am still looking to replace the bent front bumper, but that should be about it, still paying off the paint shop! I have had her up and running for a few weeks now and I am happy with the way she is running, just as usual she wants to die until I get past the first stop sign but then after that she runs like a champ. I can do 70 on the highway no problem, and can still manuever the Jeep Wave without being afraid to pull my hand off the wheel! Here are the shots from all sides with all the trim pieces back on. I had to manufacture and weld the little T bolts, then drill holes in the new paint., but they turned out good.

Couldn't believe JP CJ7 Plates were available either!

 

[BC CJ]

beautiful machine you got there! Congrats on getting her all back together and out on the road!

 

[65reissue]

Great thread...You have built an absolutely beautiful jeep...perfect in every way. I am starting a restoration on a 77 CJ5 and wanting things to stay pretty stock in appearance with a mild lift and 33" tires. I saw that you used a ProComp 2.5" lift...but also a 1" body lift. On the early pictures before you started when the jeep was yellow...did you have the 1" lift on at that time? I'm trying to get a visual of just the ProComp 2.5 lift itself with no body lift. so can you tell me if the pictures with the yellow paint...is that just the 2.5 ProComp lift or does that have the body lift also? Also...can you tell me how the 2.5 ProComp lift has been? Any issues or sagging? I appreciate any help you can give. Will also be referring back to this thread alot for my build...as others have said, you are an inspiration. thanks again.