CJ7 vs the YJ

[jsawduste]

Have a chance to get a good CJ7 frame and a few other good CJ parts at resonable prices. Plus the left over parts from the YJ build are still around.

Honestly I have focused on YJ`s and TJ`s. Now I know the CJ7 and the YJ carry the same wheelbase.

Wasn`t the track width the same also ? If I recall there were narrow track and wide track CJ7`s ? Or was a CJ5 the narrow and a CJ7 a wide ?

Anyways what I am trying to do is get a handle on what is really the differance between a CJ7 and a YJ. Mainly in terms of track width.

Drivetrain isnt an issue. Have a SBC that could go right in. Most any trans would work. 231/D300 transfercase. Maybe the axles under the YJ (would have to do a TC flip) might work.

Hmmm

[sglide]

let me move this to tech for you J

i would leave the 300un flipped and run 3/4 ton chevy axles (8 lug 44 and corp 14)
there really easy to find and will take a fare beating
leave them full width and set the width of the jeep with the back spacing of the rim

[icemanii]

Depends on what you are looking to end up with. I can tell you, the CJ rides like a tank, but still wouldn't trade it in. The SBC would be a good motor for either rig, (Porter and I both run BB CJ's), and you already have axles it sounds like. Since you are able to get a good frame, that is one problem with the CJ's that you won't have to worry about.
Are you keeping the YJ and building a second rig, or getting rid of the blue one? As for the track, early (pre '79 I think) CJ's were narrow track while the later ones were wide track.

[chop]

let me move this to tech for you J

i would leave the 300un flipped and run 3/4 ton chevy axles (8 lug 44 and corp 14)
there really easy to find and will take a fare beating
leave them full width and set the width of the jeep with the back spacing of the rim

X2 except i would run a D 60 front.

[Redleg]

Dodge is a good option for those too. The rear would be a 70, which is plenty tuff for a jeep. If you get them off a diesel, you'll have the HD bearings. Stay away from the 89-91 auto diesel with no overdrive. The axles are fine except only offer 3.07 gears. That is suck a tall gear for that size axle they have to modify the case and carrier, so they cannot be regeared without machine work and shimming. Now if you wanted good mileage on the highway....

[Trail Junkie]

To run full width on a cj you have to outboard the springs, yj you dont

[jsawduste]

Depends on what you are looking to end up with. I can tell you, the CJ rides like a tank, but still wouldn't trade it in. The SBC would be a good motor for either rig, (Porter and I both run BB CJ's), and you already have axles it sounds like. Since you are able to get a good frame, that is one problem with the CJ's that you won't have to worry about.
Are you keeping the YJ and building a second rig, or getting rid of the blue one? As for the track, early (pre '79 I think) CJ's were narrow track while the later ones were wide track.

Thanks Sglide. Wasn`t sure if this should be a General or Garage question.

RJ, it would be a second runner. The Blue YJ is here to stay.
BB power, that is awesume. Someday we have to go for a ride brent

Good ideas on axles guys. The YJ is set up with HP44/8.8. Have a set of HP60`s that are well underway to going under......Something:hehe:

Hmmmm x 2

[drummond]

Narrow versus widetrack dealt with the width of the axles that were installed on the CJ, not the spring mounting locations or frame width. The CJ's from 1976-1986 had the same frame width. From 1976-1981, the CJ's were equipped with narrow track axles which had a width of approximately front-51.5" rear-50". In 1982 the CJ-7 was equipped with a widetrack model axle front-55.8" rear-55". This is in comparision to the YJ which had an approximate width of 58".
I am certain that the YJ's had a 31" spring pad width, while the CJ's had 28" between spring mount locations.

[Blackjackbender]

what is your intent with the cj7? build it to all hell or have a nice driver?

[jsawduste]

what is your intent with the cj7? build it to all hell or have a nice driver?

Build it all to hell. :thumbsup:

Something to really beat on and not care.:eq::eq:

[sglide]

Build it all to hell. :thumbsup:

Something to really beat on and not care.:eq::eq:yup sounds like the right plan to me:woot:

[sodapop]

Not Sure but I think that the track widths were:
Narrow track :76-81 = about 51"(F) and 50"(R)
Wide Track: 82-86 = about 55"(F&R)
YJ: 87-95 = 58" or so

Also some points to keep in mind when talking about differences between the YJ and CJ Frames are:

YJ's have a stronger frame - it's boxed and it's galvanized.
CJ7 Frames are narrower in the front so you may need to outboard the springs to run wide axles.

[jsawduste]

Not Sure but I think that the track widths were:
Narrow track :76-81 = about 51"(F) and 50"(R)
Wide Track: 82-86 = about 55"(F&R)
YJ: 87-95 = 58" or so

Also some points to keep in mind when talking about differences between the YJ and CJ Frames are:

YJ's have a stronger frame - it's boxed and it's galvanized.
CJ7 Frames are narrower in the front so you may need to outboard the springs to run wide axles.

Thanks folks. Just the kind of info I am looking for.

Granted one can make the track width most anything you want. A lot easier to start off with a proper foundation then to try and cobble something up.

Thinking that the wider track will provide a greater amount of stabilty. IE less tippy. Sure the CG plays a big part but here again. The foundation is the starting point.

The goal is to be able to run a fairly large tire. Using fender trimming rather then lift for clearance. Thus a comp cut in the rear and some type of tube fender (?) in front.

Thanks for the help and please, keep the ideas coming.

[sglide]

so youll be starting a build thread soon then???

[jsawduste]

so youll be starting a build thread soon then???

Right now I am going to look at putting a list of needed parts together.

Engine and axles are covered. Many of the "other little things" as well. Gages, steering col., brakes etc.

Maybe a buggy kind of thing ? Use the CJ frame as a starting point and tube it from there ?

Got to see what kind of deal can be made on a transfer case and trans.
If need be I can rebuild both myself.

Dunno........:popcorn:

[Blackjackbender]

231 crawler box to a dana 300?

[jsawduste]

231 crawler box to a dana 300?

Transfer case will depend on transmission. I`d like to do an automatic this time. TH350/400/700R4 ?

Have to figure out what to do the HP60`s that are for the YJ. Use them for the CJ instead and convert to a driver side drop ?

Gotta figure the "package" as a whole and go from there. :blabla:

[Rover]

hehe you said "package"

[Haggar]

In general, CJ7s are quite a few hundred pounds lighter than a YJ (TJs are heavier, still), in stock form. Even with V8s, they were under 3000 lbs.

The bodies are the same size/width. Yeah, the YJ axles are wider than a wide track CJ, but the wheel backspacing makes them more or less the same. (56" vs 60", but then 3.375" BS vs 5" BS)...

CJs are just cooler.

[icemanii]

CJs are just cooler.

:thumbsup:

[Orange CJ]

Originally Posted by Haggar

CJs are just cooler.
X2

the turbo 350 or 400 is your best bet for the auto trans if your going with SBC. I'm running a 350/350/20 combo with full with Dana 44's (out of a waggy) & very happy with it.

[sglide]

X2

the turbo 350 or 400 is your best bet for the auto trans if your going with SBC. I'm running a 350/350/20 combo with full with Dana 44's (out of a waggy) & very happy with it.ya, your cj is really nice

[Orange CJ]

(Elvis Voice) ah, thank you! Thank you very much!

[jsawduste]

X2

the turbo 350 or 400 is your best bet for the auto trans if your going with SBC. I'm running a 350/350/20 combo with full with Dana 44's (out of a waggy) & very happy with it.

Hmmm, I have a front waggy 44 out back. Gutted but for the 5.13 gears.

Betcha the local salvage yard could fix me up. Last time I was there they had several 6 lug 44`s. Plus a buncha 60`s also.

Then there still is the 44/8.8 under the YJ.