What's up guys and girls? I just purchased a 1981 CJ7 from one of my cousins and I'm looking for tips! Right now the CJ is in Louisiana and I need to pick it up, it runs like a champ (as he says) but it needs some work. When I went to see it, it looked fine...but he says there is a little rust, it needs new motor mounts and tranny mounts, but other than that, it's not too bad. It's got the Inline 6 with the 4speed manual. So what do I need to know? any suprises about these vehicles that I will be encountering? I will be doing all the restoration and build up myself, so I just want to know what I have enstore for me. Where are cheap parts and what parts are a good buy? I dont want to end up like my mustang and learning about buying things and wrong parts that I could have done without. Thanks in advance guys! and I'm sure more questions will follow once I get the jeep in my hands.

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any suprises about these vehicles that I will be encountering?

[/ QUOTE ]What? you want us to ruin it for you?

'81 is as good or better than any other year. 258 is a good engine, transfer case is Dana 300 which is good. The tranny is probably the T-176, straight shift lever from the boot up and shifter goes into the top cover, but could be the SR-4, curved lever and goes into a extension behind the top cover. T-176 is good, SR-4 is not so good.

Check for rust inside the rear frame from the main rear spring eyes back. Coming from Louisiana, I'd say it's bad. Either deal with it now or plan on a frame change in your future.

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I dont want to end up like my mustang and learning about buying things and wrong parts that I could have done without.

[/ QUOTE ]I can see you are not a true jeeper! Just kidding, some mods are good and some are not so good, do the research. The internet is a good place to find out what is the best place to spend money on.

First thing to do when you get it is run ground wires to everything, it's a known problem. Second, bid goodbye to most of your friends, your social life is over. You'll find out who your real friends are when you continually ask them to come rescue you in the middle of the night because the Jeep quit.

Good luck.

welcome to JEEP world. Taz gave you good pointers.
Also, things you need to know:
J - just
E - emptied
E - every
P - penny

just kiddin' (well sort of)

You probably also have a model 20 rear end. prepare for an upgrade to a minimum of a one piece axle kit.

good luck with the rest don't listen to em i have yet to have any one come get me because my jeep quit i usually end up rescuing those poor chevy and ford boys

hey thanks guys! and thanks for the humor Taz. [img]images/graemlins/40BEER.gif[/img]

you are kinda getting me the info I need to know! I'm pretty excited about it, and I've shared my up's and down's with my Mustang, but it's time to let it go and get the Jeep I've always wanted. My 4Runner is fun, it's got 31 BFG Mud Terrain's, 15x8 American Racing Baja's, Magnaflow Exhaust, and K&amp;N FIPK. I have a safari roof rack and other little things, but I'm ready for a Jeep. All the guys in the Wrangler's seem to get into places where I see others failing. So, I want to have the best of both worlds! My question is, it doesnt have any doors or top or backseat. Should I spend the money on any of those items? It's only gonna be a weekend driver and occasional weekly driver. I am pretty sure I am gonna get a bikini top. Other than that, the other two items are a toss up. Also, is it a good idea to Line-X the floors? I've seen some people do this, any of you guys try this?

thanks again guys! [img]images/graemlins/RockOn.gif[/img]

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My question is, it doesnt have any doors or top or backseat. Should I spend the money on any of those items?

[/ QUOTE ]
To answer that, a simple no is in order. Unless you plan to carry passengers in the back seat I wouldn't bother spending the money. Doors are up to you. If its just a weekend kinda thing and you have a daily driver, I would again say you don't need them. When the weather warms up I will take the top and doors of my CJ and keep them in my apartment until it gets too cold again. But there are people on this board who ride with no doors in freezing weather.

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Also, is it a good idea to Line-X the floors?

[/ QUOTE ]
This mod is up to you. There are a lot of different products out there which give similar results. Line-X, Herculiner, Rhinoliner, and a few others. I have rhinoliner in my CJ and I love the look of it. It also adds to functionality. If you are keeping the steel body then I'd do it. If you throw stuff in the back, it'll keep the paint from getting scratched and rusty.

You're in for a unique experience. I had no idea what I was getting into before I bought my CJ and joined this board. I don't quite know how to describe what you will get out of this. Congrats on the new purchase.

Here's another thing you have to remember:

J-Just
E-Expect
E-Every
P-Problem


Welcome to the Jungle. L8r, [img]images/graemlins/40BEER.gif[/img]




TheBigUgly

Hey Absolut,
Try this link.
http://www.southernjeeps.org/

BMB

thanks! I just signed up! [img]images/graemlins/40BEER.gif[/img]