Build Thread YUKON007's '82 CJ7 Build.

[YUKON007]

All,
I've already gotten a ton of help and a ton of info off this forum and all you guys who frequent it. Last week I purchased a running 1982 CJ7 off a guy here in Alaska for $500. Poor guy was an older gentleman who had to shut off his phone because it was being BLOWN up with texts and calls about the jeep. I'm very excited to get started on this project, its my first and with a close buddy of mine (he's joining the forum and will be posting pics/updates/questions) we plan on relying heavily on the forum locals.

ABOUT HER:
A little about the jeep, Shes a rust bucket but seems to have had undercoating done at some point and from what we can tell the frame is in fairly good shape. She's got all the indications of a Laredo , tach, clock, steering wheel, etc. but she's been a parts jeep at some point and I know a lot of that stuff was built to order on base model jeeps back then. She took a little routine maintenance to get her to idle smooth but we eventually got it running okay and idling heartily.

PLAN:
Frame off restoration
Refurbish AMC 258 i6 / 4.2l Inline six
Rebuild/investiagate Transmission , clutch, Transfer Case ...
Learn a ton, and break a lot of
POR15 frame
Rhino Line (or similar) underside of tub and inside tub.
New paint job
Eventually a 6 point roll cage
4 inch suspension lift
1 inch body lift (mostly because we need all new body mount boots)
34", 35" ish tires
I'm sure things will keep popping up as we get into the build, as they always do.

I know, I know, No pictures makes for a dull thread... I've got a ton of her and the work we've already put in and I'll post them VERY SOON. Its not my priority because I like wrenching better than typing but I promise you'll see pictures very shortly. Until then you'll have to make due with a pic from the day I got her

 

[Petescj]

:ww: What you have there is an '82 Limited CJ7 . This was a trim package that was only available in 82/83. Heres some info:

Limited - Jeep-CJ Forums

 

[YUKON007]

:ww: What you have there is an '82 Limited CJ-7. This was a trim package that was only available in 82/83. Heres some info:

Limited - Jeep-CJ Forums

Thanks for the welcome! I'm intrigued that its a Limited . She does have a chrome front bumper and chrome bumperettes, and tilt steering. As far as seats go, they've been scavenged along with original rims and tires. I don't think it has a Limited decal on the rear end and as for original paint I don't see a pinstripe. What tipped you off that its a CJ7 Limited ? Thanks again!

 

[Petescj]

They came from the factory with the black windshield and those seats that are in it or atleast the passenger one. Thats a Slate Blue Western Weave seat. They were only made in 82/83.

 

[Frumples]

Here is the day we picked her up.

I'll be posting lots of pictures and information during this project as well, although new to jeeps I've spent lots of time wrenching on everything from chainsaws to Blackhawks and love it. As of now the CJ lives in my shop, frees up garage space for Yukon keeping his gf happy, and gives me a cost free (mostly) project which keeps my wife happy.



The first thing we did is pull the hood off and get it running. Having sat for two years in the elements I was expecting a fight. Some new gas, a couple squirts of ether, and a battery was all it took and off she went. We ran it up and down the driveway for 20 minutes and by then she was happy to idle. I was surprised to hear the engine running really smooth, and despite the body practically falling off, all of the lights and signals still worked.

 

[YUKON007]

They came from the factory with the black windshield and those seats that are in it or atleast the passenger one. Thats a Slate Blue Western Weave seat. They were only made in 82/83.

Ahhh I'll bite on the black windshield, but the seats are actually out of an old Bronco. Its very possible the originals were scavenged sometime during its donor days. It may have had the Limited decal on the tail end but both sides are now covered with diamond plating... I'll do a little destructive research on that since we don't plan to keep the tub for much more than donated metal.

Frumples! Welcome to the forum, thanks for keeping up on the photographic evidence... Everyone, he'll be like a second OP on this thread.

 

[Petescj]

Well it just so happens I have some pics of what the Bronco II seats look like as well. I'll share the differences with you through pics when I get home from work. Now that I see the pic of the Jeep on the trailer I know for sure they are from a Limited . Bronco II seats have a lower back and aren't carpeted on the back. They are also all cloth.

 

[Petescj]

Limited Seats:






Bronco II seats :

 

[Frumples]

After our chance to terrorize the neighborhood, and to share the happy prophecy of future jeeping via a hood-less engine compartment and a muffler-less exhaust system it was time to put the jeep in the shop and put the keys in a safe place. (I've already lost them) Then we began the work part. Pulled the seats, windshield, tailgate, rollbar, steering column, control peddles, and dash over the next couple nights. (Yeah we move slow)







The seats we were told were from a bronco, but evidence is now pointing to them being the originals. (Thanks Petescj) The tailgate itself is in good shape but needs new hinges, windshield is cracked but the frame is in good shape. All of the gauges and lights in the dash worked, another surprise for me.

We took the better part of an hour removing the dash. Electrical work is new to us so we labeled and traced everything from component to source. We may end up replacing it all but just in case we want to keep it we avoided cutting any wires and broke as few connectors as possible.

 

[Frumples]

Next step was the fenders, wiring, coolant and windshield fluid reservoirs, this all came off pretty easy.



Then came the radiator and grill. Like a total rookie I underestimated the amount of coolant in the radiator and made a decent mess. It did eventually all drain and we got it off.


.

The next step was the fuel tank, and all the lines and hoses that go along with it. Once the fuel tank was out we were able to get all but two of the body mount bolts removed. The two that we couldn't get were spinning on top of the mounts where we couldn't reach but the tub was so rusted out that it was soon remedied. One needed some gentle pressure...

And the other needed some forceful persuasion.
.

 

[Petescj]

The seats we were told were from a bronco, but evidence is now pointing to them being the originals. (Thanks Petescj) The tailgate itself is in good shape but needs new hinges, windshield is cracked but the frame is in good shape. All of the gauges and lights in the dash worked, another surprise for me.

We took the better part of an hour removing the dash. Electrical work is new to us so we labeled and traced everything from component to source. We may end up replacing it all but just in case we want to keep it we avoided cutting any wires and broke as few connectors as possible.

:ww: Frumples. Hmm if shipping doesnt kill us maybe we can swap some stuff I have for some stuff you guys have. I have tailgate hinges and good windshield glass... I'll send Yukon a Pm.

 

[Petescj]

Whats the plan for the tub? It looks a bit...flexible.

 

[Frumples]

With all the body mounts undone and wiring removed we lifted the body off of the frame. It was a very exciting time for both of us and I am very happy nobody saw us struggling with the rusted out floppy old tub.

After getting the old body off we were curious to see what kind of shape the frame was in so I peer pressured Yukon into buying a pressure washer and some grinding implements. Here are a couple before and after pressure washing photos...




We were running out of time for the day but we decided to hit a couple spots with a wire wheel to see how easily it would clean up.


There is some pitting but overall it looks pretty good!

 

[YUKON007]

Frumples, I applaud your steadfast determination and dedication, to type all that out on an iPhone is exactly the reason we're the right team to get this brawny brute up and running. We may not be the most experienced but we're stubborn...

Whats the plan for the tub? It looks a bit...flexible.

I'm thinking I'll hang whats left of it on my wall as a warning against rust and diamond plating... In all seriousness I've already got a donor tub from a YJ that a fellow jeeper is pulling off a '92 YJ. Its only got 2 small rusts spots near the door opening and we're planning on scavenging replacement metal from the rust bucket tub.

 

[YUKON007]

So a quick question for anyone, the rear crossmember on the CJ is rusted to death, not re-useable in my opinion. Since I've got a YJ tub headed this way can I replace the cross member with a YJ part that'll already have the relocated body mount holes? Those are the only two mounts that don't line up and it would save some time/money to just swap a YJ member. I just don't know if the mounting holes and over-all dimensions would match up... Thoughts?

 

[Frumples]

Here's the above mentioned crappy tub, don't know why it spilled out of photobucket...

 

[PaRenegade]

Welcome aboard to both of "yunz". That's Pa. slang for "you guys". Looks like you've got your work cut out for you. I noticed the exterior was painted a dark blue and the interior looks to be slate blue. This always catches my eye because I own an 82 slate blue Renegade that I'm getting to the end of it's frame off resto, thank God! I hope your taking many pics along the way (even of mundane stuff) and bagging / tagging everything, as well as some notes. It will help down the road because you WILL forget things over time. And if my rebuild can be of any help I'll share the link. That's one of the reasons I did it, my way to give back for the info I've learned from many here and on other sites. 30th Aniversary build- 82 CJ-7 Renegade frame off - JeepForum.com

Being in Alaska, what kind of time frame are you looking at. Seems it will be Limited by the weather a good bit (cleaning, painting, lack of heat, etc.).

 

[Frumples]

Welcome aboard to both of "yunz". That's Pa. slang for "you guys". Looks like you've got your work cut out for you. I noticed the exterior was painted a dark blue and the interior looks to be slate blue. This always catches my eye because I own an 82 slate blue Renegade that I'm getting to the end of it's frame off resto, thank God! I hope your taking many pics along the way (even of mundane stuff) and bagging / tagging everything, as well as some notes. It will help down the road because you WILL forget things over time. And if my rebuild can be of any help I'll share the link. That's one of the reasons I did it, my way to give back for the info I've learned from many here and on other sites. 30th Aniversary build- 82 CJ-7 Renegade frame off - JeepForum.com

Being in Alaska, what kind of time frame are you looking at. Seems it will be limited by the weather a good bit (cleaning, painting, lack of heat, etc.).

Thanks for the welcome! Your build is outstanding and I love the history that goes with your jeep. I like that you kept (mostly) the original look for so long. We will refer to your thread often as we progress, as it is builds like your's that make me confident we can get this completed. As far as the timeframe goes we are still trying to figure that out ourselves, being in Alaska puts a huge damper on any type of painting or rinsing later in the year. I hope to close my shop in and keep the temperatures bearable while working but some things might have to get trailered to a garage to paint or weld.

 

[Petescj]

So a quick question for anyone, the rear crossmember on the CJ is rusted to death, not re-useable in my opinion. Since I've got a YJ tub headed this way can I replace the cross member with a YJ part that'll already have the relocated body mount holes? Those are the only two mounts that don't line up and it would save some time/money to just swap a YJ member. I just don't know if the mounting holes and over-all dimensions would match up... Thoughts?

I dont see why you couldnt the Yj one. Heres some good info on Yj tub swaps.

certifiablejeep.com - Third Project Build-up - Conclusions

 

[danray48]

Welcome, and it looks like a great project for both of you. I'll be checking in on your progress. You'll find out that just about anything you want to do to a CJ you'll find it here. Good luck.