Build Thread Wooly's 78 CJ7

[Woolyworm]

Current project(s);

So I've started pulling my tail end apart.....got the old tank down and out and I'm pulling the rear seat out now. I've got a fire going in the garage (yes I know fires and gas tanks don't mix but I lived) and a cigar and some home brew coffee stout have slowed progress but what the hey it's the weekend and I've got plenty of time over the winter to work on the jeep.

While the tank is out I'm going to beef up my bumper mounts, replace a section of broken cross member where my body mount is, make some quick disconnects to get the seat in and out easily, clean up some wiring, install an Aussie locker I picked up from caveman (thanks buddy!) flip the rear axle ubolts, maybe add and axle truss....wow maybe I don't have a lot of time!

The Aussie locker for the 20 is beefy - almost twice the size of what's in my 30. Oh, when I have the axles out to put it in I MAW add some zerks to the tubes to grease the rear bearings without needing to pull the axles again.

Also picked up a set of 4.10 gears and carrier for the 20 from Caveman as well; more beefiness.

Anyone have a lead on 4.10s and carrier for my 30?

kinda like this truss


Wooly

 

[Petescj]

Approved! Should've made it mandatory for you to share your build. Should be good reading material this Winter. I'm probably going to put lockers in the Laredo since I'm grabbing another daily driver so I'll be looking at the Aussie install. Is that the rare 10 gallon Cj tank you removed?

 

[IOPort51]

When you put the zerks on the axle, where does the old grease go?I think I would maybe be looking at a fuel tank skid plate upgrade, just a thought. Even if you put the beer down and really work at this It will be warm again before you are through.

I may also add that you have a rather impatient audience.

 

[Woolyworm]

When you put the zerks on the axle, where does the old grease go?

You put another hole with a plug in 180 degrees from the zerk as I understand it. I've got them on my front hubs with no hole and they work well.

I think I would maybe be looking at a fuel tank skid plate upgrade, just a thought.

Yes! Fourxdoctor one is in the mail.

Even if you put the beer down and really work at this It will be warm again before you are through.

I may also add that you have a rather impatient audience. LOL.

Wooly

 

[Woolyworm]

And yes Pete - that is actually the special order high clearance 11 gallon tank!


Wooly

 

[Woolyworm]

So here is my CJ when I bought it here in town about 7 years ago. Fiberglass tub, AMC 304 with side pipes, tired springs, street tires, T-150 , pretty much stock. Frame is cherry.

First mod was a 3" lift from Black Diamond and replacement and rotation of spring perches.

Then came some BFG KM2's



And freshening of the heads and some engine cleanup including Teamrush ford ignition upgrade, MC2100 carb, removal of the side pipes and install of custom exhaust.

More tomorrow!


Wooly

 

[Woolyworm]

Forgot to mention - that's an edlebrock SP2P intake which is a small port 2 plane intake from the gas crunch era that was introduced for fuel economy. A side effect is that it makes torque right off the bottom maxing out about 3500 RPM which is perfect for the stuff I do. The small ports mean high velocity which in turn means really good fuel atomization with low air volume i.e. torque as evidenced by the rolled over rear spring perches

Continuing on with my build stuff (as modest as it is)

Swapped out the Porsche seats for a set of Corbeau JPs and a home made seat bracket that my center console attaches to so I can pull the entire assembly out easily for mods and maintenance.

Me at the top of Schoodic Mtn - so if you see me on the trail say howdy!

Not built yet but if I ever build a trail trailer it won't be for a tent - I'll cook

Tried some swamper LTBs for awhile - great tire for Maine - I cut them up a bit since I find they do great if the sides can bite but spin on the wet rocks riding on the center ribs. Oh, and I tried to repaint the cano but decided to go all tan

Recently swapped out the LTBs for Iroks


Thought about cutting to fit these 36 swampers - nope


Badass J truck from WMMJ club


Fabbed up a runnk bumper clone

CO2 air


Fabbed up 1/4" belly skids

Fabbed up a full cage


Walnuts tearing wheel - sweet


Aluminum radiator


Nice piece of Maine trail


Tatton drive shafts front and rear along with 10 factory chromoly front and rear axle shafts with front and rear Aussie lockers

MORE steering brace stuff, 1 ton drag and tie rods-going over knuckles this winter


One of the reasons my gas tank looks like it does


Why I want a toe along grill!


Cheers!



Wooly

 

[CJim7]

That frame horn looks like mine

 

[Scooter402]

Very nice looking build! I like it for sure. And I've GOT to get/make me one of those grills!

 

[Hedgehog]

Grills are nice, but that one looks ... I don't know ...... backwards somehow? Can't quite put my finger on it.

 

[Posi]

Nice rig, looking forward to the next update.

 

[Lumpy Grits]

Nice rig, looking forward to the next update.

X2!
LG

 

[Woolyworm]

More progress on my rear end work today [emoji12]

Pulled out the rear body mounts and mocked up the repair. Going to do the other side as well since the cross member is fatigue cracking on that side as well. Also going to add a 5"x5" support plate to the bottom of the fiberglass tub in those two spots to spread the load out a bit more. My tub never had the rear most mounts so I'm going to fab up something for those as well. Got a coat of primer on the tank skid. Adjusted my sending unit to read 73ohms empty, 10 full and got it installed in the tank. I need to pick up some rubber for cushioning between the strap and tank and tank and skid plate.

Wooly

 

[Woolyworm]

And......here is how that guy finished his truss so the ubolts fit although that won't work with the flip I want to do.


Wooly

 

[Woolyworm]

Rollover valve question - I don't have a RO valve or charcoal canister on my exiting tank and everything works fine. Do you think I need to add them to my new tank? Thanks!


Wooly

 

[Posi]

I don't have either on my current build, but will add RO valve.

 

[Woolyworm]

Why? If both of those vents on the tank are capped off and you roll - where is any gas going to leak out from besides maybe a little from the cap which would happen anyway???


Wooly

 

[Posi]

Wooly

This looks to be a 76 frame, what's up with the c-channel 78?
Nice work on the upgrades.

 

[Woolyworm]

Hmmm. Always thought it was a 78 but with the FG tub who knows. The frame is boxed from the front most of the way back - see photo.

Wooly

 

[Posi]

That's a 76 frame.
Your correct if you cap the 2 vent lines no need for roll over valve. I'm going FI down the road and want a fuel cut off in case of roll over.