Throwback: A 1983 CJ7

[derf]

I was keeping an eye on craigslist and this popped up for a reasonable price and I snagged it.

 

 

The paint is shot and there are some mechanical issues but it's basically straight and it runs.  The hard top is in decent shape, as are the factory doors.  I need to fix some of the seals though.

 

258 L6, Tremec T176 4 speed manual, Dana 300 transfer case.  Front Dana 30 and rear AMC 20.  It looks to have a mild lift kit, maybe 2" or so.  31x10.50 tires.

 

I'm not going to mod it much.  First round will be some basic maintenance and getting it to pass emissions.

 

The "big" tires don't play well with what I believe is 2.73 axle gears so I'll probably step up a bit there.  Probably throw a trueteac or two in while I'm there.

 

I have an old Warn 8274 winch that will go on.  And I'll likely swap out the janky bumpers that are on it now.

 

It will eventually get a full repaint as the clear coat is shot.

 

This is going to be a fun weekend driver for mild trails.  I may even find a soft top and doors for summer driving.

[Pete M]

looks like fun!   

[neohic]

Careful… CJs are a slippery slope that tend to lead to other questionable decisions. 

[derf]

45 minutes ago, neohic said:

Careful… CJs are a slippery slope that tend to lead to other questionable decisions. 

I know that slope too well.  I'm already well down towards the bottom.  I have my two other MJ projects to go crazy with.  I wanted this one specifically to keep as a mild Jeep.

[eaglescout526]

1 hour ago, neohic said:

Careful… CJs are a slippery slope that tend to lead to other questionable decisions. 

I think any Jeep prior to the JK do this. Haha

[derf]

4 minutes ago, eaglescout526 said:

I think any Jeep prior to the JK do this. Haha

Even the JK and JL do that.

[eaglescout526]

2 hours ago, derf said:

Even the JK and JL do that.

I feel like yes that’s true but they’re so new that it’s not hard to keep those stock right now. 

[watchamakalit]

 

More cj's on the forum is a good thing!!!  Maybe I should get mine out and back in service......

[89 MJ]

That thing looks like it’ll be a blast!

[derf]

7 hours ago, eaglescout526 said:

I feel like yes that’s true but they’re so new that it’s not hard to keep those stock right now. 

[Smokeyyank]

Dig it, first Jeep I had was a 75 CJ7 my dad and I built. 

[derf]

Garage is (semi) clean and the CJ is now ready to get some love.

 

 

First thing is to pull off the heavy front bumper that weighs too much and hangs low.  It was probably good for the tow bar but I don't want or need that.

 

 

 

The Warn 8274 rebuild is coming along nicely.  I think I have all the replacement parts I need to get it back together.

 

[derf]

And that's how you do that...

 

 

A few jack stands to catch it as it comes off.  4 bolts, and it's free.

 

The front end came up a good ¼ to ½ inch as I took it off.

[derf]

BTW, I love how much easier these things are to work on.

[derf]

So, I uncovered a pretty disappointing fact.  While the Jeep does have a mild lift, there is a problem.  It's hard to read in the picture but it's a Rough Country lift.  So, when it's time to regear, a BDS kit will go on to replace it.

 

 

In the mean time I'm going to do a MORE steering box mount before the new bumper goes on.  Most likely going with a Rock Hard 4x4 narrow bumper with no hoop.  And they sell an 8274 mount that bolts on.  It's reasonably priced for the way things are going right now.  And it's simple.

 

 

[JZLAJeep]

12 hours ago, derf said:

So, I uncovered a pretty disappointing fact.  While the Jeep does have a mild lift, there is a problem.  It's hard to read in the picture but it's a Rough Country lift.  So, when it's time to regear, a BDS kit will go on to replace it.

We are about to pull off the lift on an XJ because the Rough Country lift kit makes it ride so poorly compared to stock hardware.

 

Previous owner of our CJ rebent the factory leaf springs and ended up lifting it just from that.

[derf]

Ever have one of those projects where you think "just a couple of tweaks and it'll be great?"

 

Yeah, at my age I should know better.

 

Core problem is that it would never pass emissions and I don't have the option to move.  So I started trying to accumulate parts to fix it.  The 80s CJs has a computer controlled carburetor.  Well, I should say had a computer controlled carburetor.

 

Got to taking it apart to find a Motorcraft 2150 on it.  A good upgrade all around but no way could it ever pass emissions.  The long tube headers and no cat would also prove impossible to get through.

 

Also, while I was going through the wiring, I came across a rats nest of hacks and boogered up crap.

 

I decided to punt on all of it.  I need to rewire the thing anyway.  And there's an option I was going to do later.  Well, overtime and a month with an extra paycheck is here so I splurged.

 

The Painless wiring kit and Howell TBI kit have arrived.

 

The Painless kit is specific to the CJ and will save me the hassle of trying to fix butchered up 43 year old wiring.

 

The Howell TBI kit uses the throttle body from a 4.3 chevy and is a complete kit with a CARB EO number so it lets me ditch the AIR injection and computer controlled carburetor.  It will run smoother and start easier than any carburetor can, and it will handle the altitude changes going over the mountain passes around here.

 

I'm doing some radio installs inside as well.  And taking advantage of the opportunity to do some other things along the way.

[derf]

I had to get the intake manifold out to get the header out.  And, mostly because there is a coolant passage going through the manifold on its way to the heater, I decided on a full cooling system refresh.

 

First to go was the small fixed fan in favor of a real CJ fan and clutch.

 

 

The smaller red fan may have worked OK but a full size 7 blade fan will move more air when the clutch locks up.

 

With the cooling system out to give me access for other things, it's time for a new thermostat and water pump and all new hoses.

 

 

The alternator there is new, with a higher output for the added radios and other electronics I'll be running.  Trouble is, the DSPO (Dip Stick Previous Owner) had cut and bent the bracket to fit a different size case alternator.  At least he welded in a reinforcement plate.  But the stock size alternator wouldn't fit.  Ebay to the rescue and I got a factory replacement unit.

 

I'll be customizing the battery section of the Painless kit to handle the extra output from the alternator, along with a dual battery setup.

[derf]

The header the PO installed wrapped around the engine mount.  Try as I might, I couldn't find an angle that let me take it out.  So the sawzall solved that problem.

 

 

The new exhaust manifold is much more compact and easier to deal with.  It has the port for the EGR and a port for an O2 sensor.  The computer controlled carburetor used one.  The TBI kit puts one in that same spot in the manifold.

 

 

Once I get the intake cleaned up I'll get it back on and the rebuild will really start to happen.

 

Though I will be replacing the motor mounts with MORE bombproof mounts as long as everything is out of the way anyway.

[derf]

There's a definite order to getting all the pieces on the manifold lined up right.  But it's in.

 

[derf]

Getting the wires to reach while you are putting the dash together can be a challenge.  Some all thread makes it easy to hold the dash up while you do the work...

 

[Pete M]

brilliant!! 

[Smash6]

Using all thread is smart! This project looks great. Bummer about the emissions. 

[derf]

10 hours ago, Smash6 said:

Using all thread is smart! This project looks great. Bummer about the emissions. 

Nice part about the Howell kit is that it will run so much better than the original carburetor ever did.  In every way.  And it'll have better emissions than it ever did from the factory.

 

The only down side is the cost.  But it's worth it.

[neohic]

Have you looked at Affordable Fuel Injection out of Michigan? Good, easy kits that are Howell based for our 4.2s.