1980 CJ7 first Jeep build

[jeepdreamer]

Envy...

I only wish I had it that easy! Working at the auto craft shop on base here is akin to the stone ages. Most of the stuff is really old and beat up. The tranny jack here doesn't have any of the fixtures on it any more...just a flat plate you can adjust. And there was no just "slipping it in" for me! I had to run a bolt in the output shaft to have a buddy turn it while I used both feet to push and wiggle! And at that point the jack was useless...it was ratchet straps and leg muscles. lol!
Is it possible to fill the tranny from the top/shifter opening? can I just remove the fill plug and add fluid until it comes out? I got 5 qts of the Amsoil 75W-90 API GL-4 from Advance adapters....
Also... have you ever torn one down to rebuild it? The one in my Dodge 3/4 ton has lost its 5th gear which I hear is a common thing.

 

[MrBeast]

You need special tools to rebuild one, get the video from quad4x4 and it will show you what is involved, it isnt a terrible job.

That is how I fill them, it is too much of a pita to try and fill em through the side unless you are just adding a little bit.

Also with your dodge, id upgrade to a new main shaft, it will eliminate the 5th gear problem.

Right now I am looking to see if I can score a ford 9" out of a bronco, then will cut down the 44 front I have to match, unless I can find a matching bronco front.

I am more than a bit worried about the AMC 20 handling the abuse of towing that trailer.

 

[jeepdreamer]

Yeah... while you could build the 20 to work ok...I would never trust it. Full float axles, Truss, disc brakes....etc...lots of money for a marginal axle. If your still in the concept stages maybe think waggy axles? Or a waggy front and an Isuzu Dana 44 rear.

 

[MrBeast]

I have a waggy 44, but it is too wide, I can cut the front down pretty easy but the rear is a bit more of a job.

What isuzu used the dana 44 rear? how wide is it?

 

[jeepdreamer]

Axles...

IIRC, the Rodeo (and Honda Passport) used this Dana 44. Different years offer different stuff but they are usually easy to find in the junkyards pretty cheap. Look for one that has disc brakes as I think the early one's had only drums. Also, the later ones used a rear link set up I think...But I never had a problem finding one I wanted in the junkyard. IIRC, the axle is 59"s WMS to WMS.
Not a great picture but here is one mounted under my 67 Commando.

 

[MrBeast]

IIRC, the Rodeo (and Honda Passport) used this Dana 44. Different years offer different stuff but they are usually easy to find in the junkyards pretty cheap. Look for one that has disc brakes as I think the early one's had only drums. Also, the later ones used a rear link set up I think...But I never had a problem finding one I wanted in the junkyard. IIRC, the axle is 59"s WMS to WMS.
Not a great picture but here is one mounted under my 67 Commando.

I appreciate the info, Is it flared at the ends of the axle tubes, or does it just have a collar welded on?

 

[jeepdreamer]

I honestly don't remember...its been a while since I've messed with it. If I guess I'd say a weld on collar.

 

[MrBeast]

I got a lot done today, bot not any of it is photogenic.

I found 4 F-150 Spindles and hubs with all the goodies at the pick and pull, scored them for 200 bucks.

Doing some measuring and math my Dana 44 front is 61" from flange to flange, and on the short side it is 14.5" from the center of the pin to the flange and 27.5" between the pins on the spring pads,if I cut 4 1/2" off the long side and put the knuckle back on I will be all set with an axle that is 56.5" between the flanges.

On the rear I am going to cut the Dana 44 off at the taper and get a set of hub flanges machined that the other pair of spindles will mount up making the back axle a full floater, and it will convert the jeep to 4 wheel disc brakes.

That with the hydaraboost, and I should have plenty of stopping power on hand for the 33's and what ever I am towing, even though the trailer will be running brakes of its own.

Right now the axles have 3.54 gears with open diff's later this summer I am going to rebuild them with 4.10's and ARB air lockers.

 

[MrBeast]

Today's update, Got my suspension pretty well buttoned up. Going to be driving it tomorrow!

 

[MrBeast]

Tonight was awesome, I finally got to take my Jeep out, Ran down Leopard to see how the suspension would be on a ****ty road, ran great, handled good, everything felt nice and tight, no issues. I ran over to a couple of friends places and got to drop in and say hi, then came back on the interstate, I ran it up to 60mph indicated when I got home I did the math, it turns out that is now 73 MPH! and the Jeep was riding like it was on rails! I can not believe how good the suspension feels.

I have a lot of time and money buried in the suspension but tonight I got to see that it was totally worth it. I am totally floored with how well it rides because if anyone has ever driven an old CJ you know they don't ride worth a damn! After tonight once I get the new engine and transmission in I will have no quams about taking this thing up on the interstate to 75mph all day long. It is going to be great! :smiley_drive:

 

[MrBeast]

Today was a busy day, I started out at the machine shop, picked up my flywheel. They surfaced it and put a new ring gear on it for me.

Then I picked up my NV4500 from the transmission shop.

and headed over to my buddy's house to get the garage cleaned out.

Then I got all my tools and the jeep packed over there.

It couldn't happen a moment too soon, because on the way down it sprung a massive oil leak I guess it wanted to go out with a bang.

The motor is still good, it is just throwing oil, don't know where from. I think it is at the front cover somewhere.

Also got the 304 up on the stand, yanked the headers and carb, drained the oil, tomorrow I am going to take the wire wheel to it and get it all cleaned up and painted, it will be tan like everything else on the jeep.

As well here is a pic of the MORE engine mounts I bought, they are pretty!

I am excited, this thing is really starting to shape up. I am hoping to have it back together in about a week and a half. Already chomping a the bit to drive it.

 

[jeepdreamer]

Can't wait to see this go together. Glad the Heep was kind enough to wait until near the end to become Exxon Valdez. lol!
Side question for you...I noticed that my NV4500 is leaking now (Crap!) and it appears to be coming from between the cast iron case and the aluminum tail section. Can I pull just the tail section and re-seal it or will I need to pull gears, shims, etc?? I really hate to dump all that new, expensive fluid in only to have it drip out.

 

[MrBeast]

Can't wait to see this go together. Glad the Heep was kind enough to wait until near the end to become Exxon Valdez. lol!
Side question for you...I noticed that my NV4500 is leaking now (Crap!) and it appears to be coming from between the cast iron case and the aluminum tail section. Can I pull just the tail section and re-seal it or will I need to pull gears, shims, etc?? I really hate to dump all that new, expensive fluid in only to have it drip out.

you can pull it right off reseal it and put it right back on with out issue. On these the rear cover is just a cover. All it seals with is RTV

 

[MrBeast]

Today was a busy day, did a bunch more cleaning up on the engine. Got all the accessory drive stripped off of the front of it. Cleaned up quite a bit of it with the wire wheel. Tomorrow I am going to get some small wire brushes and simple green and attack the rest.

Then I got busy getting the engine pulled. I was amazed at how easily it came out.

This is my first Jeep project and I am really beginning to appreciate what a well built rig Jeep's are, they are simple by design, and AMC did one hell of a job designing that 304 V8. I like how the oil pump is part of the front cover, it is simple effective and easy to work on. I also like how the oil filter is on its side, this will make changing it less of a mess.

What was real fun was trying to get the engine high enough to clear the grille.

If you notice the end of the boom on the picker is up in the rafters.

Got it high enough and rolled the Jeep back out from under it.

It was a damn good feeling having the motor out and on the floor. Tomorrow morning I will get after the transmission. It isn't going to take much to get it sitting on the floor. Then the long process of cleaning up the engine bay begins. Going to be all that much more fun because the 258 started throwing oil, everything is covered in it.

I would have stayed later tonight, but by the time I shut down I was toast, my back was absolutely killing me so it was time to hang it up.

 

[berg]

Just a suggestion.. you could pull that front bib in about 10 minutes and have easier access.:clapsmile