"Sliver": 85 CJ7 Project

**BeesJeep** · 03-21-2012, 04:06 PM

I got this 1985 Cj7 last fall and I am just getting around to working on it. Overall it is a pretty solid jeep. No rust on the frame. The cab had carpet and when I pulled it back it had a little rust on the floor pan and some in the back bed. It originally had a straight 6 but somewhere along the line a 304 with a T18 transmission was installed. It runs good but has a slight lifter noise. No power steering, so it is very hard to turn with the wide tires. The wheels and tires are in excellent shape. I plan to clean it up and paint it.

**PROJECT 23** · 03-21-2012, 04:57 PM

Great looking rig. Kinda looks like Project 23's twin brother. I will be sure to follow this project

**BeesJeep** · 03-22-2012, 07:02 AM

So that is what mine will look like when I am finished, Nice!

**PROJECT 23** · 03-22-2012, 08:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BeesJeep

So that is what mine will look like when I am finished, Nice!

Finished? I'm guessing you haven't seen my thread about Project 23 Paint because it's currently in a zillion pieces and currently in the paint shop. Come to think of it, I forgot to stop at the shop yesterday to pick a color. Heading up there right now.....

**BeesJeep** · 03-22-2012, 01:14 PM

Oh, I was looking at the silver jeep on your profile picture. I will have to read over your thread.

**BeesJeep** · 03-22-2012, 03:30 PM

There were some bubbles in the paint on both sides of the lower quarter panels. I used my grinder to take off the paint and bondo and found a small section of rust on both sides. I cut it out and welded in a new piece of metal. I smoothed it over with dura glass.

**PROJECT 23** · 03-22-2012, 06:13 PM

Still looks like it has a fairly solid body. Should be a very nice build and I will be sure to keep checking back

**BeesJeep** · 03-24-2012, 07:32 AM

There was a crack in the sheetmetal on the drivers side. I welded it together. Also, the bed had a rust hole. The rear window frame leaks and the water would catch in the carpet. I cut it out and welded in new metal. The only other bad spot in the floor pan was under the front of the rollbar. this also led to the rust on the outside of the body that I previously repaired.

**BeesJeep** · 03-24-2012, 08:55 PM

I took off the hardtop today. I had a hard time putting the windshield down. It was frozen in place. I had to spray WD 40 and move it a little at a time because I didn't want to break the hinges. There was a little rust under the windshield frame, but not too bad. It will be easy to repair. I included some pictures of the body where I welded in new metal and put duraglass over it.

**BeesJeep** · 03-27-2012, 08:00 PM

The po put on door handles that were like the handles on the rear hatch. They were very hard to turn. I guess the bolt holes stripped out so they put these on and just left the holes. I drilled out the old holes and welded up the other ones. I found some old handles to stick on there for now. At least now I can easily open the doors. Here are a couple of pictures of the jeep as it stands. The tailgate has a few dings. I also need an original spare tire carrier.

Kastraelie · 03-27-2012, 10:11 PM

I subbed. Smooth job on the welds. Might I inquire about your setup? I'm looking into them right now...

**BeesJeep** · 03-28-2012, 08:25 AM

I have been welding for about a year. I use a stick welder for the heavy stuff and a wire welder for the light stuff. I bought the wire welder at Tractor Supply for about $150 and it works really good.

Kastraelie · 03-28-2012, 05:39 PM

Thanks, bud!

**BeesJeep** · 03-28-2012, 06:37 PM

There was some cracked bondo over the rear fender. I started grinding and found this. It looks like someone had installed an antenna at one time. I welded in some metal to fill the holes.

86cj7pete622 · 03-28-2012, 06:56 PM

BeesJeep,

Great job on the patching. Do you know what thickness of steel you're using to patch up the holes? And is the thickness you're using match up to the original metal?

I'm currently cutting out the rust and looking to buy some sheet metal...I'm thinking 18 gauge, but would like your input.

Thanks,
Pete.