anybody got time for the new kid?

[LoneWolf]

Hi Folks,
I just took the plunge and bought my first jeep. It's an '85 CJ7 with the 258 and auto trans. I plan to use it for light to medium off road and plowing in the winter. The body is a rustbucket but the frame is in great shape. I'm trying to figure the best approach for evaluating/fixing and am looking for suggestions from the group. I'm patching the body for now and will weld in (backordered) panels at a later date. I've done the basics (i.e. oil, filter, plugs, wires, rotor and cap.) I'm thinking next is drain replace the drive train fluids. Should I use synthetic? This thing has been sitting for a few years, so I'm looking to get it drivable first and do the rest later. I'm also interested in body/suspension lifts. I'm thinking one inch body and 2 1/2" suspension lift. Shackle reversals? Springover? Hmmmm... so may questions! Who said ignorance is bliss? I want to run big enough tires to get decent traction while plowing. I'd appreciate any and all input. Thanks... :lol:

[SamFromCO]

Replacing the fluids seems like a good thing to do. I like synthetics and use them in my Jeep.
If the body is bad and the frame is good, you might want to look into replacing the body with one from a YJ. They are galvanized so they don't rust as easy as CJ's and they fairly inexpensive. You could add your body lift while you are swapping bodies. The main thing that I would check on the frame are the areas around the front and rear shackles and around the steering box for cracks.
If you are going to bigger tires and plan on plowing, you might want to consider lower gears and some traction devices for the axles. Shackle reversals are OK but not real necessary in my opinion. I'd stay away from springovers, especially if you are going to be plowing.
With a 2-1/2" suspension/1" body lift you could probably run 33" tires but they might rub on the fenders when the going get bumpy. You could cure that with taller bumpstops, but that would limit articulation. Or you could go to a 4" suspension lift and forget the body lift. If you are going to run bigger tires then I suggest adding a steering box brace.
This should be fun, eh? 8O

[Warlock]

Traction while plowing?

If you are plowing, you are either getting down to asphalt, or more likely getting down to ice - in which case there is no traction. I ran Firestone R4S on my plow vehicle. Talk about absolutely no traction. They did OK though.

For plowing, I would definately get regeared for whatever size tires you run. You will be losing enough power with the plow.

I wouldn't bother with the spring reversal or SOA. But get that steering brace. You will most likely be glad you did.

[Yucca-man]

Steering brace is pretty critical on the CJs if you're running larger tires.

Definitely drain the fluis, but you might want to replace them with non-synth this time, just while stirring things up in the diff and transmission. Synth does a good job of lubricating and providing less resistance, but it also finds all the little holes and will leak.

I agree that a spring-over might be too much if you plan to plow with this Jeep, but SamFromCO's info is right-on.

['76CJ5]

I've been plowing with CJ's for about 20 years now. It's realy no fun with big tires and no power steering. I have a 7' plow on my CJ5 this time.

Skinny tires are the way to go with plowing. I's say a 31" tire would be great because my 285-75x15 are to big for hi gear and low small for lo gear. 31" would be nice to keep you in low all the time while plowing. I'm going to 33" this year and will have to regear but maybe with an automatic it will be all right?? BFG AT are awsome for tracton but if you deside to go with a MT tire, get them siped. Automatic is great for plowing but I'm not sure about the t-case you have and how the quadratac will will hold up. The chain wasn't a strong spot I had heard.

Many of the CJ plow mounts go UNDER the axle so if you do a spring lift you probably will have to fabricate something on your own. YJ's and TJ's have a nice 'behind the bumper' setup on them that might be modified to fit on a CJ. Mine bolts right to the ubolts on the axle so spring lift is no problem, spring wrap on the other hand is..

a 6'6" plow is what is recommended for a CJ anyway but it still takes a lot of weight off the rear axle and makes going up hills and braking interesting. :) Also you probably have to get an add-a-leaf to support the weight of the plow unless you like running around on the bump stops.

You could do yourself a favor and install a GM blower in your jeep and enjoy the heat in the winter.

[LoneWolf]

thanks to all who took the time to respond. I appreciate the input. I've been working on the cj regulary and it's coming along, but my "to do" list seems endless! Oh well, that's half the fun I guess!