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Official CJ-8.com Forum Lurker Intro Thread!

gr8dain

Old and Slow
BENEFACTOR
Gold Member
Lifetime Member
SOA Member
City
Ashburn
State
VA
New Scrambler- Father and Son edition
e4f0c09c42afbfe3f85f43300a4c3186-1.jpg


df20de368e4fad83b26b96f437ca50ca-1.jpg


My dad and I just completed the restoration - driver quality on the attached Scrambler.

Looks great. Welcome!
 

rterrero01

Basic User
City
Prairieville
State
LA
Welcome! Looks great! What are the specs?

1983 Jeep Scrambler
304 V-8 with Edelbrock 625cfm carb
T-4
RE extreme duty 4.5 lift
BFG AT 35 x 12.5 x 15- New
MT 15 x 10- New
Bestop Soft Top
New Smitybilt Bucket Seats and Bench seat
New Gas Tank
T-300- Rebuilt
Jeep Forest Green






 

Shark Bait

CJ-8 Member
City
Charleston
State
WV
Hello all, I'm new to this forum but have had a few Jeeps in my time. I had a client approach me with the idea of redoing a rusted out 82' Scrambler I had. The Jeep was a rusted out mess that had been sitting on someone's farm for 18 years before I got it. That led to the "what would be different" conversation. So, here we are now. When you give a customer estimates and time frames that is nothing compared to them writing checks. Lol. Customer is out, I believe, as of right now and I think I'm going to continue on with the build because, well, why not? They're awesome Jeeps. I will start a thread as soon as I can figure out how post pictures. I think some of you may like it.
Dave
 

cj8py

Basic User
City
Ciudad del Este
State
AP
Hello all, I'm new to this forum but have had a few Jeeps in my time. I had a client approach me with the idea of redoing a rusted out 82' Scrambler I had. The Jeep was a rusted out mess that had been sitting on someone's farm for 18 years before I got it. That led to the "what would be different" conversation. So, here we are now. When you give a customer estimates and time frames that is nothing compared to them writing checks. Lol. Customer is out, I believe, as of right now and I think I'm going to continue on with the build because, well, why not? They're awesome Jeeps. I will start a thread as soon as I can figure out how post pictures. I think some of you may like it.
Dave

Welcome!!!, just create an account in some image sharing cloud service, like Phot**cket, than, copy the direct link from the pic you want to show and paste the link in the thread.....:thumbsup::wave:
 

xatu40

CJ-8 Member
Gold Member
City
Port Orange
State
FL
Hello,

Been lurking for quite a few months and need to say that this forum has provided much inspiration. I’ve got an 83 that’s been sitting in the garage for the last 15+ years and hadn’t been started in almost 8. I bought it in 96 when we lived in NM, was my daily driver for about 6 months when we moved to FL in 97, then it went to weekends and finally became a storage unit.

Started tinkering after Thanksgiving and got it roadworthy last week. Runs pretty good and trying to put some miles on it to work out the rest of the cobwebs and who knows what else.

It’s got the 258 and T5, with everything pretty much stock. Have doors and full hard top, but don’t plan on having them on too often. It was green when it started life and turned white before I got it. Thinking maybe a slate blue metallic in the future, but also had a 7 back in the day that was garnet metallic that looked great. Actually had three 7’s and a 5 over a 10 year period when we lived in CO.

Got to say, I’ve been very impressed with this forum and hope that I might be able to contribute and add value in the future. Have one pic to get started and will share more as this journey progresses.

20161123_154716.jpg

Alex
 

MrBeep

CJ-8 Vendor Supporter
Member
SOA Member
CJ-8.com Vendor
City
Dillsboro
State
IN
Hello,

Been lurking for quite a few months and need to say that this forum has provided much inspiration. I’ve got an 83 that’s been sitting in the garage for the last 15+ years and hadn’t been started in almost 8. I bought it in 96 when we lived in NM, was my daily driver for about 6 months when we moved to FL in 97, then it went to weekends and finally became a storage unit.

Started tinkering after Thanksgiving and got it roadworthy last week. Runs pretty good and trying to put some miles on it to work out the rest of the cobwebs and who knows what else.

It’s got the 258 and T5, with everything pretty much stock. Have doors and full hard top, but don’t plan on having them on too often. It was green when it started life and turned white before I got it. Thinking maybe a slate blue metallic in the future, but also had a 7 back in the day that was garnet metallic that looked great. Actually had three 7’s and a 5 over a 10 year period when we lived in CO.

Got to say, I’ve been very impressed with this forum and hope that I might be able to contribute and add value in the future. Have one pic to get started and will share more as this journey progresses.

View attachment 57775

Alex

Welcome!
nice looking Scrambler. :wave:
 

prideauxx

CJ-8 Member
City
O'Fallon
State
IL
Hi--lurker here.

I bought the wife (no really) an '82 CJ-8 (258 CID) with a mild lift and 33's for an anniversary gift last February (2016). I've had a very good time (excellent therapy for an engineer) working on her.

Here's what I've done so far:

  • Team Rush ignition (no computer here), with MSD 6AL and make-it-yourself MSD plug wires
  • Emissions are gone (have some parts I've kept--will share)
  • Replaced mistuned/difficult to fix Weber 32/36 progressive with a Weber 38/38
    • Taught myself how to tune it along with ignition (manifold vacuum, mechanical, and initial advance) after reading a lot
    • Runs excellent (quick key turn, even in cold weather)
    • So/so fuel economy (don't care)
  • Piecemeal rewiring going well
    • Probably will not replace wiring at this point (solder/shrink tube,weatherproof connects)
    • Tub, engine, frame separately grounded (made a difference--she's rusty)
  • New twin hella horns under hood (painfully loud)
  • More
I've got plenty of questions and needs for future work, but have been quiet until I got my feet wet with this project.

Some things I'll be doing (I've saved for this, so it will happen soon):

  • Replace rear AMC 20 with Dana 44 (she's an '82, but I swear these axles look narrow-track)
  • Regear front and rear differentials to 4:10-4:56 (need advice--running 33's installed by PO)
  • New frame--a lot of patching on existing and concerned with it (throttle down customs?)
  • New tub (swiss cheese with too many repairs)
  • Consider new wiring harness (probably won't at this point considering all the repairs I've done so far)
  • 4.0 head (or at least a reworked/ported 258 head)
  • Anything 258 HP/reliability related (considered a 304/360, but I'm in love with the I6)
  • Rear main seal (of course)
  • Get Dana 300 to stop leaking (kit just arrived)
  • Get old-school Warn 8274 working (missing controller & has old-school trailer-wiring plug)
I love this Jeep; previous owner named her Rouxbie (she's a non-stock maroon red color), and she's far from perfect--I really don't want her perfect either, and will likely not ever sell (even for an easier build, and I've seen a few). She's a little Roadkill, if you get my meaning. I have no plans for serious/severe offroading, and am quite reserved about anything other than Sunday drives until I address the frame and tub--it's not horrible, but less than ideal. She likely will not do too much on the highway either. I do love the look of the 33's, and am concerned about how the AMC 20 (stock) will handle even conservative driving over the long haul.
 
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John N

Addicted....Ex-SOA VP
BENEFACTOR
Gold Member
Lifetime Member
SOA Member
City
Rockville
State
VA
Hi--lurker here. Bought the wife (no really) an '82 CJ-8 (258) with a mild lift and 33's for an anniversary gift last February (2016). I've had a very good time (excellent therapy for an engineer) working on her. Here's what I've done so far:
* Team Rush ignition (no computer here), with MSD 6AL and make-yourself MSD plug wires
** Have a conservative spark plug gap, will change
* Emissions gone
** Have some parts I've kept--will share
* Replace mistuned/difficult to fix Weber 32/36 progressive with a Weber 38/38
** Taught myself how to tune it along with ignition (manifold vacuum, mechanical, and initial advance) after reading a lot
** Runs excellent (quick key turn, even in cold weather)
** So/so fuel economy (don't care)
* Piecemeal rewiring going well
** Probably will not replace wiring at this point (solder/shrink tube,weatherproof connects)
** Tub, engine, frame separately grounded (made a difference--she's rusty)
* New twin hella horns under hood (painfully loud)
* Probably more

I've got plenty of questions and needs for future work, but have been quiet until I got my feet wet with this project. Some things I'll be doing (have saved for this, so it will happen soon)
* Replace rear AMC 20 with Dana 44 (she's an '82, but I swear these axles look narrow-track)
* Regear front and rear differentials to 2:73 (I think) to 4:10-4:56 (need advice--running 33's from previous owner)
* New frame--a lot of patching on existing and concerned with it (throttle down customs?)
* New tub (swiss cheese with too many repairs)
* Consider new wiring harness (probably won't at this point considering all the repairs done to existing)
* 4.0 head (or at least a reworked/ported 258 head)
* Anything 258 HP/reliability related (considered a 304, but I'm in love with the I6)
* Rear main seal (of course)
* Rebuild Dana 300 (kit just arrived)
* Get old-school Warn 8274 working (missing controller & has old-school trailer-wiring plug)

I love this Jeep; previous owner named her ROUXBIE (non-stock maroon red color), and she's far from perfect--I really don't want her perfect either, and will likely not ever sell (even for an easier build, and I've seen a few). She's a little Roadkill, if you get my meaning. I have no plans for serious/severe offroading, and am quite reserved about anything other than Sunday drives until I address the frame and tub--it's not horrible, but less than ideal. She likely will not do too much on the highway either. I do love the look of the 33's, and am concerned about how the AMC 20 (stock) will handle even conservative driving over the long haul.
Welcome! It's possible that it is narrow track, I've that some early 1982's were. If you post pictures of your front shock mounts, we can tell you which you have.
 

prideauxx

CJ-8 Member
City
O'Fallon
State
IL
Welcome! It's possible that it is narrow track, I've that some early 1982's were. If you post pictures of your front shock mounts, we can tell you which you have.

Hi John,

I plan on posting a good many pictures soon. I just paid up for a year of membership yesterday, but my status has not yet changed, so no attachments (yet).

Best,

Justin
 

MrBeep

CJ-8 Vendor Supporter
Member
SOA Member
CJ-8.com Vendor
City
Dillsboro
State
IN
welcome

If the bottom of the front shocks are mounted to the spring plates they are narrow tracks. If they are attached directly ta the axle they are "Wide-Trac" axles. :wave:
 

prideauxx

CJ-8 Member
City
O'Fallon
State
IL
Narrow track it is

welcome

If the bottom of the front shocks are mounted to the spring plates they are narrow tracks. If they are attached directly ta the axle they are "Wide-Trac" axles. :wave:

Front shocks are indeed mounted to spring plates. Narrow track it is then (and an additional reason to replace). Thank you for the advice!
 

tower210

Scrambler Junkie
Lifetime Member
City
Olathe
State
KS
Front shocks are indeed mounted to spring plates. Narrow track it is then (and an additional reason to replace). Thank you for the advice!

I'd measure WMS to WMS and report back.... Sometimes POs put on mixed and matched items..... Plus - if you have NT's now you have to decide if you are upgrading to WT's or Dana 60's? You can find full width 60's for about the same money as WT 44/30 combo; but much stronger (if you don't mind the extra 8" of axle width).
 
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prideauxx

CJ-8 Member
City
O'Fallon
State
IL
Axles

I'd measure WMS to WMS and report back.... Sometimes POs put on mixed and matched items..... Plus - if you have NT's now you have to decide if you are upgrading to WT's or Dana 60's? You can find full width 60's for about the same money as WT 44/30 combo; but much stronger (if you don't mind the extra 8" of axle width).

Hi Tower--

I had the rear wheels off to install some drum self-adjusters and address a bad ground and numerous splicing to the fuel gauge sender; pic below:

thumb_IMG_2133_1024.jpg

I measured as close as I could estimate axle-to-axle and came up with 44.5". I'm not sure about the 60's due to weight, but would consider if I had more than an inline-6 to rotate them. I do want to go the WT route though--I like the stance and am under the presumption they are safer (avoid rolling the vehicle).

I've got a lot to learn regarding axles--I'm torn between 4.10's and 4.56's. The Jeep will likely never see anything hard-core while I own it (likely fields on my family's farm), nor will it need to do much highway driving. As stated in a previous post, it's rolling on 33's and a 3" lift currently from the PO.

What I really need to think about now is the order of repairs to be done to the Jeep at this point. I've saved enough to do this--the biggest issue is time due to my work, and not spending too much all at once. Between proper axles, a TDC frame, and a tub rebuild, I'm more than a little torn. Thinking axles first?

Question--will wide track axles work on my narrow-track frame? Previous thinking on my part was it didn't matter. I need to contact TDC regarding this, but they ask you to specify narraw track/wide track when building a frame. Anyway, thanks for your time and help--any and all is appreciated much.

Best,

Justin.
 
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