Mid-Illini Jeepers

I just purchased an 83 cj7. It has a SOA conversion and is a nightmare to drive over 45mph.
I have done a bunch of reading and there is so much conflicting information out there that I'm more confused than when I started.

People have said alignment, caster shims, drop Pittman arm, high steering something....

I have an appointment next Saturday at firestone to have it aligned.

I would like some advice from some local/semi local people as to what I should do.
I'm not looking to make this a real rig. I want to be able to drive it back and forth to work...10 miles each way but half of it is highway.
Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks Brant

Some pictures of the front axle / steering could be helpful. Also, what bad stuff happens above 45 mph?

Post pictures before you take it to Firestone.
We need to see the steering set up.
Like Fraser said what is it doing?

It is all over the road. Every little bump makes the jeep veer and it starts to wobble if that makes sense. I will get pictures on here as soon as I can reduce the size.

ok here are some of the pictures I took. I hope I captured what you need to give me some advice.

Thank you,
Brant

just a couple more. I just want to make sure I can get some good advice.

Wow, there's a lot of crazy going on there. I need some time to process this. Shackle angles, welded steering mounts, drop brackets on the suspension mounts, frame repairs? I might be inclined to torch the frame clean and start over if I wanted a safe daily driver that could handle highway speeds. Any pics of the rest of the vehicle? Stock axles?

Jon,
I live in Pekin as well. I could show you the jeep in person if that would help.

Brant

Here are the other photos of the jeep.

Yikes! I have to agree with Jon, some scary stuff there. I would avoid driving it until some of these issues can be addressed. The way the tie rod is attached to the knuckles is an accident waiting to happen. The pinion angle seen if you zoom in on the first pic of the second set is way extreme and must be causing a ton of vibration.
Are you getting 'death wobble'? It's a thing, look it up. It's usually caused by worn steering or suspension components, like ball joints, or tie rod or drag link ends, or wheels / tires out of balance.
A SOA lift can be done a lot of different ways, but not many of them are right, or safe. It's not as simple as moving the axles to the bottom side of the springs. It looks like whoever did this one kinda made it up as they went along. Of course, it can all be fixed, but it will take time, and patience, and parts, and you'll learn a lot along the way if you stick with it.
I'm in Pekin too, let us know if you want us to stop by.

I would also be willing to look at the jeep in person. A number of us have a SOA set up, and the SOA is done correctly.

PM me your phone number, include the best time to call.

Bill

I really appreciate the willingness to help you guys. I will be in contact. I just started a new job at keystone so I'm working crazy hours.
The other thing is that I have a budget of about 2k to make this happen. Is it possible.
Brant

I thought I'd update this thread after looking at the Jeep tonight.
Here's what I found.
1). Slop in the steering shaft at the joints.
2). 1/4 of a turn of the steering wheel before the tires start turning.
3). Zero caster.
4). At least 2" of side to side movement of the steering box and mount while turning the wheels, when not moving.

Tierod and drag link ends acceptable. The aftermarket hi-steer brackets on the outter knuckles, I feel, are not a contributing factor in the death wobble.

The rear frame horns need attention as do the spring, shackle, and hanger bushings.

The AMC 20 pinion is pointed approx 2* higher than straight with the drive shaft, and that is approx 7* or more to much.

Detective Bill is on the case!

So when are you going to fix it?

Jon Martin wrote:Detective Bill is on the case!

Jon has clearly watched tooooo many episodes of Paw Patrol.

Hi Jill!

I think I went to school with you. And I think we work at the same place...kind of...I'm in the Steel Mill.
But on to the important stuff...
I am ordering parts like a mad man right now. I hope to be able to drive it by next weekend.

I would like to thank Bill for stopping by and taking the time to go over this with me.

Brant

Welcome to Keystone. I don't know what parts your ordering, but we get discounts at a couple of places if your a member of the Jeep Club.

I did tell Brandt about the advantages of being a MIJC member.

I plan to join very very soon.
On a side note...I bought the jeep and on the very same day a bullet truck backed into it and destroyed the hard top and passenger for and broke the windshield...a couple of body shops refused to write an estimate...it was totaled was what they both told me. I decided to take it to another place and they wrote me an estimate and told me it was totaled. UNTIL they looked up the value. The insurance company agreed that old blue was worth between 8.5-10k. They just wrote me a check for 3.8k to have it fixed. At least one thing went right.
I was amazed that the old cj was worth that much

That should say bucket truck

So this weekend I learned a lot.
Direct bolt on replacement does not mean something bolts directly on.
Never underestimate the usefulness of a small propane torch.
If you are going to own an old cj7 then you better trade your metric wrenches in for some standard ones.
That I am allergic to power steering fluid.
The bracket replacement was pretty straight forward. I did accomplish it without dropping the sway brace and it can be done without disconnecting the lines. I am really amazed how well it drives after this. I actually drove it to east Peoria to pick up the top that I purchased for it.
Next weekend I will tackle the leaf spring shims, new seat belts, roll bar pads, high lift Jack mount.
Hoping that will not be a 2 day job.
Looking for a stock spare tire mounting assembly. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Looks like you painted it as well. I like it.

Yes, I changed the color. The blue just didn't fit the jeep and I didn't like the diamond plate.
I like the color now. Seems to fit it a little better.

How were the stock steering box brackets, any cracks?