HOWDY from Central Texas

Jim Dandy

New member
Hey there. I'm Jim and I hail from the Austin, TX area. I've been a long time jeep fan but just now putting one together. I have to admit I have a lot to learn and a ton of questions. I don't have any connections locally or other jeep peeps to talk to that would really know my model.

The jeep I have was my father's and unfortunately he let it sit for 15 years under oak trees on his ranch. Sooo a restoration has become a full frame up rebuild project. Definitely in over my head but thankfully my stepson is a complete car guy working as a technician at a car dealership.

Here's the basics.
1979 CJ7 - 258 4.2l- 3 speed T150, AMC 20 rear (3.54), Dana 30 Front (3.54), Dana 20

The body was rusted beyond my ability to save it and the frame had a small 1/8" tweak I. The right front. No one is able to pull the frame anymore in the area..

So I have a new TDK Frame which we have lined the inside of and have painted.. a new MD Juan steel tub with the jeep logo, and all new fenders, window frame, gas tank, etc. The Original hood and front grill assembly are good enough to keep.

The diffs, knuckles, transmission case, transfer case, and the skid plate and covers are being powder coated.

I'd love to start connecting with folks to help get the project done before I die.. lol
So far we're working to get to a rolling chassis.

Here's a few pics.
And yes.. if you look, that's barbed wire they used to keep am engine part held on.. sigh

Thanks for having me and I'm grateful for any/all help.

Jim 20220623_171015.jpg
 

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DZRTJP

Active Member
Welcome from Arizona 👋

Yep, you used what you had, to keep going. That's a project & a half, but a great one. It'll be so satisfying to see it done & out enjoying it 🙂
 

Customspilot

New member
Hi Jim
Just joined the group! I’m very interested in your project. I just started a CJ7 project that belonged to my brother. He sit on it for about 8 years but never got around to it. When he passed last year I purchased it from my nephew. I always wanted to rebuild a Cj7 so this was a good excuse to get started. Mine is a late (November) 1980 so it is a narrow track with Dana 30, amc 20, Dana 300 and I have traded the T5 for a AX15. This jeep looked okay on the surface but wow once I started disassembly it was apparent this jeep had been abused by nature and man. Like yours mine had very few parts that I could use and many missing items. I’ve salvaged all that I could and have been searching the country and Canada for the missing items. I’ve started the assembly a couple of weeks ago and hope too have a rolling chassis with power train soon…than the fun stuff!
I’ve added some mods but nothing major because this is going to be used to roam the hill country of Texas. Most mods are for looks and drive ability!
I haven’t ran into any problems yet but I’m just getting started. I’ll try and post some pictures.

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Jim Dandy

New member
Hey Budro. We're slowly making progress. It's come further along. Coated the inside of the frame, epoxy painted it with Eastwood, powder coated some of the parts and have them on. Rebuilt the transmission and the transfer case. Rebuilding the diffs now as we speak. Next will be to get the rear disc conversion done. Have the wheels I had to really hunt for. Once the rear disc is completed we'll be able to get the rolling chasis much closer to being done. Here's a few more pics.
 

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