Re: 1981 Jeep CJ5
 

While it is not exactly falling apart on its own, some progress is being made on the disassembly. Current state and thoughts on where I heading, color wise.

Re: 1981 Jeep CJ5
 

I like the color you're suggesting. Thoughts on adding graphics? My '86 is a Renegade so I added them after I redid it as I've always liked the over the top CJ graphics.

Re: 1981 Jeep CJ5
 

Have not considered graphics but might start looking now that you mention it. My 79 CJ7 was a Renegade and I always liked the graphics.

See? More scope creep. It's what I do.

Re: 1981 Jeep CJ5
 

Nice! I'm a Jeeper, too. I've had my '98 for 21 years now and it's still going strong. :)

Re: 1981 Jeep CJ5
 

KS,
Super. This project was purchased for my wife and daughter. I think they picture themselves tooling around town and back roads on good weather days. I'm ok with that as long as I get to take it when I go fishing.

Re: 1981 Jeep CJ5
 

My be time for a LS swap?
My LS swapped 98 Wrangler has been great.
My Wrangler is truly a mall crawler. Summer time cruiser. Snow plow in the winter.

Re: 1981 Jeep CJ5
 

LS,
Nice! That V8 looks like it was supposed to be there all along. Great work.

Don't get me to thinking any more scope creep thoughts. This was going to be a few months of fixing the broken stuff and then driving it. Well, here we are now pulling the body and diving in.

Re: 1981 Jeep CJ5
 

Scope creep is where I went with my Wrangler. When I bought it it was a 4 cylinder 5 speed combo. Crazy slow.
So I started picking at it and pretty soon the body was off the frame. Sand blasted the frame, powder coat it, 8.8 Explorer rear axle, 241R TC, rebuilt LS6/4L60E and then a total repaint.
I've got 15 years on the swap. It's been great. Had it on the Power Tour a couple of times. Only goes to the end of my driveway in the winter. It's a bit scary in 2 wheel drive on snow. It does the best donuts on snow vehicle that I've ever had!
So I encourage scope creep. Never know where it will lead you.

Re: 1981 Jeep CJ5
 

Steering column time. Well, it really should not be as I will not need it for a good bit but I picked up a decent, used column and am now in the process of taking two columns and making one good one.

Re: 1981 Jeep CJ5
 

Cool to see you tackling everything that needs attention.

Re: 1980 Jeep CJ5
 

Small progress over the weekend. Steering column almost back together and once the body mount bolts come out the body is ready to pull from the frame.

I think I already know the answer here, but my guess is I should replace the rusty floor pans before removing the body from the frame so everything stays in place.

Re: 1981 Jeep CJ5
 

I'd say it's sitting in the best possible position for floor pan replacement the way it sits in your last pic there, so that's what I'd do next. Worst part of any build (rust fixing) so best to just get it done.

Re: 1981 Jeep CJ5
 

Willowrun,
Thank you, those were my thoughts as well. It's the part I am dreading most so I might as well jump in and get it done. Think I will roll it out of the shop and pressure wash the snot out of everything and then start the process.

Re: 1981 Jeep CJ5
 

Here we go! New floor pans are supposed to be here tomorrow so I started on a bit of investigative surgery. I will most likely have to go further on that hole up to the left, but I will start there and sneak up on the good metal. Rust follows the floor pan up to firewall quite expectedly.

You can also see the terrible second paint job on this thing that must have been done with a mop and zero prep work. It will all get blasted to bare metal and start from a clean base soon.

Re: 1981 Jeep CJ5
 

Well, the real fun is about to begin. A few exploratory cuts and the big brown truck delivered the floor panels last Friday. Was concerned with the holes in the box from obvious rough treatment, but the pieces were in good shape.

Re: 1981 Jeep CJ5
 

Slow going, too many distractions and 95+ degree temps with heat index in the 110-114 range doesn't make me want to do more than a bit in the evenings. Very glad to see the body mounts are in very good shape compared to the floor.

Re: 1981 Jeep CJ5
 

That's rust repair right there. One of my least favorite things to do so I really have to push myself to get it done. Problem with it is it's messy and takes a lot of tools so you need to be able to commit to at least a few hours of shop time before it's even worth making the mess. Looking forward to progress when you feel like it!

Re: 1981 Jeep CJ5
 

Rust repair and more rust repair. I've been away from this project over the summer because it's just been to darn hot to get excited about this stuff. Have started welding patches in, but finding more spots here and there that need fixing.
In preparation for the new floor pans the floor supports got sand blasted, primed and painted before they disappear once again. Started tacking the first floor pan patch in last night. Slow work.

Re: 1981 Jeep CJ5
 

Floor pan and rust repair continues on the tub but I did make a major change in wheels and tires. Moving from a street jeep look to the black/tan off road theme I am shooting for. Got a pull off set of Nitto Terra Grappler tires for free so I went ahead and bought the black wheels.

Didn't take long to find someone that wanted the 15x10 aluminum wheels for his Ford project.

Looking at this now, I am thinking about taking the 1990's looking side steps off and going with something else.

Re: 1981 Jeep CJ5
 

Looking good progress wise.
Still thinking a LS of some sort would be great. LOL.
Keep us up to date on your progress.

Re: 1981 Jeep CJ5
 

Nice job on the rust repair progress. It's never really done until the final push. A tire change can help with motivation for sure.

Not sure what your plans are for paint but make sure you don't smooth out any of the factory spot weld indentations over the rear tires. When they are gone you know the Jeep has been messed with.

I think it would look better without the side steps.

Re: 1981 Jeep CJ5
 

@LS short box - that would be nice but if I put an LS in something it will be my 67!

@Willowrun - thanks for the heads up on the weld indentions. I have noticed the side panels on a jeep are anything but straight and smooth from the factory.

Yeah, the more I stood back and looked at those steps the less I liked them. Thinking a single step might look better.

Re: 1981 Jeep CJ5
 

Bill. I never visit these forums and frankly I have most of the forum list minimised anyway. I forget they are there.
I didn't know you were a Jeep guy. Isn't it something how a guy picks up a rig with the intention of fixin a couple of things and let the rest ride, then that thing kicks in and a couple other things look like they need attention too and on and on until you've got yourself a full blown restoration on your hands and can't stop now? :lol: You know what's happening next? While tub's off, engine comes out, frame stripped, powder coated and start reassembly!

Re: 1981 Jeep CJ5
 

Jim,
I had a 79 CJ7 for a few years right out of college and said I'd like to restore another CJ some day. Boy, I didn't know what I was in for with this one. Wife and daughter fell in love with it and the price was right so it got hauled home.

My goal in the next month or so is to get all the rust spots cut out and at least the floor repairs mostly tacked in. The body can then come off and I can finish working from both the top and bottom. Then it is on to the frame/brakes/suspension etc. Don't plan on powder coating the frame but it will get a good paint job. Not sure what I will get into in the differentials but I know the U joints in the front axles need replacing.

End goal is a solid, decent looking jeep the wife and I can buzz around town and throw the fishing rods in the back and head off road to a fishing hole.

Re: 1981 Jeep CJ5
 

I always liked Jeeps but not enough to actually own one. I liked the cj5 in the seventies or early eighties with the V8 and hood decals. I forgot what were they called. You've got a good plan.