BMW Blog

Ok, it's official... I am addicted.

In this thread (http://www.jeepforum.com/forum/showthread.php?p=4835241#post4835241), you can see that my DD has bit the dust, and I needed to find something to drive every day.

Well my first thought was to get a Cherokee to tie me over until I got the 1986 CJ7 up and running, but in my search I found a 1984 CJ7 that is complete and runs.

There is a ton of rust in and around the floor pans, but they can be replaced easier than putting back together a CJ7 you didn't tear down.

Well the options with this Jeep is to either replace the panels (all of them) or find a Wrangler and replace the tub. I would like to get some suggestions on which way to go. Right now I am leaning towards the Wrangler tub.

Here are some pictures of the project.

http://i234.photobucket.com/albums/ee215/JamieinNH/1984%20CJ7/1984CJ7006.jpg



http://i234.photobucket.com/albums/ee215/JamieinNH/1984%20CJ7/1984CJ7030.jpg

More pictures can be found here:

http://s234.photobucket.com/albums/ee215/JamieinNH/1984%20CJ7/
YJ tubs are pretty cheap... thats how id do it, it would be MUCH better than reconstructing that body. There are retailers that sell factory decals too if you wanted the laredo stuff back on the sides
YJ tubs are pretty cheap... thats how id do it, it would be MUCH better than reconstructing that body. There are retailers that sell factory decals too if you wanted the laredo stuff back on the sides


X2. Definitely get a YJ tub, unless you come across an immaculate CJ tub for the right price. Collins Brothers out of Texas is a good place to get the decals, but I think a full set runs between $300 - $500.

It would not be worth your trouble at this point to replace all the floor boards if they have a massive amount of cancer.
That was my thoughts, and I have found a YJ tub here in the area for $300. So I think I will pick that up this weekend. I have talked to someone on this forum that lives close by and I think they will help me with this process since I have never done it before.

It sucks to have to worry about a DD... but it will be sweet to drive a Jeep while working on a Jeep!

Jamie
Ok, so I am going with a Wrangler swap with this project. I recently picked up an 88 Wrangler that the tub has three spots on it that need fixing. One is the back corner behind the drivers seat, but it's not under the roll bar. The other spot is both back corners are a little rough, but not bad. Then there is where the PO cut a hold in front of the shifter to get the bolts off between the transmission and motor.

Donor tub:
http://i234.photobucket.com/albums/ee215/JamieinNH/1988%20Wrangler/1988Wrangler001.jpg

Corners:
http://i234.photobucket.com/albums/ee215/JamieinNH/1988%20Wrangler/1988Wrangler015.jpg

http://i234.photobucket.com/albums/ee215/JamieinNH/1988%20Wrangler/1988Wrangler016.jpg

Bad Spot behind Driver's seat:
http://i234.photobucket.com/albums/ee215/JamieinNH/1988%20Wrangler/1988Wrangler003.jpg

We will start working on this project tomorrow night and will take lot's of pictures and keep all you in the loop! Thanks for all the help so far.

Jamie
Good Luck! I will be following this closely.
nice......
Ok, last night we started to disassemble the Wrangler so we could use the tub.

After cleaning out all the engine parts that PO had put in it, we started removing the seats and brackets.

http://i234.photobucket.com/albums/ee215/JamieinNH/1988%20Wrangler/1988Wrangler023.jpg

What's the secret to taking out these seats belts? Torx heads are just plain evil!!
http://i234.photobucket.com/albums/ee215/JamieinNH/1988%20Wrangler/1988Wrangler029.jpg

We started pulling the dash, but forgot the steering wheel puller, so when we got to this point we had to stop. Tomorrow is another day....

http://i234.photobucket.com/albums/ee215/JamieinNH/1988%20Wrangler/1988Wrangler042.jpg


Questions for you fine folks..

Do I need to remove the roll bar to remove the tub?

1 bolt out of the 8 that held on the front seat broke. Can this be drilled out? Would it be easier from the top side of from below after the tub has been removed?

Will the steering column from this 88 Wrangler work with my 84 CJ7? It has tilt and mine don't. I am going to remove it to remove the tub, but wonder if I could reuse it or will it go in the sell pile.

Thanks for any help.

Jamie
the tub can come off with the roll bar for sure..An easy way to try to remove the torx bolts holding them down is to pb blast from below so it can work its way up the threads and to weld on a 5/8's or simular size nut to the top of the torx..The heat from the weld will help pop the rust free and you'll have something to get a good hold of to turn..Or gring the heads off if you scrapping the tub..

the steering colum may be an issue at the out put side to the steering box..I am not sure if the stock cj steering shaft will bolt up or not..someone here should know the answer..

whats up with that stock air cleaner?wanna barder??
the tub can come off with the roll bar for sure..An easy way to try to remove the torx bolts holding them down is to pb blast from below so it can work its way up the threads and to weld on a 5/8's or simular size nut to the top of the torx..The heat from the weld will help pop the rust free and you'll have something to get a good hold of to turn..Or gring the heads off if you scrapping the tub..

the steering colum may be an issue at the out put side to the steering box..I am not sure if the stock cj steering shaft will bolt up or not..someone here should know the answer..

whats up with that stock air cleaner?wanna barder??


I have shot all the nuts and bolts with PB blaster in trying to get ahead of them... Welding a nut on the top sounds like a plan if they don't come out tonight.

I will wait to hear from others about the steering column... I can use the one in the 84, but this one has tilt. :)

As far as the stock air cleaner, are you referring to the round hosing that fits on top of the carb? If so, I don't think I am using it, and if not, it's yours.

Jamie
cool,I wanna cobble one up to fit on a weber..I'll pm you my info and let me know what you want and shipping..thanks
The YJ column will work. The intermediate shaft won't. You have to take the top half of the YJ shaft and the bottom half of the CJ shaft and put them together. If the shafts have rusted together (CJ or YJ) well you're out of luck. Might be time for a new shaft, or a trip to the u pull for the right halves. If you get a new shaft (stock) then look for a YJ top that's already split at the u pull.
All the ignition connectors should plug right in. You can even get the brights on the column if it has that feature. Haven't figured out the wipers on the column yet.
Since it looks like you are going from an auto to a manual you will have to deal with the auto stuff on the column. Or get a column from a Cherokee. They had the auto shifter on the floor as you probably know. Paid $50 for mine and got a nice leather wheel to boot.