1984 Scrambler Rebuild

[Drahcir495]

My obsession with Jeeps started after seeing my first CJ8. It was a maroon Scrambler on 33" Thornbirds - just awesome looking. I had to have one, so I started the search. Just happened to drive by a used car lot and in the back of the lot was a 1983 CJ8! Talked price with the guy and said I will think on it. Went back the next day to buy it and I didn't see it . Walked up to the salesman only to hear somebody bought it after I left . After that, and seeing how much a clean one costs, I gave up. I ended up getting a CJ7 which I loved. Fast forward seven years I'm married and more financially stable and ready to pick up my dream jeep. I was able to find one for sale on CJ-8.com. It looked really clean from the pictures that were posted. I called the owner up and came up with a price and told him I was coming that week. No way was I missing out on another one. Enlisted a good friend with a truck and rented a U-haul car trailer and headed out to Arkansas. It was a 1984 with a chevy 305 V8, the T5 transmission, D300 transfer case, D30 front axle and the AMC20 in the rear. Brand new 33" tires and wheels. It also had cold air, new full length soft top and all the Laredo upgrades. 

 

After the new lift and tires - with soft top ->

 

And topless with the best dog I've ever owned (Sophie) ->

 

Then at this time a few changes were made. After the Micky Thompson Baja Belted tires wore thin I put on 37" tires. I also painted the soft top and put on some YJ half doors. It ended up going into storage for the next 10 years->

 

A couple of years ago, I headed down to get the Jeep home. Rented a U-haul truck and trailer and arrive home safely -> 

 

Setting outside for a few days to organize the garage ->

 

TBC

 

[neohic]

 I’m in!

[Drahcir495]

11 hours ago, neohic said:

 I’m in!

Yes!

[Drahcir495]

Found some pictures of the jeep in action  ->

 

Just really love this shot ->

 

Go team blue -> 

 

Not too shabby ->

 

[Pete M]

'tis a good lookin' Jeep.   '8s were always my favorite.   

[Drahcir495]

After I got the jeep home, I ordered a Rubicon Express lift (I think it was the 4.5" lift kit). Set it up on jack stands and started to take it apart for the new lift (the campaign sticker points to how long ago the lift was put on ) ->

 

Removed the old shocks and leaf springs ->

 

Then put the new springs and shocks in ->

 

Then moved on to the rear ->

 

Got the 35x14.50 Micky Thompson Baja Belted tires on (I wish they still made these - loved them) ->

 

 

And completed the lift ->

[Drahcir495]

5 minutes ago, Pete M said:

'tis a good lookin' Jeep.   '8s were always my favorite.   

Thank you Pete

[Drahcir495]

It looks like it could be a while before I get the MJ back, so I need something to work on . This will keep me busy for a while. The fender flares were really shot. The back ones were crumbling apart, so they needed to be replaced ->

 

 

Pulled them off and found no rust ->

 

Ordered a complete set (front and rear) from Quadratec. Looks a lot better without the electrical tape holding them together ->

 

 

[Drahcir495]

I’ve been missing the CJ-8 emblem ever since I got the Scrambler. I bought a reproduction one has got to be over 15 years ago. Just found it going through my CJ parts box and immediately put it on ->

[Drahcir495]

Changing the axle fluid out of the AMC20 axle and replacing the differential cover with one from OX lockers. The gears look good, but the clutches are shot ->

 

Put the new cover on ->

 

I get the cover on and refill the oil, only to discover an axle seal that made quite a slick on the rim and the floor.

[Drahcir495]

After my 383 stroker motor blew up, I needed to get another small block to replace it. I found a 1987 Iroc Camaro with a running motor and drove it until I could pull the motor out of it. Just keeping this one mainly stock for now. I had this motor in my CJ7 that I have going up for sale, so I pulled it out to put it into the Scrambler. Then I bought a used engine hoist and pulled it out of the CJ ->

 

It was still daylight when I got it free ->

 

It started to get dark soon after, but I was committed to getting it done. In hindsight I should have enlisted help putting it in, but I managed to get it in on my own ->

 

Having the grill and fenders off helped out for sure ->

 

Much later it was in->

 

Sold the cherry picker later in the week since I didn't plan on doing anything like this again . 

 

TBC

[Drahcir495]

My Scrambler has the AMC 20 in the rear and when I put on the OX cover on I obviously had to drain the fluid. When I put in the expensive lube in it didn’t just leak out it drained out. Took out the axle ->

Then I cut off the retainer and the bearing cage with a Dremel tool ->

I was then able to press off the rest of the bearing and remove the outer seal. Looking at the seal I saw why the leak is so bad ->

 
I already have the new outer seal, so just waiting to get in the bearing, retainer and inner seal. 
 

TBC - Rich