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This one left me scratching my head ... did Jeep not even prime the bottom of some pieces?
Top side was still good paint; back side cleaned up easily in blast cabinet. Just odd to not even bother with a primer coat. Cost savings on all our FSJs or factory oversight on this one?
Odd. All of my FSJs had at least a cursory coat of primer on the bottom side.
I suppose someone in the paint shop was in a hurry on yours.
Another place you see bare metal is inside the body panels around the shoulder and above.
1977 Cherokee Chief - The Blair Jeep Project III
A collection of parts flying in close formation
With the front clip off, drivetrain removal gets easy. Just had to push Jeep outside to get clearance. Since working alone, used the yellow strap to control the pitch of the transmission.
Mine was built in July. That fits with the sequence numbers since 77 was the highest production year of all if memory serves. (Something like 18k total)
If I recall correctly the production lines would run a batch of J-trucks, then 4 door wagons then 2dr models. Dad told me that most of the Chiefs that were ordered in the 77 model year arrived in late summer through winter because they were last in line for production.
Still it's kinda cool that our jeeps were born around the same time.
1977 Cherokee Chief - The Blair Jeep Project III
A collection of parts flying in close formation
With both the front and rear suspension out, I decided to make a first pass at cleaning up the axles. The plan is to go through both of them completely, and figured might as well start with cleaning up the outside for later paint.
1977ChiefLS3 wrote:I tore out the front suspension and steering and started to clean up the frame.
Anyone know if Jeep in 1977 was using mechanized / robotic welding or still done by hand?
The welds on the frame are say rough, and weld splatter everywhere. I'm grinding smooth as a I go, don't know why, just seems that if going through the trouble of prime and paint might as well knock off the pimples.
This number is stamped on the frame. Anyone know what it represents? Jeep was built in June 1977, so maybe just a date stamp for the frame?
That appears to be a date code. 6th June 1977 day shift.
The last 6 of the VIN should be under the drivers seat on the frame rail.
1977 Cherokee Chief - The Blair Jeep Project III
A collection of parts flying in close formation
I've left the body and frame alone for a while, focused on the axles.
Drained the fluids, disassembled the brakes, knuckles and backing plates, and then pulled the axles and removed the carrier. Spent some time removing all the grease, residue and preparing for paint.
The upgrades include Detroit TrueTracs by Eaton for the front and back axles and Yukon 4.10 gear sets.
For the rear axle, installed a disc brake conversion from BJ's Offroad. Some trial and error to get right and to end up with the parking brake set-up facing the rear and to the top side.
Kit comes with assortment of spacers, and you just have to work the various adjustments (bolt holes and spacers). This looks right, but won't know for sure until mounted and cabled up.
Set the axles aside and will come back to finish up detailing during frame build-up.
Next worked on lifting body off frame. Based on warnings on this forum, I used PB Blaster on the body mount bolts several times a day in advance. The PB either worked, luck or just fortunate California Jeep, as all of the bolts came out with an air wrench without spinning any nuts.