Build Thread 1985 CJ7 coming apart ---
Rustkill
Jeeper
Hi everyone,
Here we go.
I have decided to restore my 1985 CJ7 258.
I got the Jeep in 1989 in high school. When I got it, it was Olympic white with blue stripes, black interior and black soft top. Around 91 or 92 I got a hardtop and doors for it. the doors came for an 81 I believe (non-moving vent). Over those years had lots of carb / smog problems. At the time I had a place talk me in to rebuilding the engine (to young and (still) dumb to know) years later I added a Howell fuel injection TBI to the jeep (done myself). But before then I tried a new carb. As we know Jeeps were made to rust!! windshield rusted and was replaced seats warn out carpet removed on and on. Still young and dumb so I didn’t save these things.
About 15 years ago, I paid to have a shop refresh the Jeep but I was cheap, soooo.
Got a new paint job, went with the 86 darker gray color. New dash and repaired rust, new floor pan and few things.
I have now decided to do a complete restoration. Just going to list what I am hoping to do.
I want to make this an everyday driver. No off roading (never really has been off road). Not going to change much from OEM (no re-gearing and such)
Going back to Olympic white and blue stripes ( black hard top ) but something a little different for the seats and carpet ( will post pictures of what I am hoping to do)
Repair all rust (not bad, but things to fix). Rust proofing all I can!! Or is rust proofing a joke
Replace all nuts and bolts. Anyone tried one of those kits? Worth it? Stainless
Rebuild air handler (myself)---- thanks to you can do it 2 on YouTube !!
All new wiring (painless ---doing myself)
Adding Ac --- Jeep Air ( myself)
Powder coating frame?? Or just chassis seal then paint
All new hoses / break lines/ fuel lines/ etc.
New carpet and heat shield/ sound proofing for floors
Rebuilding engine (anyone know a really good place around Charleston SC ??? Or Wilmington NC
Going to paint and rust proof and engine parts / exhaust and so on
Seats—I got original seats, going to fix /rust proof frame then reupholster.
Getting new metal dash -From (double D fabrication)-upgrading to Laredo style so adding Tach and clock only– looking at speedhut.( or source OEM) With retro stereo. Going to keep my other gauges don’t like the speed hunt ones, but did see where a guy got them to make some that look way more oem so maybe. Still thinking
New body mounts thinking rubber again a kit, the poly ones seem to hard stiff ride??
Upgrade CJ to YJ leaf springs conversion--- not sure who yet, I want a simple kit. no lift
New shocks --- Bilstein shocks
I do not want to have a lift on the Jeep I can live with a small lift that new springs would give, but I do not want a 2 or 4inch or whatever lift !!!!!!!!!!!
Going to switch to Holley sniper so I can use original air cleaner
Repair /paint / rust proof all brakes. Not upgrading. New parts as needed
Going to have someone check differentials, getting new bearing, new seals, fix / redo if needed then refresh / rust Proof
Can you tell I hate rust
Going to have transmission checked and cleaned rebuild if needed, new clutch.
NOTE++ the Jeep was driven and ran fine before I took it apart
Going OEM as much as make since but maybe small changes here and there.
If anyone knows places in and around the Charleston SC or Wilmington NC area for having work done , rebuilding engine , transmission , diffs, shops that do a great job, let me know please ,I have not looked into this area much yet.
Will add pictures and info from time to time. I got the jeep mostly apart. The slow stage will be shopping out the stuff I don’t know how to do. I know this is going to cost a lot of money so I hope I don’t throw my money away and shop smart!!!! Can short videos but uploaded?
I am sure I forgot lots of things, my mind is full.
if i have done with post wrong sorry.
Here we go.
I have decided to restore my 1985 CJ7 258.
I got the Jeep in 1989 in high school. When I got it, it was Olympic white with blue stripes, black interior and black soft top. Around 91 or 92 I got a hardtop and doors for it. the doors came for an 81 I believe (non-moving vent). Over those years had lots of carb / smog problems. At the time I had a place talk me in to rebuilding the engine (to young and (still) dumb to know) years later I added a Howell fuel injection TBI to the jeep (done myself). But before then I tried a new carb. As we know Jeeps were made to rust!! windshield rusted and was replaced seats warn out carpet removed on and on. Still young and dumb so I didn’t save these things.
About 15 years ago, I paid to have a shop refresh the Jeep but I was cheap, soooo.
Got a new paint job, went with the 86 darker gray color. New dash and repaired rust, new floor pan and few things.
I have now decided to do a complete restoration. Just going to list what I am hoping to do.
I want to make this an everyday driver. No off roading (never really has been off road). Not going to change much from OEM (no re-gearing and such)
Going back to Olympic white and blue stripes ( black hard top ) but something a little different for the seats and carpet ( will post pictures of what I am hoping to do)
Repair all rust (not bad, but things to fix). Rust proofing all I can!! Or is rust proofing a joke
Replace all nuts and bolts. Anyone tried one of those kits? Worth it? Stainless
Rebuild air handler (myself)---- thanks to you can do it 2 on YouTube !!
All new wiring (painless ---doing myself)
Adding Ac --- Jeep Air ( myself)
Powder coating frame?? Or just chassis seal then paint
All new hoses / break lines/ fuel lines/ etc.
New carpet and heat shield/ sound proofing for floors
Rebuilding engine (anyone know a really good place around Charleston SC ??? Or Wilmington NC
Going to paint and rust proof and engine parts / exhaust and so on
Seats—I got original seats, going to fix /rust proof frame then reupholster.
Getting new metal dash -From (double D fabrication)-upgrading to Laredo style so adding Tach and clock only– looking at speedhut.( or source OEM) With retro stereo. Going to keep my other gauges don’t like the speed hunt ones, but did see where a guy got them to make some that look way more oem so maybe. Still thinking
New body mounts thinking rubber again a kit, the poly ones seem to hard stiff ride??
Upgrade CJ to YJ leaf springs conversion--- not sure who yet, I want a simple kit. no lift
New shocks --- Bilstein shocks
I do not want to have a lift on the Jeep I can live with a small lift that new springs would give, but I do not want a 2 or 4inch or whatever lift !!!!!!!!!!!
Going to switch to Holley sniper so I can use original air cleaner
Repair /paint / rust proof all brakes. Not upgrading. New parts as needed
Going to have someone check differentials, getting new bearing, new seals, fix / redo if needed then refresh / rust Proof
Can you tell I hate rust
Going to have transmission checked and cleaned rebuild if needed, new clutch.
NOTE++ the Jeep was driven and ran fine before I took it apart
Going OEM as much as make since but maybe small changes here and there.
If anyone knows places in and around the Charleston SC or Wilmington NC area for having work done , rebuilding engine , transmission , diffs, shops that do a great job, let me know please ,I have not looked into this area much yet.
Will add pictures and info from time to time. I got the jeep mostly apart. The slow stage will be shopping out the stuff I don’t know how to do. I know this is going to cost a lot of money so I hope I don’t throw my money away and shop smart!!!! Can short videos but uploaded?
I am sure I forgot lots of things, my mind is full.
if i have done with post wrong sorry.
