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Coiz 1979 CJ7 Frame Off Resto; picture crazy

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#1 · (Edited)
Coiz 1979 CJ7 Frame Off Restoration - picture crazy

I started working on my Jeep in 2/08 and wanted to document my progress in a thread so I could share with all of you and have an easy reference for my friends and family. So first I will give a brief history. Sorry for the book as the first post.

I've owned this Jeep since my 3rd year of college in 1995 in Colorado. We had a lot of four wheeling around the college and used to take a lot of trips to Medano Pass as well as a couple Easter Jeep Safari Moab trips. The 258 had a bunch of Clifford performance parts and ran like a champ but I could never get the carburetor working correctly on the trails. You could walk up to my Jeep grab the roll bar and shake to get it to stall. So when I got out of college and moved to Detroit for work I opted to install a fuel injected 5.0L out of a 1992 Mustang GT, last year for the forged pistons. :thumbsup: I put some GT40 heads on it with some Cobra roller rockers, SVO block hugger headers and a K&N air filter. During the engine conversion I swapped to a NP435 and kept the D300 transfer case. I also full floated the rear Dana 44 and installed a Detroit locker at the same time with 3.73's. The D30 front currently has a Detroit EZ-Locker. I removed a 4" ProComp kidney buster to install a 4" Skyjacker Softride suspension and a 20 gallon gas tank around the same time. I also had a friend who had a Corvette that switched from brown to black interior so I picked up the seats from him for the Jeep.

The PO installed the 6 point roll cage, custom front bumper and welded in the Scrambler bulkhead behind the seats. It appears that he also did some bodywork.

I drove the Jeep for about a year with all the upgrades before I moved to Memphis with a job that supplied a new company car every 4-6 months. Needless to say the Jeep stayed parked most of the time. I got out of four wheeling and into motorcycle road racing so it ended up sitting for 6 years in a friend's climate controlled warehouse. I moved to northern IL where it sat in the corner of my garage for 3 more years. I finally came to the crossroads where I needed to either sell it or fix it up.

Realizing that I couldn't get half of what I had in it and the fact that I just love the Jeep, I decided I would just replace the rusted fenders, some quick bodywork and fresh paint to make it road worthy. Yeah right.... It wasn't long after I realized I was at the beginning of a frame off restoration.

I am fairly well along in the project but still have a lot left, a lot. So I am going to post up some pictures and comments of the progress I have made along the way and continue to post as I go. With any luck it will be on the road by next fall but don't quote me on that. Questions and comments welcome.

Here are some pictures before the tear down:

Look at how clean the garage is. Hasn't looked like that in almost a year. :crying:

Worst of the rust:


Dash:


Interior:


5.0L HO with about 29,000 actual miles:


Minor dents:


Rust on the cowl/windshield area:


The only bad spot on the frame, driver's side inner rail:

The passenger's side ended up about the same. Anyone who owns a CJ knows what looks like hairline cracks are not. More details on that later.

Next up will be pictures of the tear down.
 
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#1,867 ·
Thanks Jim. That welding work three years ago was dreadfully hot that summer.

Here is what I was doing two years ago this weekend.

Coiz said:
To remove the cylinder heads I had to start with the lower intake manifold, headers, alternator, power steering and valve covers.


The driver's side cylinder head removed revealing the bank of pistons.


Close up of cylinder #1. Notice the carbon ring ridge and other small debris in the cylinder. The wrinkle in the carbon is likely from the metal parts cleaner I was spraying on the valves while trying to clean them off.


This took me literally 60 seconds with a brass brush and metal parts cleaner.


A few minutes later the deck is mostly clean and two of the four pistons.


This was somewhere around 10-15 minutes of total scrubbing.


The passenger's side bank 1 looked the same with carbon build up.


Clean away with the brass brush and metal cleaner.


The entire side clean. I also pulled out all of the lifters and cleaned them off as well as the cam lobes. I even wiped a dab of assembly lube on them before I put them back in. I also cleaned out the valley really well.


After spraying out most of the dirt between the piston and the compression ring, I ended up coating a lint free cloth liberally in oil and washed all of the cylinders. Then I would crank the engine over by hand and wipe off all the dirt in the oil that was left in the top of the cylinder by the top piston ring when it moves from top to bottom. There was quite a bit of debris the first several times but quickly lessened. I did this probably 15-20 times per cylinder before there was no more contaminates being left behind in the fresh oil film. I feel an awful lot better about the inside of my engine now. :cheers2:

I got the cylinder heads put back on with some new torque to yield head bolts. They come with the sealant on the bolts that are in contact with the water jackets.


I need to clean it all off again and do some touch up paint work. The rust colored dust drives me crazy!


This should be the last time I ever have to pull these out of the box.


I had to wipe drool off my valve covers again. :drool:
 
#1,869 ·
Mike, it took me all day to read up to page 60 of this thread, and I know, I know by now you're likely tired of hearing accolades but I consider you a King of Jeeps, ressurecting this classic CJ. I'm sure Moses Ludel would be proud to grace his pages with the work you've done. And to think that you've taaken the time to post all these photos and details is above and beyond, not to mention your kind words of wisdom to neophytes like myself. I dig that you're into MotoRR as well, one of my best buddies got me into this as he was a local racer up at PIR's (Portland Int'l Raceway) OMMRA back in the '80's which gave me enough background to work for a small track as their results writer (I actually managed to get published in Cycle News a couple of times).
In summary I,


My bike,


..and "Black Betty,



salute you, your efforts and patience in your build and helping the rest of us by inspiring the inner bodyman lurking in us all.
Prosit!
 
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#1,875 ·
Mike, it took me all day to read up to page 60 of this thread, and I know, I know by now you're likely tired of hearing accolades but I consider you a King of Jeeps, ressurecting this classic CJ. I'm sure Moses Ludel would be proud to grace his pages with the work you've done. And to think that you've taaken the time to post all these photos and details is above and beyond, not to mention your kind words of wisdom to neophytes like myself. I dig that you're into MotoRR as well, one of my best buddies got me into this as he was a local racer up at PIR's (Portland Int'l Raceway) OMMRA back in the '80's which gave me enough background to work for a small track as their results writer (I actually managed to get published in Cycle News a couple of times).
In summary I, salute you, your efforts and patience in your build and helping the rest of us by inspiring the inner bodyman lurking in us all.
Prosit!
Hey, thanks for all the great comments. Posting the thread sure was a lot of additional work but comments like these now that it is basically finished, along with all of those providing motivation and input along the way, sure made it all worth it. :cheers2:

Congrats on having articles being published in the magazines. I got my name in RoadRacing World a couple of times. My brief but successful motorcycle road racing career is something I will be able to look back on and cherish for the rest of my life.

Some good looking rides you've got there. :cheers2:

Thanks for the heads up on tarping, this stuff settles everywhere!!

Looking to buy a plasma cutter and a 220v mig this month or next for the frame work.
We'll be looking for your progress. Good luck.

I just finished this massive thread. Every word. Hats off. Can my CJ be your CJ's ugly little sister??? :highfive:
:D Thanks. They are all related. :laugh:

:) ...and hats off to us that have the time & patience to read the entire thread! :)
No doubt! :highfive:

Most people will see a "new" thread that is 100+ pages long and won't even bother trying to read it. The first 3-10 pages will really suck you into mine so if you make it that far you will probably keep reading. I also tried to keep my thread on point so it was "mostly" Jeep related. I sometimes have trouble going back in the thread to find some info for myself or someone else and not being able to find it. I can't image trying to keep track of Dave's, Scott's or the Jim's threads. Sometimes those guys are all over the place. :rofl:

Hello coiz,
I have reed your post and just a word: BRAVO!!!
a job of a pro and You can be happy in USA while here in France, it is not possible to change the engine, to put a lift, to change tire size, to put original indicators lights, nothing;
and good trip with Your jeep and the R6 (I am also biker on a FJR 1300, normal in France with max 106 hp but mine is normal as in other countries with 1.6 HP and it is better and economize fuel = 0,8 l pro 100 km)
Thank you for taking the time to read the thread and leave your comments. Sounds like you have strict laws regarding the modification of vehicles there in France. Sounds like the FJR would be fun to ride. My 2001 R1 had 145HP at the rear wheels and it was a handful but so much fun to ride.

I know it's about the journey and not as much about the destination, but I just bought my first restoration project 1978 cj7 with a 304 and i already want it to be done like yours... This thread is going to be my inspiration to do it right and thorough.

Awesome
Awesome, we'll be looking forward to your build thread. Looks like you need to update your profile. Sorry but the CJ trumps the TJ. :p

I also got a kick out of your beer snob blog because I have also turned into one. :cheers2:
 
#1,870 ·
"Thanks for the comments.

By now you should be knee deep in Jeep parts. How is the tear down going? May I also suggest putting some plastic or a tarp over anything you want to keep clean, ie. the Busa. "

Thanks for the heads up on tarping, this stuff settles everywhere!!

Looking to buy a plasma cutter and a 220v mig this month or next for the frame work.
 
#1,872 ·
:) ...and hats off to us that have the time & patience to read the entire thread! :)
 
#1,873 ·
re

Hello coiz,
I have reed your post and just a word: BRAVO!!!
a job of a pro and You can be happy in USA while here in France, it is not possible to change the engine, to put a lift, to change tire size, to put original indicators lights, nothing;
and good trip with Your jeep and the R6 (I am also biker on a FJR 1300, normal in France with max 106 hp but mine is normal as in other countries with 1.6 HP and it is better and economize fuel = 0,8 l pro 100 km)
 
#1,876 ·
Posting this a little late but I entered the CJ into the Rockford Hooters end of year Labor Day Car Show. They have cruise nights every Friday but this was an actual car show on Labor Day Sunday with judging, trophies and prizes. They had a pretty good turn out with over 130 cars. Here are just a few.





Not sure about the square headlights but I love the color.






This guy had his intercooler in the trunk and the ducting took up the entire passenger's side.


I'm pretty sure this guy said something like 2000HP.


A bought, not built Bronco. Which I thought was kind of cool.


No comment.




Here's about a thousand hours worth of my labor.


I had to leave early but the guy in a Corvette parked next me was kind enough to take my business card to let me know if I won anything. Sure enough, he called me later that night to tell me that the CobraJ7 won Best of Custom Car. I just got the trophy from him. I think I might need to take the CJ back to Hooters to get some pictures with the girls. :)

 
#1,883 ·
Nice man congrats on that. You certainly deserve the recognition. Nice to know the judges realized it's not about buying every bolt-on shiny object out of a catalog and calling it a custom Jeep.

I gotta say I do like that Bronco though. Any second gen Camaros there? I have this fetish for them but I hardly see them anywhere.
 
#1,886 ·
Very cool indeed! Definately go back and get some pics taken with the girls and then post that pic in the thread here about Girls and Cj's...
 
#1,891 ·
Thank you for taking the time to read it and post. It was a lot of work but well worth it in the end. I very much enjoy driving the CJ whenever I get the chance.

It would be interesting to see some wheeling pics or videos. Maybe just an updated pic of what it looks like 4 months later. Love this CJ!
Nothing new to see as of now, it is just parked in the garage hiding from all the sodium chloride Illinois loves to use. I hope to get it out and take a wheeling trip or two this summer.

Is that the dreaded "Jeep Lean" I'm seeing on the famous Cobra CJ, or does Mike need to loose some lbs?

:tea:

Matt
Ha, I knew most of that was from camera angle but you made me go pull out the tape measure. I do have a 1/4" lean to the driver's side but that's not really too bad. Certainly not from my weight, I come in at a 150# soaking wet.

I just noticed the earlier (oct.) posts of the show. Congrats Mike, it was a well deserved trophy. I also really love that blue bobtail Bronco.
Thanks, that Bronco was pretty cool.

I've got a couple things I still need to do to the CJ but need to work up the motivation to get them done, that and it's 30 degrees in my garage right now. I need to fix a small oil leak coming from the low oil sensor on the side of the oil pan and I still need to get my 4x4 light wiring finished up. I also need to get my Hi-Lift and other accessories mounted to the rear swing-out bumper.

Maybe it's time to sort through the pile of receipts and see how much this thing actually cost me. :fear:
 
#1,893 ·
Coiz,

I have spent the better part of 20 hours ready every post on your build.
All I can say is WOW. The dedication and perseverance that went into this build is second to none.

I only hope one day I can pull off what you have accomplished. I just need to convince the wife first!!
 
#1,895 ·
Hey, thanks for taking the time to read the build and post a comment. I'm sure your CJ will turn out just as nice.

Looks like your running 2.25" dual exhaust. I'm redoing mine to dual also. I've searched the thread for specific pics of how you routed the p-side from the headers past the trans and t-case. When I had this done 4 years ago the shop routed the p-side under the oil pan and then into one exhaust. Any pics would be much appreciated. :cheers2:
You're right, I don't really have any good pictures of that side posted or in Photobucket. I'll have to dig through my old folders to see if I can find some for you. Or I can take some as is but it would be a whole lot easier to see without the body installed. It was mostly a straight shot back with over an inch of room available on each side between the frame rail and transfercase.

This picture kind of shows it but I will see if I can find a better one for you, specifically after it was cleaned up.

 
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