[Uncle Russ]

Hi all, Next week I'll be bringing my Jp out of storage and was wondering if anyone else has done something like this and could give me a list of things to look for. The Jeep was stored for 5 years on jack stands inside a garage with the battery out, new oil and full tank of gas with stabilizer added. For the past 12 months, it's been in my in-laws driveway with the battery reinstalled. They've driven it around a bit during the past 12 months but not very much.

Once I pick it up, I will drive it from Mississippi to Los Angeles, CA. I'm planning on rebuilding the carb and replacing the plastic valve cover with an Al one. The plastic one had started leaking before I put the Jp into storage. Any other suggestions on things to look for?

thanks!

[dougdp]

a) have a friend with a tow bar follow you?
b) AAA coverage
c) lotsa tools

[dougdp]

You do know you are going through texas...right?
You planning to do this in the summer?
You got A/C?
What engine you have? what mpg?

let's just say that you get 10mpg.
let's say the trip is 1900 miles.
at 10mpg, that is 190 g
at $3, that is $570 in gas
plus hotel and food along the way

I know I can ship a motorcycle across the country for $500.

How about you ship it to yourself? Save headache. Save mileage and beating on jeep that hasn't moved in 5 years.


just an idea.

[BESRK]

I'd change the oil again, do a basic tune up, check tire pressure, buy largest Crafstman Tool Kit that's on sale and hit the road.

[TXAggie 77 CJ-7]

Uncle Russ,
My father placed his 77 CJ-7 in storage about six years ago. In November 2006 I finally got my hands on the Jeep. It had a very rouch idle. My father, who originally rebuilt the Jeep in '80, diagnosed the problem as the carburetor. In February an oil leak started to form under the transmission.
Since the leak...I've had the front and rear seals replaced in the transmission, replaced the PCV valve and hosing, replaced the oil filter cap, air filter, plugs and wires. Never touched the carburetor. The Jeep is running better than ever! My father actually wants it back. The rough idle is gone and no leaks.

First thing I would look at is the emission system and air intake. Dropping the transmission can costs $$, but all other repairs were less than $100 total. Plus, these are things you can do, not a repair shop.

Gig'em,
Andy A.
'77 CJ-7
302 V-8
3-speed automatic

[Rob55]

I think it sounds like the start of a great adventure! Bring a good set of tools, some good silicone gasket material and a prayer book of your choice though...seals will have dried up in many areas, hoses could have some dry rot..I'd keep a real close eye out for fluid leaks and go over as many bolts as possible after a few miles...something will have come loose! I just shipped a car from the east coast to the west coast and the best deal I could score (which was through my company program) was $1300. I have shipped bikes cross country for 4-600$, but four wheels going by truck is pricier than 2 wheels going by air...

Have fun!

[Mr.Crowley]

Originally Posted by Rob55

I think it sounds like the start of a great adventure! Bring a good set of tools, some good silicone gasket material and a prayer book of your choice

Have fun!

best advice yet...


on a serious note,I would seriously consider a shipper for it...A jeep that hasnt been driven for a while on a steady basis could be a bunch of problems on a 1500 mile road trip...not to mention dangerous if a steering or brake part fails...If all else fails and you must drive it try to get a support system set up by the route your going to take..theres plenty of guys in this forum that would be more than willing to lend a hand if needed...

[dougdp]

you could rent a uhaul with a trailer for 800 one way from jackson to LA.

[Truck633]

I love adventures!! take a cell phone, tools and water, and go!!! my buddy bought a 79 in Kileen TX on EBAY, sight unseen and headed home, with one stop in the checker auto parking lot, a new upper radiator hose, and multiple stops at Mcdonalds, he has one of the coolest JEEP stories ever, and after all, isn't that what its all about?? if you come back via I-10 stop in Las Cruces, I would love to see it!!!!

Tom

[tomthbomb]

My '78 set out in the back yard (in storage?) under a tarp for 10 years.

It took me about two hours to get it fired up and running to start the resto. If I had to drive it across country I think I would have. The original 304 had 176K on it but I changed the oil & filter every 2,500 miles since it was new. When I bought the 401 replacement for $500 I sold the 304 for $500. It was that tight.

Like the other guys say, change all hoses, belts, fluids and take a good set of tools. Rotate the tires just to make sure the lugnuts are tight.

Do your homework, don't get in a hurry and take the back roads and a lot of photos. What an adventure! Do you need a co-pilot?

When you're swervin' on life's highway, you're runnin' someone off the road. Robert Earl Keen, Jr.

[Uncle Russ]

Hey, guys, thanks for some great responses. I looked into shipping it and the best quote I got was for $1300 or so. Shipping is still an option.

Jeep is an '84 CJ7 with the 258. No A/C, as it should be! Back in '97, when we were assigned to the Washington DC region, I drove it from Vandenberg AFB up to Yosemite (via Monterrey), down to Sequoia, over to Las Vegas and then across to Mississippi, all in the span of 8 days! After a bit of visiting with friends and family, I drove it up to Virginia. We rebuilt the carb just before that road trip and I was actually getting 20 mpg out of her on the highway!

Now for my current adventure...I'm actually driving the family (we just stopped for the night in Albuquerque) from Los Angeles to Mississippi in our Volvo XC90 (wife's car) to see her parents and my parents. When we arrive in MS, I will have about 10 days to work on the Jeep to wake it up. Plan at the moment is to inspect everything I can get my hands on, rebuild the carb, and replace the plastic valve cover with an Al one. I'm thinking of swapping plug wires just because the ones on there right now are a cheap set I put on in '96. I'm hoping the main seals are in ok shape, I replaced the rear main oil seal in the summer of '97 along with a radiator recore in late '96/early '97. There is some dampness on the xfer case, but it's never been anything more than that. I've also got the typical seepage from the yoke on the AMC20 diff.

Tires are in good shape, they're 3.5 year old (at the time of storage) 31" BFG All Terrains. I had the Jeep up on jack stands for 5 of its 6 years of storage, so the tires should still be good (they still had plenty of air in them when my father-in-law pulled it off the stands). Shocks may be a different story, I'll check them out as well.

When we leave Mississippi to head back to Los Angeles, my wife (and most likely my 2 sons...the wimps!) will follow me in her Volvo as I drive the Jeep. Just gotta love crossing the American Southwest in the middle of July! We take I40 from Memphis, TN, (in laws are in the Northern 1/ 2 of MS) to Barstow, CA, so we limit our Texas time to just a quick spring across the pan handle through Amarillo. Of course, the Mojave will be fun!

Thanks again and keep the suggestions coming! I'm really looking forward to reuniting with my Jeep. 6 years is a long time apart!

[Uncle Russ]

Originally Posted by Truck633

I love adventures!! take a cell phone, tools and water, and go!!! my buddy bought a 79 in Kileen TX on EBAY, sight unseen and headed home, with one stop in the checker auto parking lot, a new upper radiator hose, and multiple stops at Mcdonalds, he has one of the coolest JEEP stories ever, and after all, isn't that what its all about?? if you come back via I-10 stop in Las Cruces, I would love to see it!!!!

Tom

That sounds like a cool Jeep story. Our original plans were to have my Jeep awakened last summer and have the engine rebuilt (I've got some serious blow-by!) so it would be ready when we moved back to the US from Germany. Once the Jeep was ready, the plan was for my oldest son (15) and me to drive the Jeep from Miss to Los Angeles via as many Hooters restaurants as we could find between Jackson and LA! Oh well, one day....

[Truck633]

Do your homework, don't get in a hurry and take the back roads and a lot of photos. What an adventure! Do you need a co-pilot?






I would go for the CP spot also, but I can GUAR ON TEE the boys will be in the JEEP in the first 5 miles