Build Thread The '80 FrankenJeep frame off reassembly
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Build Thread The '80 FrankenJeep frame off reassembly
- Thread starter shum8
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- Roanoke, Va
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- '80 CJ-7, AMC 304, T177, Dana 300, Widetrack axles (D30 & AMC20) w/ 3.73 gearing, MSD ignition,
I’m sure this isn’t a repeated cause - first time the upper timing gear bolt backed out, cracked the timing cover, and allowed the coolant into the block. That bolt has since been properly torqued and locktited. I’m hoping it was a choke issue and I was just not awake enough to realize it.
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- Posts
- 7,316
- Media
- 5
- Solutions
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- Thanks
- 157
- Location
- Roanoke, Va
- Vehicle(s)
- '80 CJ-7, AMC 304, T177, Dana 300, Widetrack axles (D30 & AMC20) w/ 3.73 gearing, MSD ignition,
Well - just finished a fluid check and test run. All good. The only logical conclusion I can muster is that it just wasn’t warm enough to take off in with the choke fully open. So the good news is I was just paranoid. As soon as it startin missing like that I had flashbacks of this past summer. I’m also shamed to say it never occurred to me (during my little pre dawn sleepy time panic episode) to close the choke a bit.
One of my favorite sayings comes to mind: If you’re gonna be dumb, ya better be tough.
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One of my favorite sayings comes to mind: If you’re gonna be dumb, ya better be tough.
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- Rockwall,TX
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- 1983 cj7, 1971 Dart, 1942 Willys slat grill
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- Eagle, WI
- Vehicle(s)
- 1979 CJ7 V8 304 T18 w/gran low D20 w/TeraLowD30 D44,
1959 CJ5 Rebuild 74 Buick 231V6 oddfire T14 D20 D30 D44 frame boxed roller engine ready,
1967 CJ5 V6 225 T86aa D18 D27 D44 runs needs work,
1954 CJ3B F4-134 T90A D18 D25 D44 Half Cab needs tub,
Oh so good to hear. I really have been enjoying all the pictures you have been posting driving your CJ. I loved the Christmas wreath! You seem to find other jeeps to park next to. Whew!!
- Posts
- 7,316
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- 5
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- 157
- Location
- Roanoke, Va
- Vehicle(s)
- '80 CJ-7, AMC 304, T177, Dana 300, Widetrack axles (D30 & AMC20) w/ 3.73 gearing, MSD ignition,
Thanky! As for the other Jeeps..... It’s almost too easy LOL
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- 84 cj7, 91 cherokee, 78 chevy 3500 pu, 78 CJ7
Glad to hear all's good.
Belizean
Always Off-Roading Jeeper
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- 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
mdeluca
Full Time Jeeper
So you choked? That's it... ?
Man, I was hoping it was going to be something less than tearing down the motor again... Good deal...!
Man, I was hoping it was going to be something less than tearing down the motor again... Good deal...!
Eyeball
Jeeper
- Posts
- 78
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- Location
- North Bay area, Ontario, Canada.
- Vehicle(s)
- '86 CJ7, 258 8:1, 5 speed and probably a D300, not sure yet if axles were changed out or original. Did finally get it home.
Will update as I go.
Well, as the title implies, this will not be a restoration - at best a refurbishment - of a 1980 CJ7 with a variety of parts from several Jeeps. I have not the time, money, or patience for a full restoration, so refurbishing will have to do. My initial plan to re-enter the CJ world when I bought this one was to merely change all the fluids, paint it, add a stereo, and drive the snot out of it. Well, like a buddy always says - "Everybody's gotta have a plan - gives them something to abandon later", No truer words have ever been spoken. Please remember while following this build I am not restoring a Ferrari, so this will be a utilitarian build. Safety issues will be addressed properly, but I will not be spending stupid money on things that will just be banged up in the woods, crossing creeks, etc. If I were to do a full back to new restoration, it would sit in the garage covered with a blanket. Ok - here we go........ I hope I live long enough to drive it.
So, upon failing inspection for frame cancer I didn't notice at time of purchase (my bad), I set off in search of repair pieces for the frame. Wound up finding a really nice pre-82 frame with no cancer for 60 bucks. Not having the heart to cut up a good frame to fix a bad frame, I just finished cleaning up the "new" frame and got it painted. After asking a couple newb questions, I now realize the older frame will need the front shock mounts removed and the WT axle shock mounts added - no biggie, just time. I'll get that done this weekend, and the frame will be done and ready to accept FrankenJeep. Here's what it looked like in the PO's driveway at time of purchase:
Here it is at it's new home:
Here it is with the hard top:
When I bought it, it came with a hard top, full hard doors, soft top, full soft doors, soft half doors, bikini top, two spare hoods (one steel, one fiberglass), spare grill, transfer case, and dash. The soft top is a cool fast back top, but is a snap mount. I'm in the process of converting it to channel mount, so will be welding up the screw holes for the snaps.
The PO had already added stainless brake lines, 4" RC suspension lift (I'm assuming this based on RC shocks). He said it has a 4" lift on it, and it looks like it. It has old aluminum slots (5 of 'em), a 304 from a Wagoneer, T176, Dana 300, WT axles, and a rust free Wrangler tub.
I have been collecting stuff for it off Craigslist (I'm doing this on the cheap). I now have half doors, a VERY nice dash pad, stereo, amp, speakers, fiberglass fenders (steel ones have rust poking thru).
I'll post up a few more pics in a bit.
Robert
Howdy Robert,
I ran out of posts to read over on Gerts thread, so I thought I'd come and read this one so I don't dry out.
It is kinda amazing how yours sorta looks like mine, color and all. I haven't been able to bring mine home yet as I'm out galavanting around in Oregon at the moment, but as soon as I clear a spot on the couch for it, I will start taking pics and try to upload them.
Mine has not been lifted but it does come with a variety of covers and a hardtop.
The tub and fenders are glass, and the rest I'm going to have to get familiar with as I go.
Oh yeah, mine is white also, but that will probably get cusomized as things get done and ideas change.
Anyway, this was kinda like an introduction and I'm happy to start absorbing your build.
Cheers, John.
Belizean
Always Off-Roading Jeeper
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- 717
- 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
Yes the problem with Robert and gert is they both spend to much time on their jeep builds and not enough time on their blogs letting us know what they are working on..... 
- Posts
- 7,316
- Media
- 5
- Solutions
- 1
- Thanks
- 157
- Location
- Roanoke, Va
- Vehicle(s)
- '80 CJ-7, AMC 304, T177, Dana 300, Widetrack axles (D30 & AMC20) w/ 3.73 gearing, MSD ignition,
White it was, but not anymore [emoji6]
Glad to meet you, sir. Good to have you here.
As for absorbing my build - good luck. I do tend to ramble on.......
Sent..... Just sent.
- Posts
- 7,316
- Media
- 5
- Solutions
- 1
- Thanks
- 157
- Location
- Roanoke, Va
- Vehicle(s)
- '80 CJ-7, AMC 304, T177, Dana 300, Widetrack axles (D30 & AMC20) w/ 3.73 gearing, MSD ignition,
Yes the problem with Robert and gert is they both spend to much time on their jeep builds and not enough time on their blogs letting us know what they are working on.....
Hey, now...... we try to stay current. Well, I do at least. Sometimes LOL
Sent..... Just sent.
Eyeball
Jeeper
- Posts
- 78
- Thanks
- 1
- Location
- North Bay area, Ontario, Canada.
- Vehicle(s)
- '86 CJ7, 258 8:1, 5 speed and probably a D300, not sure yet if axles were changed out or original. Did finally get it home.
Will update as I go.
Sir??, Well....NAHH! just John or eyeball is good, feel old enough as it is!
Rambling on is fine too, gets the women out of your shop, better than the short useless pointers like when you look at a Jeep pic and it's green and the poster says, this is my Jeep and it's Green!
Just having fun lol, I'll enjoy it, I need input!
Beers.
This message was delivered by my pigeon, that was sent from my aviary by this phone. (you got me going! the ex couldn't even do that, so I sold her and bought another Jeep.)ok ok, I'll stop.
Beers again.
Last edited:
- Posts
- 7,316
- Media
- 5
- Solutions
- 1
- Thanks
- 157
- Location
- Roanoke, Va
- Vehicle(s)
- '80 CJ-7, AMC 304, T177, Dana 300, Widetrack axles (D30 & AMC20) w/ 3.73 gearing, MSD ignition,
Yep - you’re gonna fit right in.......
And I like the “beers” instead of “cheers”
Well done
Sent..... Just sent.
And I like the “beers” instead of “cheers”
Well done
Sent..... Just sent.
mdeluca
Full Time Jeeper
This guy ain't right... just saying'...
- Posts
- 7,316
- Media
- 5
- Solutions
- 1
- Thanks
- 157
- Location
- Roanoke, Va
- Vehicle(s)
- '80 CJ-7, AMC 304, T177, Dana 300, Widetrack axles (D30 & AMC20) w/ 3.73 gearing, MSD ignition,
- Posts
- 12,365
- Featured
- 3
- Media
- 71
- Resources
- 2
- Thanks
- 278
- Location
- Rockwall,TX
- Vehicle(s)
- 1983 cj7, 1971 Dart, 1942 Willys slat grill
mdeluca
Full Time Jeeper
The whole lot of ya...!!!
- Posts
- 7,316
- Media
- 5
- Solutions
- 1
- Thanks
- 157
- Location
- Roanoke, Va
- Vehicle(s)
- '80 CJ-7, AMC 304, T177, Dana 300, Widetrack axles (D30 & AMC20) w/ 3.73 gearing, MSD ignition,
Ok - I couldn’t decide on just one reply, so pick whichever you like the best...
I’ll take that as a compliment!!!!
You’re just jealous....
Takes one to know one....
Why, that’s the nicest thing anyone’s said to me all week.....
Is we your lips move, but all I hear is blah, blah, blah.....
Sent..... Just sent.
I’ll take that as a compliment!!!!
You’re just jealous....
Takes one to know one....
Why, that’s the nicest thing anyone’s said to me all week.....
Is we your lips move, but all I hear is blah, blah, blah.....
Sent..... Just sent.
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