To be or not to be stock?

[C dubya]

I pick up my 83 CJ7 Sunday and I'm really excited about it. It's bone stock. I planned on keeping it stock for the most part as my brand of offroading tends to be of the lease/logging road variety. However, the more threads I search and read about stuff has got me to wondering about what mods would seem to be the most beneficial with out getting crazy. I like the twin stick, and planned on adding some windshield lights. But thats all I have really thought of. I see the trail ride pics, and that stuff looks way too extreme for any stock rig. What do you guys think from your experience are must have mods?

 

[Sasquach]

When I rebuilt my CJ5 I intended to have it nearly off the floor stock and original, I quickly found out it was not very capable or fun to drive in stock form and with advice from this board I went to work on installing a Detroit locker in the rear and a Eaton Limited slip up front and were I go now is Limited more to my ability than the CJ's. So with that in mind I would recomend that you put a locker or Limited slip in one end or both depending on your intended use and you will dramaticaly increase were you can go. Another common upgrade would be a one peice axle kit for the rear if you don't already have it.

 

[Old Dog]

What he said ^^^ I also like your idea of a twin stick.
If you wheel alone a winch could come in handy also.

 

[C dubya]

Thanks guys. I agree, a winch will probably be in my future especially since I want to keep it close to stock. I planned to put some fresh leaf springs on it and when I did I wanted to put 1in H shackels on as well. Do you think that is the way to go? MC2100 upgrade as well, as the stock carb needs rebuilt anyways. I'm leery of an axle upgrade due to the work involved, but I think a solid axle could be doable. Do you think stock tires are sufficient. Thanks again and keep it coming.

 

[Old Dog]

As for the shackles 1" longer (1/2" lift) will be ok, anything longer tends to screw up the camber and you start having steering problems.
I don't know anything about Ok. but if the loging roads get muddy you might want something a little more aggresive, ie. some good all terrains.

 

[C dubya]

Mud is definately an issue here. I planned on going with goodyear wrangler duratrak, cooper atr, or bfg AT.

 

[Kane]

I used to own a bone stock 84 CJ7 with a 5 speed, AMC 258 i6 / 4.2l and I only had a rear Limited slip, bigger shackles, rancho shocks, 31" BFG all terrains and some tow hooks. I lived in Utah and my wife would wheel that right behind me in my built CJ5 . The Jeep wheeled very nicely and we were able to keep the stock look as well. The only difference I think I would have like would be a locker instead of the trac lock. I have an ARB in my 5 and love it.

 

[billyocup]

I'd recommend installing a full cage roll bar setup.

I did the Rubicon back in the 70s. Most of the rigs that did it then were fairly stock and got through without too much trouble. We were sitting on a dirt road section cut across the side of a hill waiting to go through the rocks down into Rubicon Springs. All of a sudden a Jeep in front of us rolls sideways down the hill. The dirt at the downhill edge had crumbled under the passenger side tires and the jeep just turned over. The jeep rolled over 4 or 5 times before it stopped. Both the driver and passenger got out shaken, but unhurt.

I also had a friend who flipped his Bronco when a front tire blew out on a paved road. Only reason he survived was because on the cage.

Just my 2 cents.

 

[Jimbos76cj]

Winch
Lockers
Mud tire other then BFG allterrains.

 

[CJim7]

First and foremost Im a big fan of recovery points, cages, communication devices, and first aid kits.

The other things, like lockers, winches, rock protection are the toys that get you in the position to need the things I mentioned first.

Yes, Im a big believer in safety-first. I've seen to many people die in this hobby. Just recently lost a friend in an offroad accident...the driver broke his back in three places, the passenger wasn't that lucky

 

[1986cj7]

First and foremost Im a big fan of recovery points, cages, communication devices, and first aid kits.

The other things, like lockers, winches, rock protection are the toys that get you in the position to need the things I mentioned first.

Yes, Im a big believer in safety-first. I've seen to many people die in this hobby. Just recently lost a friend in an offroad accident...the driver broke his back in three places, the passenger wasn't that lucky

The roll cage is a good idea. I have two kids 9 and 6 I wouldn't be able to live with my self if something was to happen to them. I have a 86cj7 what kind of cage or design would you sugguest. And how to make the cage and hardtop work.

 

[CJim7]

The roll cage is a good idea. I have two kids 9 and 6 I wouldn't be able to live with my self if something was to happen to them. I have a 86cj7 what kind of cage or design would you sugguest. And how to make the cage and hardtop work.

Quite honestly, the best cages are fabricated to the frame. Remember, the body can and does separate from the frame and most "kits" are bolted to the body...as is the stock rollbar. You dont want to be in the cab of a vehicle when it separates from the frame during a roll
A six-point cage with triangulation is the most effective protection. Mind you, these are not cheap...DOM is expensive to begin with never mind the labor to blueprint, cut, bend, and weld. You can easily spend well over $1000 on a properly built cage. In my opinion, it is worth it.
On occasion, you can find built cages through the classifieds...usually someone changing their project up...much cheaper then having one built.
Most custom cages are hardtop friendly if they are designed with that in mind

 

[1986cj7]

Quite honestly, the best cages are fabricated to the frame. Remember, the body can and does separate from the frame and most "kits" are bolted to the body...as is the stock rollbar. You dont want to be in the cab of a vehicle when it separates from the frame during a roll
A six-point cage with triangulation is the most effective protection. Mind you, these are not cheap...DOM is expensive to begin with never mind the labor to blueprint, cut, bend, and weld. You can easily spend well over $1000 on a properly built cage. In my opinion, it is worth it.
On occasion, you can find built cages through the classifieds...usually someone changing their project up...much cheaper then having one built.
Most custom cages are hardtop friendly if they are designed with that in mind

$1000 or more is cheap for someones life and limb. I'll have to keep an eye out for cages, and or to have one fabed. IF anyone has any links of roll cages Please send them my way!

 

[GoldenEagle36]

Mud is definately an issue here. I planned on going with goodyear wrangler duratrak, cooper atr, or bfg AT.

i went to the bantam jeep festival, and pretty much all those guys were running was BF Goodrich KM2s, very nice tires. i have them on mine and they offer a good ride and i heard they do good on the road, and theyre fairly inexpensive compared to some tires common to it.

 

[C dubya]

Well, finally got my jeep home tonight. Took a new water pump, thermostat, and radiator to do it. Got her running cool now. I'm sorry to hear about the loss of your friend in an offroad accident, hopefully I never have to experience that. That is part of the reason I want to stay closer to a stocker. Don't need the ability to climb a rock face, would just like to have a capable 4x4. I'm all for recovery points and safety gear. I'm thinking in the long run a winch, rear locker, and twin stick is all I haved planned. I have several things I need to get lined out before I do anything. Got some guage and guage lighting issues. And other small things. Floor boards are rusted and just above the rear wheel wells. I'm digging in as I go. I appreciate all the help here, sorry for long post.

 

[81laredo]

Safety items first. I always start with the Brakes then worry about the rest. Next Shocks and Spring Bushings then I worried about going down the road.
Good Luck