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mvigo's '85 CJ7 resto/build saga

57K views 420 replies 34 participants last post by  mvigo 
#1 ·
Very slowly, and I mean S-L-O-W-L-Y, am I starting to document upgrades/repairs and, eventually, maybe 1 day, a full frame off. All of the upgrades/repairs will be done with the idea that if/when I get to the frame off, the upgrades/repairs make the frame off restoration more efficient.

My hope is that you the reader might help ME correct any mistakes I might make as I discuss any upgrades/repairs and/or my thought process helps YOU with a decision or thought process that you are having a tough time with.

JeepForum has been a fantastic resource for me since I joined and I have many of you to thank; whether you know it or not (Jim1611, Ken4444, 243, Coiz, JeepHammer, Exposed, MoC, ASteve, Skerr, SonicR1, Keith460, boomvader, Mike Romain, John Strenk, cshutchinson, FatMan to name a few). A couple of you I have met, a handful of you I converse with via phone/email, a few I have bought/sold/traded parts from/to/with and a whole bunch of you I admire from afar for the skills you have. As creepy as this sounds I may not have met or talked to you but I feel like I know you. The internet will be big one day, trust me!

A quick history. In 1997, I bought a 1985 CJ7 from the 2nd owner...bone stock, a hardtop that had never been off, a few goodies (winch, CB radio, tow bar) and only 32k original miles. She was originally sold off the lot in Billings, MT and I bought her from my Uncle's hunting pal in Truckee, CA. I searched for 3 years before I found her and it was worth the wait. She came with the I-6, T-5, Dana 300, AMC 20, Dana 30, 3.08 gears with 31" Bridgestone Mud Duellers. I drove it that way for 6 years until I had finally made up my mind what exactly I wanted out of her. Here is a picture after I first brought her home:
 

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#226 ·
I deer hunt on a pal's ranch South of the triangle...my brother went to Humboldt State...did I nail your reference? Every Wednesday, huh?
 
#229 ·
Well sort of. Every Wed nite at 9 theres a show on the discovery channel called "Weed Country" and it's about the business of cat and mouse in the emerald triangle. I worked with a guy when I was working for uncle sam in SoCal that lived in Eureka in Humboldt county. He had some interesting tales.
 
#228 ·
I'm in, just tell me when and where!
 
#231 ·
Anything going on over on that side of the hill???
 
#232 ·
Sky Cloud Wood Land lot Tree


Does that answer your question?

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#234 ·
Bwahahahahahaha, I was thinking that too, Scott!!!
 
#235 ·
Skerr said:
Your bees are gonna starve!
The picture was taken just a day or 2 before the bloom hit...my bees feasted for 4 weeks and came back fat, happy and I ended up with boxes chock full of bees...

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#237 ·
MoC said:
Mike I have to ask.... how often do you get stung?
Not that often and only if I really mess up, either by being in the hive too long or being careless. Honeybees are very docile and generally don't mind me at all...

Sent from my iPad using JeepForum
 
#238 ·
Not much going on Jeep wise as I have been too busy with the bees. However, on Father's Day I was able to spend a few hours cleaning her up. Now, I don't mind hard work at all, in fact, I relish it, but I gotta be honest here, trying to sand out oxidation with 1000 grit wet/sand absolutely is for the birds. I spent 90 mins trying to sand out this:



I did not get very far! I have a new, found respect for all of you paint and body experts. I would guess that this is even a simple and easy job. Anyway, slowly the oxidation is coming out and once I am finished I will take it to an old, experienced paint guy who will reshoot with clear for a bottle or 2 of honey. Very nice of him.

I was able to sneak away to Yosemite for a couple of days this week with my oldest daughter. This video is nature in it's purest, rawest most primal form:



This is Nevada Falls which is at the top of the famed Mist Trail. Every year it seems Mr. Darwin reminds us that survival of the fittest is one of nature's first rules. About 4 weeks ago a man went over the top and his body has yet to be found despite warnings like this:



you have to love the last sentence, short and to the point. I don't mean to be callous but when you are enjoying the outdoors you need to be mindful of the dangers that Mother Nature can throw at us. Swimming in the pools above the spillway or climbing on the slippery rocks near the spillway to get that great photo may not be the smartest thing to do. Enjoy the summer and I hope to have a final shot shortly of a fresh layer of clearcoat on my hood...
 
#240 ·
Nice pictures Mike. I'd sure have a healthy amount of respect for that water! I don't think I'd use 400 grit. I wonder it you could use a power buffer and some buffing compound instead of all that elbow grease. Seems like Dave (243) had some experience with that, you might ask him. Hope you're enjoying the summer my friend. I'm stilling stopping for bees in the yard when I mow, always makes me think about the Bee Rancher!! :)
 
#241 ·
I would really like to see that waterfall in person, thanks for the picture!

Sorry, can't help with the paint. I would agree with Jim on not using 400.

Bill
 
#242 ·
I would agree with Jim on not using 400.
I'm no body expert, that's for sure, but my theory here is that you need to remove the oxidized/damaged material and that would require something more abrasive than 1000 grit, at least if you want to get it done in a reasonable amount of time. The real trick is to know where to stop so that you don't get down to the primer.

I think you did right by starting at 1000 to be safe. Now that we know that's not working (at least not quickly), I would go to 400 or 600 grit wet on a small area and see how that goes.

After the damaged material is removed, then you can work up to 600, 1000, 1500, then the correct buffing compounds to bring back a shine.

If it was my CJ, my attitude would be to spend a lot of time and a few bucks to see if I could salvage the paint job or at least make it look good again in 75% of the painted areas. If that didn't work, it was a reasonable attempt and you know that you will need to get it repainted in the future if you want a beautiful paint job.
 
#243 ·
I didn't get the invite!!! Did you at least wave as you drove by??? :D
 
#245 ·
Whenever I drive thru Manteca there are 2 things I think about. My pal SonicR1 (yes, I do wave) and what did I forget at home for the trip I am about to embark on that can be purchased at Bass Pro Shops...
 
#244 ·
SonicR1 said:
I didn't get the invite!!! Did you at least wave as you drove by??? :D
If he didnt wave, it may have been because his fingers and arms were just too tired, to lift his arm from all the sanding.

Bill
 
#246 ·
Awe shucks... ;) yeah, bass pro has been a nice addition to the town!!!
 
#247 ·
Spent some time in the Jeep the last few days. First off, 4th of July parade representing the beekeeping project for my daughter's 4H club:



and today I went Jeeping with SonicR1. We had a great time despite the fact that in the first 10 minutes my front driver side lockout grenaded! :brickwall I hate when that happens. :facepalm: Spent the rest of the day trying to keep up with SonicR1 in his yellow TJ in 2WD and had to be pulled out or winched numerous times...but, I would rather have the lock out blow up then a u-joint or driveshaft! The funny thing is I wasn't even driving hard when it blew so I am wondering if it is just fatigue from being 28 years old, both lockouts are original. :dunno: I will buy a new set and keep the last remaining original as a spare. A few pictures of the trip:















I trust everyone is enjoying their 4th of July holiday...:cheers2:
 
#248 ·
Great pictures! Looks like a great time, from the parade to the off roading.

Me thinks 28 years is darn good.

Bill
 
#250 ·
yeah, 2 wheel drive, you wouldn't know it!!!



that guy can drive!!!



GREAT DAY!!!!!!

Oh, a quick contrast from the last time I was there:



 
#253 ·
Thank you for the compliment, we love it as well. In post #205 I describe briefly what I did to beef up and repair the door using Jeff Scherb's ideas. I have a link in that post that takes you do Jeff's very detailed door repair instructions. Specifically, I welded the corner where the hoop comes down to the door skin. If that is what you mean...
 
#255 ·
I'm telling you Jim, we gotta meet up in Moab some time!!!
 
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