1984CJ-EIGHT
Member
- City
- Austin
- State
- TX
Just picked up a 1984 CJ-8 project for 5k. It has a 258 straight 6 with a T5 5-spd, all original, 134K miles.
I owned an 1981 Cj-7 25 years ago and I always wanted another. With 4 kids and my wife, the CJ-8 fit the bill since I can fit all 6 inside, semi-comfortably. I'll need to locate another rear seat. I've been looking at getting 2 Corbeau Baja 36" seats with headrests to replace the old single jeep bench. Anyone ever use these?
Anyways, the Jeep is a bit rough, needs some body work, including rust repair to the front rockers, behind rear fender well, and the passengers side floorpan. The frame is pretty solid all around. I just got the replacement metal in from Classic industries and plan to get started there. It also had a nasty color matched bedliner in it, which I am stripping out now using Citrus strip, which is working pretty well, just creates a huge mess. I plan to get a plain black Line-X liner after getting the old stuff out, the pans welded in and the rust fixed. BFG M/T Tires are decent but probably 4-5 years old. Dash wiring is a rat nest, I hope to sort out or replace.
The Jeep runs and drives (enough to get it off the trailer), but I hesitate to run it for more that a minute or two since it has been sitting for probably 4-5 years. I have run a compression test, which shows 125, 110, 125, 120, 118, and 122. I realize these numbers are pretty low, but the engine was cold, so I am hoping they move up in the 130-140 range once I am able to get it warmed up.
So far I have sprayed the frame and rust with metal etching acid, and I am planning to change the oil, replace the carb, fuel pump, water pump, fuel filter, starter solenoid (gave me fits), radiator, belts, swap the distributor with an HEI unit with new plugs and wires, drain and refill the diff oil and tranny oil, swap the tailights/headlights with LEDs, and, when I am able to remove the body to detail and paint the frame, replace the gas tank, sending unit, and body mounts. I will also replace the master cylinder and brake lines, and install new brake pads. I think I will be able to drive it at that point, to assess what else it needs. I love how easy it is to work on these vehicles, and how anyone with a basic knowledge can swap most of this stuff out, for about 1K, and lots of labor (not including paint and seats). Am I missing anything? Yes, I will eventually have a driver quality paint job on it.
Anyway, here are pics, any advice is welcome and appreciated. Oops...only 1 pic allowed I guess.
Thanks in advance!
OJ
I owned an 1981 Cj-7 25 years ago and I always wanted another. With 4 kids and my wife, the CJ-8 fit the bill since I can fit all 6 inside, semi-comfortably. I'll need to locate another rear seat. I've been looking at getting 2 Corbeau Baja 36" seats with headrests to replace the old single jeep bench. Anyone ever use these?
Anyways, the Jeep is a bit rough, needs some body work, including rust repair to the front rockers, behind rear fender well, and the passengers side floorpan. The frame is pretty solid all around. I just got the replacement metal in from Classic industries and plan to get started there. It also had a nasty color matched bedliner in it, which I am stripping out now using Citrus strip, which is working pretty well, just creates a huge mess. I plan to get a plain black Line-X liner after getting the old stuff out, the pans welded in and the rust fixed. BFG M/T Tires are decent but probably 4-5 years old. Dash wiring is a rat nest, I hope to sort out or replace.
The Jeep runs and drives (enough to get it off the trailer), but I hesitate to run it for more that a minute or two since it has been sitting for probably 4-5 years. I have run a compression test, which shows 125, 110, 125, 120, 118, and 122. I realize these numbers are pretty low, but the engine was cold, so I am hoping they move up in the 130-140 range once I am able to get it warmed up.
So far I have sprayed the frame and rust with metal etching acid, and I am planning to change the oil, replace the carb, fuel pump, water pump, fuel filter, starter solenoid (gave me fits), radiator, belts, swap the distributor with an HEI unit with new plugs and wires, drain and refill the diff oil and tranny oil, swap the tailights/headlights with LEDs, and, when I am able to remove the body to detail and paint the frame, replace the gas tank, sending unit, and body mounts. I will also replace the master cylinder and brake lines, and install new brake pads. I think I will be able to drive it at that point, to assess what else it needs. I love how easy it is to work on these vehicles, and how anyone with a basic knowledge can swap most of this stuff out, for about 1K, and lots of labor (not including paint and seats). Am I missing anything? Yes, I will eventually have a driver quality paint job on it.
Anyway, here are pics, any advice is welcome and appreciated. Oops...only 1 pic allowed I guess.
Thanks in advance!
OJ