New & first post

[Self]

Hi everyone, I just joined today.
This Jeep thing is a change of pace for me.  I have always been a Mopar guy, owned lots since the early 80's mostly 2 dr cars.  Have been into hunting the last 10 years, and have owned a couple Dodge 4X4's  and still have an 04 1500 Ram.  So naturally I was looking for an older Powerwagon.  Was negotiating on a '56 PW300, but found out I need casters to slide it in and out of the garage - a pain in the butt.  So I was looking for something a little smaller like a M37 when I went hunting with a buddy last weekend.  He has an '85 CJ7 6cyl fairly stock but with good tires and winch.  I was impressed how far into the bush a CJ can make it, definitely not a quad but much more user friendly.   I then recalled that I know of a guy with one sinking into the earth behind his house back in Saskatchewan, so I emailed him.   

So now, I have an '84 CJ7 with a seized 6 cyl, siezed brakes and who knows what else from sitting for years..but it is unrusted and cheap, very cheap.  Will probably pick it up in early November so I can work on it over the winter. 

Was thinking of tearing completly down to understand what is still good. But what typical monster eggs should I expect to find?  Are there any OEM parts that I should plan on yarding out and replacing with aftermarket?   Any other Advice?  I am looking for an ok weekend offroader, primarily suited for hunting.
Thanks all.

[sylvrinvader]

welome to the jeep family ive only been a member since july had a jeep since may so this is all new to me as well. the people here are great people to know and this site is very helpful in a lot of ways. enjoy.
oh yea you should come to the general meeting on oct 15 to meet and introduce

[Self]

Thanks for the welcome, am looking forward to learning alot.  Too bad the meeting is on the 15th, I will be out of town.

[barmanjay]

Sounds like you have a project

those older vehicles don't have alot to them, electrical systems are simple, fuel systems are simple and drivetrain is easier to understand.

[hps4evr]

may want to do some research on what axles, transmission, transfer case, and engine it has. once you know what its got, then we can tell you which ones to scrap, and which to keep.
im almost certain that the front axle will be a low pinion passenger side drop dana 30, no bad for moderate wheeling with 33" tires. the rear axle could either be a chrysler model 20, which is just better off left in a scrap pile, or a Dana 44 which is a great platform to build on. although i do know plenty of people that have done well with the model 20 rear-end. the transfer case should be a dana 300, which is a gear driven t/case, pretty small but pretty tough too. i dont think the low range ratio is all that great though. transmission i have no idea, auto or manual. i know they used a few different tranny's in those older years. and the engine if you say is a inline 6 the nit would be the 258. again, a pretty good engine. may need a better carb set-up though.
i think the drivetrain on these jeeps was pretty good, the problem was the frames likes to rust, and the bodies. so if you find one with a good solid frame and body, then you lucked out big time. build off the good parts, and toss the un-good parts out in favor of better options. this is the jeep world, we swap anything and everything into our jeeps to make them better:) good luck! send pics!

[Self]

Thanks for the advice. Once I know what driveline it has, I will post.  & will bring camera when I recover it.