Build Thread Ziggy's CJ7 build

[ZiggyManSaad]

Well I picked up an 85 CJ7 last Friday and I figured I'd start a build thread for it. It needs quite a bit of work. Most of the tub is rot and replaced with wood that's covered the floor both on the inside of the tub and on the underside. The rear wheel wells are completely rotted out. One of the body mounts are rotted, but not past the point of repair. It does have a 2 inch body lift, but that's going to be fixed so it has a suspension lift instead.
Then there's the engine. It has a knock when it's running low RPM's with the throttle down. Could be a push rod. I'll find out this weekend when I take the engine apart. Also gonna be running a can of sea foam through the tank.

I'll take pictures of it while I'm going through the rebuild and ask questions as I go. I hope y'all can help me through it cause I'm gonna need it.

Happy Jeepin'!


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[ZiggyManSaad]

Changes the oil today and took her for a spin. The knock seems to happen only when its under stress. I'll be taking the engine apart this weekend do hopefully I'll find where it's coming from. After that, I'll be tearing out the carpeting and wood that's replaced the floors. Replace all that with some 1/4 inch sheets.

I'll keep y'all informed!


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[mtnwhlr]

Might check for a spun bearing.

 

[Petescj]

How dare you start a build thread without pics.

 

[ZiggyManSaad]

I've got the pics in my intro thread. When the sun comes up tomorrow I'll take some pics. I'm at work now. lol

I also took the hard top off today and I'm happy to say there was not much rust where it was sitting on the tub and NONE above the windshield. Although the tub does need a ton of repair.

It also has a 5 speed manual tranny... Confused me a bit there.


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[IOPort51]

1/4 " is major over kill 18 or even 20 ga. will serve better.

Changes the oil today and took her for a spin. The knock seems to happen only when its under stress. I'll be taking the engine apart this weekend do hopefully I'll find where it's coming from. After that, I'll be tearing out the carpeting and wood that's replaced the floors. Replace all that with some 1/4 inch sheets.

I'll keep y'all informed!


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[ZiggyManSaad]

^Thank you for that! I shall keep that in mind and keep an eye open when I head down to lowes.


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[IOPort51]

unless you were talking about 1/4 " plywood I don't think Lowes is going to be a big help. I would try a scrap yard and look for some pannel covers from comercial air conditioner units. Do you weld?

^Thank you for that! I shall keep that in mind and keep an eye open when I head down to lowes.


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[ZiggyManSaad]

My brother in law does. Last time I went there, they had some. I shall look around.


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[IOPort51]

The truth be known, you could have meant 1/4" plywood.
have heard stranger things.

 

[ZiggyManSaad]

Well that's what's on there right now. On the inside and underside of the tub. I'm a little scared to pull it up. P.O. was an idiot. Then again, I know next to nothing about jeeps, so everything I do will be a learning process.


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[ZiggyManSaad]

If I'm reading the Novak site correctly (thanks Pete!), I have a Dana 300 Transfer Case . Please correct me if I'm wrong. I really want to get rid of this 5 speed. The original owner put the 5 speed on. I hate how I have no power. And I'll be using this Jeep more in the woods then I will on the pavement. I've been looking everywhere for a T-18 tranny. I'll keep my fingers crossed.

As stated above, newbies to Jeeps but not to fiddling under the hood.

 

[IOPort51]

T-18s are pretty easy to find, lots of ford trucks had them and they are pretty cheep to buy. the adapter for the Transfer Case is kind of pricy but not too bad. spend some more time at the Novak site for the details.
If you want to find a Jeep T-18 there are not large numbers of them to be had and most will be close ratio if you do find one. A Ford T-18 with your Dana 300 on it would be about as good as it could get for low speed crawl ratio.

If I'm reading the Novak site correctly (thanks Pete!), I have a Dana 300 Transfer Case . Please correct me if I'm wrong. I really want to get rid of this 5 speed. The original owner put the 5 speed on. I hate how I have no power. And I'll be using this Jeep more in the woods then I will on the pavement. I've been looking everywhere for a T-18 tranny. I'll keep my fingers crossed.

As stated above, newbies to Jeeps but not to fiddling under the hood.

 

[ZiggyManSaad]

Sweet. Thank you very much! I actually found a Ford T-18 on craigslist for 250. Time to get on that OT at work!

Also found out tonight that I have something pulling from the battery. Was leaving work and tried to start her up and nothing but a dead battery. GRR!

 

[ZiggyManSaad]

Picture time!!

Don't get me started about the shifter. I whack myself in the knee every time I shift.

Also, I know about the body mount. I'm thinking of making a new one.

The driver side hinge for the windshield is rusted off.

There's a leak in the exhaust.

I found the thing pulling power from the battery. It was the aftermarket radio. That will soon be gone and replaced with a CB.

The floor isn't as bad as I thought it would be, but then again, I was only able to look around the foot wells.

What do y'all think?


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[IOPort51]

I like it.
need to see whats under the "armor" on the sides.
going to have to spend some full contact, quality time with the frame or find a replacement. what is the channel doing ?
I had a shift handle like that, got hot enough to fry spit when the sun hit it.

It all looks very do able.

 

[ZiggyManSaad]

Thank you for the compliment.

What channel what?

I've got to find myself a new shifter. It's so annoying.

Also, the rims are American racing.


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[IOPort51]

channel, third picture from the bottom.

Uncle Sam Skull Shift Knob and Topper « americanshifter.com

Thank you for the compliment.

What channel what?

I've got to find myself a new shifter. It's so annoying.

Also, the rims are American racing.


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[ZiggyManSaad]

Gotcha. Haha.

Thanks for the link!

 

[Petescj]

The Transmission that shifter is attached to may as well get thrown away with it. T-5 ? Im curious to see whats under the diamond plate myself.

Congrats on your purchase.