Build Thread 1979 CJ7 in remarkable condition!

[Alec79CJ]

I didn't get too much done today.

I pressure washed almost 40 years of grime, oil, dirt, and grease off of the transmission and transfer case. I used about a gallon of purple power, added some scrapping, and now it's clean!

The mileage is very low so my intent is to replace all the seals and give it all a visual along with end play checks of all the shafts. Everything on the transfer case looked good, so I replaced shifter shaft seals and both output seals. I did order an intermediate shaft O ring. Fortunately there's just enough length to tap the intermediate shaft reward enough to expose the O ring.

 

[Alec79CJ]

There's not a lot of information out on the inter-web about the intermediate shaft seal on the Dana 20. Some say put sealant over the back of the transferase to cover up the intermediate shaft...others say there's no seal.

Well here's a look at the intermediate shaft. It can be driven re-ward without the loss of the thrust washers. There's no need to take apart the t-case to change this o-ring.






The O-ring will actually get sliced as you drive it back into the housing.

 

[Peanut Butter]

Here's a couple of threads on rebuilding the Dana 20, might help some:

https://www.jeep-cj.com/forums/f2/rebuilding-dana-20-transfer-case-26435/

Dana 20 Rebuild. - Jeep-CJ Tech. Articles

 

[Alec79CJ]

I spent sometime removing the broken lock cylinder from the column. I also disassembled the entire column to clean it all up, sand it, paint and then reassemble with new bearings (upper and lower), new ignition lock cylinder, turn signal switch, and ignition switch.

Here's a few pictures of the disassembled parts. Once it's all sanded and painted to my pleasing, I'll post some photos as I put it back together.

 

[Graveltraveller]

Wow! That's an amazing amount of detail work. and now you've given me more to do. I'm going to have to take my steering column apart and redo the bearings, since I've got it here anyways. I'm really looking forward to where this resto goes. Nice work!

 

[Alec79CJ]

I'm away from home working for several weeks so there won't be too much going on. With that though, I will be finishing up the steering column.

I ordered Eastwoods plastic dye for the hard plastic parts of the steering column. I figured it would do a better job than painting it. I didn't want the keys chipping paint.

My new to me 1986 wide track Dana 44 and Dana 30 arrived yesterday from NC so once I'm back home then those will be next up for reworking.

 

[Alec79CJ]

I had a chance to work on the steering column today.

Here's the Eastwood product Inused for the plastic part of the steering column.





This is great stuff. It's not a paint but instead a stain that flows into the plastics.

 

[Alec79CJ]

Surprisingly there are not a lot of pictures that show detailed photos of the steering column under the lock plate.

Here are some shots of the inside after I re packed the upper bearing, cleaned the sector gear and added some white grease.

Also, if you tear this far into a column. Make sure to install the ignition rod prior to putting the other two pieces of the outer column back together. Otherwise you'll be taking it apart again!

 

[Alec79CJ]

A few more...

All the new parts. Lower bearing, turn signal switch, ignition switch, and lock tumbler and key.

 

[Lumpy Grits]

:ty:

Great write up and how to.
LG

 

[shum8]

I'll be referring back to this - Mine will also be torn down - I picked up a NOS ignition switch an keys..... Will also be refurbing the bearings and such also. This will help a lot....

 

[Alec79CJ]

I'll be referring back to this - Mine will also be torn down - I picked up a NOS ignition switch an keys..... Will also be refurbing the bearings and such also. This will help a lot....

The tricky part is the ignition lock and sector gear inside the column. It took me a few minutes to get those two gears lined up right. If you dismantle the entire thing, make sure to reassemble the gears and steering lock shaft prior to installing the key.

This will make sense once you tear into it. The upper bearing can purchased new but mine was fine so I just re packed it.

Also, the plastic dye and cleaner from Eastwood runs about $40 for those two cans. I barely used any to put 4 coats on the plastic parts of my column. If anyones interested, I'll sell you the rest for $25. I guarantee you could do 5 steering columns with this stuff from one can.

 

[Lumpy Grits]

Better ck into ship'n regs as those have to go as 'HAZ-MAT' and can't be shipped USPS.
They have to go 'ground'.
LG

 

[Peanut Butter]

Here's a link that really helps with the column: http://www.jeep-cj.com/forums/f19/jeep-cj5-steering-column-rebuild-tilt-24062/

 

[Alec79CJ]

After being away for several weeks for work, I'm finally back home, and I have been able to get a bit work done.

I took the wire wheel to 35 years of grease, rust, and leaking axle seals. I pulled the backing plates off for a soak in some purple power followed by scraping and then sand blasting.

I sprayed the transmission/transfer case after putting new seals in everything and also the rear end. I used Eastwoods primer and then their chassis black over top.

 

[Alec79CJ]

Oh...and this found its way into the garage too!

 

[Alec79CJ]

You'll see in the photo above that shows the new wheel cylinders that I've painted them with another Eastwood product for master cylinders. It's a bit more silver than I'd hoped for but it resistant to brake fluid.

I have the axle shafts cleaned up and painted on the flanged endand ready for the new seals and bearings.

I think I'm going to pick up a 12 ton press from Harbor Freight to do those. Especially since I have yet to tackle the front axle shaft ujoints!

 

[gert]

Love the Harley and the harbor freight press works great


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[Alec79CJ]

Love the Harley and the harbor freight press works great


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The Harley is 2011 Roadking and was originally purchased by my dad. He sold just after his cancer diagnosis in an effort to make things easier for me. Well I mentioned to my wife that I'd like to find it. She went searching for it and although it took her a few months, she located it in Lake City, Fl just about an hour and half from us.

So after a letter to the gentleman who now owned it, and despite the fact my dad sold it Virginia, I made a short drive the guys house to buy the bike back. So even though my dad is gone, it's nice to bring home his bike!

 

[shum8]

Congrats on the Harley score .... that was a standup thing the owner did. Nice to hear there's still good people out there!!


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