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My new build project.. any advice?

Discussion in 'CJ' started by pastor scott, Oct 1, 2018.

  1. Oct 1, 2018 at 4:17 PM
    #1
    pastor scott

    #1
    pastor scott [OP] Well-Known Member

    Joined:
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    First Name:
    scott
    Vehicle:
    1978 CJ 7
    none right now
    Just picked up a 1978 cj 7
    v 8 304.. no power anything
    3 speed manual

    the body is pretty bad but the drive train seems good..
    going for a off road only build..

    AMC 20 rear
    Dana 30 front

    Just picked up a power steering unit to concert to power

    Then its allot of body work... re gearing, lockers front and rear

    Any ideas or things I should look for in this model jeep..
    any week links other then the Model 20 rear

    I have been building Jeeps for years... but never had the 304 V8 nor this 3 speed manual

    thanks
    Ps Scott
     
    pastor scott, Oct 1, 2018
    #1
  2. Oct 1, 2018 at 7:16 PM
    #2
    chris4x4

    #2
    chris4x4 With sufficient thrust, pigs fly just fine Moderator

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    Can you post pictures?
     
    chris4x4, Oct 1, 2018
    #2
  3. Oct 1, 2018 at 7:17 PM
    #3
    chris4x4

    #3
    chris4x4 With sufficient thrust, pigs fly just fine Moderator

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    I probably cant offer any "real" help, or suggestions, but we LOVE the pictures! :)
     
    chris4x4, Oct 1, 2018
    #3
    JKBob 25 likes this.
  4. Oct 2, 2018 at 9:37 AM
    #4
    OFFGRID

    #4
    OFFGRID Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Oct 3, 2016
    Member:
    #317
    Messages:
    2,018
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Peter
    Houston
    Vehicle:
    1979 Jeep CJ7, 258, TH350, NP208
    Howell fuel injection, header, HEI distributor, TH350, NP208, SOA lift with YJ springs in the front & GW springs in the Rear. AMC20 with G2 1 piece chromos trussed, Dana 30 with G2 chromos and 760x ujoints and MM Stainless Hubs, Geared 4.56. Tom Woods shafts, Metal cloaks, Caged, 37" Toyo MTs.
    Ra-Tech makes a crush sleeve delete for the amc 20 for when you regear. Get a set of 1piece axles for it (around $200). Superior gear and axle went out of business :( but the engineers started a new company called Revolution gear and axle :) and they have just as great a product and are cheaper than most because they are new and nobody knows the back story. The 78 has better front hubs than newer CJs, but I would look for a Dana 44 out of a 75-79 Jeep Grand wagoneer (around $200) A great upgrade and comes with strong axles already in it. You will have to outboard the springs and I don't recommend doing a Shackle reversal. Check out the $150 jeep build on this site and get his outboard spring kit. This list goes on and on. The Dana 20 in your jeep is great and you can order a 3.7:1 low gear for it. If you go with the Dana 44 you'll need at least 2 inch spacers in the rear. Your jeep should have a narrow track axle around 53 inches, and the Dana 44 I mentioned is 60.5 inches wide. The Dana 44 is a 6 on 5.5 lug pattern and if you get an adapter from the 5 on 5.5 to 6 on 5.5 in the rear all 4 wheels will be the same and the adapters are 2in wide. 2 birds with . . . Good luck on your build keep us posted and ask any questions. If you do your own regearing go to Billavista.com and look for his Regearing bible. . . a great read and the best step by step instructions. You will need to buy a lot of specialty tools to do it. otherwise regearing should cost you around $1500 for someone else to do it and it is a good time to add lockers because the labor won't cost anymore at this time. If you wait to do lockers you'll have to pay for the labor again.
     
    OFFGRID, Oct 2, 2018
    #4
    LYFZGOOD and aggrex like this.
  5. Oct 2, 2018 at 11:47 AM
    #5
    pastor scott

    #5
    pastor scott [OP] Well-Known Member

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    1978 CJ 7
    none right now
    Thanks. That's great info. Do you know if the dana 30 in this jeep has the same ring and pinion bearing kit . I have a new bearing set from my last 98 TJ dana 30 . New in the box.
     
    pastor scott, Oct 2, 2018
    #5
  6. Oct 3, 2018 at 6:31 AM
    #6
    pastor scott

    #6
    pastor scott [OP] Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Oct 1, 2018
    Member:
    #2624
    Messages:
    63
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    scott
    Vehicle:
    1978 CJ 7
    none right now
    How is the stock 3 speed manual. Weak or strong.
    Also. Anyone know how wide the stock chrome spokes are.
     
    pastor scott, Oct 3, 2018
    #6
  7. Oct 3, 2018 at 6:13 PM
    #7
    OFFGRID

    #7
    OFFGRID Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Oct 3, 2016
    Member:
    #317
    Messages:
    2,018
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Peter
    Houston
    Vehicle:
    1979 Jeep CJ7, 258, TH350, NP208
    Howell fuel injection, header, HEI distributor, TH350, NP208, SOA lift with YJ springs in the front & GW springs in the Rear. AMC20 with G2 1 piece chromos trussed, Dana 30 with G2 chromos and 760x ujoints and MM Stainless Hubs, Geared 4.56. Tom Woods shafts, Metal cloaks, Caged, 37" Toyo MTs.
    Bullet proof, and I think 7inches, but I think chrome is aftermarket. They usually came with white wheels.
     
    OFFGRID, Oct 3, 2018
    #7
  8. Oct 5, 2018 at 8:42 PM
    #8
    OFFGRID

    #8
    OFFGRID Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Oct 3, 2016
    Member:
    #317
    Messages:
    2,018
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Peter
    Houston
    Vehicle:
    1979 Jeep CJ7, 258, TH350, NP208
    Howell fuel injection, header, HEI distributor, TH350, NP208, SOA lift with YJ springs in the front & GW springs in the Rear. AMC20 with G2 1 piece chromos trussed, Dana 30 with G2 chromos and 760x ujoints and MM Stainless Hubs, Geared 4.56. Tom Woods shafts, Metal cloaks, Caged, 37" Toyo MTs.
    Just noticed you R&P question. I don't believe they are the same. I looked up on G2 axle and gear and on Revolution axle and gear; the part numbers are different. That could be something as simple as the ring gear bolts are different i.e. metric vs. SAE. I would call Brandon at Revolution gear and axle and ask him for advice on whether or not you can use it.1-844-213-4327
     
    OFFGRID, Oct 5, 2018
    #8
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