[Floridazed]

I should have called this build Project "It started out replacing the windshield"!

I used to drive (lol) a mild manored cj-7 with a few dings on the fenders, a couple rust spots, a solid jeep that got me around town and down a few trails when camping or cruising in the woods. She was solid, ran great, and was purchased for 2 grand. It sat in my friends garage 24/7, so I convinced him to sell it. It is my 3rd cj. I never had any plans for it other than to be a nice
2nd vehicle.

One day I decided to replace the windshield. Thats when it started. Maybe it was all the nice projects I have been following lately (Jayhawkclint, Fatman, Molsonice, etc...), Or maybe it was the need to get greasy and drink beers in the driveway. But probably it was the need to not have the CJ as a 2nd vehicle, and have it as my daily driver.

So one day I ordered a windshield and removed the old one because it was rusted out in the bottom. Well, there was more rust than I ever imagined under the hinges. I now believe the windshield to be held in place by paint and rust.

Well from there, I had to do it right. if I fix the body under the hinges, I better fix the rest of the body, then I better replace the fenders, then I better take the tub off and do a full restoration. Its a slippery slope. But I know the end product will be worth it....

It is my first restoration of this magnitude, I look forward to receiving the knowledge and comments of anyone on the forum who is willing to share. Cheers.

What I am starting with.

Gold under dem der hinges! (Looking for a donor tub to saw off cowl line up, I'd like to replace the corner instead of fabing new one. Purchase. ANYONE?? PM me)

Dash. Came with the ultra-rare OEM bottle opener. I believe the previous owner to be a sherrif.

GM 4 cylinder. No plans to swap. SR-4 tranny. Possible swap.
Yup thats POR-15 on the fender. Not sure if I like it yet, has a tendancy to be shiny at first and then fade, and transfer onto clothes when wet.

Dash out. No rats went running, but there was evidence of a nest.
All wires were properly labeled and photographed.
I will remove the heater setup since it has failed, and I live in Florida. No real need for it. Girlfriend will also appreciate legroom.

Ahh, my first of many busted knuckles

Rear corner not bad at first look. But I later found it to be rusted out under the light.

Hmmm... where to go from here?

More pics to follow soon...

 

[134716]

I need one of those OEM bottle openers. You can replace the spot where the heater is with a built in cooler

 

[BlueFalcon]

how do you take the fenders off/on? Lookin like a fun project so far. good luck with everything

 

[Floridazed]

There are a row of bolts on the inside of the fender to the firewall. Then a couple underneath that bolt through to the grill. You can get new fenders online at verious places. Usually made by a company called Omix-Ada. Not same quality as OEM, but come rustless!

 

[molsenice]

WOOOOHOOOO - another BUILD

AHHH... I LOVE BUILD THREADS :2thumbsup: :2thumbsup:

you gonna need that OEM opener? hahahahahah - I gotta add one of them, wait a minute - I have snap tops or twist offs hahahahaha :drool:

already suscribed to the thread :thumbsup:

Good luck and update often :cheers2:

 

[JeepHammer]

We need some bumper stickers like that one!
Maybe with the AMC logo on one end...

 

[Floridazed]

More pics (Just trying to catch up to present stage...everyone loves pics):

Grill bolt was stripped inside. Just spun around. So I lifted the little plate on top of it and got in there.

Starting to clean front bumper and parts of frame with metal wheel and paint stripper. At this stage, I had only planned on cleaning up what was seen. Leave the body on, get new fenders and paint her up.

Cleaned and POR15'd. Nice. Better do it all then, If I am going to do it right.
Didnt use rust killer or metal etcher. Just painted th stuff over sanded surface rust. Should I regret this? Will it be OK or should I strip it down?

At this point I can still push it in and out of the overhang. Brother dropped off his pressure washer.

POR15'd the Firewall. tough to do with everything attached, like wires and brake pannels. Looks good. But I think I will strip it off and do it satin.

THe work area. I should get a nice shot of the underside of that windshield. It acts as a paint tester at the moment.

 

[Floridazed]

Tub is not that bad of shape. Some of you guys have fixed waaaay worse. I shopped for a new tub for a while. Willys Overland would be the way to go new, but figured I'd save a few grand.

So thats whats under there!

1st of many parts to paint.

Reference shot. Send to kin after I pass away so they can finish this job.

ROLL BAR OUT!!!! Screw torx. Worst idea ever. I wound up using a grinder and grinding down the bolts. Took a few hours. Tried the PB Blaster, the torch, the BFH. Time to grind.

Yeah, thats Collard Green. Mr. CJliscious himself. Dont see the resemblance to Cousin Eddie. We are doing a Nutter Bypass to his 7.

More pics to come. Tub Removal coming soon.

 

[JeepHammer]

Ahh, my first of many busted knuckles

You mean that's NOT What knuckles are supposed to look like?
I had no idea!

Maybe too many years with ALL mine looking like that is what confused me!

 

[jpfaris]

I don't know........ Are you guys hiding something......

 

[Collard Green]

Build thread is lookin good brother---remember body off/frame up resoration--nice pic of me and the 7--CJLISCIOUS!!!!!!---CG

 

[Floridazed]

More Pics.

Finally, Tub is off. two helpers cost my 2 pizzas.
If anyone has yet to lift a Tub, it can be done with 3 people, every thing removed from it. Inc. Windshield. Suprisingly light.

Frame shot. Suprised to see a shiny new gas tank from PO. Odd how the gas guage was never working.

Cleaning bottom of tub.
Here is the thread on what works...
http://www.jeepforum.com/forum/showthread.php?t=493994

Started working on the replacement bumper sticker for when done.
I did the original, there are a few other jeeps and trucks around town.Hopefully all done by "election" time.

 

[Mr.Crowley]

Ill be sending those pics to ya asap..I pulled the windsheid brackets off tonight to see what was under it...Ah..ill let you decide..

 

[Floridazed]

cant wait. Not liking the sound of it though. Doesnt sount like a flesh wound.

 

[Mr.Crowley]

pics sent..

 

[Fatman]

Nice work, looks like there's going to be a lot of projects this winter.
Keep up the good work

 

[Floridazed]

Trying to find some time during the holidays. I would love to be holding a grinder as the new year hits, but the lady always gets top priority.

No pics, update though...

• Engine pulled, Sitting in garage on cherry picker. Tranny pulled. Looking for a good backyard mechanic to rebuild cheap but good. A fresherupper. Keeping 4 cyl. Keeping it real!
• Frame rolling. Still trying to get off all the grime. Ordered a frame resto kit from Eastwood company to paint and seal. Those will be some picks coming hopefully soon.

• Biggest idea yet... Looking for YJ tub to swap in. I hear they are galvanized! What years should I be looking for? I know the roll bars changed in 92, can I still use my CJ rollbar?
I hope I can find a nice specimen to work with. My body guy (hereforth known as "Dan the Body Man" is gung hoe about it. Heading to the junk yard (rusted heaven) on Wednesday to check a few out. Searching Craigslist as well.

I found a nice writeup at certifiedjeep.com that was helpful. Anyone else did it, please let me know so I can shoot you questions as they come.

Other than than, just the usual pull part, clean, and paint.
Pics soon....

 

[bjf498]

I did it to a buddy of mines cj. we used a 93ish tub it was easy for the most part.

 

[HighCountry]

I suppose it is a little LATE to just get a YJ and swap in the CJ Dash and front clip???

Just kidding, I have wondered about the difficulty of that myself. Keep us 'posted' so to speak!

Bruce

 

[Floridazed]

So there I am...searching Craigslist for a decent YJ tub to swap in for the CJ tub. I find a guy who has one that he bought to powdercoat the entire jeep. He said it was perfect, and I could tell he was crazy enough that it had to be. Who powdercoats an entire jeep?! I begin the journey to Ft. Lauderdale, and the journey of self regret for spending 10 hours cleaning the bottom of the CJ tub, see 1st page. I hop in the Chevy Diesel with my brother and Sicilian uncle who is on vacation and has an incessant hankering for KFC chicken.

4 hours later we arrive and there she is, canary yellow and rustfree. Yes Virginia (and New Jersey) they do exist.
The tub is filled up with the largest assortment of plastic toy wheels I've ever seen! The owner explains he is building a giant sized metal detector, and cant have any metal interference from the wheels. He plans on mounting his own little Mel Fisher expeditions on the beaches of South Florida in search of buried treasure.He also had a coconut tree that my uncle tried to climb like a 12 year old kid from Borneo. Evidently coconut taste like chicken.

We load the tub up with a couple neighbors who seem to be retired and in need of something to do. The owner tosses in a nice set of half doors(!), fenders, hood, grill, and other parts such as hinges. I should try to sell all these soon and recoup some gas money. We started to head back, I was definitely smiling over the purchase of this perfect YJ tub. And my uncle was happy to, we were heading to KFC.

I have some nice pics coming, with a nicely narrated video of getting the tub off the trailer.