KISS Daily driver (keep it simple stupid)

[Interceptor]

Introduction:
Purchased a 1981 4 speed 4 cylinder Scrambler from a local small time classic car lot this summer. I knew nothing about Jeeps or any other 4x4 vehicle. I've always wanted a Scrambler or CJ7.
The Scrambler checked all my blocks to keep a retired man from boredom. I plan on driving this vehicle as much as possible when safe to do so. The original plan was to find an old pickup truck that I could park and when I completly retired, I'd have something to tinker on.
Why this vehicle makes good sense to me.
1. 4x4
2. It has a top
3. Its a pick up truck
4. Simple to work on
5. Great aftermarket support
6. Durable
7. Everybody loves a Jeep
8. Dog proof
This thread will be for the person who isn't ready for an all out restoration, but want just a nice driver. I'm going to try my best not to get bogged down with my Jeep in pieces for years. This will be a journal of me as I learn all about Jeeps.

Disclaimer: there are some very professional quality builds of this forum, mine will not be one of them. Everthing I do to this Scrambler will have roots from these build threads. Look over everyone, so much to learn.

 

[Interceptor]

My Jeep.
It is a base model, not sure if it even qualifies to be called a Scrambler. The CJ8 is Copper Brown Metallic with Nutmeg interior. Still has all 5 of the original steel wheels and jack.

The drive train seems to be in decent shape, I think radiator may have some issues cause she runs on the hot side.

No power brakes, no air conditioning, no cruise control, no decals, one mirror. Nice and simple. This photo is at car lot I purchased from back in July

 

[Interceptor]

About me:
What can I say, I've always liked messing with cars, and never got to be rich so I gave up trying 10 years ago. Reason I am sharing this tidbit of information is so you will understand what skills and abilities I might possess.
I could be described as a "shadetree mechanic". When I was young I did all my own work, not because I enjoyed it, but because I couldn't afford to pay someone to fix properly. I do my welding when no one is looking, I install everthing at least twice, maybe three times.
I'm now 68 and this will be my last project of many in the past. My shop was turned into a man cave couple of years ago. Gonna do an 10x14 "lean to" off my man cave to have a place thats dry to keep my tools when doing serious work. Yard works for me too.

 

[Interceptor]

Where I'm at on project:
My plans were not to worry to much about rust on body. Chemically treat the rust to slow until addressed properly. Concentrate on the mechanical condition.

As mentioned earlier I know knowing about Jeeps, I know I like them, so what could go wrong? Kinda of like a mail order bride I guess.
Took my Scramber to a local shop and put on a lift. Not a good day. Frame was not safe, steel brake lines scary. Rust rust rust. These photos are of rear axle front spring frame mount area

 

[Interceptor]

Ok so you buy a Jeep and the frame is rusty, what do you do?
1. Buy a new frame. The most popular seems to be "Throttle Down Customs". Once and done
2. Buy or make steel reinforcement, weld to current frame. Rust never sleeps, so your frame will weak and continue to rust
3. Find a used frame. This is what I've done.

In my case the frame found me. A forum member saw my rusty frame photos in my "100 questions" and AdamH wanted to save my life. My wife thanks you too.

So now I have beautiful frame.

 

[gr8dain]

Awesome. I did a frame swap in my garage a number of years ago. Built a rolling chassis then moved the drivetrain one weekend. Then on another, I enlisted some friends and we used 2x4s and lifted and shifted the body onto the “new” chassis.

I have learned so much on this site and by doing as much as I could myself.

Do you plan to keep the 4 cylinder motor? You should have the 4.10 gears, which is nice.

Good luck and have fun. By the way, mine is a driver and built to use and enjoy. No show winner for sure. You are in good company here.

 

[designerRob]

Good luck John! You have a nice project there. I think you will find many if not most peps here have drivers and not show Jeeps. You fit right in. 🍻

 

[Interceptor]

Now that I have my used frame on my work trailer, I wanted to try to give future protection to the inside of frame. From my understanding the inside of frame is in perils more than outside.
My standard go to chemical has been a liquid that I put in a garden sprayer. That product is shown in the photo and called OSPHO. Currently I have some in a handheld spray bottle I got at Ace hardware. About every two weeks I'm spraying all my rust spots on the Scramblers body to hopefully arrest the rust.
The Eastwood product shown is what I have decided to use. From my research it looks to be the best product

 

[Chamba]

My cousin and I painted the inside of his frame rails with that stuff in rattle cans which had a garden sprayer- looking attachment on the end. It worked really well but it made one helluva mess.

 

[Interceptor]

I sprayed the Eastwood internal frame coating using two cans last week to the interior of my used frame. This week I am flipping frame over then, applicating 2nd coat, with two more cans of Eastwood internal frame coating.
This stuff flows so I'm hopping to seal properly

 

[Interceptor]

Do you plan to keep the 4 cylinder motor? You should have the 4.10 gears, which is nice.

Thats the million dollar question in my head right now.
I'm weird, so I really think the sound of a Jeep with a 4 cylinder is a natural thing. My wife can drive a stick, but she would probably only drive Jeep with the manual if it was an emergency.
I'm pricing a Chevy 350 rebuilt cost now. Nothing crazy, carburated around 250-300 HP with a TH350 automatic.

So I will "circle back" on that one.

It would be so much cheaper to keep my current drive train.
With 350 drivetrain I can build a rolling chassis ready for body while still driving my Jeep

 

[Chamba]

I stick by my previous assertion that putting an automatic in a Jeep makes the Jeep Gods cry. And yours has the rare hydraulic clutch further establishing its manual manhood.

That being said, I love the Iron Duke; especially in a low country Jeep used only for pleasure.

 

[sdsupilot]

Make your decision for what best suits your needs/wants/desires. The Iron Duke and a T176 make for a solid and dependable driveline. I think the 4.2 or 4.0 are good engines as well. I do always gravitate to GM powertrains though. I also made the jeep gods cry by removing my hydraulic clutch setup and went with an automatic. Driving my Duramax/Allison removed any desire to ever own a manual again, save for a heavy duty truck.

 

[Randyzzz]

If you have the Iron duke, a small block Chevy is pretty much a bolt in with conversion motor Mounts.

 

[Interceptor]

If you have the Iron duke, a small block Chevy is pretty much a bolt in with conversion motor Mounts.

The conversion motor mounts are welded in place on the used frame I aquired.

 

[Chamba]

Are they for a 350? If so, sounds like your decision is made! I'd go for 5.7 vortec. I put one of those in my Land Cruiser once and loved it. I mated it to a Toyota H55F transmission, which is similar in feel to the AX15 but it came with the 4L80E.

 

[bigwalton]

Awesome stuff! Love everything about it aside from the fact you found a bad frame under this thing. And you're 100% wrong about this:

It is a base model, not sure if it even qualifies to be called a Scrambler.

That thing is ALL Scrambler and I look forward to seeing what you do with it.

The conversion motor mounts are welded in place on the used frame I acquired.

Agree with @Chamba, your decision is done if the motor mounts are there.

Really glad you started up this thread (from another guy who will never manage a show-quality restore)

 

[AdamH]

Happy things worked out with the frame I had. Looking forward to watching your progress

 

[Interceptor]

It's a crazy time right now, and I once was a boy scout. Their motto, and my first was" Be Prepared".

I have found out in my life when I'm working I have to money to buy but no time to work on project, when I'm not working, I have the time but no money to buy parts. So, trying not to fall in that hole again.
So today I purchased 4 qts of acrylic enamel in Copper Brown Metallic format the exterior. 1 qt. of Ford Wimbledon white for interior of top. This White is not a bright appliance white, more mellow. Also purchased reducer/hardner.

 

[STSFCTN]

Hi Interceptor, we have the same back story, first jeep and I am "restoring" an 82 base with copper brown metallic paint as well and went with the same PPG Omni base coat/Euro clear. I went with the Upol 2253 high build primer, really works well.