CJ7 Buildup - Great Lakes 4x4. The largest offroad forum in the Midwest

stoney bones · March 12th, 2012, 07:20 PM

I'm having a lot of work done to the CJ and I figured I would display it here for everyone to see how it goes.

starting with my 81 CJ7 I bought about a year ago or so. Its been sitting a while and I almost lost motivation. I even had it up for sale here with not much interest...thankfully. I had a change of heart and with support from the girlfriend, I decided to keep it and start putting some cash into it.

Its been mostly stock except for a minor lift on it.

After meeting Jason from Chelsea Paint and Restoration I decided it would be in good hands with him.

We will call this phase one...

-BDS 4" lift
-YJ spring conversion in the front
-New paint
-Front bumper
-Front corner guards
-recessing new LED tail lights into the body
-BFG Mud Terrains
-DUI ignition system, wires & plugs

next phase is a 4.0 head swap, full cage, transmission, and upgrading the rear to a dana 44. those are the main upgrades but i will be doing a lot of small stuff as well such as replacing gauges, knobs, wiring, and whatever else.

More pictures to follow

stoney bones · March 13th, 2012, 12:44 PM

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stoney bones · March 13th, 2012, 12:48 PM

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stoney bones · March 13th, 2012, 12:49 PM

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Deuce · March 13th, 2012, 09:03 PM

Your camera takes much better photos than mine.

The BDS YJ front springs should be at the shop tomorrow.

Deuce · March 17th, 2012, 08:50 AM

Hum... I wonder if they have fine print in the BDS warranty?

JimNut · March 18th, 2012, 08:52 PM

Nice looking Jeep! Are you going to stay with the yellow or going a different route?

stoney bones · March 19th, 2012, 07:45 AM

that yellow will be gone this week maybe? if not this week then next.

deuce will be spraying it with a charcoal grey and a matte clear coat.

stoney bones · March 19th, 2012, 07:52 AM

front bumper and front fenders arrived. just waiting on the rear bumper and correct tail lights.

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stoney bones · March 19th, 2012, 08:01 AM

a couple more pics...deuce finishing the front suspension. a pic of the finished rear setup and a close up of the front before finishing.

any cj owners out there that do not have a sway bar and still do a lot of on road driving with no issues?

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i also plan on changing that exhaust. with the back open or top down the exhaust comes right back in the jeep...i like the AMC cologne but its a bit heavy. deuce also pointed out someone installed the muffler backwards ignoring the "inlet" and "oulet" stamps.

i was planning a 4.0 head swap so that may be a good time to just get a whole new custom exhaust.

rentalrider · March 19th, 2012, 08:26 AM

I drove my cj on 35's with 4.5" lift for years with the swaybar disconnected. No issue. In fact when I sold the jeep I played hell trying to find the links lol. You won't mind it. I noticed little roll.

Rob the plumber · March 19th, 2012, 09:23 AM

You could put a catalytic converter on it to help with the exhaust fumes. I used a 2.5" Ebay cheapie that really helped a lot.

Zorty · March 19th, 2012, 09:49 AM

I drive a CJ7 on 35's on the street as well with no swaybar- seems to run fine. I haven't had a swaybar or any of the brackets since I got it and I haven't looked back.

Deuce · March 19th, 2012, 01:41 PM

Fixed the hood from that carb fire.

---
I am here: http://tapatalk.com/map.php?pxxnam

Deuce · March 20th, 2012, 10:05 AM

Back on the ground.

---
I am here: http://tapatalk.com/map.php?ftrdti

stoney bones · March 21st, 2012, 03:56 PM

fenders are being fitted up now. there were a couple of minor rusted spots that were repaired.

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boggin-machine · March 21st, 2012, 03:59 PM

turn the rear shackles around. they are going to dive right into the frame they way they are set up.

low900rr · March 21st, 2012, 04:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by boggin-machine

turn the rear shackles around. they are going to dive right into the frame they way they are set up.

Good call. Short side down.

79CJ5 Renegade · March 21st, 2012, 04:20 PM

looks good

stoney bones · March 21st, 2012, 04:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by boggin-machine

turn the rear shackles around. they are going to dive right into the frame they way they are set up.

thanks for that. good eye!

March 12th, 2012, 07:20 PM	#1
stoney bones Member Join Date: 06-30-11 Location: michigan Posts: 56 iTrader: (0)	CJ7 Buildup I'm having a lot of work done to the CJ and I figured I would display it here for everyone to see how it goes. starting with my 81 CJ7 I bought about a year ago or so. Its been sitting a while and I almost lost motivation. I even had it up for sale here with not much interest...thankfully. I had a change of heart and with support from the girlfriend, I decided to keep it and start putting some cash into it. Its been mostly stock except for a minor lift on it. After meeting Jason from Chelsea Paint and Restoration I decided it would be in good hands with him. We will call this phase one... -BDS 4" lift -YJ spring conversion in the front -New paint -Front bumper -Front corner guards -recessing new LED tail lights into the body -BFG Mud Terrains -DUI ignition system, wires & plugs next phase is a 4.0 head swap, full cage, transmission, and upgrading the rear to a dana 44. those are the main upgrades but i will be doing a lot of small stuff as well such as replacing gauges, knobs, wiring, and whatever else. More pictures to follow

March 17th, 2012, 08:50 AM	#6
Deuce Dirty Join Date: 01-09-06 Location: Ann Arbor, MI Posts: 78 iTrader: (0)	Hum... I wonder if they have fine print in the BDS warranty? Attached Thumbnails

March 19th, 2012, 08:01 AM	#10
stoney bones Member Join Date: 06-30-11 Location: michigan Posts: 56 iTrader: (0)	a couple more pics...deuce finishing the front suspension. a pic of the finished rear setup and a close up of the front before finishing. any cj owners out there that do not have a sway bar and still do a lot of on road driving with no issues? i also plan on changing that exhaust. with the back open or top down the exhaust comes right back in the jeep...i like the AMC cologne but its a bit heavy. deuce also pointed out someone installed the muffler backwards ignoring the "inlet" and "oulet" stamps. i was planning a 4.0 head swap so that may be a good time to just get a whole new custom exhaust.

March 19th, 2012, 01:41 PM	#14
Deuce Dirty Join Date: 01-09-06 Location: Ann Arbor, MI Posts: 78 iTrader: (0)	Fixed the hood from that carb fire. --- I am here: http://tapatalk.com/map.php?pxxnam Attached Thumbnails

March 20th, 2012, 10:05 AM	#15
Deuce Dirty Join Date: 01-09-06 Location: Ann Arbor, MI Posts: 78 iTrader: (0)	Back on the ground. --- I am here: http://tapatalk.com/map.php?ftrdti Attached Thumbnails

March 13th, 2012, 12:44 PM	#2
stoney bones Member Join Date: 06-30-11 Location: michigan Posts: 56 iTrader: (0)

March 13th, 2012, 12:48 PM	#3
stoney bones Member Join Date: 06-30-11 Location: michigan Posts: 56 iTrader: (0)

March 13th, 2012, 12:49 PM	#4
stoney bones Member Join Date: 06-30-11 Location: michigan Posts: 56 iTrader: (0)

March 13th, 2012, 09:03 PM	#5
Deuce Dirty Join Date: 01-09-06 Location: Ann Arbor, MI Posts: 78 iTrader: (0)	Your camera takes much better photos than mine. The BDS YJ front springs should be at the shop tomorrow.

March 18th, 2012, 08:52 PM	#7
JimNut Senior Member Join Date: 04-06-09 Location: Lake Orion, MI Posts: 498 iTrader: (9)	Nice looking Jeep! Are you going to stay with the yellow or going a different route?

March 19th, 2012, 07:45 AM	#8
stoney bones Member Join Date: 06-30-11 Location: michigan Posts: 56 iTrader: (0)	that yellow will be gone this week maybe? if not this week then next. deuce will be spraying it with a charcoal grey and a matte clear coat.

March 19th, 2012, 07:52 AM	#9
stoney bones Member Join Date: 06-30-11 Location: michigan Posts: 56 iTrader: (0)	front bumper and front fenders arrived. just waiting on the rear bumper and correct tail lights.

March 19th, 2012, 08:26 AM	#11
rentalrider Senior Member Join Date: 11-13-07 Location: West Branch, Mi Posts: 1,029 iTrader: (3)	I drove my cj on 35's with 4.5" lift for years with the swaybar disconnected. No issue. In fact when I sold the jeep I played hell trying to find the links lol. You won't mind it. I noticed little roll.

March 19th, 2012, 09:23 AM	#12
Rob the plumber Licensed master plumber Join Date: 06-14-06 Location: New Baltimore, Michigan Posts: 4,652 iTrader: (27)	You could put a catalytic converter on it to help with the exhaust fumes. I used a 2.5" Ebay cheapie that really helped a lot.

March 19th, 2012, 09:49 AM	#13
Zorty CJ7- 304, D30/D44, 35's Join Date: 11-17-10 Location: Royal Oak, MI Posts: 52 iTrader: (0)	I drive a CJ7 on 35's on the street as well with no swaybar- seems to run fine. I haven't had a swaybar or any of the brackets since I got it and I haven't looked back.

March 21st, 2012, 03:56 PM	#16
stoney bones Member Join Date: 06-30-11 Location: michigan Posts: 56 iTrader: (0)	fenders are being fitted up now. there were a couple of minor rusted spots that were repaired.

March 21st, 2012, 03:59 PM	#17
boggin-machine Senior Member Join Date: 01-11-06 Location: bay city Posts: 11,441 iTrader: (30)	turn the rear shackles around. they are going to dive right into the frame they way they are set up. __________________ 08 qcsb Duramax Ltz 02 tj with some parts laying around for sale 08 crf 450 with a few goodies

March 21st, 2012, 04:20 PM	#19
79CJ5 Renegade Senior Member Join Date: 01-15-06 Location: West Bloomfield Michigan Posts: 473 iTrader: (1)	looks good