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Just saw a beautiful Scrambler that someone put a lotta work into, for sale at a shop across from the local Ford dealer last week. I was gonna stop & look at it myself, but it didn't last a week - it was gone by Friday.
As I wheel a '92 Ramcharger - with a 318 Magnum (my first wheeler with MPFI) - it's pretty damn nice to not hafta worry about all the gas running out of the bowl on a carb, when on an incline... like I had to with my '79 Bronco. The Magnum is a pretty nice setup for a wheeler - have you given any thought to converting that LA - or even scrounging one from a junkyard - for this project?
Looking forward to seeing how it ends up!
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Very cool!!! I have a 2003 TJ that at some point want to lift, and do a bunch of other stuff as a project. It is still a weekend driver though. You should do a Rat Patrol build with a .50 cal M2 attached. :D
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I just sold my 85 CJ7 and scooped up a 2006 Wrangler rubicon because first kid is here. You’re really making me regret selling the CJ, there’s just something about that skinny grill and simple overall design that calls to me. Good luck with the resto, as for the stubborn bolts, I hit every nut and bolt with PB blaster a couple times before I put a wrench to it. And if they look sketchy I always break out the propane torch and give it a little heat.
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Ah, memories. In 1984 I bought a fairly decent 72 CJ5; 258 6, 3 speed, posi. Within a year the wife was taking the kids to school and got hit by a guy running a red light. He hit the left front end, kicking the frame out 18", trashed everything forward of the firewall. The Jeep caught fire but it was put out quickly. The kids were shaken up buy otherwise ok.
The body shop wouldn't even bother to write an estimate, which really ticked me off. So I bought it for salvage and found a 74 frame that would work. Money was short and finding parts in those pre-internet days was a matter of getting on the phone. I did a lot of the work and what I couldn't do I farmed out as I could find the money. Sometimes it sat quite a while. Finally got it up and running in 1992. I'm still driving it but it doesn't quite look so new anymore. It's been a good little rig, though. My 87 Toyota pickup is actually a much better 4WD in all respects, but Jeeps and I go back a long way.
The Jeep is 99% stock. I figured that year was the best CJ5, with the straight 6, Saginaw steering, and Dana 20 axles with short turning radius. Two things I would have done differently--a 4 speed transmission and convert the goofy clutch cable to direct linkage. I've learned how to make those cables last, but I'd like to find the guy who cooked up that idea.
Actually the best 4WD rig I ever had was a 69 Ford narrow box pickup, 300 c.i. 6, 4 speed, 1 ton front end, and PTO winch. I took that thing over Black Bear, on the White Pass & Yukon, and to the shores of the Beaufort Sea. I still miss it.
Good luck with your project.
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Interesting project... I've been toying with the idea of a similarly intense rebuild on a '93 Sahara someday myself. (Combination of mechanical Bug-Out Vehicle upgrades plus cosmetic work to match the Jeeps in Jurassic Park, go for "hidden in plain sight." Oh, it's just an eccentric collector rig, no way it'll be any use when SHTF... Right. Sure...)
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Nice project. Father bought me a CJ-5 that someone had shoe horned in a Ford 302. Dual pipes straight off of manifold. Loud AF. Could get front tires off ground about a foot on hard start. Ran back tires almost slick for the hookup. It was nasty. Rollover waiting to happen. Thankfully, I learned my lesson after almost going over and became very careful on curves and turning. Got about 8 miles/gal. Man, do I miss it!
This thread may cost me $. Have a 2005 Wrangler Rocky Mtn. Edition with all bells and whistles. Bought new and always garaged. It sits 99.9% of time, but it comes out for bad snow here in northern UT. Great vehicle that has increased in value due to production model/yr. One of kids will get.
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Very nice!
I built up an ‘80 CJ7 many years ago. You’re off to a great start
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Tough time finding some 3/8" steel for a spacer for the front of the Dave's Custom kit, but I finally came across a semi trailer kingpin plate at a scrap yard that was 3/8". After much cutting, and drilling a couple holes in each... they fit. Still have to grind off a bit and sand blast them, and the front of the frame, and we're off to the welder.
https://i.imgur.com/810bWBn.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/aMGVgAV.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/vbHJXMM.jpg
The rear was much easier as it's made of 1/4" and I had some of that laying around. I just needed to do up a piece that was 3/8, plus the width of the cut. I think I got pretty close.
https://i.imgur.com/yxqENwW.jpg
If my welder guy gets back to me, I should have this mounted solid this week. Rear springs are on order, and have shipped. Just waiting on brown santa. Next step, blast and paint the entire frame.
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Well, I managed to get the frame to the welder. Of course things did not go as planned. One of his buddies he lets use his shop had left his gas on... no mig. Had to stick weld it. Not as pretty, but should be just as strong. Interesting side note: the work was free. I traded the work for an old welder I was given for helping a friend last year on his project. I don't have 220v in my garage, and don't know how to weld very well anyway... He used his free machine to do my free work.
https://i.imgur.com/vyDYg4d.jpg
I bolted the front adapter and the 3/8" spacer to the frame, and he stitched both together, and to the frame.
https://i.imgur.com/eUOyCEI.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/Fmlulto.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/izLqFIz.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/I3dd2Ir.jpg
Then he put the rear pieces together, stitched the side plates to the frame, and added the gussets.
https://i.imgur.com/sL8Wrqb.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/NymTB12.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/zCQFV9J.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/vYNfuA7.jpg
Next morning, I shot it all with some black rattle can to keep the orange beast at bay until I can get to the rest of the frame. It's still on the trailer for now. I did some garage clean up today. Didn't get back til after 10pm the other night. Got rear springs on the way. Won't be doing much to it for a while though. Got a bunch of VA appointments coming up, plus the traveling Vietnam memorial wall is in town starting today, plus Memorial Day weekend, and as the local VFW commander, I'm a bit busy.
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Coat with Rhino liner and you won't have to grind anything that shows. Looks badass![emoji106]
