1981 CJ8 Project “Penny”

[rubclt]

Introducing my latest CJ8 project “Penny”.

Penny came by her name from her original Copper Brown 1E paint and the goal is to preserve the paint, leave the rust and driver her...

Her Carfax starts in 1986 with 48,000 miles with one owner until 2013 in Rocky Mount, NC. Another owner in 2020, and now me...

Someone along the way swapped the engine, four speed and transfer case for a 2wd automatic. She has a trailer brake controller and heavy duty hitch. And wait for it, gold indoor outdoor carpet glued to the inside of the bed.

She has an aftermarket radio, 7” inch wheels but seller had the original 8”. She has stuck brake drums and a pedal that goes to floor but I did driver her on and off the trailer...

I am trading parts with a friend tomorrow and picking up a T4 and Dana 300.

 

[rubclt]

Photos on day of purchase

 

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Interior photos

 

[rubclt]

Did some carpet removal, hoping pressure washer will remove some of backing and glue. Before and after photos for now

 

[rubclt]

To get carpet out I had to remove spare tire carrier as they put the carpet under rear bed supports. I removed to aftermarket hitch and some of the trailer wiring.

 

[Chamba]

Love that you're restoring her to her manual transmission glory. I know I'm a bit odd but I feel like the Jeep Gods sigh in deep sadness when someone converts a Jeep to automatic. Likewise, there must be great rejoicing when they are converted to a manual transmission.

 

[Belizeit]

Nice. A great name !

 

[wjtstudios]

Great to see another one saved!

 

[rubclt]

Nice swap meet score... the 1986 wide trac Dana 44 rear likely for Project Caroline

 

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First pass engine bay cleaning before cleaning up wiring. Before and after top photo

 

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Carpet and glue removal... before and after

 

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My helper checking out his new ride

 

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Cleaned the 8” wheels and adding 31x10.50x15 from another project. The dry rot tires on 7” wheels are now rollers for Caroline

 

[rubclt]

Cleaned the replacement transmission and transfer case and ordered the parts for install

 

[Chamba]

So I assume they simply pulled the front drive shaft out and left the front axle an orphan? It looks like it's still got the dana.

People do the funniest things.....

 

[rubclt]

So I assume they simply pulled the front drive shaft out and left the front axle an orphan? It looks like it's still got the dana.

People do the funniest things.....

Yep stock front axle all there, no front drive shaft...

 

[Chamba]

At least they left the clutch pedal for you (I love that they took the pedal pad off....).

 

[ag4ever]

At least they left the clutch pedal for you (I love that they took the pedal pad off....).

You sure the clutch pedal pad did not just fall off and is sitting upside down to the left of the dead clutch pedal?

 

[rubclt]

You sure the clutch pedal pad did not just fall off and is sitting upside down to the left of the dead clutch pedal?

Pad is laying upside down on floor

 

[rubclt]

A few hours after work un-looming, wiring repair and re-looming. About half a dozen connections with old duck tape, butt connector all replaced with solder and heat shrink. Replaced a few sections burned on engine by not being properly secured. Before and after with some wiring removed