WELCOME TO RIVER DAVES PLACE

1978 Jeep CJ7 build

Blackmagic94

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This is the one I bought the other day from the boomer aka Leo in Havasu


Specs

AMC 304 cid V8 150hp, fresh overhaul via Leo
Borg Warner T150 3 speed manual trans
Dana 20 transfer case
Dana 30 front axles
AMC 20 rear axles

upgrades in the works


Upol RaptorLiner Ultramarine Blue
32x11.50x15 Mud tires with Mickey Thompson classic Baja lock wheel
New front racing seats
New rear bench with car seat anchors
New seat belts front and back
New soft top
New led front head lamps
New led tail lamps
New led side markers
New shift knob
New t case shift knob
New steering wheel
New control knobs/switches


New long tube headers
New cat back exhaust
New k&n with filter lid air cleaner kit
New msd blaster off road ignition coil
New aluminum radiator
New 16” electric fan with thermo switch
New electric fan deleting belt fan
New aluminum coolant expansion tank

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Blackmagic94

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Some parts getting installed already. Gonna strip it down tomorrow to get ready to paint it. Lost the alternator belt on a test drive but no biggie I saw it had a cut and was old as hell so I bought all new ones and will install after the paint job.

Need to figure out why the fuse panel is only getting 8.5 volts while running the charging system is making 13.8-14.0 so I’m guessing it’s a corrosion issue to the fuse box.
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Gelcoater

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CJ’s are fun👍
Parents had a 7 same year as yours, I had a 5
Theirs had the exact same drivetrain as yours. Also had an AC that actually cooled too👍
Have a good look at all the body mounts and bushings in there, seem em rot out.
My CJ 5 was bad enough we replaced the body.
 

mash on it

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@Blackmagic94
The three speed trans and Dana 20 are anemic at best, 23:1 low range crawl ratio.
I swapped in a sm465 and 205 out of a one ton, a bit better crawl ratio of 46:1, not Rubicon low, but better than the factory fixins. An L79 327 replaced the worn out 304, and is a bit peppier now. A lock right and forged axles to keep the rear end together.
A 4" soft ride was in order after the left rear spring disintegrated.

Just empty every pocket.

Dan'l
 

Ladsm

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The Dana 30 front end is ok as long as you leave smaller tires on it and dont throw in a Posi. The AMC 20 will want to be serviced. Buy the axle/hub puller and tear it open on each side, they have wheel bearing inside them that are greased just like a front wheel bearing. These get overlooked and are the weak spot if the bearing gets hot. Swapping in a set of 1 piece axles are a nice upgrade if you dont want to do a full dana 44 swap.
 

Blackmagic94

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The Dana 30 front end is ok as long as you leave smaller tires on it and dont throw in a Posi. The AMC 20 will want to be serviced. Buy the axle/hub puller and tear it open on each side, they have wheel bearing inside them that are greased just like a front wheel bearing. These get overlooked and are the weak spot if the bearing gets hot. Swapping in a set of 1 piece axles are a nice upgrade if you dont want to do a full dana 44 swap.
Boomer has one piece rear axles he is given me so I’ll do that and some kind of posi locker upgrade for the rear
 

Blackmagic94

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Update


Body work began yesterday and hope to have it wrapped up by the weekend, the real bitch was removing the old carpet that he glued into the bed area and fenders, and also glued on the old soft top, lots of scraping etc


The body is amazingly straight and rust free which is awesome. But you find stupid things like wire nuts for wiring, I mean really?
 

WYRD

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Looking great 👍

What kind of roof is on that shelter? I need something like that between 2 53' sea containers
 

Blackmagic94

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So got the first coat on. Will finish up in the morning and start bolting everything back together.
 

Blackmagic94

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Still waiting on the electric fan shroud to install that

install long tubes with new 3” exhaust

fender flares. Fuck who ever thought of how to install those things lol

install rear bench hardware and bench

Install front buckets

wire up yellow off road leds

install new style fuse box

install new steering dampener shock

install tail lamps

install marker lights

install led dash and gauge bulbs

install new mirrors

install new wheels
 

Blackmagic94

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Soft top reinstalled I don’t really like the bungee system to secure it. Probably gonna just use stainless safety wire pliers to get it nice and
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tight
 

Blackmagic94

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So now it’s at my buddies shop to do the stuff I don’t want to do

New wheels and marker lights installed
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Blackmagic94

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Oem tilt steering column with new ignition switch and turn signal switch
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johnnyC

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with the larger tires they put additional stress on the tapered keyed rear axel and are prone to break, jeeps and early scouts used this design, up grade to the one piece axel if available, or find an a 44 series with one piece axels.... you will be glad you did
 

Blackmagic94

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with the larger tires they put additional stress on the tapered keyed rear axel and are prone to break, jeeps and early scouts used this design, up grade to the one piece axel if available, or find an a 44 series with one piece axels.... you will be glad you did


Boomer has a set of one piece axles for the rear for me that I need to go pick up. Just need to figure out what lsd I want for it now
 

Blackmagic94

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Rebuilt steering gear box
All new suspension bushings front/rear
New tilt steering column
New Jeep Grant steering wheel combo
Actually has a horn and correct key lock cylinder now too
Hard to see but twin stick stainless transfer case shifter installed
Fender flares getting installed
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Sherpa

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looking good........ last pic shows your frame twisted under the driver side rear corner body mount...... rubber bushing looks cracks. by 1978 all those bushings are cracked. ditch those crappy shackles and get better ones. are you planning on axle upgrades? cheapest-good option is scout dana 44's
front and rear.
 

Blackmagic94

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looking good........ last pic shows your frame twisted under the driver side rear corner body mount...... rubber bushing looks cracks. by 1978 all those bushings are cracked. ditch those crappy shackles and get better ones. are you planning on axle upgrades? cheapest-good option is scout dana 44's
front and rear.


going to do one piece axles for amc 20 with a upgraded diff and 4.10s

Dana 30 front will get 4.10s and stay open

New body mounts are on the way and need to order new shocks. Probably going to do rancho 9000 since they are adjustable.

But it’s home and it drive now

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Blackmagic94

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Ordered a Yukon Spartan lunch box locker, 1 piece forged axle conversion and a 3.54 ring and pinion to replace the pitted stock one
 

mash on it

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Ordered a Yukon Spartan lunch box locker, 1 piece forged axle conversion and a 3.54 ring and pinion to replace the pitted stock one

The dismal 3 speed should be the next upgrade.
I used a '77 K-20 465/205 combo in my '79.
283 clutch disc with (then) AMC flywheel and pressure plate, and bell housing.
Driveshafts built on the bench.

Dan'l
 

Blackmagic94

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The dismal 3 speed should be the next upgrade.
I used a '77 K-20 465/205 combo in my '79.
283 clutch disc with (then) AMC flywheel and pressure plate, and bell housing.
Driveshafts built on the bench.

Dan'l

Gonna leave it be.
 

Gelcoater

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Gonna leave it be.
I think as long as you’re gentle going into 2nd it will be fine.
My parents never had a kick of problems with that trans I can recall.

I on the other hand was on a first name basis with Mario the trans guru at Scotty’s Jeep in Fontana😂
But, I had a sbc in mine and shifted very enthusiastically messing with the rich kids in their IROC Z-28’s etc😎
I eventually swapped to a Saginaw 4 speed.
 

mash on it

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I think as long as you’re gentle going into 2nd it will be fine.
My parents never had a kick of problems with that trans I can recall.

I on the other hand was on a first name basis with Mario the trans guru at Scotty’s Jeep in Fontana😂
But, I had a sbc in mine and shifted very enthusiastically messing with the rich kids in their IROC Z-28’s etc😎
I eventually swapped to a Saginaw 4 speed.

My 3 speed got stuck in second gear, in Johnson Valley, after a group ride with some quads and bikes. Drove back to Big Bear, up the back grade in 2nd, using low range to start off and shifting to high range. A bit slow, but got home. Last trip for the 3 speed.
Upgraded to a sm465.

Dan'l
 

Blackmagic94

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Wiring up the halo part of the head lights


Replaced the wiper motor

Installed a center console
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Blackmagic94

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1 piece forged axles
Motive 3.54 ring and pinion
New bearings
Spartan lunch box locker
Chrome axle diff cover
new speedo sending unit
New speedo cable
Twin electric horns
Rebuilt drive shafts with HD u joints

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HubbaHubbaLife

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Blackmagic94

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So Holley sniper efi is now on and running. Also installed a rebuilt Dana 20 t case. It runs fucking awesome now. Dyno sim says 207 hp at crank now so not bad.
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