Rick Cole's Custom CJ7

Written by Rick Cole of Safety Harbor, Florida aka: Rocketricky

Edited by: Rebecca J. Decker

Rick shows us how he built a cool Full Size 460 CJ-7 Jeep from a little yellow CJ7:

Several years ago I had an opportunity to buy the 1978 CJ-7 from a friend of mine in Northern Michigan, owner of the Mineral Springs Bar. At this time the Jeep was 100% stock with only 33"s and was in great shape…it only needed some engine work to the small block V-8. However, it was in good running condition and really no need to change it, well so I thought. Throughout the years, even as a kid growing up I have always had a liking for the CJ's. What a great looking vehicle with unlimited amounts of opportunities for one's imagination. It all started as I was growing from building bikes, motorcycles to go-carts. And when the parents were away, there were times their car was out for a spin, even though they ultimately knew.

From having a mechanical background from growing up with a family in the Engineering and Construction Industry for over the last 100 years plus, it has taken me all over the World from Okinawa, Japan working as a Heavy Mechanic in a 3rd & 4th Echelon shop to the Middle East in Bahrain during the 1st Gulf War. I was enlisted in the U.S.M.C. and three days after graduation from High School, I was off to the real World. These days can never be replaced or ever forgotten and some of the worst days are the best days of one's life now that we look back upon them. With all due respect past & present Veterans I thank you and no matter what price you paid, you will never be forgotten!

As for some reason, after deciding to buy my CJ and probably paying more than I should, I had it shipped to Florida. I had always told my friends I had this idea or vision about this color scheme and set-up for a Jeep. They all thought it was some type of pipe dream or crap I was talking as it usually goes, a bunch of B.S. But, for the ones that know me, they knew I would do it, they just didn’t know when. I just didn't think it would end up with a Dana 60 & 70 and a Tool Box on the back.

In the beginning I drove the Jeep for about 6-months. Then all of a sudden it was in 1,000 pieces and everything was either sold, traded or just tossed out. In doing so I noticed that frame needed some help due to the rust from up North. I should have known. For several weeks or months I looked and contemplated building a Chassis from the ground up or locating a donor! Then I found a Chassis, Motor, Trans, & both Dana's. So it was off to shorting the frame by 36" added gusset plates, welding and adding supports, roll cage, and seats. Then it was building the bumpers and stretching the Jeep body by the 36" for the added back seats and more realistic look for my Full Size 460 CJ-7. Seemed pretty basic enough & realistic to me.

I totally destroyed the Original frame from the CJ I was able to locate a 1987 F-350 Frame, motor Trans & both Dana's, so I then stripped the flatbed truck completely down to just the frame & wheels etc., i.e. Donor. I then Shortened the F-350 Frame, added gusset plates, a C-8 channel sections and brackets for the new CJ Body, & steel gas tank etc to fit the CJ Body on top . I then also had to lengthen the Body so......I cut the Body in 1/2 added in the middle section of 36", i.e. where the back seats are.

It took me a lot longer than I wanted, dragging my feet and losing my foresight on the final goal. However, the day came I said, I must finish it and that we did. My buddy Mark the Spark, Sparky and I went at it 100%. Having the Barbeque Grill in the Garage and several Bottle Pops along the way for 3-weeks straight non-stop I was either at the Powder Coating Shop, the Painters to ordering the last bits of Nuts & Bolts etc. for the final build. Now the Jeep is finished and looking back there are some things that could have been done different or better. However, nothing is 100% perfect well … then again there are some things like our wiring & plumbing and colors or just in the eye of the beholder. There is a special thanks to all of my supporters, Sparky, Ray from R&B Auto Body to Ari from Northern Finland that never believes in letting a Big Block warm-up, to the guys at the Powder Coaters to my Lovely Wife Danielly for all of her patience with all of my B.S., Thank You!

Sparky has Wired Race Cars for over 20 years and has done so for many top professionals throughout the United States….somehow we are always looking for another new adventure or project to begin, so keep on keep'n on and contact us if you so dare: rmcole2@mail.usf.edu

Rick's Jeep is for sale here at SellAJeep.com

http://www.sellajeep.com/bd/sale/adsb447/adsb447.html

1978 JEEP CJ-7 1-of a Kind ?4"-Seater with Custom Paint and 100% of everything is Powder Coated!

Under the hood:

Externally balanced 400+horsepower 460 cid Ford Motor .030 over outfitted with: Edelbrock RPM Intake, Billet 750 CFM D.P. Carb with 1? Spacer, forged pistons, MSD ignition ensemble (including distributor), mild RV/off-road camshaft & lifters, Hooker Headers with 4? Exhaust Pipes & Mufflers all Ceramic Coated!

Geartrain: Standard 4-Speed transmission with New Clutch & Pressure Plate Assembly, New Front Dana 60 & Dana 70 Rear axels with 4:88 Gears, New Radial 38? Tires, Wilwood master cylinder hard line & steel braided assemblies with 10# residual valves, Aluminum Radiator with High-Flow Electric Fan, 140 Amp Heavy Duty Alternator, and a March Pulley System.

In the Cockpit:

Pro Comp Auto-Meter Instruments gauges, Expert Wiring & Plumbing provided by ?Mark the Spark??.the Best Around anywhere, Period! Dual Batteries, Master Disconnect Switch, Push / Pull, Spare Rim & Hold Down on Top of Roll-Cage, ?6? Flood Lamp lighting system, front & rear, ?4?-pt. racing harnesses (both driver & passenger) as well as in the Rear for Passengers, Line-Lock for front wheels, all New Brakes 100%, stops like nothing you have ever seen before! A New Stereo System with Amp and ?4? Speakers for your Tunes, a 17,000#, with 2-part line, Super Winch incase you need it, a New Aluminum Tool Box. The power-plant has only 380 miles on it, at most; custom Build Chassis & Roll Cage.

It's breathtakingly fast, and a great motor setup for pump gas for any Off-Road driving or cruising. It's not a perfect show car, it is built to be used!

Click on the pics to enlarge: