1980 CJ7 first Jeep build

[reece146]

I can see that. If you do decide to go the CJ frame route I still suggest replacing it with a stock YJ frame. They are much stronger than the CJ frame - if you can find a good one for not a lot of money.

[MrBeast]

Figured I should post a few pics of the CJ5 that I am robbing a lot of stuff for this Jeep off of.





Next week I am going to swap the lift tires and axles over to the CJ7, I traded a wire feed welder for the CJ5, it is a nice enough jeep, but the problem is I am 6'1" and 265 lbs, I just don't fit in the CJ5.

As well I am moving the whole front clip over and the rear flares.

The cool thing is the tires on the CJ5 are brand new, and by brand new I mean they still have the stubbies on them.



And I also got a spare.



I am really looking forward to getting everything moved over and getting the Jeep painted.

[reece146]

Would love to have the remnants of that 5er.

[MrBeast]

If I can get a title for it I am going to sell it.

[MrBeast]

Well haven't done much for a while now, just been saving money and collecting parts.

I just picked up a hard top and doors, the hard top is from a YJ need to see if I can find a CJ back hatch for it.

I just ordered a bunch of goodies too, got some Rancho 2.5" lift YJ springs for the front, A More Shackle reversal, some RS-5000's, some 88 F-350 front shock hangers, and a set of Old Man Emu greaseable shackles.

Hopefully this weekend I am getting a 78 Waggy for the Dana 44's right now they have 3.07's in em, but it will actually be better for mileage until I get the NV4500 in it.

As soon as Brown Santana shows up with it, I am going to get to work on it, trying to have it ready by November 1st so I can hit the road for the big move to Alaska.

[MrBeast]

Well time for an update. I have been collecting more stuff for the jeep.



I picked up this 79 waggy, it has Dana 44's with 3.54's a recently rebuilt 304 that is pretty healthy, and a T-18 trans with a Dana 20.

I am going to install it all in my CJ for now, and later the Dana 300 will go back in attached to a NV4500.



Here is a shot of all the jeep stuff, my welding rig, and my 72 Chevy Cummins project.

Funny thing is, everything runs and drives except for the 72 which is a work in progress.

I also really love the wheels that came on the Waggy, I have always been a fan of the old turbines, I am going to get them cleaned up and put the 33's off of the green jeep on them. I think it is going to look pretty sharp.

[MrBeast]

Ride height before:



After!



Been working my butt off this weekend. I don't have the front suspension all the way back together yet, but it is getting closer.

All I have left is hooking up the power steering hoses, installing the new shock towers, sway bar disconnects, steering shaft and brake lines, and I can move on to the rear.

Hoping by the end of the week to be driving it!

Oh yeah, doing this in a driveway in the Texas heat sucks! I cant wait to hit the road to Alaska!

[MrBeast]

Well ran into a bit snag today, rear shackle is not compatible with the CJ lift springs I was using. Nor was it compatible with the shackle eye I ordered, so I will order a new shackle eye, and I wound up using the waggy front springs since they had a similar lift.

A small mod is going to have to be made to correct the shackle angle, but it wont be a bad deal at all.

Here are pics of it sitting on 3 wheels for a test of the ride height.





I really want to see it on the ground all the way, then I can get to work getting the 304 transplanted in.

[MrBeast]

Got to drive it tonight for the first time with the new front suspension in, it rides like a dream, all the death wobble is gone, it goes down the road straight and true, ride is amazing. I am so in love with my Jeep.





I still have some things to do to the suspension, I have to put my Currie u-bolt plate on the drivers side, I still have to get the rear brake line in and get the rear brakes bled, and lower the E-brake lines. Also have to get the right shackle hangers for the rear. As soon as I go this thing is going to be really coming together fast.

Next I need to get the transmission built so I can get new drive-shafts made, the front drive-shaft is now too short, and I suspect so is the rear.

So as soon as the transmission is built I will be stabbing it and the 304 and getting the front clip switched over.

Then it is a matter of fixing some rust, swapping the good heater out of the other jeep over, and with that I should be pretty close to having it on the road, going to be a lot of work, but it will be well worth the while.

[MrBeast]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aUaxdA0z7T8