Hey guys, I've always been interested in 4x4 and have long favored the look of the old 1980s CJ-7s.

I recently sold my first car, and the opportunity to by a CJ-7 at an extremely competitive price came up... so I did.

anyways, I'd like to make it a project and I was wondering where I should start to gain some knowledge about 4x4 mechanics... even auto mechanics in general.

I'd definately like to lift/improve the suspension... but I have no idea what else to look at, or what even that entails.

any suggestions to help get me on the right track?

Did you check the frame??:confused:

Go to the book store and start reading. Buy a repair manual for your vehicle. Search the pirate board in the appropriate vehicle section for lifting tech. You can use google advanced search to only search pirate4x4.com. Basically, just read alot for a while.:D

If you think you might really get into the hobby even if your not interested in doing it as a job try taking a few courses at the local college.

Seems to me that to truly get into the hobby and start modifying your vehicle you should probably understand how the basic systems on it work. For an early vehicle like this that shouldn't be too hard. I learned a lot from my dad, but I also learned a lot from reading magazines (flame me for it if you want) but stuff like Hot Rod, Car Craft, faux wheeler, etc are where I learned the how modifications effect the vehicle. Event just the pictures helped this immensely. First learn how an internal combustion engine works, the transmission (whether you have an automatic or manual), the transfer case, and the front and rear axle. Understanding the concepts behind a hydraulic brake system, eg. master cylinder, lines, wheel cylinders, calipers & drums. All these simple mechanicals will allow you to first make sure your vehicle is running properly and then begin to approach the first modifications.

there are many books out there that explain this and there are plenty of things on the internet to help out too. Get your vehicle running properly before you mod it. A Haynes or Chilton manual will help you with this first step.

As a final note, wheel the thing as is. The best way to get into it is wheeling a well maintained stock rig and learning the basics first.

Oh and post some pics of it for us!!! I like seeing pics in the noob thread

I'll second the idea of wheeling a stock rig. With a CJ there are probably enough things that need work to keep you busy. Get your rig going, start wheelin and then you can figure out exactly what you want to modify.