Here is the situation: I can go one of two routes right now on my first buildup. I am new to all of this, and am learning as i go...

Option 1: Ive got a cj7 that i have completely torn down, and sold off a lot of the parts. The only thing i have kept is the body. I can go bigtime with this rig with a 3.9L Cummins, D60 rear 44 frt, 36" meats, NV4500 and as-of-yet to be decided transfercase......
Option 2: Sell the rest of the cj7 and get hold of a rusty old cj2a body that i know of for cheap. Completely redo the body, make it nice 'n shiny, custom frame, D44's front and rear, SOA, 33's or 35's, some 4cyl (dont know yet) and some tranny pared w/ my dana 300-

Before i get pointed out the obvious (building a stout cj7) I have really been honest with myself and figured out for this first buildup i am really just looking for more of a streetable rig that is reasonably capable.... there are not many places within 200 miles of where i live to go wheelin, and i know this thing with be an around town Heep for quite a while, with some occaisional light wheeling as i learn and figure out what i'm doing..... Also due to rising gas prices im really looking for some decent fuel economy out of an engine.... so yeah id really like a highway cruiser for a while..... Well it looks like i am answering my own question here but yall lemme know what you think

CJ-7
Straight 6 (I've seen a properly tuned 258 with Jacobs ignition and cat back that got better MPG then any 4.0 jeep so run whichever)
nv3500 5 speed
Dana 300
Waggy dana 44's with at least a rear locker and 4.10 gears
35" MT/R's
Your choice of good spring lift or spring over

The diesel would get good milage but with the high initial price I could never see it paying for itself in savings at the gas pump

This is your first rig.. build it simple but invest in parts that can be upgraded easily as your wheeling gets more difficult.

New to wheeling or new to building a wheeler??? Problem that I see too often is a tricked out rig that the owner doesn't know how to operate safely. If you lack that kind of experience consider a cheap stock rig till you are really sure what you want out of a rig. If ya know how to drive and need a wheeler that can double as a daily driver/camping rig consider something with some room for gear as well as decent ride on the hiway. You'll be glad you did. Smaller jeeps are fine arround town but can get a little to cozy on along trip. Just my .02.

Where im at:

Had a CJ, constant evolution, went from stock through a buncha diff set ups. Before it went under the knife the last time: D44's, 456's, Detroits, highsteer, SOA, 6" extended wheel base, sliders, full cage, 37" BFG crawlers.

Stout, but I could drive it anywhere in relative comfort.

Current build,

Back Halved, integrated tube frame/whats left of the og one. SR front, D60, D70, 4 link w/ 16 airs. 14 remote res fronts, hummer beadlocks, yadda, yadda, yadda.

Well after 6 months work its still not done, hopefully $1000 more and another month I'll weld up the diffs and go wheeling. But hands down it will be great to have on the trail but I will miss it being just a Jeep.

The answer? I just bought a 93 YJ w/ a blown motor for $500, im prolly gonna end up building the exact jeep i turned into a buggy, because even though i want a rockcrawler, I still need a jeep.

:) Go for one that does everything well. not just one thing and make it streetable.

I think i will build up the cj7- 36's, d44 front and 60 rear- but i really do wanna put a diesel in it just because of the great fuel economy... now currently searching for diesel option.... thanks for yalls input

You're at UT right?? Winrock is not far from there. It is in Oak Ridge. They have a little bit of everything. :D

Would definately go for the 36's and the diesel. That would be :smokin:.

even though im at UT my pile a metal is in nashville.... not many wheelin options in the midstate... yeah that diesel would be smokin if i could find one cheap enough

Have you considered searching the Scout II boards for 1980 model Turbodiesel? The drivetrain from the scout would be awesome if mated to a lighter CJ frame and body. I found my old Scout II to be a bit too vunerable in the rockers without serious lift.

Aside from the initial cost, the milage is not that much better on the diesel either. I don't know about where you live, but here, diesel is almost .30 a gallon more than regular. I know this first hand because my wife got a TDI Jetta a couple of years ago when the prices were the other way and it was cheap as hell to drive. Now it cost her almost as much as my Bronco to fill up. A new civic as a gas burner is cheaper to run now. Aso consider the weight of it. AMC motors are abundant and cheap. How about looking for a 304 - 401 and running it in stock trim or a little hopped up.
I vote on the CJ7 for the room, but like the others said, don't go overboard. Give yourself a good foundation and the ability to upgrade. I can tell you first hand, If you try to take it all on at once it will still be apart in the driveway next year. My simple CJ5 rebuild has turned into a monster CJ6 with links, coils, 1tons, and has not even seen the trail in 2 years.

. I can tell you first hand, If you try to take it all on at once it will still be apart in the driveway next year. My simple CJ5 rebuild has turned into a monster CJ6 with links, coils, 1tons, and has not even seen the trail in 2 years.
Wise words, take heed. :)

Wise words, take heed. :)

Heed taken- :D

But it looks sweet in the driveway :D

sell it all and buy my jeep :D