VIN: J8A93EH073252
1978 CJ-7(originally a Levi’s Edition) with Over $60,000 Invested in the Build
This is the Build List for the Full Frame Off Restoration of this custom 1978 Jeep CJ-7 done 21,000+ miles ago.
This IS a 1978 CJ-7 even though some of the body design looks newer. The Jeep was built with the idea that this is the Jeep that Jeep should have been building in the early 2,000s. The Square headlights and angular and more usable fenders and flares were preferred by the builder and current owner.
All parts are new in the last 21,000 miles or less unless otherwise specified.
All original parts of the Jeep have been replaced except VIN tag, Defroster Ducts, Steering Wheel and Back Seat. This build parts list is quite extensive and of the highest quality.
The look of the Jeep isn’t nearly as pretty as when it was finished but all the parts from which this is made AND the way it is put together make it an incredible vehicle unlike many. This is capable of easily hitting the hard 5+ Rated trails in Moab, towing your Watercraft to the lake or commuting to Abravanel Hall for a night at the symphony(with a little TLC to the body paintwork to restore the look). The paint is showing wear consistent with exposure to the elements.
Engine:
AMC 360 V8 professionally bored and stroked to a displacement of 372 Cubic Inches
Balanced and Blueprinted
Professionally built by Robinson Machine of SLC, UT
Forged steel crank
Forged steel connecting rods
Fuel Injected with Howell Performance EFI based on GM EFI Systems, uses GM Factory Parts
MSD High Performance Distributor and Coil Ignition
K&N large element filter
Performer RPM non EGR Manifold
Custom Head work including
Custom Three Angle Valve Grind by Robinson Machine of SLC, UT
Intake Valve sized @ 2.025”
Exhaust Valve sized @ 168.25
RV Stage 2 Cam
9.8 to 1 compression pistons, Still runs excellent on 91 Octane
Cross Flow “Be Cool” aluminum radiator
Exhaust:
Doug Thorley “Tri-Y” Inside Frame Headers with high quality gaskets-NO LEAKS- SOUNDS AMAZING!!! Like the thunder of Thors Hammer. Yip!
Headers are HPC Coated inside and out
Custom routed aluminized dual exhaust pipes all for full function on extreme trails
Dual Magnaflow Mufflers
Transmission:
GM Turbo Hydramtic 475, capable of handling 1,500 horsepower, designed for school buses and used in top fuel dragsters
Straight cut drag racing gears from Art Carr Racing Transmissions
Geared identically to the 700R4 in 1st(3.06), 2nd(1.63) and 3rd(1.0) gear
Allison High Stall Speed Locking Torque Converter
Manual Corvette Valve Body
Electric kickdown
Lokar custom lockout shifter
Cross Flow Trans Cooler in front grille
Transfer Case:
Dana 18 with PTO, custom built by Beaches Off Road Specialists including:
Teralow 3.15 to 1 gearset and bearing kit by Teraflex Industries
Twin Stick Shifter for separate High & Low, 2WD and 4WD shifts
Final Drive ratio of 128 to 1 with torque converter and all gear compounding
Prepped for Third Stick Saturn Overdrive through PTO that provides 30% overdrive to every gear, effectively making the 3 Speed auto a 6 speed and 2 speed Transfer Case to act as a 4 Speed Transfer Case.
Drivelines:
Custom Heavy Duty Splined Units by Six States Distributors
Front Shaft Includes Greasable Slip Shaft
Rear Shaft Includes Greasable Slip Shaft and Constant Velocity Joint for proper operation at extreme angles and smooth highway operation.
Axles:
Front and Rear Wide Track Dana 44s, much wider than stock 78 CJ7 for stability on-n-off road
Properly rotated steering knuckles with proper degrees of caster to allow it to track properly, This Jeep tracks positively going down the highway
Wagoneer Compatible Brakes and Shafts
Rear Axle is completely Cryo Treated for extreme strength including bearings, shafts, carrier with spider gears, ring and pinion gears
Front and rear 5.38 to 1 Ring and Pinion Gears by Randy’s Ring & Pinion
Traction Enhancement:
Front and Rear ARB Air Locking Differentials with underhood ARB Air Compressor
Rear ARB locker is newer upgraded design within last 3,000 miles
Suspension:
Alcan Wrangler width 5.5” lifted Military Wrap with tapered and friction shimmed leafs, gives smoothest leaf spring ride possible
Perfect balance of flex and resistance for excellent axle articulation and stability
Performs Very well on the Ramp Test Index
Springs are mounted in the spring under fashion to eliminate axle wrap and keep the center of gravity as low as possible
Shackle reversed front spring mount to increase approach angles and increase on-road stability. This Jeep tracks positively going down the highway
Front springs mounted “outside the frame” to reduce reverse leverage and increase on-road stability. This Jeep tracks positively going down the highway
Heavy Duty Three Point Cross Braced Triangle Shackles, eliminates “walking”
Rancho RS 9000 9 way Adjustable Shocks at all 4 corners
Front Custom high lift shock loops integrated with frame to allow for more shock travel, increase frame rigidity and also serve as internal underhood roll cage protection
Front shock loop tower brace, increases frame rigidity and also serve as internal underhood roll cage protection
Rear Custom high lift shock loops integrated with frame to allow for more shock travel, increases frame rigidity
Custom Heim jointed heavy duty tubing adjustable custom track bar(Panhard Bar) for lateral axle location and highway stability.
Custom Quick Disconnect front anti sway bar
Wheelbase:
Increased for added stability on-n-off road, highway driving and rock crawling
Lengthened by 4.5 inches over stock
Widened by 7 inches over stock with axles(12 inches with its 10” wide wheels)
Wheels and Tires:
Centerline Hellcat 15x10” aluminum with chrome overplating
Six Lug Pattern, 6 on 5.5”
Interco Super Swamper SSR Radial 35x14.50’s
Electrical & Wiring:
Hella and Painless Wiring brand fuseblock, wiring harness and wires
Optima battery with dual storage cut-offs
Fuel System:
Stainless Steel 25 gallon custom gas tank by Steel Horse
All stainless fuel lines
Stainless filler, fuel neck and cap
Howell EFI/GM “in line” Fuel Pump(easy to find everywhere and switch if needed)
Fasteners:
Highest quality grade 8 used whenever possible
Stainless bolts used whenever possible, painted black afterward to hide stainless look where applicable like body hinge bolts etc
Air Supply:
ARB underhood air compressor with quick disconnect fitting
New/Unused Air Conditioning compressor ready and waiting to be used for air supply or A/C
Steering:
Chrysler factory new tilt steering column(it’s still tight and precise)
Flaming River splined and jointed safety slip shaft
Wagoneer Saginaw factory hydraulic pump
Wagoneer steering box
Custom Heim jointed heavy duty oversized tubing used for drag link and tie rod
Instrumentation:
Auto Meter Phantom series gauges
Quadratec stock “Main Gauge” replacement unit
4 Wheel Drive Hardware stock indicator replacements on dash
Dash:
Stainless steel custom
All new factory push pull cables and switches
Custom billet aluminum push/pull cable and switch knobs
4 Wheel Drive Hardware stainless steel grab handle
Tuffy brand lockable security glove box
Interior:
Tuffy brand lockable security center console with “bullet proof” stereo cover and storage
Sony Explode head unit
Overhead sound bar
Removable speaker box in cargo area with extra length wires for placing outside Jeep when camping or doing events in need of extra volume
Ford Probe GT Bucket front seats
Stock 1978 “Levis Edition” rear seat
No carpet for easy clean up
Exterior:
There is very little rust on anything major as most parts were installed new and properly treated or they are fiberglass.
All replacement body parts:
Factory Grille, Doors, Tailgate and Top for a 1995 Wrangler
Factory Wheel flares for a 1995 Wrangler YJ(front) and 1998 Sahara TJ(rear) to allow for best wheel articulation and no rubbing
4 Wheel Drive Hardware brand fiberglass hood and fenders(never rust)
4 Wheel Drive Hardware brand fiberglass and kevlar, steel framed Body Tub(never rust)
Underside of tub was Tuffy Lined for sound absorption/noise insulation
Quadratec stainless steel hood and windshield loops and hold downs and cowl grille
Roll Cage:
Factory Chrysler Roll Cage reinforced and tied to frame though the body at 4 points
helps dramatically improve roll bar strength and increase body support as the roll bar mounts also act as additional body mounts.
Roll bar extensions stabilize front windshield frame when top is off
Under hood high loop shock mounts and shock loop/tower brace serve as additional under hood internal roll cage
Protection:
Heavy duty front rock crawler bumper welded to frame also serves as front frame cross member to increase frame rigidity and strength
Heavy duty rear bumper welded to frame also serves as front frame cross member to increase frame rigidity and strength
Heavy duty swing away tire carrier, tied to frame mounted rock crawler bumper. Takes all the stress of a heavy spare tire and transfers it to the frame. Easily adaptable to accepts gas cans and other utility items such as shovel, jack, toolkit etc.
Heavy duty rocker panel rock sliders welded to frame at 4 points to increase frame rigidity and strength. Also serves to reinforce roll bar mount for extra strength.
Frame:
Frame was bead blasted and put on a rotisserie then coated multiple times with metal etching primer then painted with Rustoleum Frame Guard then covered with POR 15 Technologies Rust Inhibitor. There is very little rust on this frame or the structural steel of this Jeep as rust prevention was taken very seriously. It’s dirty and could benefit from a cleaning and surface touch up painting but the bones are very solid!
Knowledge:
Owner and builder is willing to answer any questions about the vehicle for up to 4 man hours of time after purchase if applicable or desired by new owner
This car has been consigned to the 8th Annual Salt Lake City Classic Car Auction hosted by the Classic Car Auction Group. The auction is Saturday, April 22 at the Mountain America Expo Center in Sandy, Utah. To consign your car and/or to register to bid on this and other cars in the auction go to http://www.classiccarauction.us.
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