My $120 CJ7 build

Yes, once I get the suspension off it. Don't know how I'm gonna get ll the crap out of the inside of the frame. Wonder how much that matters... Plans are for a spring over, or links & coilovers. Those plans keep changing back, and forth. I really want to go with the coilovers. Trying hard to make that happen, but that's a big jump in budget for a guy living off VA disability. I have back, and neck issues that would love the softer ride quality of the coilovers. Still trying to figure out a way to swing it so I've been researching it and saving links to parts, and how to videos... I can live with a SOA on YJ springs if I have to.

 

Welcome to the forum. Keep watching. I'll be at it for at least another year and a half... maybe two.

 

Fantastic progress! I don't have any neck or back issues yet but I just can't find the time to commit to such a big fun project.
p.s. sent you a conversation message

 

We ain't goin no where. ☺.

 

Axles and springs are off. She's finally down to the frame. Well, almost. The steering box and front sway bar are still on, but I'm going to see if their location can remain unchanged if possible. It will remain upside down for a while, as I still have some brackets to cut and grind off in the front before I get to the sandblasting.

 

Took off the front spring front shackle mounts yesterday. Did some cutting and grinding to get the rear spring mounts for the front springs off the frame too., One easy, one a PITA. Got the I-6 motor mounts off.

Started to take off the steering box off and one of the bolts snapped off in the frame. This is gonna be a real PITA. These bolts go right into the boxed frame. Any ideas on how to deal with this?

The steering box will get replaced with a fresh unit, and I could just weld a short bead at that last bolt hole location (it's the rear hole) but I want to keep so it can be removed again if need be.

I hate wrenching on a bare frame. These rusty bolts are on so tight, and the frame has no weight, so it just wobbles around on the jack stands...
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Got some parts delivered this week. The Dave's Unlimited full size axle kit came in first. It's a well made kit, but will need slight modification. It is designed to hang a Ford or Chevy front axle under a CJ. I just happened to have a Dana 44 out of a Dodge truck, that is a bit wider. I'll need to put a 1/4 or 3/8 spacer plate between the new Dave's mount and the frame when I bolt it in for good. The rear mount will have to be cut and widened as it made to sandwich the frame. It also has gusset plates to be welded in after it gets bolted in place, so my welder guy will be doing that. I'll be prepping the frame and getting it to him this next week or so if I can.

 

My 1.5" lift Rubicon Express spring over YJ springs also came in. Not sure who to be mad at (I got them through Summit Racing) but stupid Fed-Ex put big bar-code stickers right on the springs that won't come off. They're all scratched to hell too. They weren't even boxed. I'm supposed to be the one who gets to scratch up my new springs... on the trail... Sure, people love big stickers on the products they pay for... Lucky for them I'm doing a military tribute, and they will get painted anyway. If this was a normal custom build, or a resto-mod, I'd be making calls and chewing people out telling them they owe me to have them repainted.

 

Yeah, im with you @daddyusmaximus. Decals are one thing. Shipping stickers. Not so cool.
Looks like your startin to take shape. Sweet.

 

I've ordered several springs from different places and they all come the same way as yours. Only once did I get a spring in a box or at least what was left of a box. I just repaint them. I'm over being mad with poor shipping practices. Man Daves customs sure know how to pack them.

 

Yes the Dave's Custom kit was well packed.

Did some grinding of the frame to get off the leftover parts where I cut the front main spring mount off. Drilled into the frame for the first time on the build. Nerve wracking for an amateur, but I got them relatively straight. Speaking of nerves... the nerve damage in my neck haunted me, with my weak grip. I lost control of the drill when the bit caught. It twisted right out of my hands and I snapped off the 1/2" bit... in the frame. Thank God the hole was almost done, and I was able to just bang the broken piece inside the frame. Still have to enlarge the holes on the outside of the frame to 3/4" to allow for the spacers, but I was too sore to try that tonight. I'm using YJ springs and am supposed to make the spring eyes 44" apart, but could only move the rear bracket enough to get 43 1/2" Close enough for me... It already has to be widened 3/8" to fit the Dodge Dana 44, and I didn't want to have to get into the body mount too, so here it will sit.

 

Great work...just watch out for them drills

 

Your work looks great. I think your placement looks right on.
I run YJ springs on CJ mounts. I like the way it pushes the shackle forward a little. I feel it makes the ride a little softer. I will keep the same lengths. I do plan on moving my spring mounts forward 1in running my new Waggi front springs and with my adjustable spring perches pushing my front axle out a total of 4 inches and my back axle is pushed out 2 inches using the Front waggi springs back there. This will give me a total of 100" wheel base.

 

I like the way your wheel base increases dramatically to 100+

 

My goal was 104, but I don't think I can make it and keep my rear fenders intact and my gas tank in the OEM position. I'm already not sure if I will be able to push out 4 inches in the front. I am 2 now and the steering geometry is close. I will ad a High steer arm to the Right knuckle and run the draglink to it keeping the center link in the OEM spot. Hopefully this will do the trick. If not I'm stuck at 98 inches.

 

Tough time finding some 3/8" steel for a spacer for the front of the Dave's Custom kit, but I finally came across a semi trailer kingpin plate at a scrap yard that was 3/8". After much cutting, and drilling a couple holes in each... they fit. Still have to grind off a bit and sand blast them, and the front of the frame, and we're off to the welder.



The rear was much easier as it's made of 1/4" and I had some of that laying around. I just needed to do up a piece that was 3/8, plus the width of the cut. I think I got pretty close.

If my welder guy gets back to me, I should have this mounted solid this week. Rear springs are on order, and have shipped. Just waiting on brown santa. Next step, blast and paint the entire frame.

 

Sweet. Nice progress dude.

 

After playing with the fitment of my front spring hangers, I wish that Dave would have wrapped the front hangers around and bolted to where the old hangers bolted to. I might have to make that happen. Your build is coming along nicely.

 

Well, I managed to get the frame to the welder. Of course things did not go as planned. One of his buddies he lets use his shop had left his gas on... no mig. Had to stick weld it. Not as pretty, but should be just as strong. Interesting side note: the work was free. I traded the work for an old welder I was given for helping a friend last year on his project. I don't have 220v in my garage, and don't know how to weld very well anyway... He used his free machine to do my free work.

I bolted the front adapter and the 3/8" spacer to the frame, and he stitched both together, and to the frame.




Then he put the rear pieces together, stitched the side plates to the frame, and added the gussets.




Next morning, I shot it all with some black rattle can to keep the orange beast at bay until I can get to the rest of the frame. It's still on the trailer for now. I did some garage clean up today. Didn't get back til after 10pm the other night. Got rear springs on the way. Won't be doing much to it for a while though. Got a bunch of VA appointments coming up, plus the traveling Vietnam memorial wall is in town starting today, plus Memorial Day weekend, and as the local VFW commander, I'm a bit busy.

 

Awesome progress dude. Looks incredibly good. Weather your doin the work or not. I'm sure your supervising it.
Don't worry bout postin up. Take care of your shit. Your jeep ain't goin no where. And BTW...thank you for serving. And with Memorial Day. Let's please remember those that have fallen for our flag. .