Damsel In Distress! Need Your Help With CJ7 Resto!

[CJ7Chick]

Hey everyone! I just recently bought a 1979 CJ7 to restore, but have no idea where to start. I have to be honest, as much as I love cars, I'm such a ditz when it comes to doing ANYTHING with them! Oh dear! The whole vehicle has been pulled apart, now its time to start sourcing new pieces and putting it back together again! Im new to all of this so have no idea where to start, what do you recommend? Start on the body and work my way in? Go from the ground up? Who here has done a CJ7 restoration, and how would you recommend I go about it? Where is a good place to source CJ7-compatible hardware that is also affordable (Im based in Australia and would like to keep it local) I want to keep costs as low as possible, Any and all help will be much appreciated! I'm really stuck and I',m pulling my hair out as to what to do, so can anyone be this Damsel In Distress' Knight in Shining Armor? I'l post pics of the whole operation as soon as I get it underway! CJ7Chick xxx

 

[bugleboy]

man you really do need some help lol any experiance with cars at all? also i cant be your knight im a cherokee driver and know little of cjs lol but jt sounds like you are on te right track first things first see what you have to work with what needs to be replaced or restored, step two get crackin on the build i know you might need more help than that but i dont really know jeep restoration either, me and my dad restored a 1966 dodge charger, and from that i can tell you the hard work pays off!

 

[Gennybro]

This thread looks real familier.

 

[Jeep'nMama]

Depending on what kind of condition it's in I would NOT start with the body. Does it run? Does it run well? Will the wheels turn? Lol. Start asking yourself the more important questions and start there first. Motor, transmission, axles, etc. Then start branching out. I have no idea about parts in Australia but you could check to see if you have a Salvage shop locally for some of your needs.
I haven't had a CJ but I have heard they are generally a little cheaper to work with. ( my old YJ was way cheaper than the current TJ)
Just remember cheaper isn't always better!!
I'm sure someone else will be along with some better advice soon, lol!!
Good luck! Post some pics!

The roar of the tires is all the music I need.

 

[Jeep'nMama]

...

 

[Jeep'nMama]

Mmmmkkkayy.... Gennybro it does sound familiar... I think someones ....... Nevermind. You know what I'm getting at.

The roar of the tires is all the music I need.

 

[CJ7Chick]

Thanks guys And sorry, my friend set it up on here coz he knows slightly more about cars than me, but then I decided that if I didnt get stuck in here and find out for myself, then I'd never get anywhere! Doing it myself means I'll appreciate my car SO much more once its up and running too

Love the pic of your Jeep Jeep'nMama!

 

[Jeep'nMama]

Thanks! One other tidbit of friendly advice. When talking about your Jeep, call it a Jeep not a car.
There's no comparison

The roar of the tires is all the music I need.

 

[Gennybro]

Fn A to that.

 

[54cj3b]

What's a car ?:funny:



anyway what kind of budget do you have to play with ?
and what do you want out of your car I mean jeep lol
knowing what you want will help us point you in the right direction

 

[bugleboy]

i believe a car is one of those lesser vehicles we drive over

 

[ndnatty]

I have a 79 cj7 too that I rebuilt from the ground up. I've had it for over 10 years now and still have things to do, and always will. You got it all apart? I started with what I knew didn't work or needed to be replaced or fixed, engine and drivetrain, then brakes and fuel lines first while I searched for a new tub. Cheapest is to find a boneyard which I was lucky to have nearby. Should have lots of help on this site. Good luck!