Parts Jeep?

I came across a 1980 CJ 7 w/4 speed that's for sale as-is. No motor and been sitting about 5 years. Lot's of good parts showing but need to go crawl underneath and check the drivetrain. I've read where these had a Dana 30 front axle. Anyone know if this might bolt up to my 1970? Any other parts off this thing useful to my 70? Front disc, steering box, hood, fenders, etc?

I think i can grab this thing for a couple hundred but I don't need yard art. Hoping it's got something i need.

 

Check the width of the axles and see if they are the same as your 1970's. Also check the axle ratio's. Disc Brakes? 11" drums. Other than that I'd imagine you would be parting it out to someone with a CJ-7. Or recoop some of the money and send it to the great scrapper in the sky.

 

If in good condition, you can use the steering gear. The front axle will work, but you'll need to regear it. I believe the ratios in 1980 will be either 3.07, 3.54 or 4.10. None of these will match a '70 with factory gears. The disk brakes will come with the front axle. Hood and fenders will not fit.

Realize that almost everything except the body shape changed for the 1976 and later Jeeps. If there are any other specific parts that you want, ask, because they are unlikely to be usable for a '70.

 

Doesn't the CJ7 have a wider wheel base? Not sure....my memory plays tricks on me.

Scott

 

Depends on the year. The wheelbase widened in 1982.

 

It could have a very sought after Dana 300 underneath it

 

Oh, good point. Why didn't I think of that?

Won't work in a '70, but a desirable component. Send it my way.

 

Thanks all, This is sounding promising on the front axle & steering. This jeep is only a few miles from my place, it has a tow bar and all four tires are up! As time permits i need to take a tape measure and take a very close look. I've got to make sure it will work before hauling this home.

 

How complete is it excepting engine? Maybe you can stick an engine in and drive it?

 

Tires and wheels will fit too.

 

I'll have to pay it a visit when I'm back in town. I know the motor is gone, no seats and it's been sitting in the weather with no top for awhile. A family friend inherited it and towed it home. The story is that everything worked except the motor. or so they say,,,,,,,,

 

Wheels fit? That would be cool. It has a nice rear mount swing-away tire rack. That would be nice to have, if it fits. Crap, my wife is going to shoot me for this.

 

Yes, the wheels will fit. Same 5 on 5.5" pattern. Tire carrier is unlikely to just bolt on. The CJ-7 has a different tailgate than the CJ-5, and it's likely integrated with the tailgate.

 

Besides missing the motor and seats, it looks fairly complete. It's been sitting out though, with no lid! It has a spare tire swing-away rack on the back that I'd like, if it would fit.

I just read the article on the tech page about swapping out the 27 in favor of a 30. Sounds like there is more to this than I thought. Possible that the 80 model dana 30 requires something changed to fit the spring mounts. Hard to tell from the article and comments submitted. Must compare measurements and keep googling and asking questions.

 

The front end should fit and will be disc brake. Likely has a Dana 300 t-case. The transmissions were junk in those years. The Cj-7 isn't any wider than your 5 is. Depending on the swing out carrier it may or may not fit depending on how it bolts on. The tailgates are different but still swing down instead of out so I doubt that it operates with the tailgate. The front end sheetmetal (fenders and hood) changed in 72, the insides of the tubs changed in 76 along with the windshield frames. The steering box should work just fine though it obviously won't bolt on unless your jeep has already been changed to Saginaw steering. If the width of the front axle is narrow track spec and the spring pad widths are the same as yours, then it will bolt in using the spring plates and U-bolts from a 72-75 cj. Obviously you will need the brake lines as well... I'd be willing to bet the will work at the frame with your current lines. No matter what it will be wider than your current front end by about 1.5 inches on each side WMS to WMS. And yes, the wheels will also swap just fine.

 

This is very encouraging. It sounds like I simply need to verify some measurements on the dana 30 and compare to my 27. I wonder if the driveshaft will match-up.

 

To recap: It's likely the Dana 30 out of the 80 CJ7 is a bolt-in but it will be 1.5 inches wider (to be determined-need to measure). It will need to be regeared to 3.73 and possibly need spring plates and U-bolts from a 72-75 cj. Assuming this is correct, will the 70's driveshaft work? Also, what do you think it will cost to regear?

 

sounds like a good parts jeep . the tow bar a plus to get it home . for the right price of ?

 

Yes. A slip.