Where to start?

[rzide]

Recently acquired an 84 CJ7 and plan on upgrading a lot and restoring a lot. The rig will never see off road and will strictly be driven on road, summer and winter.it will not be an everyday driver but a toy. My question is i plan on doing a 4bt swap but also want to upgrade axles, disc brakes, and eventually to a fiberglass tub.Where should i start, with the small things, drive train, or body?
Thanks!

 

[thiswontbetooexpensive]

Depends on how much time you have to work in it and how much money you want to spend. After removing the tub from mine for restoration, I would have to say that things are a lot easier to get to once that is done!


This won't be too expensive Dear! That's what I keep saying. Over and over again.

 

[Old Dog]

I agree things are all open to work on with the body off.
Keep the old body till you get the new glass one on, you will
need it as a template for all the holes you need to cut.
I'd do the engine than the drivetrain and axles and then the body,
but you will be setting the body on and off to get the engine set right.

 

[DJ1980CJ5]

I'm in a very similar situation. While I did not have to remove the tub (rust free) I did have other major issues:

1. It has to run right and be reliable.

2. It has to be safe to drive; brakes, suspension components, working lights, etc.

3. Once you are past that point, the customization can get started.

 

[DHugg]

Recently acquired an 84 CJ7 and plan on upgrading a lot and restoring a lot. The rig will never see off road and will strictly be driven on road, summer and winter.it will not be an everyday driver but a toy. My question is i plan on doing a 4bt swap but also want to upgrade axles, disc brakes, and eventually to a fiberglass tub.Where should i start, with the small things, drive train, or body?
Thanks!

When first beginning to fix the blemishes of a neglected childhood of my '80 CJ7 , I wanted to clear up a leaky rear wheel cylinder. But it was an axle seal, and led to a single-piece axle install with bearings and seals, rear tube cleanout and pumpkin rework, new yokes, u-joints, re-worked Dana 300 , and a new front drive shaft and u-joints. I've done the front disks, but now it is front axle complete overhaul after tie-rod and drag link ends. The engine is stable, an AMC 304CID, but it gets its turn with rebuilding the MC2100 carb and switching to MSD CDI ignition.

So which is troubling you most? Driveability and drive train, steering and stopping, engine reliability, or electrical faults? For me just now, it is tierod ends (erratic steering) and over-stiff springs. Other stuff will get its chance.