This should meet with DK's approval. Picking up a low mile '86 CJ7 survivor next week to drag behind us this trip. Why? Our Ram and camper setup
stays put once we reach our destination (too awkward and sandy to safely remove the camper and use just the truck). This will make us more mobile
and better allow us to make some day trips to other points of interest. Biggest selling point is the wife, who doesn't Kiteboard, won'the be stuck
just hanging out while we play in the water.David K - 2-25-2017 at 11:14 AM
Toyota doesn't make a CJ-7, ha!
Hey, I am happy for you to get a 4WD, no matter who makes it. Without looking up, I will guess that must be one of the last CJ-7s made before they
were discontinued for the Wrangler (YJ series) with its lower center of gravity and wider track.DeMinimis - 3-14-2017 at 12:15 PM
Yes. Been busy trying to get it ready. New shocks, stabilizer, spindle and wheel bearing, axle u-joints, fluids, built 4130 tie rod and drag link
(still need to adjust toe), Mile Marker hubs, blasted the orig white rims and painted them in satin black, new tires.... Still have to install new
exhaust (the eve before our departure) and drive shaft u-joints...and suck out the diffs and refill, and...
[Edited on 3-14-2017 by DeMinimis]
chuckie - 3-14-2017 at 12:19 PM
keep the duckwillardguy - 3-14-2017 at 01:47 PM
enjoy your new bounce! David K - 3-14-2017 at 02:34 PM
That "Last of a Great Breed" plaque is priceless!
Good job on the restoration and repairs. I hope it gives you great service!DeMinimis - 3-14-2017 at 03:33 PM
It's been servicing me.DeMinimis - 3-14-2017 at 10:35 PM
Still a little too twitchy for my tastes. I did not have time to do ball joints, but they didn't have any play I could find. I'll tackle them later.
Toe a bit much at 1/8". I'll cut that in half and see if that helps. Back at it tomorrow evening, in the rain. Made my drag link a smidge too long
(didn't have the lock nuts when I made the drag. Had to guess). Steering wheel at 11:00. I can grind down the ends, or just pop off the wheel and
center that way (assuming splined). Think I'll go with plan #2.DeMinimis - 3-28-2017 at 07:58 AM
Jeep did not make the trip. After getting fuel, ran back home because we forgot out kiteboarding helmets. Checked hubs and right rear was smoking
hot. Figured the phone brake cable was hanging up, but couldn't be positive at 9:30pm (three hours late depature). Unhooked, left it at home and
have regretted it ever since. Just didn't have enough time to get it tip-top for the trip.David K - 3-28-2017 at 09:10 AM
Bummer, but it is a Jeep Thing.
I hope it works well fro you on the next trip.
Where did you go or are going, in Baja?DeMinimis - 3-28-2017 at 09:42 AM
La Ventana for a few days. I think we're done with LV. Down to SJD for Rossy's tacos (I know, but worth the drive). Up to Cabo Pulmo for a couple
of days. Los Barriles for another noche, then the push home (Conception, Gonzaga, US).
Maderita - 3-28-2017 at 10:49 AM
A thought on your drag link length: the front springs look tired (flattened out). Perfect excuse for a new set of springs to lift it a couple inches,
giving more travel to suck up the big bumps. If I'm not mistaken, that would effectively shorten your drag link.
As to the "twitchy", I'm assuming that you mean it isn't steering straight down the road. Polyurethane spring bushings will tighten the slop a little.
Check, or maybe just replace your tie rod ends; probably due anyway. Also check the steering box for excessive play.
As to toe adjustment, my impression is that toe-in is what makes it steer straight (not wander) and want to return to center. Decreasing the toe-in
may give the opposite results you desire. On my numerous and varied solid front axle 4x4's, including CJ7s, I added toe-in due to Baja pavement.
Instead of 1/8", try 3/16". Tires want to follow the ruts in the asphalt made by overloaded trucks/thin asphalt/hot sun.
Inspect the frame if you haven't. Cracks are common on CJs, particularly around the forward spring/shackle hangers.
Do you have the 258 cid (4.2L)?4x4abc - 3-28-2017 at 01:42 PM
'86 CJ7? Disaster on wheels!
Sell it - get a TJ.
Even better - get a Toyota.DeMinimis - 3-28-2017 at 03:11 PM
Whatever peels your banana. David K - 3-28-2017 at 04:58 PM
The new Jeep Wrangler JL is coming soon... as well as a Jeep truck, and Jeep Wagoneer, once again... per the new Petersen's 4 Wheel & Off-Road
magazine (June 2017 issue).DeMinimis - 3-28-2017 at 05:44 PM
Again, this is just a temp towable (and project for The Boy) until the DD w/LS3 is done. If I need something else, I'm going to get a newer F-150 as
my daily driver once The Boy gets his license in 1.5 anos (and my cursed Outback), so that can also pull towable duty if ever needed. Wouldn't be the
first time a Ram pulled a Ford.DeMinimis - 4-4-2017 at 11:44 AM
So got home and popped the offending drum off the hub. Sure enough, the brake adjusting cable had snapped (hadn't seen that before) and fell into the
bottom of the dram assembly. Actually, even having an adjusting cable is some silly engineering, Mr. Bendix, but so be it. Would have burned up on
the tow down, so good thing I didn't risk it. Using this as an opportunity to replace everything in the rear brakes. Of course, being an old Jeep,
it's never that easy...which means I now have to replace the frozen brakes lines as one will not break loose at the wheel cylinder (the other one did,
barely, so I'll just replace them both).
[Edited on 4-4-2017 by DeMinimis]John Harper - 4-4-2017 at 11:53 AM
As to toe adjustment, my impression is that toe-in is what makes it steer straight (not wander) and want to return to center.
I always thought it was the "caster" setting that made the wheel want to return to straight. Like the forks on a motorcycle (think chopper forks)
JohnDeMinimis - 4-4-2017 at 12:01 PM
All three play their part when dialing a front end.
On the Jeep, caster and camber are preset, pretty much, due to the fact these are knuckle axles. I have the toe set perfectly. Took several
attempts, but got it dialed. I have a sinking feeling I'm going to need some caster shims, but won't really know until I finish up withe new bushings
(into another project right now).
Now if you want to really talk camber/caster/toe hassles, look at how much of a hassle it is to get it right on my buggy (in fact, you might even be
able to see my notes on the painter's tape):
[Edited on 5-1-2017 by DeMinimis]DeMinimis - 5-9-2017 at 09:11 AM
Well the Cj project continues to drag along. Decided I wanted a good receiver hitch. Decided I wanted a better rear crossmember. Figured while I
was at it, I wanted to reinforce the rear frame as they are a bit weak considering the suspension (and future hitch) forces back there. MORE makes a
kit for the outside (3/16") and beneath (1/4"), but I had to fab my own inboard plates (1/8"). Although it's a kit, it took a fair amount of
modification to get it right (probably should have just made my own). Rear crossmember is 3/16" (much better than the factory 1/8"). Gong with a
Curt 4000/400 receiver hitch (will work as a Mansfield bar to boot). Hopefully the wind won't blow tonight so I can get some welding down and wrap up
the right side. All for a vehicle I really don't need, but I just can't help myself.
woody with a view - 5-9-2017 at 09:14 AM
throwing it out there, since you don't need it i certainly do! Just saying...... 👀DeMinimis - 5-9-2017 at 09:17 AM
You're at the top of the list. ;-) I should be concentrating on the buggy and the old Bug. However, it will make a decent little Waverunner puller
so those times I don't want to use The Beast for such light duty.woody with a view - 5-9-2017 at 09:46 AM
Thank you!Doug/Vamonos - 5-10-2017 at 06:09 AM
Awesome project jeep! Put a cheap LS motor in it, maybe upgrade the diffs, lift it, and it's a great Baja car. My first trips exploring Baja were in
my bros CJ7. Ran like crap, locking hubs didn't work, u-joints were going out, but hell of a lot of fun driving in Baja. But HOT with the bikini top
and open doors in August!DeMinimis - 5-10-2017 at 07:29 AM
Thanks! No LS for this project. Less than 80k and the engine purrs. Moser rear axles at some point. Time to button this up soon and get back to
more pressing projects.
DeMinimis - 5-31-2017 at 07:52 PM
Finished rear frame reinforcing, blasted, cleaned and coated the inside of the frame, built a better exhaust hanger setup, installed the custom
crossmember and installed the hitch. Picked up YJ half doors too.
DeMinimis - 5-31-2017 at 07:54 PM
Mas.
DeMinimis - 11-27-2017 at 12:14 PM
It's been a while. Let's see. Due to its former life in the hands of an old couple that mostly towed it, barely drove it (at least over 25mph due to
all the suspension woes), switched to points ignition and a carb that was rather poorly tuned, the pistons/head had massive carbon buildup. This
problem became apparent when I switched to a DUI ignition set up. I've got too many projects, and yanking the head to address the carbon issue, was
not on the list. Fab'd up a crude water injection system to help burn out the carbon over a period of a couple of months. It worked. A lot of
carbon remains, but hopefully that too will burn off in time. Got the compression down some (it was very high due to the carbon build up) and scope
revealed considerable progress. So, half doors installed, DUI ignition and a host of other knicks and knacks since my last report. Still tons to do
(most importantly is further suspension and axle upgrades), but good 'nuff for now.
Old pics:
BajaBill74 - 11-27-2017 at 12:50 PM
What happened to the skull and crossbones above the Jeep logo? DeMinimis - 11-27-2017 at 12:55 PM
What happened to the skull and crossbones above the Jeep logo?
Yea, that was not really my scene (nor the radioactive warning). New, plain Jane, all black, tire cover on there now as well.DeMinimis - 11-27-2017 at 12:57 PM
Did I mention the H1 steering box and Borgenson steering shaft? Huge improvement.
Hope to pick up a YJ Family Cage this Friday. Going to use the back half only (sans the windshield bars that do nothing). I will likely fab up the
forward half myself (good excuse to buy another die for my tube bender).
I settle on Jeep "Dune" as the color, should I even get around to that. I'll shoot the inside of the tub, along with the lower exterior body, with
truck bed liner (black, of course). Again, if I ever get around to it.
Dune:
[Edited on 11-27-2017 by DeMinimis]
[Edited on 11-27-2017 by DeMinimis]DeMinimis - 8-10-2018 at 10:55 AM
I was about to buy an old late 70's Waggy for the 401, TH400 and axles, for the CJ7, then thought, "What the hell am I doing?". Decided to sell the
CJ to a local that had been pestering me for it. Definitely one of my better decisions. Back to the buggy (finished up the front arms and dialed
them in -Compressed to 50/50):
And because I needed a new daily (Baja-worthy) as I plan on giving my Stupidru to The Boy soon, well, sure, why not:
