• Notice for iPhone users: DO NOT use the image size reduction option when uploading photos to the forum. This causes portrait images to post as landscape. We have added a warning to the image insert pop-up as well.

1983 frame off refresh - finally

mhinchliffe

CJ-8 Member
City
W-S
State
NC
Ok guys, I've had a yj in the past and ended up selling it as family and starting a business took priority. Like all of you I've always been drawn to the 8 due to its uniqueness and larger cj7 scale. I'm not going to build a serious off road only or buggy, I'm going to bring this back to a very nice reliable driver capable of taking off road should I decide to.
My search had started with 7's and I'm kind of glad I didn't find what I wanted then. I will say that I did speak with Rudy on several occasions concerning a couple of his vehicles and have nothing but good things to pass on and say about his business as well as his products. He's got clean jeeps! Having said that I went and looked at scrambled eggs when he had it up for sale. It was nice to meet with him and he represented his jeep well over the phone and in person. Here's a picture from that road trip........
image.jpg

Well we decided that if we were going to build one we'd just keep on looking and lurking this forum and learning all that I could to educate myself. Through this we got the awesome opportunity to meet a very famous country music group. Here's the family at that one, thanks to that guy in a big way. Our kids love the band!
image.jpg

So I ended up finding one on craigslist in ohio about 30 minutes from where I grew up so I had my brother do the deal for me and I headed out again this time knowing I'd have a scrambler on he trailer. Along the way I stopped off in Marietta ohio and picked up an acme hard top and fiberglass doors with upper sliders and bottom windows. Not a bad score plus the guy threw in an old tailgate which will hang on the shop wall. Here's the obligatory shot in the rear view.....
image.jpg
 

mhinchliffe

CJ-8 Member
City
W-S
State
NC
Here's the little jeep guy loving it!
3265a32672124f951c88a86c83c5e16e.jpg


And I finally moved on to removing the bedliner. Once I switched from a heat gun to a propane torch it was on!
5c46849a034a4f13dfcb199136082f88-1.jpg


Next I just started taking things apart. Didn't go to bad at all. I've got a few small pin holes in the floor and bed to repair, a couple of spots on the rockers and the left rear wheel well is rusted. I figure some panels and pieces are going to be coming from classic
fe16db7443c657db150c59d07577e024.jpg


ee57c2d551150887e03c3870c4a0258c-1.jpg


And just to show you the tub is no longer married to the frame
2512038ce64554b5ae0caf5b61f99002.jpg


Going, going, gone......
852bfb68842c869615bad3bddfbe51c3-1.jpg


0d98bf27a62b7a43bc68d0fe3d7a02f1.jpg


2c7a10d5041e817d8b9e27c7faa59d8b-1.jpg


On to the carnage......
405eeff86844fff76550725033d3b1ca.jpg


7753178a3a4f67b05db5422f86e66de6-1.jpg






Sent from my iPad
 

mhinchliffe

CJ-8 Member
City
W-S
State
NC
6afc8a929ccf2cf5b8d4954479827690-1.jpg

e780570dc9e08b42169bd3bb14790c0c-1.jpg


Because I travel for extended periods for my work I took the heater assembly and interior dash wiring harness with me and repaired, detailed them.

Which brings me to where I'm at now, doing the frame, suspension and axles. I'll do these in black. Had just a little bit of rework to do due to the PO not being a welder....
ac0f4c6886bbdd77b26c887a024796c4.jpg

54c3a7e9663bdb0f398fcb9740617e31-1.jpg

d66155c2a6ba3cbf2d0eb0e9b5d59666-1.jpg

7ffee4c6abf4e00788046679616e4b05-1.jpg


Next I cleaned the trans and d300 along with the cross member and the, what I've come to find out, is I've got a trailquest 23 gallon tank so I cleaned it too.
c377ef4c488370900205bd702e6ab462-1.jpg

316974494298a2f189ca01af098c8cd1.jpg

23f9db067024f907e6c6e5a1b92733a7-1.jpg

d66fa7509436f0cdea8d60269e19c275.jpg




Sent from my iPad
 

mhinchliffe

CJ-8 Member
City
W-S
State
NC
d7766665f22cf5f9b7cb34735bc677a1-1.jpg

3ccbfe4b62365cd1b368ab063825b97b-1.jpg

e3c0bd1e4834c67830eef49b25522dd9-1.jpg


That's where the project is right now. I'll try to keep up on this as best I can to keep me not only motivated but on task. Looking to sling some paint soon.


Sent from my iPad
 

mhinchliffe

CJ-8 Member
City
W-S
State
NC
Little more done today at lunch

5a20cfd9c792a1de6f0d85c3f6c828bc-1.jpg


And this

c17e46c6f7692af4094af5171e6d2df1-1.jpg


I was able to get the steering box out no problem

90f8d9de7db4b7c07625ec638f9336a0-1.jpg


Blasted the front upper shock mounts, here's a comparison

56d9bf93d24fedbbadf39c9a2ccb5917-1.jpg

6802e6001fe07d00ec2ebe4223d62a1f-1.jpg


Really like my blast cabinet
9d6ab634322e8bf1008e1a70b0d6d514-1.jpg


Going to try and get the frame off the suspension soon as well as steam clean the engine and order up a gasket and seal set for it, the gearbox and t case.

Thanks for looking.
Oh, anybody have a 1.08 - 2100 carb on a shelf?


Sent from my iPad
 

scrambled eggs

Basic User
City
chapin
State
sc
Matt,
glad you found one that suited you. looking forward to following your build.
and thanks for the free shirts!
 

jak inc

I H8 RUST!
Lifetime Member
City
Merton
State
WI
Nice progress! I drill a small drain hole in the bottoms of the shock mounts so I can flush out mud or road debris. I have pulled off too many that were rotted out and filled with dirt. Sometimes it has taken out the frame too.
 

mhinchliffe

CJ-8 Member
City
W-S
State
NC
Hope you all had a great turkey day. We all did here! IM'd a member about some side steps and it's looking good!
Anyways, a little progress here on the disassembly......
13db3f78b839d867488b3e0ef0dd1834-1.jpg

02dd8e106d7cd4755fcafa11b16def07-1.jpg

6be60ff0def551c4ea6e7f76d2fa09d5-1.jpg

Motor mounts off

9d2f9e5564cbe6636bbac06a11609c75-1.jpg

Motor and axles out

247989625047db494de337a5a5e6f84d-1.jpg

Any of you guys find your VIN on you frame? Pretty cool!

That's all I have for now. Will get a little more work done soon


Sent from my iPad
 

mhinchliffe

CJ-8 Member
City
W-S
State
NC
Back at it. Hope y'all had a great thanksgiving and are enjoying decorating for Christmas as much as I am. I've got the suspension off the axles, the frame polished up (wire brushed and flapper disc'd) prior to steam cleaning. I've got just 1 more rear shackle hanger bolt to drill out and tap. There were 4 in total that I had to drill and tap, easy enough though. On to the pictures.....
e97b10777ff46d0a185a7bab0eb1a2e3-1.jpg


7865b5a99896c75b4172dbe525d0abd1-1.jpg


0b17aadf530851d09236e6bd35087834-1.jpg


c44fc1d4af29798ea87ec9ec41527bc9-1.jpg


b9e381cf108cdb9612e56a946420c87b-1.jpg


f9ec932b5ef27b5f0ae4c71368ec38e8-1.jpg


b099a360e836eca09962d4401908b822-1.jpg


That was them all soaped up and soaking waiting on the steam cleaner. I'm not too concerned with the backing plates as I'm going to do a rear disc brake swap during assembly. Those fancy stainless steel e-brake cables are up for grabs, if you need them they're yours!


Sent from my iPad
 

mhinchliffe

CJ-8 Member
City
W-S
State
NC
All right, here's the finished product......I'm using a very caustic soap that I get in a 5 gallon container, it's bad a** scthuff.

442200ce8a040ff1f58590ebda920bc8-1.jpg


1e9325a69dac2fcdc126e815feea2ee5-1.jpg


e3e38a4d48508daa5f450001a6fc97c2-1.jpg


2910af70aed1e370fec6a1c80dbc24bc-1.jpg


Then on to the bolts this evening. Thanks to grandpa for showing me how to sharpen a twist bit!
Smooth for center punching
07441a1f0f853311886a5c5e6f42ee00-1.jpg


Center punched
3ef68468e4c49af533b1a84b81a1df8d-1.jpg


Little silver twistie things
a5e7f39cf2afcedb978e83c7ea991bdc-1.jpg


Drilled out
6b1ca469f1810208f2cbb3af30c024fd-1.jpg


And tapped......
11a67b6bf56be20a74a910f3dc532448-1.jpg


I suppose I ought to let y'all know what my plans are for this build ( I can call it that, can't i?)

2 1/2" OME YJ lift complete hangers, shackles, etc
Ball joints
Drag link
U joints
Calipers
Hoses
Hard lines
Prime and paint frame
Rear disc conversion
Axle bearings and seals
Trans and tcase bearings and seals
Clutch
Seats
MC 2100 carb, gotta get rid of the webber
Throw my GA ducker DUI dizzy in
Thinking 32" tires on my chrome 15x7 wheels
New seatbelts
Might even add AC
Complete necessary bodywork and paint!
How long could this possibly take? I've already decided not to hurry it.



Sent from my iPad
 

wm69

Scrambler Junkie
Silver Member
Lifetime Member
City
God's Country
State
AR
I suppose I ought to let y'all know what my plans are for this build ( I can call it that, can't i?)

2 1/2" OME YJ lift complete hangers, shackles, etc
Ball joints
Drag link
U joints
Calipers
Hoses
Hard lines
Prime and paint frame
Rear disc conversion
Axle bearings and seals
Trans and tcase bearings and seals
Clutch
Seats
MC 2100 carb, gotta get rid of the webber
Throw my GA ducker DUI dizzy in
Thinking 32" tires on my chrome 15x7 wheels
New seatbelts
Might even add AC
Complete necessary bodywork and paint!
How long could this possibly take? I've already decided not to hurry it.



Sent from my iPad

Looks good! If you go at my speed, about 24 1/2 years. If you keep working on it at your current speed, you'll be "done" in a few months (you're never really "done" with a CJ).
 

mhinchliffe

CJ-8 Member
City
W-S
State
NC
Ok. If you'll keep reading I'll keep posting. The constant updating forces me to stay on task and keep progressing. So here's where it's at tonight. I tapped all of the holes I needed to so that's done so all I'll have to do is stuff bolts in holes during assembly.
Pretty much focused on two areas being the "wollered" out front bumper mounting holes. I wanted these to be robust as I plan to someday flat tow this vehicle. I used some 1/8" plate I had in the shop. I welded and ground both sides of the welds for strength and appearance

e67dcb128605a2d08ef8700738c37d22-1.jpg


9ae1d115e538eba2a69a37697c76ae55-1.jpg


b21c20c9269502dce1d18f242a42f0b4-1.jpg


fcfad35d39f606aabfd9b1a896c0d39a-1.jpg


The other thing I did was to repair the body mounts that I deemed needing replaced. Figured if I was the welder on this job.......

d912e53f0f1f7c6fb6a29796209b4506-1.jpg


e4fc35976a9cb3449306e2cb87540f57-1.jpg


7e5fffec7ce97bfaaa74bf4edff54352-1.jpg


e8a38b51e5410d83063958891d1f17df-1.jpg


5c91a6580b58143efce459caedc55f4f-1.jpg


Mr. Sweet Bead himself.....

f0d9ef565c65b134b93b227a41af7dda-1.jpg



Sent from my iPad
 

mhinchliffe

CJ-8 Member
City
W-S
State
NC
Finished the welding and took the frame outside to degrease and apply aircraft stripper then steam clean. All I can say is wow! Here's a few shots of that whole process...

Front underside crossmember, I'll come back to this
f9b3d2f6e479cf566931c6c06df12cfd-1.jpg


f21280a7e2409276f22e88825de5cbe6-1.jpg


Did the steering box and shaft as well
9ace57fb4720869690159354e10c6307-1.jpg


83ab89bed0d2dfdbc489ccb09f381685-1.jpg


Stripper applied

eb2a677dc5e04408cfeab738bcd1fd52-1.jpg


13252d506c10e2f5671fce1b7810df76-1.jpg


b6bc5c4503774331031c918bc6870f4c-1.jpg


Blistered!

94773a5162dbf19f71ba49b3a3c7ee61-1.jpg


Steamed that whole mess off and did the gas tank too. I'm really happy with the way it turned out!


Sent from my iPad
 

mhinchliffe

CJ-8 Member
City
W-S
State
NC
Being on a roll I decided to dry things off and apply some phosphoric acid to transform any iron oxide (rust) to iron phosphate. This can then be primed and painted as you normally would. I'm going to use an oil base gloss black. I'm doing this so I can touch up easily if I ever need to. I think that with proper prep, product shouldn't really matter. I can't see myself using a $125/gallon epoxy primer on this if I properly prep. Here's what I'm left with to dry overnight. This was pretty neat stuff to use and who'd ever thought I'd use the chemistry class I so much didn't want to take.

63d7b908277c152267f44c86d83d36b9-1.jpg


27896b14e2727a282c3a35bcdbe2728a-1.jpg


6da36d5134e6418ba3f33de758102508-1.jpg


70dec69ec0b89a6b0710b2f4455cc154-1.jpg


Compare this picture to the one I referenced in my last post. This is after degreasing, paint removal and applying the phosphoric acid

11bd8126f963f8c0b80e87981ec4a4ed-1.jpg


I've also got to try and merge the beer thread in to mine. A very hoppy local brew from Foothills Brewing here in Winston Salem. My personal favorite

67125cbc349e8141975d9118830220a5-1.jpg


Hope to have the paint gun hissing this weekend


Sent from my iPad
 

mhinchliffe

CJ-8 Member
City
W-S
State
NC
Work has taken a priority as has the family. I think I left off after the acid etch, well it been primed and painted. Here are a few shots of that whole process.

188e37a9019d10f2d4045d5d81492276-1.jpg


994283f3448391a3d991142c78860c2f-1.jpg


When I had the frame flipped I took the opportunity to cut off the rivet heads and knock them through to allow me to relocate the shackle hangers to install YJ leafs in the front. It wasn't bad at all, I just used the Metabo and a drift pin. I think this would be just a tad bit more difficult with an assembled front end and having to work side down to boot.

c3b3d8ca13559a68cfb90ace0937ccb8-1.jpg


9f7200c67c3969a9c27dfb5e08584c31-1.jpg


fb0cf7f561a327bae17a1fe4818e5453-1.jpg


d90d163a43e21c5b98bfaee50ea81a5b-1.jpg
 
Top