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[BIGDRY]

Hello all after lurking and asking a few questions, I thought it was about time i introduced myself and my new cj7.

Ive wanted a cj7 for a few yrs now – and always wanted a lhd one as I have a family home with some land in the hills in northern Italy that I could use her on holidays maybe.
I also wanted a manual with at least a 6cylinder. Being honest ive wanted a green one too since seeing the Rework Jeep brochure!



Well I some of you might of seen it on ebay a few weeks ago. And I guess it was meant to be as it was only 30 mins or so from my place.

Its in good condition with only some small areas of rust, has weber carb update and some newish wheels and tyres.

After fitting a  new starter motor it started right up. however it doesn’t run very well, leaky water pump, pre nutter conversion on the ecu and general commissioning needed after being stored for a few yrs. Ignition timing needs sorting, probably a carb rebuild, leaky rocker cover gasket, lots of old vac pipes and wiring to sort.

After short test drive : I have the following comment that maybe you can help me with?

The steering is very odd, wandery and importantly doesn’t self center…not sure what is causing that as I don’t think its been raised and therefore the castor angle should be right?...i need to check all the suspension of the obvious play but the lack of self centering is worrying.

The 4WD  light on the dash only comes on in 4wd low  - is that correct? The lever for selecting low, 2wd etc is very vague and the actual selection positions seem very close to each other? Everything seems to work mind

Lowering the windscreen down  - whats to stop it smacking the bonnet over bumps? Should there be some rubber bumpstops?

The roll over bar I noticed is missing some bolts into the floor, it has 2 each side on the roll over hoop on the horizontal plain but the other 2 in the vertical don’t quite align up? Odd – maybe its had a replacement tub  (how can you tell) or hoop at some time? Easy fix mind.

But generally other than a few tidying issue sand niggles it not bad at all– but just in case I get stuck can anyone recommend a decent jeep specialist in Essex or nearish?

Thanks all im sure I will have loads of questions for you guys in the future. – I apologise now! 

[BIGDRY]

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[BIGDRY]

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[UKJeeper]

can anyone recommend a decent jeep specialist in Essex or nearish?

Reach out to "Mike" on this board. He's in Earls Colne, an ex Jeep dealership mechanic, and another CJ restorer. 

[BIGDRY]

cheers will do.

just released that maybe i should have posted in the members rides. whoops apologies

[Dutch]

That looks a very tidy CJ7, well done.

As for some of your questions :

The steering is very odd/wandery : No it isn't. Welcome to CJ steering. Imagine those sixties films with the rolling road behind them and the driver moving the wheel though 90 degrees both sides ? Keep your eye on the ball/road - if distracted you'll know exactly where the ditch is 

The 4WD  light on the dash only comes on in 4wd low  - is that correct? The lever for selecting low, 2wd etc is very vague and the actual selection positions seem very close to each other? You drive in 2WD on tarmac only and yes light only comes on in 4WD high or low and it takes a bit of a knack to engage the drive you want. The more you do it the easier it becomes and it may not have been engaged for some time so be a bit sticky 

doesn’t self center : I don't think that is a standard feature in the CJ

Lowering the windscreen down  - whats to stop it smacking the bonnet over bumps? Should there be some rubber bumpstops? The top of the windscreen surround lands on those plastic coated square supports on your bonnet.  Personally I don't know why you'd like to drive around that way anyway but with gentle greenlaning it will not go anywhere.  @ 50 on the tarmac you'd be eating flies anyway 

[wildwood]

Helps to be in gear and moving transfer case lever whilst gently letting clutch out to almost bite point.This seems to align the gears and it all slips in......


Well it works like that on my Dana300 with twin sticks and I'm sure the Dana20 be similar.

Some people (Nosebolt for example) have retro fitted XJ Cherokee power steering box and stuff to drag things into at least the last half of the 20th century......

[johnnyboy]

The steering is very odd, wandery and importantly doesn’t self center.

Lowering the windscreen down  - whats to stop it smacking the bonnet over bumps? Should there be some rubber bumpstops?

Despite what others are saying, without a lift kit the steering should be better than you describe. Maybe its the tyres?

The screen folds onto the 2 larger U brackets on the bonnet.  Then run a strap through the centre U bracket to a similar fitting on the inside of the windscreen frame to fasten it down.

Mike (see "Tango" restoration) is a good bloke and a great mechanic.

[5536paulj]

Before you go any further with the steering check the front tyre pressures, too high and cjs can wander badly. Not sure what it's meant to be but anything over 30 is too much in my mind, especially if the tyres have a high load rating which is a possibility

Most importantly, enjoy!

Paul

[LairdScooby]

Welcome aboard - nice colour Jeep too! Re the steering, besides what the others have said, there is of course worn bushes, ball joints and maybe the steering box needs a little adjustment. Check the tyre pressures first though and also the shocks.

Looking at your first pic, it seems there are two extra coolant pipes coming round to the carb area - has it previously been used no LPG?

[Dave The Sparky]

WTF Amen brother i have seen the light....

[BIGDRY]

yes a new addition to the yard that  - not my undertaking but glad you noticed it/him!! oh and God drives a CJ right?

[BIGDRY]

thanks all i will re visit the steering once i have the engine running well and water and oil tight, dont worry im not driving it on the street at the mo!

im sure the cj7 doenst have the best sports steering but im sure it should self center?? does anyones self center? surely just needs some castor? can it be adjusted easily? thx all.

[Dave The Sparky]

Yep it should self centre, something is tight,loose,worn etc etc and probably everything needs looking at on the steering.
If you are really lucky it may just want the alignment doing.

As pointed out its not like driving a modern car but thats a large chunk of its appeal and what puts a smile on your face.

[LairdScooby]

Yep it should self centre, something is tight,loose,worn etc etc and probably everything needs looking at on the steering.
If you are really lucky it may just want the alignment doing.

As pointed out its not like driving a modern car but thats a large chunk of its appeal and what puts a smile on your face.

I was going to say my XJ doesn't self-centre but it does - it's just nowhere near as "positive" in the self-centre feel as my cars. It does wander a bit on the road too, nothing too scary but it is part of owning any 4x4 and unless you change the tyres for low profile, the springs for short travel, lower the ride height and so on, it will always be that way.