Project Jeep CJ-7

Project Jeep CJ-7

A number of years ago, I got the Jeep bug.  I even know when and where I was when the bug hit me.  I preparing to build something for the offroad, maybe a Toyota FJ-40 or an early Toyota pickup with a solid front axle, maybe a Jeep or a Scout.  I wasn’t sure.  Then one trip with a friend and a large group of Jeeps did it for me.  I was hooked on Jeep.  CJ-7 in fact.  Something about the CJ-7 was calling to me.

So I started looking for an early CJ-7.  Then I met a guy named Bob Norris.   To the dismay of his neighbors, Bob’s backyard was a Jeep Junkyard.   His backyard was full of Jeeps and Scouts, Jeep parts, frames, body parts and various other automotive related items.  Best of all Bob was motivated to sell a good deal of it for a decent price.  It was perfect timing for me.  So I set out to make up my shopping list and weekend after weekend, I drove away from his house with a trailer and truck full of parts for my Jeep project.

Jeep CJ-7

 

As I worked day after day, week after week on this Jeep, I took thousands of photos and wrote about it.  What ended up being several years of work and design was documented here.  I wanted a Jeep that was as close to stock as possible for a ’78 CJ-7 except with a good number of upgrades to replace what would be weak stock parts.  That included must of the drive train, which now consists of an AMC 360 with a Truck Avenger Carb, T-18A manual Transmission, Dana 20 with Teralow gears and locked Dana 44 axles from and rear.

 If you’ve got the same ambitions as I had with building a Jeep, the articles of this project may be helpful or at least entertaining.  Having invested the time and money into this Jeep, I can look back and say that building it was just as much fun as wheeling it.

My only regret is that I built it TOO Nice!  It pained me to get it covered in mud or bounce it off the rocks or drag it across tree branches and underbrush on the trail.  I set off to build a beater and instead I built a show Jeep.  Oh well.  Anyone have a beat up flat fender for sale?  🙂  Thanks for stopping by!

Project CJ-7

Project CJ-7
How it all started…

About Project CJ-7

 

PROJECT JEEP CJ-7
Specifications and Modifications

CJ-7 Mods & Specs

 

Jeep Project
Index of Writeups

Project CJ-7 Writeups

Project CJ-7 Articles

Project Jeep CJ-7
Jeep CJ-7 Projects

Project Jeep CJ-7 Specs & Mods

The budget Rebuild by Ralph HasselThe complete build is documentedhere on www.Offroaders.comThis 1978 Jeep CJ-7 never started life as a complete Jeep; rather it was built completely from parts. The goal was to build a […]

Project CJ-7 T18-A Clutch Fork Modiification
Jeep CJ-7 Projects

T18A Clutch Fork Modifications

In swapping the T-18A onto this Jeep project, a good tip was passed onto me from Mike of www.Jeepfan.com.  This tip has to do with the stock clutch fork being used in the stock bell […]

Project CJ-7 Swaybar
Jeep CJ-7 Projects

Jeep CJ-7 Swaybar Bracket Upgrade

Project Jeep CJ-7 Daystar Swaybar Bushings Tip.  When swapping out your stock CJ swaybar bushings with the Daystar Swaybar Bushings, here’s a Tip – Use the CJ bracket!  Here’s why…First off, upgrading your sway bar bushings […]

Jeep CJ-7 Dana 44 Axle Swap
Jeep CJ-7 Projects

Jeep CJ Dana 44 Front Axle Swap

Project Jeep CJ-7 – Disassembling the Scout II  Dana 44 Front Axle.  After acquiring the Dana 44 axles I also picked up a Dana 30 narrow track front axle that was in great shape.  The […]

Jeep CJ-7 Axle Swap Custom Front Spring Hangers
Jeep CJ-7 Projects

Front Spring Hangers

Project Jeep CJ-7   Scout II Dana 44 Axles Swap onto a CJ-7 FrameNew Custom Fabricated HangersFront Springs – Front HangersThe front hangers were a little easier to design than the rear hangers.  Mainly because they […]

Jeep CJ-7 Axle Swap Custom Front Spring Hangers
Jeep CJ-7 Projects

Painting the Hangers

Project Jeep CJ-7   Scout II Dana 44 Axles Swap onto a CJ-7 FrameFabricated Leaf Spring HangersInstalling the Front Leaf Springs HangersBelow is the whole set of hangers.  Gussets have been welded in and all the holes […]

1 Comment

  1. Nice Jeep! I’ve read your writeup before on offroaders. Well documented. I took a few ideas from you with my TJ buildup. Thanks for sharing your ideas.

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