1982 CJ7 Build Thread - update 5/17

Short update...
I ordered replacement rotor- hub assemblies so they’re matches in order to fix the passenger side hub issues described above.

On a longer note, I cut out and welded in a patch for the drivers side rust below the door. This side was more of a pain due to more extensive rust and a crack that went into the door sill. In the end, I’m happy with the result.

Next I’ll drop the fuel tank to work on the rear fender wells and the he rear valence.

Progress pics...
As it was before...
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Cut out...
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In progress...

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Finished product before final body work...
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This one will only require a skim coat of bondo...the way it should be!!! Not the bondo body panel that was there before!!
 
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The replacement rear valence arrived today...so much closer of a fit than the previous part!!! Hoping to get some quality time on the Jeep Friday or Sunday.
 
The problem with consumables...is that they’re consumable!! I’ll explain.

I started with this dented, distorted rear valence.

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I cut out the dent as trying to pull it would be a wasted effort.
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I shaped and fit a replacement panel. Tacked it then...ran out of shielding gas AND welding wire!!! I’ll finish it this weekend.
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boomerang shackles?
Spring over?
What axles r u gonna run

Hoping to keep this as daily-driver friendly as possible with some off-road capability. For now, it has a standard 4” leaf lift kit and stock axles. I’ll probably swap out the 2 piece axles for 1 piece. The front AMC20 and D30 will stay for $$ reasons.
 
Right now I’m doing a 3.5 spring lift and 5/8 boomerangs...

I plan for a for explorer 8.8 rear

and most likely a LOKA LOCKER up front
 
I spent some time working on replacing fiberglass and rust with steel. Take home reminder for me is that these things were built to rust!!! Uncoated reinforcement channels and double layered steel is everywhere. I’ll do the best that I can but know that rust will be a perpetual battle in this thing!!

Valence got final welded. I’m only moderately happy with the final result but I was starting with a mess. It’s better and that helps.

I also replaced 3 rust patches that were covered with fiberglass sheets. I hate dealing with ‘glass. I wear a respirator already, but that stuff is cancer waiting to happen when it’s airborne. I avoided grinding it as much as possible and opted for cutting out the entire patch instead.

POR15 finished the top and bottom. Need it order some more of that liquid gold!

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Another productive day on the Jeep!

I repaired the driver side rust holes. Word of advice - even if you measure twice before cutting, make sure you make the bend in the right direction!! I had to make the same complex replacement panel twice and it was a pain the first time!

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I then moved on to pulling dents from the corners. Thanks to @Carolinatlc for the loaner! Worked awesome!

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Those dents are now gone! A little putty will make the corner perfect!

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I’m going to do a comprehensive once over on the body and floors to make sure all the welding is done. Once I know that’s behind me, I’ll move on to proper body work... I need to invest in a bunch more respirators before cleaning off all that undercoating from the exterior.
 
What are you building?
It’s a 87 yj 4.2 auto
Bought it for my son when he was 16, he and my daughter got it sunk in the NC muck and let it sit for.a week, and once out it never ran tight again..it sat under carport for yrs till I started sippn Woodford and figured it looks easy enuff



So I pulled carpet, herculined tub
Flat tan spray paint
Painless harness
Fuel tank drop and clean
Dui distributor
Holley carb
Jegs 3.5 lift came with springs shocks tcase drop, pitman am bushings
3/8boomer shackles
Brakes filters etc

Firewall Solenoids are a pain in the arse they(mine) seem go bad all the time

I have a tf999/32r and a np231 that I’m gonna get swapped in soon

axles will prolly do the explorer 8.8
And no idea what to do up front..

I just know that it is now a quest to get this thing tagged and on the road
 
Finished up all the welding and found a couple new cracks and holes to repair. I then proceeded to wire wheel the interior floor and scrape/wire brush the underside of the floors and frame. Using my compressor, I blew out the interior and the underside to clear any loose dirt...

LUNCH BREAK

Time for the really nasty work to begin... I donned a tyvek suit with integrated hood double layer of nitrile gloves (taped to the sleeves) and a full face shield. Using disposable brushes, I proceeded to apply POR15 on the underside of the floors and the frame. I used 2/3 of a quart under there (more than I expected!!!). I used the balance of the POR15 on the interior floors showing the worst surface rust. Once empty, I used my backup plan of satin black rustoleum. Turned out awesome! So happy to have the structural repairs complete and the interior all one color.

I still need the topcoat the interior and shoot undercoating into the fender wells and underbelly. That’s the work for another day once the POR15 / rustoleum cures completely.

Next up - clean and paint seat frames and roll bar then stick them back into the Jeep!

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Using my angle grinder with a wire wheel, I took the drivers side quarter panel down to bare metal. The undercoating comes off, but it’s a pain!

I found another dent to pull (a lot of it popped right out!! @Carolinatlc ). Ran a jitterbug with 80 grit over it then hit it with self etching rustoleum primer.

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Using my angle grinder with a wire wheel, I took the drivers side quarter panel down to bare metal. The undercoating comes off, but it’s a pain!

I found another dent to pull (a lot of it popped right out!! @Carolinatlc ). Ran a jitterbug with 80 grit over it then hit it with self etching rustoleum primer.

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Man, that is looking great! I stood and looked at my project Jeep today trying to decide what was next. I need to get it back on the road but have been spending time working with my son on his 4Runner. Hopefully the Jeep will be on the road this summer and my son and his 4Runner will be available if needed to tow me back from Uwharrie.
 
Finished taking the drivers side down to steel and also stripped the cowl and passenger side fender. Finding light surface rust but nothing to lose sleep over. I’ll regret not cutting it out some day, but not today and not tomorrow. Hit all of it with rustoleum self-etching primer. I’m thrilled with progress after 2 full days working on getting the undercoating off!

I’ll continue moving down the passenger side and around the rear corners to have fresh steel to massage.

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Are you painting it back red?
 
Looks awesome man, can't wait to see finished product. But I do enjoy the progress reports, please don't stop!
 
Are you painting it back red?

The finished color is meant to be “Sebring Red” (period correct color for Jeeps). That’s the color on the w/s and dash. I’m finding that most paint shops will only use their own chemicals and paints, which makes sense. With that in mind, the w/s frame will be reshot with the rest of the vehicle.

The original color was black with the orange-themed Laredo hood sticker and stripes.
 
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The finished color is meant to be “Sebring Red” (period correct color for Jeeps). That’s the color on the w/s and dash. I’m finding that most paint shops will only use their own chemicals and paints, which makes sense. With that in mind, the w/s frame will be reshot with the rest of the vehicle.

The original color was black with the orange-themed Laredo hood sticker and stripes.
I've had several CJs, a Yellow/gold 74 CJ5, a green 78 CJ5 Renegade, a green 79 CJ7 hardtop and a Rust colored 80 CJ 7 Hardtop. I'm kinda always looking for another one to play with. I've currently got a 99 TJ and a 2018 JK that I just ordered new bumpers for. It's more of a toy, when I go to the mountains I like the TJ. Good looking restoration!
 
Looking good!
 
Just a quick update...

Installed new poly body mounts and hardware. Also picked a shop to shoot the Jeep. It’s a small shop that works off of referrals only, so I won’t post his info until I see the final product and he OK’s me posting it. Looking at color mid March.
 
Another productive day!!

Finished off stripping and priming the body with self-etching primer. It was way too early to quit, so I started spreading light coats of bondo to the small dents and scratches. The cool, slightly humid weather made for a long curing time.

On a downside, my middle son was helping by sanding the hood while it was setting on saw horses. He found a rotten mess under the drivers side hinge and it had more waves than the ocean! Those of you familiar with doing bodywork, know hoods are a major pain to weld and make look right. Too much heat makes the metal warps, too little heat and the welds won’t hold, and bondo doesn’t like the engine’s heat. I decided to cut my losses and texted Watson and Sons for a replacement hood. Heading to Pineville tomorrow to pick it up. They’re a salvage outfit specializing in Jeeps.

The all important pics...

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I like your progress! Been following your build on NC4X4 and just stumbled across it here when I saw your name. I’m working on 2 J10’s myself. I need to call Watson's today to see if they have a good working T400 set up for a Dana 20.
 
Just back from Pinetown, NC visiting Watson and Sons. Bought a hood and more...

Hood
YJ full rollcage with padding
W/S wipers
Hinges and bolts
Radiator support rod

I went there hoping to only spend $60...spent more than that but great finds and a LOT less expensive than buying from the online retailers.
 
Couple pics of the new parts... the roll cage offers rear seat protection with 3-point seatbelt capability and better front seat coverage with a bar from the A pillar to main cage. The YJ cage install serves the need and avoids a >$700 cage plus welding time.

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No pics today.

Bodywork is 95% done. Painter drove up to see it and was impressed with my progress. I’m glad he didn’t say “it sucks!” Haha. He said that he’ll be able to almost roll it directly into the spray booth based on what he saw.

We agreed on paint the week of 3/16. He’ll have it for ~1 week.

Sticking with Sebring Red which is a stock color to 80s Jeeps. He’s also going to shoot the full interior with Raptor liner for durability and rust proofing.
 
looking good!!!

I am sooo lazy. hate working on my vehicles anymore...

Keep the progress going. it always seems like a few weeks off...turns into a few months ....which then turns into a failed project for me!
 
She’s ready for paint! Finished filling some low spots, blocked the whole thing, red leaded some pin holes, mounted the tailgate, mounted the hood and started pulling random stuff off. The painter is going to take possession next Monday (3/16).

He’ll shoot Raptor liner on the interior tub and under the hood. Once that’s cured, he’ll block sand the tub, seal it, apply 4 coats of primer filler, wet sand for final finish, shoot color then clear coat it. I’m getting very excited!

He also asked me to pull of the dash pad, grab bar and anything else easily removed. He said he wants to also shoot the interior dash for me! Said it’ll finish the look inside and out!

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My dad suggested I clear coat it as it sits for the patina effect.... he then laughed off the suggestion as he knows as well as I do that that look only works on bad to the bone street rods!!

Some mechanical items still pending 8nvlude:
One piece rear axles
Chase down the vacuum leak preventing my brake booster from working
Replace the rebuilt carb with a new one as this thing is toast
 
It’s ready for paint!!

Pulled the heater box and Rollbar out for the Raptor lining of the floor, finished up a couple details and rehung the hood. Sealed the seams and it’s ready to go to the painter on Monday.
 
I like your progress! Been following your build on NC4X4 and just stumbled across it here when I saw your name. I’m working on 2 J10’s myself. I need to call Watson's today to see if they have a good working T400 set up for a Dana 20.
I’ll be headed to Watson’s next week...
Might do the bastard thing and cj clip my yj..

I picked up a cj dash from them and a steering column
 
I’ll be headed to Watson’s next week...
Might do the bastard thing and cj clip my yj..

I picked up a cj dash from them and a steering column

If you do... I may ask you to grab me a heater box... seriously. I’m in Wake Forest but ,ay be able to meet as you drive by...
 
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