My $120 CJ7 build

I found one. After a little more than 2 years looking... I found my unicorn.

It all started when I saw this photo on the internet.

 

A Jeep top with sides that can swing open, and even be removed with the top staying on. Perfect for fat, old, crippled soldiers who don't feel like climbing over seats to grab gear out of the back, or for having that open air Jeep feel, while still having hard top shade.

Ladies, and gentlemen... I give you my Jeep top. Of course, I have to get to Texas to pick it up, but I'm so happy right now.

God loves me.

 

All the pieces of the fuel tank are done, and ready to be stitched together. Loaded them up for the trip to the welder tomorrow. There will be no skid plate. However... the bottom "U" shaped section of the tank, and the baffles are made of material that's equal to the thickness of the factory skid plate, and thicker than the one from the YJ. Sides, and top will be standard fuel tank sheet metal to save weight. (and money) This will be a general purpose off road/overlanding/daily driver Jeep anyway, not a hard core rock crawler.

 

Also got my new calipers in for the 4 wheel disc brakes.


Front.



Rear.

 

Looking ahead to after I get the tub back on, I picked up this baby...





If that looks like a deuce & a half windshield, where each side opens up... that's because it is. It will need to be cut down in booth height, and width, but plan is to build that into the windshield frame. One of my best memories (fun things) is just cruising in a deuce down the road with the breeze blowing in through the bottom of those windows that are opened several inches. Plenty air, no bugs. A lot of times I would set my canteen (or Pepsi/Gatoraid) right on the hood out in front of the windshield frame just behind the open glass as I cruise down the highway.

 

Wasn't sure how or when I was ever gonna get down to TX to get that top, but the guy who had it hooked me up. His buddy was coming up to Metropolis, IL (Yes they have a Superman statue) for an archery competition, and would bring it with. Met him down there yesterday. Still spent 10 hrs on the road going down there, and back, but that's a lot less than 17 each way to TX, and with premium $3.75 a gal... I jumped at the chance.

Here it is in Metropolis.





Truth, Justice, and the American way... Good thing Metropolis is in Southern IL, and not up near commie chicago...



Safe at home this AM.

 

Hot damn! Been waiting on this forever... Welding guy finally fished stitching together my fuel tank. I'll get it cleaned out this week, then seal it, and get it painted, and ready to go in. I have to do the fuel lines, rear part of the brake lines, and move the rear shock mounts for the YJ tub, and I'll be able to get the tub on it to start the wiring. Probably get somebody started on the front bumper too, but I'm thinking I'll go with someone who doesn't take 2 months...

 

As is par for the course... I haven't done anything for a spell on the Jeep. It seems to come in spurts. Small spurts that are all too often, months apart. In any case, the heat of summer, being busy at the VFW, and my arthritis have all combined to keep me out of the garage. With the new fuel tank, I had hoped to get back at it. Come to find out, the fuel take was made incorrectly. The vent, and filler hose hook ups were just low enough to hit the frame... (but of course)


The guy said he'd fix it soon as he can, but a week became two, then three, then I took it elsewhere.


It's fixed.


So, then I go grab my bottle of Eastwood fuel tank sealer I got online to read how to apply it. Guess what? That's not a 1, or 2, or even 3 step process... AND, they want you to start by using their Eastwood Metal Wash #10120.


That you can ONLY get... from them. (but of course)


Back to the online ordering... and corresponding waiting.


In the meantime, I got another e-mail from Summit Racing asking if I wanted to cancel my order for my wheels.


No, not really. Already got 2. Already paid for the other 3 way back in April, and have been getting different (progressively later) ship dates from the manufacturer all summer. Well now they're saying January 2022.


OK, The proverbial straw, has broken this camel's back. I canceled the order, and went with another wheel. I really wanted the old school steelies with the dog dish hub caps, but I can only take so much. American Racing has a wheel that once powder coated should look fairly close to a modern military wheel, so I ordered 5 of them.


Boom, they got here in 3 days from TX.


Fuck California, and their Wheel Vintiques steelies.

 

Gonna have a wide footprint with full size axles, and 10" wheels.

 

I decided to put the tire mount and bumper on the swing out while I was out there. I left the bumper loose. Not shure where it will hit the tailgate on the YJ tub.

 

By the way, plenty of clearance for the BF Goodrich KO2 35x12.50s I plan on running.

 

Forgot to post photos of the properly fixed fuel tank.

 

Good Job. Get back out there and work on the JEEP!!! Now!

 

Wheels are back from powder coat. They look awesome except for one thing... The powder coat is a lighter color than the rattle can. Looked different on the color chart in the brochure. Probably close enough not to worry about. It's not gonna be a show vehicle or anything, but I may try to look for a lighter color or spray paint to match. I'll have to think on it. It's not like our military vehicles always had all matching parts anyhow.

 

I started in on the procedure for the cleaning, and sealing of the fuel tank, following the instructions of the Eastwood sealer. Went to take the bolt out of the tank where the sending unit goes. The guy who welded it up stainless screws would be cool given the recess would collect water. Not sure if one was cross threaded, or the dissimilar metals caused it to seize, but this happened...



Nothing like the fun of drilling out a broken bolt again...
I get out the cutting oil I "borrowed" from the motorpool at Ft Hood back in 1985.

 

In order to wash out the tank with the metal wash, muratic acid, rust remover, then put in the liner, I need to be able to plug that big hole in the top. Well, the bolts the new tank is made to use are bigger than the original was designed for... More drilling.



Then, so many minutes on each side, for each step...