[SpringPro]

Recently picked up new project CJ 7. I couldn't resist the purchase because I sold this very same Jeep in 1997. It has sat idle for 8 years but not to much rust. (That has been found at least) I am planning to strip it down to the frame and work up. This will be my first rebuild but I am looking forward to the challenge. I am sure that I will be asking lots of questions during the process. I have enjoyed reading about other members rebuilds and projects.

[MoC]

Nice find! Good luck!

[mylightsrsquare]

nice jeep man, it looks so tiny in that hanger

[SpringPro]

Yea the hanger started out being very large; however, with each new project the room is starting to shrink. There is plenty of storage upstairs and for the time being that is where all the parts are going. I am planning on getting down to the frame and then starting the slow process of rebuilding. I am hoping that the frame is not hiding any surprises. Prior to the purchase I looked it over very well and all looked good.

[raperfam]

good find dude---did i read you owned it once before? I also have a '77 cj7 so please keep us posted with your rebuild I will follow close.....GOOD LUCK

[Eaglekeeper]

Cool you used to own the jeep and it appears to be in decent shape. Looking forward to the build.

[SpringPro]

Yes I couldn't turn the sale down. I had some fun times in that thing. I have followed your build Eaglekeeper and have enjoyed it. I wish I was as talented as you with all the metal work. My build will be a lot slower than yours I imagine. Looking forward to buying an inexpensive welder and having some fun. Any recommendations?

[Eaglekeeper]

Spring. Thanks for reading my build and the kind words.

I'm no means any type of expert and my welding experience is very limited, but I've learned a lot since last May when I bought my used Lincoln 110v, mostly through help from other JF members. Over on the Fab forum there's a sticky about buying a welder that has a lot of info in 300 posts (so far). http://www.jeepforum.com/forum/f37/t...welder-477247/ It's good reading, but the gist of the discussion is:

• Buy as much welder as you can afford, within limits. This is one peice of advice I should have heeded as I'm now looking for a bigger welder My welder has done everything I've asked from it, but down the road, I want to build my own bumpers and such.
• Gas welding and flux core wire. Each type has it's place and I've used both, but for body work, the gas is cleaner and easier, at least to me.
• 110v welder is fine for light metals like sheet metal and non structural components.
• 220v welders will do everything the 110v will do, plus structural, such as spring perches, bumpers and just about anything you need to do on a jeep or around the home. Only real downside, if you can call it that, is they require 220v/30 amp outlets which some people may not have easy access to.
• 110/220 welders. More versatile. 110v for general work, 220 for heavy, plus good for taking off site where 220 may not be available.
• Lot of advice to stay with name brand welders, Miller, Lincoln, Hobart and a few others. Harbor Freight and other cheap Chinese welders are not thought very highly of, but a few members, like Coiz, have done some great work with them.
• Good welders show up often on Craigslist.
• What ever welder you get, grab some scrap and practice, practice, practice...Take pics and post them. The real experts will give you feedback to improve your welds.

Also, theres a good discussion on welders going on over on Ken's build http://www.jeepforum.com/forum/f8/ke...0/index16.html

Me personally, I'm planning on a Miller 211 as my first choice or a Miller 180 as my second.

Hope this helps.

[motiv8ya]

That's an awesome find, I'd love to have my first 79 CJ7 back. Mine was Orange also. I'll be following!

[SpringPro]

Made a little more progress in tearing the Jeep down today. So far no bad rust to speak of.

[HackFabrication]

That a Cessna 340? Nice toy.

[boomvader]

Great story about finding it again! Looking forward to your progress!

[SpringPro]

It's a Cessna 421 that just ate the right engine. The alt. froze and the clutch did not release so now the engine is full of metal. It is coming off Monday and going to the insurance company. She won't be moving for about six weeks. Oh well.

[SpringPro]

Well spent most of yesterday evening just the steering column out and then the dash and labeling the rats nest of wires behind the dash. It is amazing what some people do to the wiring. There were pigtails everywhere running to who knows what. The steering column gave me a hard time coming out but I guess that should be expected since it has not been removed in thirty something years. The inside of the steering column (ignition, turn signal, etc.) is totally rusted and coated in mud. That will need a good rebuilding when the times comes. I am planning on getting the rest of the mechanically (clutch, brake and gas pedals) out today if it warms up. Then it is time for the tub to come off. Does anyone know what the shaft that runs up through the steering column is called? It is the one that joins the steering shaft below the brake master cylinder and then goes up to the steering wheel and has the threads for the nut at the top. The threads on mine are worn out.

[SpringPro]

I forgot one question. How do you removed metal piece that holds the pedals and that the steering column is bolted to. It appears that there are four bolts through the firewall around the master cylinder but I am not sure. It needs a good bead basting and powder coat on down the road.